# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1953_S256
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

256 MISSIONS

Thus 60 applications for a total of $915,300 were presented’
past fiscal year, but only $673,300 could be granted to 52 app
since sufficient funds were not available to meet the de
in full.
In days like these, when building materials and wage;
reached unknown heights, a paltry loan of $5,000 or $10,000:
little to a struggling congregation to erect the initial plant, at
place of worship or a parsonage. It means little to a fast~ds
ing mission if it is compelled to enlarge its facilities. But
shall the General Church Extension Board go to provide thi
so sorely needed? True, the Board of Directors time and
came to the assistance of the Board. It replenished the.
by an outright grant of $250,000 from the “Conquest fo
offering and by an additional $420,839.22 on a loan basis so ‘ths
of January 31, 1953, a working capital of $2,513,660.47 wi
vided. All but $272,870.94 of this working capital was all
But if the Lord had not made the hearts of our fellow Ch ri
so willing to contribute so liberally in the “Conquest for.
effort, the situation would have been most critical. As of Fel
1953, $1,038,500 were allotted the various synodical Districts
the “Conquest for Christ” funds in loan grants to alleviat
need of the hour. Yet the Macedonian cry continues lou eram
louder: “Come, come, and help us!” a
What are we to do? Dare we stand by and not makeg
termined effort to provide the funds necessary and to pre}
the future, for the day when our young men will in in
numbers graduate for the ministry to go out to possess
and to extend the work? ’

Now is the time to prepare, to increase the net worth’
General Church Extension Fund. This was the plea pre:
the Fiscal Conference held in St. Louis in September, 19 ye.
pleaded that the General Church Extension Fund be pla
the annual synodical budget until the net worth of th
Church Extension Fund has reached approximately $5
which. would mean an annual revolving fund of about..$§
which would for some time to come meet the estimate
the fund. We pleaded that $500,000 be placed into the
budget of 1953. Brethren, however, after long discussion,
fully declined the proposal, but believed the request to bei@§
vital importance that they resolved “that the Church . Ex
Fund be eliminated from the budget for this year.”

SINCE THE MISSION EXPANSION OF OUR
is dependent upon adequate church extension funds, the ‘Gy