# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1953_S241
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

MISSIONS 241

ble. In arriving at this figure we considered the follow-
Ts:

average number of stations opened in each District
past five years.

five-year program submitted to us by the District mission
‘The opportunities prevailing in the various areas of our
fey, It is said that each year over 50 new suburban com-
Hes are springing up in our country. “America today is on
e, thirty million strong each year.” By the end of the year
shall have 9,210,000 more people than we have today,
to the present rate of increase. All of this means new
ew communities, each of which constitutes an invitation to
Tt appears that the larger graduating classes during the com-
will make more men available also for the Home Mission
@four Synod. During the four-year period 1953—1956 it is
that on the average we shall have 45 more graduates
Hie'each year than we had in 1952.

The only area which constitutes a hurdle in attaining this
‘in the availability of Church Extension funds. But it is
at some immediate courageous action will be taken to
xe necessary Church Extension funds so that we can keep

the basis of these factors we believe that a goal which calls
pening of 120 new Home Mission stations annually, or
Wat of 480 stations for the next four-year period, is not only
but ought to be encouraged. This would mean that
e should open 21 more new stations than we did during

fasion Areas N: eeding Special Attention —

are two areas which our Board believes need the special
d attention of our entire church body. One has to do
falied “blighted areas.” As communities change and the
ip moves away, the local congregation is confronted with
nm: What shall we do? Shall we stay or relocate? At
«field is abandoned, or the church property is sold to
denomination. We believe that this is. most unfortunate.
id urge District mission boards and congregations to work
-an. effort to avoid the abandonment of any field which
upy.. Our Board has asked Prof. E. Mahnke of Con-
minary to assist us in developing some suggestions and