# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1947_S467
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

CONSTITUTIONAL MATTERS 467

Wuereas, The sum of $2,500 per annum, which has been made
available to the Press Committee at the last Synodical Convention,
was insufficient to carry on the work that should have been
done; be it

Resolved, That an annual appropriation of $5,000 be made
available to the Press Committee for the next triennium or until
such time as a Public Relations Department may take over its

present functions. Rev. Ap. F. Meyer, Chairman
Rev. Wn. F. BRUENING, Secretary
Mr. J. F. E. Nicxetssura, Treasurer

Committee 13 brought in the following report:

After studying the various memorials and recommendations
pertaining to the establishment of a Department of Public Relations
and after consulting with representatives of the Board of Directors,
the Department of Publicity, the Press Committee, the Board for
Parish Education, and other interested groups, your Committee
respectfully submits the following recommendations:

1, That Synod proceed at once to establish a Department of
Public Relations for the purpose of:

a. Correlating the work of our District Press Committees and
otherwise providing for the dissemination of news through
‘press and radio;

b. Presenting the Lutheran viewpoint on issues of the day;

c. Answering attacks against our Lutheran Church;

d. Keeping abreast of legislative developments with a view
to preserving our constitutional guarantees of the separa-
tion of Church and State, and maintaining contacts with the
State Department in the interest of Synod’s missionary and
educational program.

2. That the Department be administered by a board of seven
members: 3 pastors, 3 layman, 1 member of the faculty of our
teacher’s colleges, to be appointed triennially by the Board of
Directors in consultation with the Praesidium, with whom they
shall maintain close contact.

3. That the Board of Public Relations shall be instructed and
empowered to appoint, subject to the approval of the Board of
Directors, a full-time executive secretary, who shall be the
Director of Public Relations for Synod, and who may be released
from office by the Board for Public Relations, with the consent
of the Board of Directors.

4. That the Board for Public Relations shall be instructed and
empowered to maintain an office for its executive secretary in