# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1950_S277
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

344: MISSIONS

resources. The basic factors still exist which led to such 7
advances, namely, the continuance of the refugee problem.
Further surveys are needed to determine in which direction
we shall apply our funds as well as to gather complete information
regarding the ability of the German Free Churches to
their own mission program. Studies will have to be made con.
cerning the available manpower, both of this date and for the
future. Some consideration will have to be given to the possible
consolidation of the weaker parishes, the elimination of duplication
of effort, etc. It will also be necessary to consider how far the
use of evangelists and deacons can help to solve the manpower;
problems inherent in the missionary program for Germany. We
shall have to determine which areas are to receive our attention,
the amount of men needed, the needed places of worship ang
living quarters. In these matters, it is understood, our Church
would act in an advisory capacity to the Free Churches of Ger.
many. Subsidies granted by our Church would be for the suppor
of specific projects approved by the responsible Board of our Synod.

Establishment of an European Office of the Missouri Synod

Since the end of the late war, our Church has again been in
personal contact with the Free Churches of Europe. It has carried
the testimony of its theological position to the leaders of Euro-
pean Lutheranism. It has brought charitable assistance to the
Lutherans of Europe. Since all these activities are to a greater
or lesser degree connected with the long-range aims of our Church,
it seems to be wise, even essential, to establish a European office of
our Church. Naturally, such an office must be well staffed, and
much thought must be given to the calling of a man to head such
an office. While, at first glance, this might seem to be an additional
expense, your Board is convinced that in the long run money
will be saved. Your Board believes that such an office is absolutely
necessary and therefore recommends this as part of the long-
range program for Europe.

One Agency for All Work in Europe

Since the war our Church has been engaged in manifold
activities in Europe. These activities may be divided roughly into
three parts: 1. Permanent mission work. .2. Physical relief and
rehabilitation. 3. Contact with Lutheran groups outside the Free
Churches of Europe.

Prior to the late war the Free Churches of Germany, France,
and Finland received support from Synod in the form of annual
subsidies which covered, in whole or in part, the excess of operating
expenses over receipts. The Free Church in Denmark received

MISSIONS

=s1e¢ from the Saxon Free Church, while the mission in
vain received support from our affiliated church in England.

andthe war no subsidies were paid. After the war your Board
called the Rev. Walter C. Daib as full-time executive secretary

-sarvey conditions in Europe. On the basis of this survey, made
946, your Board resolved, beginning with the year 1947, upon’
O cogram of fostering confessional Lutheranism wherever possible
: Europe. This work was to begin by utilizing the existing
churches and mission stations which were in fellowship with us.
This program was set forth in detail in the report to the con-

In} 1945 the Emergency Planning Council became actively

engaged in the work of spiritual and physical reconstruction in.

. particularly in Germany. Especially blessed were the
series of theological discussions with members of the Landes-
kirchen, generally known as the Bad Boll Conferences, which were
inaugurated by the Praesidium and financed by P.T.O. funds.
These conferences have resulted in strengthening and upbuilding
confessional Lutheranism and have also given inspiration, zeal, and
yision to our Free Church brethren. The spiritual care of our
Lutheran brethren among the ten or twelve million refugees,
penniless, unemployed, and unwanted, is another continuing prob-
lem and will seemingly remain ours for years to come. There are
still physical-relief problems to be met. Help for rebuilding
destroyed and damaged churches must be provided. Training
schools for the future ministry of the Free Churches outside of
Germany must be established. Funds for needed theological books
and publications must be supplied. Much of this work is closely re-
lated to the long-range program of our Church in Europé. Much of
this work is interrelated and is now being done by two Boards.
Your Board is convinced that one agency should do all the work in
Europe and therefore recommends the following:

That Synod designate one agency to carry on all European
work. That Synod reconsider Articles 2.03 and 8.51 to 8.57 of the
By-Laws of Synod as to the name, personnel, and functions of such
agency. That, because of the unwelcome connotation of the word
“Mission” to European ears (who associate it with heathen),
a change in name be considered. (One suggestion has been “Board
for European Affairs.”)

Pension Fund
Local Free Churches, other than German, are too small and
financially weak to establish Pension Funds of their own, and.
the men, therefore, who are working in such fields, are without
Protection for their old age. The Board believes that they are
entitled to such protection, since they are missionaries employed