# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1950_S715
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

PRESIDENT’S TRIENNIAL REPORT 17

q funds to them to be managed for the Lord, and with true Gospel
; motivation we must persuade them to do their proportionate share
- in the Lord’s work. Our convention ‘must concern itself with a very
;. challenging financial program if the Lord’s work is to go forward.
E One of the important lessons which we should emphasize is that
” financial contributions for the Lord’s work should be made regu-
; larly throughout the year. Much more would be accomplished if
-. we would not postpone these efforts until the close of the year.
We have different subsidiary organizations that collect moneys
from our people. Because of overlapping of some of this work
a Voluntary Council to Co-ordinate the Financial Efforts of these
: groups was formed. It is hoped that this arrangement will bring
- about a better understanding and will remove some of the
. confusion.

The convention will have the pleasure to hear a brief doctrinal
essay at every morning session. Dr. Martin Walker and Prof. M. H.
Franzmann will deliver one-half hour essays and present the im-
portant lessons contained in the Letters to the Seven Churches as
recorded in the second and third chapters of the Book of Revelation.

On the basis of all the blessings of God which we have en-
joyed, the outward and inward growth of our church body, the
progress of our work despite all our weaknesses and shortcomings,
we should thank God from the depth of our souls and praise Him
for His long-suffering and kindness. Unquestionably God was
with us, and we should bless His holy name. ,

Your President, as he has done at former conventions, herewith
wishes to call attention again to the fact that we are assembled
for a church convention. Our whole conduct and behavior through-
out these days should give evidence of the fact that we are dele-
gates of Christian congregations, chosen for the purpose of con-
ducting the affairs of Christ’s kingdom. Hence our meetings should
be characterized by a spirit of kindness, brotherliness, and conse-
crated attention to the business before us. There should be no
lobbying and no electioneering and no manner of propaganda
behind the scenes. This would be altogether out of place and
altogether unworthy of Christian delegates who are met to carry
on the work of our Savior. If anyone approaches you and seeks
to influence you by such an unworthy practice, you should put
forth every effort to correct him. The business of our convention
is and should be conducted in a very frank and open manner.
If you have matters to present, you can first of all approach the
respective committee and present your views. If need be, you will
also be given opportunity to discuss the matter on the floor of
the convention. It should therefore be a matter of honor with
every one of us to avoid secret propaganda or political maneuvering