# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1950_S446
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

446 MISSIONS
shall have to determine which areas are to receive our attention,
the amount of men needed, the needed places of worship and. jg
living quarters. In these matters, it is understood, our Church
would act in an advisory capacity to the Free Churches of Ger- .g
many. Subsidies granted by our Church would be for the support “al
of specific projects approved by the responsible Board of our Synod...

Establishment of a 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 th
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, an
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 absolute’
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 a
rehabilitation. 3. Contact with Lutheran groups outside the Fre
Churches of Europe.

Prior to the late war the Free Churches of Germany, France,.
and Finland received support from Synod in the form of ann
subsidies which covered, in whole or in part, the excess of opera
expenses over receipts. The Free Church in Denmark recei
subsidies from’ the Saxon Free Church, while the mission
Belgium received support from our affiliated church in Engle
During the war no subsidies were paid. After the war your Bo
called the Rev. Walter C. Daib as full-time executive secre
to survey conditions in Europe. On the basis of this survey, mad
in 1946, your Board resolved, beginning with the year 1947, upor
a program of fostering confeSsional Lutheranism wherever possibl
in Europe. This work was to.begin by utilizing the existin
churches and mission stations which were in fellowship with..u
This program was set forth in detail in the report to the cor
vention in 1947.