# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1953_S191
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

PARISH EDUCATION 191

The Need for More Schools

r-cent enrollment, no matter how large in itself, is
atisfactory; not because it falls short of Synod’s goal,
tase there is the crying need for the more thorough indoc-
d training of our church membership and for removing
in much larger numbers from the secularizing influence
education. Who would say that a 50-per-cent enrollment
satisfactory or perhaps even extravagant? Should we
higher? If some Districts can approximate, reach, or
0-per-cent enrollment, it would seem that most other
yuld do likewise. The Texas District has a 71-per-cent
fant. in, spite of its many small congregations. Northern
fas ‘an enrollment of 57 per cent, the Western District one
nt and South Wisconsin one of 50 per cent. Others are
ag the 50-per-cent mark, but too many Districts are far
at mark. (See accompanying table for details.)
ing schools are for the most part filled to capacity and
anding. Our greatest need is for schools in many more
ions. The table on page 192, showing the potentialities,
that we could double our present number of schools.
e did open 216 schools since 1947, progress in this respect

ely slow and unsatisfactory. We should not be ungrateful
gress made; in fact, reports that reach our School Office on
nirig and development of schools are often so amazing and
le that we find it hard to ask for more; but in view of
ities we have reasons to feel ashamed about the lack of
eater progress. Your Board for Parish Education is aware
it takes to open schools, of most of the obstacles which the
sup to pastors and people to hinder the work of the
of the still existing lack of spiritual understanding and
s to sacrifice, or the widespread satisfaction with a mini-
hristian education that costs relatively little. But your
also confident that such obstacles could be overcome in
es if pastors and people, Circuit Visitors, conferences,
aards for Parish Education, and others in direct contact
wngregations, would present a united front and make
lest effort to multiply our schools; if those who have

are convinced of their importance would earnestly
r the schools and encourage and admonish their brethren
d privately to do the right thing by their youth and

be! ieve that the following would be effective in the estab-
more schools: