# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1950_S447
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

MISSIONS 447

In 1945 the Emergency Planning Council became actively
engaged in the work of spiritual and physical reconstruction in
= Europe, 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
F 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
vision 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-
m and will seemingly remain ours for years to come. There are
ill 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
d publications must be supplied. Much of this work is closely re-
ted to the long-range program of our Church in Europe. 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
y-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),
za change in name be considered. (One suggestion has been “Board
efor European Affairs.”)

Pension Fund

". Local Free Churches, other than German, are too small and
P financially weak to establish Pension Funds of their own, and
Ethe men, therefore, who are working in such fields, are without
otection for their old age. The Board believes that they are
titled to such protection, since they are missionaries employed
fand salaried by the Board. We therefore recommend that, where
sho local Pensiori Fund exists, the Pension Board be authorized
Eby Synod to accept as candidates for the Pension Fund such men
are recommended by this Board.

‘ We pray that God will continue to enable Synod to be an
strument in His hands, working for the growth of His kingdom

‘Europe. ;
P THE Boarp ror Missions IN EUROPE

Paut G. Sanper, Secretary

Nore. — In this connection Committee 2 also gave careful considera-
n to several unprinted memorials.