# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1947_S847
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

MISSIONS 848

Church Extension Funds as well as Synod’s Church Extension Fund
must be materially increased if the accelerated mission-expansion
program is to succeed. Added funds must be provided for equip-
ment. The horse-and-buggy days are a thing of the past. The
use of the lodge hall, of a vacant store, for public worship, the
use of auto camps to house a missionary, can no longer be con-
sidered. To meet present-day emergencies, be it suggested:

a. To urge every synodical District to bend every effort to
increase the District Church Extension Fund in a manner which
will bring the best results;

b. To include the General Church Extension Fund in the
synodical budget.

Realizing the present housing shortage, the Board of Directors
set aside $200,000 from the Peace Thankoffering which the General
Church Extension Board might use to assist in this emergency.
$100,000 was granted the Board of Home Missions to help struggling
mission stations in the repayment of Church Extension loans.

Scrutinizing the present-day housing shortage, considering also
the fact that the number of men graduating from our theological
seminaries will increase year after year, Church Extension funds
now available cannot meet the anticipated requirements. We must
therefore look elsewhere to find ways and means to meet the need
of the hour. Be it suggested to consider:

The Establishment of a Synodical Building and Loan Depart-
ment.—To inaugurate this Building and Loan Department, we
might consider the appointment of a committee of five well-
qualified businessmen fully acquainted with the conduct of building
and loan associations. This committee is to study the need, the
feasibility, and the advisability of the proposed effort. Be it further
suggested:

That the committee of five be augmented by one member each
of Synod’s Board of Directors, of the General Church Extension
Board, and of the Board of Home Missions. These members are
to be advisory members to said committee.

To gather the working capital for the Synodical Building and
Loan Department, be it suggested:

a. To make use of our own synodical surplus resources or
unused funds as far as this is possible;

b. To invite synodical Districts, organizations, and congregations
to deposit unused funds into the treasury of the Synodical Building
and Loan Department; ‘

c. To request loans from individual fellow Christians,
Permit a few explanatory remarks: