# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1947_S835
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

YOUNG PEOPLE'S WORK 3383

1940. In 1941 Synod increased the Commission’s appropriation to
$7,500. The 1944 convention gave further evidence of Synod’s
mounting interest in student work by voting $20,000 per annum for
the ensuing triennium, a figure which the Student Service Com-
mission had established as “a minimum appropriation commensurate
with existing needs.” The rising interest in student work is re-
flected also in the resolutions of the various synodical Districts.
The sum appropriated by District conventions in 1945-46 for student
chapels and centers alone exceeded $1,000,000. This, under God,
is only the beginning.
Objectives

The objectives in student work are now clearly defined. No
longer does the Church focus its attention solely on soul conserva-
tion; it now asks the question: Conservation for what? It seeks
to answer that question by setting itself to the task of training the
Lutheran student for Christian service. The reclamation of stu-
dents who had given up their religion prior to their matriculation
has also become a major task of the Church’s ministry on the
campus. The opportunities for personal evangelism at colleges and
universities lead to the conclusion that these educational institutions
are a foremost mission field. The visible results recorded clearly
indicate that our Church is not only aware of its missionary oppor-
tunity on the campus, but is also, under the blessings of the Holy
Spirit, doing something about it.

Methods

While our Synod was very late in its arrival on the campus, it
has moved to the very forefront of student work through the crea-
tion of student pastorates, the formation of student congregations,
and the erection of student chapels. Through these media the
student’s specific needs are adequately met. Through these media
opportunity is also provided for the student to participate in church
work, to assume responsibility in church work, and to learn by
doing. Through these media opportunity for personal mission
work is also tremendously enhanced. University presidents, deans
of students, and student pastors of other denominations have hailed
this plan of operation as the best means for the development of
responsible and functioning Christians.

The serious problem of providing manpower at major univer-
sities in financially weak synodical Districts has been solved by
the splendid co-operation of Synod’s Board for Home Missions,
which, under the leadership of Executive Secretary Streufert, has
shown an intelligent and lively interest in student work. We have,
however, found no solution for the equally pressing problem of
providing adequate physical facilities for the promotion of our