# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1950_S245
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

280 PARISH EDUCATION

By 1946 the situation had improved to 6.8 per cent. A conservative
figure for 1948 shows 9.8 per cent, and the enrollment by the end
of 1949 was considerably over the 10-per-cent mark, though
Synod’s membership had grown remarkably during these last years.
The enrollment increases from 1947 to 1948 were double those of
any other recent year. Several Districts in two years increased their
Bible class enrollment from 90 to 100 per cent, and one District,
adding 70 new Bible classes, increased 140 per cent. The 194g
statistics (which are conservative) indicate that the five highest
Districts are: Texas with 28 per cent, Oklahoma with 23.8 per cent,
Southeastern with 23.3 per cent, Kansas with 18.2 per cent,
and California-Nevada with 17.1 per cent. A special poll of
one District, made at the end of 1949, revealed 43 new Bible
classes started during the year and half as many more in the plan-
ning stage.

- There is yet much to be done if our enrollments are to be
a credit to us as the Bible Church and compare favorably with
other denominations. Eight of the larger District of Synod, with
a total communicant membership of 608,509 and representing
55 per cent of our total membership, are below the median score
of 10.7 per cent. It is lack of progress in the older and larger
Districts which is keeping the general average of Synod down.
A strong field-work program is needed to help the older and larger
Districts and congregations. The New Testament concept of lifelong
Christian growth as preparation for Christian service needs to be
inculecated. We must also have a more general acceptance of the
full Sunday school structure, including youth and adult de-
partments.

The Bible and Children

It was found that many adults are not diligent in the use of
the Scriptures because they were not properly introduced to it as
children. An analysis of causes therefore demanded that we give
special attention to the use of the Bible in all of our agencies of
Christian education, A subcommittee of the Council on Bible
Study gave special attention to this problem. The workshop in
Religious Education studied the topic “The Use of the Bible with
Children” and developed a monograph, Leading Children into the
Bible, to guide our parents and teachers. Teachers’ conferences and
Sunday school associations have begun to take up the problem.
There is need for dealing practically and realistically with this
question in every ‘conference of pastors, teachers, and Sunday
school workers. Training the individual for the personal, devotional
use of the Bible must become one of the major goals in Lutheran
education if we are to succeed in building a Bible-studying laity.

PARISH EDUCATION 281

Bible Use in the Home

Another subcommittee has. been dealing ‘with the problem of
increasing the profitable use of the Scriptures in our homes both
ivately and in family worship. Many Bible-reading plans have
been investigated. One plan has been tried out experimentally in
a whole District. Further studies are being made, including
a scientific survey to get solid facts on which to base a preventive
and a remedial program, which will lift the devotional habits of
our people. A full acceptance of the Lutheran doctrine of the
Word and of the priesthood of all believers demands a practice that
is consistent, namely, regular and fruitful use of the Word of God
in our private lives. Use of the Word should come natural to the
child of God. Nothing less will give us people capable of coping
with the increasing secularism, the aggressive Romanism, and the
anti-Christian Communism of our age. There is a distinct need
for special efforts in every congregation during the next triennium
to increase Bible use in the home.

Bible Study and Youth ‘

Some preliminary studies have indicated that fully 70 per cent
of our young people between the age of 14 and 24 are not enrolled
in Bible classes nor teaching the Bible in Sunday school classes,
This is far below a creditable record for our Church and spells
disaster for tomorrow. There is need for a special and careful
analysis based on facts and a vigorous promotion which enlists
all that are concerned: the home, the church, Bible classes, Sunday
schools, and youth societies. A subcommittee has been appointed
to give guidance toward an effective approach to Lutheran youth.

Bible Institutes Increase

Under the blessings of God the St. Louis Lutheran Bible Insti-
tute founded in the fall of 1946 has continued with two semesters
a year and maintained an enrollment of more than 200 per
semester. It has also stimulated the founding of six other Bible
institutes. Five or six more are being established in 1950. Recog-
nizing the importance of training more volunteer parish workers for
our churches, the Board for Parish Education has asked the
St. Louis Institute Committee to supply guidance to the institute
movement. The busy pastor, with his crowded parish calendar,
and the fuller achievement of our missionary and educational task
as a world Church call for the training of many more consecrated
men and women with all types of parish activity. We believe that
many more Lutheran centers should be encouraged to set up Bible

institutes, that the Board for Parish Education should be charged