# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1950_S255
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

_ Action” ('49—’50). After studying the topics of our own national

300 PARISH EDUCATION

emphases, and works toward better integration in educationg
matters.

During the past triennium it has produced three- issues of
Parish Activities, using the following general themes: “My Worlg
Mission” (’47—’48), “A Living Faith” ('48—49), and “Christian

organizations and the total work of the Church, it set up these
natural emphases for the months of the year: January: World
Missions; February: Evangelism and Home Missions; March: Faith
and Life; April: Christian Worship; May: the Family and Youth:
June: Leadership Training for Christ; July: Citizenship and
Recreation; August: Planning the Church’s Work; ‘September:
Christian Education; October: the Mission of the Church; No~
vember: Christian Stewardship; December: Christian Welfare
Work.

This work needs not only to be continued but intensified to
avoid conflict and confusion and provide good co-ordination. Ad-
ditional meetings of executive secretaries are needed to develop
greater unity of approach in promotional and educational en-
deavors. District boards of education and missions should be
instructed to help implement better parish planning to further
strengthen congregations and help develop a working laity. The
directive to the Board for Parish Education of 1944 needs restate-
ment in the light of recent experience.

Family Magazine

The Centennial Convention acted favorably on the petition
of the Board for Parish Education to turn the matter of a family
magazine over to Concordia Publishing House, with the Board
for Parish Education, however, acting in an advisory capacity on
the project. Mr. O. A. Dorn met with members of the staff to
formulate plans for the publication of this magazine. Eventually
an advisory committee was appointed by him which included four
members of the staff of the Board for Parish Education as well as
the chairman of the Board. The Board for Parish Education has
maintained its advisory contact with the project, inasmuch as the
idea for a family magazine originated with the Board for Parish
Education.

Philosophy of Education

We regret that so far we have been unable to comply with the
directive of the 1941 convention that we compose a treatise on the
Lutheran point of view in education. The problem has received
consideration at various times, and some exploratory work has been
done. We shall try very hard to complete this project during the
forthcoming triennium.

PARISH EDUCATION 301

Conclusion

The Missouri Synod has much cause for rejoicing in the
progress that has been made in parish education during the past
triennium. In every District of Synod there is evidence that our
congregations are showing concern for an adequate program of
Christian education. Such concern is basic for providing the best
possible program of parish education for our children, our youth
and our adults. For all the evidences of progress let us give thanks
to Almighty God. For all our shortcomings let us plead for for-
giveness, and let us resolve to work to expand and improve our
educational program. The goals we have set in Lutheran ele-
mentary schools, in Sunday school enrollments, and in Bible Class
enrollments are a challenge to every congregation in Synod. May
the dynamic of the Gospel work in us the willingness to rise to
these challenges and to build strong our beloved Church through
Christian education.

The Board for Parish Education is grateful to all who in some
way or other helped the Board to meet its many responsibilities.
Special thanks are due to the Board of Directors of Synod, the
Department of Publicity and Missionary Education, the manage-
ment of Concordia Publishing House, various subcommittees which
worked under the direction of the Board, and, above all, the mem-
bers of the staff (Arthur L. Miller, Dr. A. C. Stellhorn, Rev. A. C.
Mueller, Wm. A. Kramer, Rev. A. H. Jahsmann, Dr. J. M. Weiden-
schilling, Arthus W. Gross, Rev. Oscar E. Feucht), without whose
initiative, resourcefulness, faithfulness, and deep devotion to their
several tasks the Board could not possibly have performed all the
work assigned to it by Synod. Not the least of all of God’s mercies
which our Synod enjoyed this past triennium was the readiness of
so many to support and promote the efforts of the Board for Parish
Education and thus Synod’s vast program of parish education
Soli Deo gloria!

Recommendations
1. Family Life Education

11. That the Convention ratify the President’s action in merg-
ing the two committees on the family; that henceforth the Family
Life Committee be considered a part of the Board for Parish Edu-
cation’s division on Adult Education; that said Board be authorized
to fill vacancies and make new appointments when deemed neces-

sary and to include the needs of this committee in i
requests. committee in its budget

1.2. That we encourage our congregations to use such printed
and audio-visual materials as will help parents in Christian child
training and in conducting home devotions and that we encourage