# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1947_S463
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

CONSTITUTIONAL MATTERS 468

Why the Establishment of Such an Office is Necessary

1..A great section of American Protestantism has lost its
positive Christian influence since it turned to Modernism and the
ocial gospel. By God’s grace the Lutheran Church, with its pure
Gospel message, is today best qualified to stem the tide of a
“threatening paganism on the one hand and an encroaching Roman
“Catholicism on the other.

2. The Lutheran Church is not at present the effective influence
in our country and in the world that it deserves to be by reason
of its sound Biblical doctrine and its evangelical practice, yet it
has a definite contribution to make toward improving the spiritual
and moral conditions which are fundamental to the welfare of
the Church and the nation. The Lutheran Church will make
a much greater impact upon American life when its doctrine and
practice become sufficiently known.

on the Lutheran Church. An office in Washington would place
our Church into an advantageous position to correct false view-
points and to answer attacks officially, as well as promptly and
effectively.

4, The Lutheran viewpoint on important issues and Lutheran
news of spiritual, educational, or social value frequently fail to
reach the Associated Press, United Press, Religious News Service,
radio stations and radio chains, or other news agencies that would
be glad to disseminate them.

5. It is more important today than ever to be informed on
legislation dealing with religious or educational matters. This
type of legislation must be followed from the time of its introduction
to its ultimate disposition. During the time of its consideration by
Congress or the legislatures the religious and educational interests
of the Church must be carefully and systematically guarded or
defended.

; 6. No present agency in our Synod is able to perform adequately
acl the duties which are envisioned as being part of the duties of the
aa office which this memorial seeks to have established.

Functions of a Lutheran Office as Here Recommended

While it may require a special committee or commission to
define, and while experience will have to determine in part, the
exact pattern according to which such an office will operate, it

a seems safe to say that the following functions should be included:

1. Presenting the fundamental Scriptural position on important
questions of the day, such as capital and labor, race relations,
_state aid for denominational schools, birth control, family relations,

3. Unfair attacks have frequently been made on Luther and

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