# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1953_S514
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

514 FINANCIAL MATTERS

[821] Report of General Relief Board

The General Relief Board, after its appointment by the
of Directors, examined the instruction and directives give:
synodical Handbook and came to the conclusion that consj
attention had to be given to a study of the whole matter of phy;
relief as it concerns our Synod as a responsible Church ina
tressed world. During the greater part of the three-year p&
the Board devoted much time to a careful analysis and evalu:
of the problem in order that an efficient and effective prog res
might be undertaken by this Board of Synod. During thig*
however, the Board was not idle as far as actual relief work
concerned. In fact, it stepped up considerably the program
to suffering fellow men, though, it must be stated, this wa
very limited when considered in the light of actual needs
responsibility.

Meetings were held with various leaders of our Chu
with the Board of Social Welfare, in order that the Progra
relief to be executed by the Board might be one which woi
feasible as well as adequate to the challenge and also-4
mensurate with the ability of our Church and its members.
Board feels that much progress has been made in the develop
of a program of relief that will result in much good and bleg
both for our Synod and for countless sufferers in the’ \

Board Enlarged
Up until March of 1953 the Relief Board consisted of if
members: Rev. Fred Wambsganss, Rev. Edwin A. Nerger,'*
man, and Mr. Paul Wolf, treasurer. In March of 1953 the }
of Directors of Synod, with the concurrence of the Relief
enlarged the Board to a total membership of six, three pasta
three laymen. This action was taken because both the Boaw
Directors and the Relief Board felt that the needs in vario
of the world and the problems of peoples were such that i
action was necessary. It was also felt that our Lutheran |
— Missouri Synod was one of the few Protestant church
America which had no systematic relief program on a larg
and that this situation should be remedied. It was further.
that the members of our Church have the direct responsib
feed the hungry, to visit the sick and those who are in p
give clothing to those who are naked. The Board of Directo
the assent of the General Relief Board appointed the Rev
Bernthal, Mr. A. T. Wilson, and Mr. William Fenske to the Ge
Relief Board.
The Board of Directors of Synod also authorized the
Relief Board to procure such help as would be necessary.
out this program. Pursuant to that authorization the Boa