# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1947_S839
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

YOUNG PEOPLE'S WORK 8387

The civil authorities are employing more agencies than ever
before to be helpful to youth. More education is required of
youth leaders than ever before; more scientific approaches to a
helpful youth program are being developed. Everything possible
is being done by those interested in youth to save youth for the
State.

As a Church we ought to keep abreast of the times and do all
in our power to save youth for Christ by developing a deeper in-
terest and consciousness in those responsible for youth training and
_ youth work by providing them with the necessary funds to carry

out the duties assigned to them and by providing the proper
courses to make them effective youth workers.

A survey regarding the part our teachers play in youth work
in our congregations has revealed much. A summary of the find-
ings is found in the report of the Board for Young People’s Work.
Studying this report, you will note that almost half of the 485 re-
turning their questionnaire requested strongly, almost demanded,
that college credit courses be given at our colleges in order to
prepare the teachers for youth work. These responses indicate
that the teachers feel that more help and guidance in youth work

‘would be very helpful to them now. These responses also indicate
their desire to do more for our youth and their willingness to do
more work to enable them to serve their Church in a larger way.
It is possible that a similar survey which might be made among
our pastors would reveal the same desire in them for more thor-
ough training at the Seminaries for work among the youth.

Although Synod resolved as early as 1926 “that a course in
young people’s work be given both at our theological seminaries
and at our normal schools,” this resolution has not been carried
out to the fullest extent. We are disturbed over the weakened
phraseology in the Proposed Synodical Handbook (1947) pertain-
ing to this resolution, which now reads: “The Board for Young

People’s Work shall make suggestions to the faculties of our the-.

ological seminaries and at the teachers colleges for courses in youth
leadership.” (P.102,7.73d.; compare Synodical Handbook, 1945
edition, p. 93, par. 8 and 9.)

In view of what has been stated, we offer the following reso-
lution:

Wuereas, There has arisen as a result of present conditions a
much greater need for highly efficient youth workers; and

Whereas, Synod as early as 1926 saw the need of such leaders
in the field of youth work, as is clear from the resolutions adopted
at that time; and ~

Wauereas, The Board for Young People’s Work has been ur-

Proceedings, 1947 ; 22