# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1947_S856
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

854 MISSIONS

called by the Atlantic District to serve a group of Japanese in
New Jersey.

Trailer Missions, — Trailer Missions, begun in the past tri-
ennium, had another successful year in 1946. A number of Dis-
trict Home Mission Boards purchased their own equipment. This
will enable these Districts to make full use of the entire summer
months and carry the Gospel to the unchurched.

Tract Mission.— A steady flow of well-written attractive
tracts is needed. A real effort ought to be put forth to interest our
fellow Christians to distribute tracts. One tract which is pub-
lished bimonthly, Just a Minute, already has a wide circulation.
Added funds are needed to enter upon an intensive, extensive,
systematic tract mission.

The Future of Home Missions. —For one hundred years our
missionaries and pastors preached the Gospel. They have gone
forth to every nook and corner, to many of the metropolitan
centers, But there is still much land to possess. Sixty per cent
of the population of our country does not accept Jesus, the Savior.
With the opening of the Centennial year a new impetus was given
to personal evangelism. Already larger numbers of adults have
been gained. It is essential to stress Home Missions. We must
ever be on the alert and win souls for Christ lest our Church will
gradually grow stagnant and die. Home Missions must be nurtured
if the missions in foreign lands are to prosper.

A Home Mission Board Policy.—In all of its activities it has
ever been the policy of the Board of Home Missions to follow
synodical lines. It was therefore always the policy of the Board
not to deal with the individual missionaries or the individual mis-
sion station but with the respective District Home Mission Board
or synodical organization. The scope of Home Missions has so
widened and is so far-reaching and of such importance that the
Board of Home Missions must seek the co-operation and the
assistance of every synodical organization. In the Home Mission
Department there is work for everybody. There is work for our
fellow workers in the Lutheran Laymen’s League. There is work
for the women of the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League and for
the women’s organizations not affiliated with this group. There is
work for the youth organizations, the Walther League and-others.

According to the Synodical Handbook the work of the Board
of Home Missions is not restricted to Districts receiving subsidies
but includes the self-supporting District Home Mission as well.
And we are exceedingly happy to report that the finest relations
exist between all of the District Home Mission Boards and the
Board of Home Missions. All fully co-operate in carrying out the