# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1953_S781
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

CONVENTION MINUTES 784i

Hits most impressionable years and ‘the Church must accompany
them with Word and Sacrament so they may return and become
:-useful members of our churches, It was also pointed out that our
E Synod was not furnishing its quota of chaplains for the Navy.
The chairman of the Commission, Dr. Paul Dannenfeldt, reported
f that spot reports indicated that the recent Mother’s Day collection
F was going over the top. He referred to the consecrated and efficient
f-service of our chaplains which had brought to many of them
fy excellent and superior ratings. Chaplain Major General Charles
. I. Carpenter voiced appreciation of the fact that our Synod was
: doing more than giving chaplains since it was keeping in touch
F with our youth in the military. The situation, he pointed out, con-
; fronts the Church with three challenges: 1) American young
people are everywhere in the world and are often being tempted
by different standards of morality and must make their decisions |
without the restraining influence of their Church, parents, or
friends. 2) Since one million young men are being called into the
military, the question arises whether they go out of the Church as
they go into service. 3) The Armed Services are the greatest mis-
sion field of the Church today since many of their members have
never heard the message of a saving Christ. The Christian youth
in the Armed Services are the greatest missionaries, whose conduct
preaches impressive sermons. They have strengthened Christianity
in many places. They must be prepared for this missionary service
and be taught to represent Christ wherever they walk and in
whatever they do. Particularly responsible in preserving the youth
for the Church is the local pastor. Chaplain Carpenter concluded
with a plea for greater dedication in,serving the youth in the
military. In acknowledging with thanks ‘his inspiring words,
Dr. Behnken asked God to grant us full responsibility for this work.
Synod resolved in future to designate the General Relief Board
as Board of World Relief, The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod.
It shall consist of three pastors and three laymen to be appointed
by the Board of Directors and of the executive secretary of the
Board for Social Welfare. This Board was instructed to procure
necessary help and to establish the office of Executive Director.
This Board is authorized to appeal for funds at a convenient time,
congregations being encouraged to respond generously to alleviate
suffering throughout the world. The Board is to appeal for funds,
food, and clothing when need therefor exists. The Rev. E. A.
Nerger pointed out that dire need exists in Germany, Palestine,
Yugoslavia, India, Hong Kong, Formosa, and Korea. President
C. F. Baase of the Alberta and British Columbia District reported
briefly on the blessed results of Canadian Lutheran World Relief.

The personnel of KFUO was commended for diligent work,