# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1953_S628
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

FINANCIAL MATTERS 648

he functions of this Department are threefold:
'o promote a sustained program of Christian stewardship
g the total life of our members, particularly as these lives
the programs of our congregations and of Synod.
To promote missionary education and information so that
fmembership is the more informed concerning Synod’s great
mary program.
To promote evangelical ways and means of gathering suf-
at offerings from our members to supply the growing needs of
Re Church’s expanding program.
fTo achieve these three general aims, even in a limited degree,
fr{Department must endeavor to keep in close touch with the
id through many and varied contacts with District leaders and
Bye leaders of at least a number of our congregations. Warm and
Rénvincing literature must be prepared and made available. Effec-
je visual-aid materials must be produced for general distribution.
ne demand for such materials is on the increase. Time and again
we were forced to make reprints. This is a good sign. Our people ©
gre becoming more stewardship-conscious. Yet no one will deny
that our people are lagging far behind what they could and should
be doing for their congregations, their Districts, and Synod. They
need help! .
. A Synod-Wide Stewardship Program

In order to meet the needs of the local parishes, the steward-
hip leaders of our Districts and Synod met at Lake Okoboji
(Iowa) last summer and planned an over-all and comprehensive
ttewardship program. The Board of Directors of Synod made this
neeting possible through a special grant. In this program the laity
ire to play a vital role. Thousands of laymen are being enrolled on
istrict, circuit, and congregational levels in order to make this
rogram effective. The program is to be a sustained venture, a
ear-round, a year-upon-year effort. In many sections of Synod
his program has already taken a firm foothold. It is our hope and
rayer that all of the congregations of Synod will participate in
his program as their circumstances may require.

Basic Aim of Program

The basic purpose of the entire stewardship program is to build
1ore functional congregations — congregations fulfilling their high
nd God-given mission in such a day as this. The chief parts of
le program are: ;

1. Greater consecration on the part of our members to Christ
| order that they might serve better as living members of His body.

2. A deep appreciation of the why and wherefore of Christian