# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1953_S242
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

242 MISSIONS

procedures which can guide our congregations and mission
as they cope with this particular problem.

Another area which needs special attention is our rural:
work, There is the problem of a declining rural populatia
problem of many smaller churches in close proximity, the fa,
churches which were once considered far apart are brought
to one another by an improved highway system. On the other
we dare not overlook the fact that there are still many unmet*<#
sion opportunities to be found in our small towns and rural ‘ene
munities.

In order to counsel Synod’s Home Mission Board with:
ence to rural church work, our Board called together a gr
men during January of 1953 to advise us with reference tg
work. The men constituting this Advisory Committee we:
following: Rev. Arnold Meyer, mission executive of the Coig
District; Prof. Victor Hoffmann of Valparaiso University
Martin Schaefer, Mission Executive of the Western District;
W. Maack and Rev. H. W. Niewald of the Western District’
Commission; and Rev. W. Stuenkel of St. Joseph, Mich. This
mittee suggested that Synod’s Home Mission Board work ¢
with the District mission boards in calling attention to the prob
in rural church work and offering suggestions and helps. As
sult of that meeting our Board has secured the part-time se
of the Rev. Arnold F. Meyer of Denver, Executive Secre
the Colorado District, to help us work more closely with the’
trict mission boards with reference to rural church work. *

Promoting Home Missions

The primary responsibility for carrying on the Home
program of The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod rests,
the thirty-two Districts and not upon Synod’s Home Mission
(See Handbook, Sec.8.27b.) This is a unique Home Miss ion
rangement in Protestantism. However, Synod’s Home
Board is to interest itself in the Home Mission program
Church, give counsel and guidance to the District mission,
and also financial assistance where needed. In order to a
this purpose your Home Mission Board has used particular
avenues.

A. Mission Conferences

During January of 1951 eight regional mission confe

were held, at which all District mission boards were Tepres

The total attendance was 200. é
In May of 1952 a general mission conference was

Kansas City, at which all Districts except one were repr

The total attendance was 152.