# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1950_S1056
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

868 , PARISH EDUCATION

_By 1946 the situation had improved to 6.8 per cent. A conservatiy
figure for 1948 shows 9.8 per cent, and the enrollment by the’
of 1949 was considerably over the 10-per-cent mark, ‘thé
Synod’s membership had grown remarkably during these last ye
The enrollment increases from 1947 to 1948 were double those
any other recent year. Several Districts in two years increased th
Bible class enrollment from 90 to 100 per cent, and one Distr:
adding 70 new Bible classes, increased 140 per cent. The-:194
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 6
one District, made at the end of 1949, revealed 43 new Bib
classes started during the year and half as many more in the plan;
ning stage. Aah
There is yet much to be done if our enrollments are to’ bé
a credit to us as the Bible Church and compare favorably ‘with
other denominations. Eight of the larger Districts of Synod, wi
a total communicant membership of 608,509 and representi gH
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 larget
Districts which is keeping the general average of Synod dov
A strong field-work program is needed to help the older and larg
Districts and congregations. The New Testament concept of lifelong
Christian growth as preparation for Christian service needs to hé
inculcated. We must also have a more general acceptance of the
full Sunday school structure, including youth and adult d
partments. , ; ‘
4 The Bible and Children

It was found that many adults are not diligent in the use.
the Scriptures because they were not properly introduced to it,
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 Bib
Study gave special attention to. this problem. The workshop: in
Religious Education studied the topic “The Use of the Bible wi
Children” and developed a monograph, Leading Children into ‘th
Bible, to guide our parents and teachers. Teachers’ conferences
Sunday school associations have begun to take up the probl
There is need for dealing practically and realistically with °
question in every conference of pastors, teachers, and Sani
school workers. Training the individual for the personal, devotion:
use of the Bible must become one of the major goals in Lutherang:
education if we are to succeed in building a Bible-studying laity.