# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1956_S13
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

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PRESIDENT’S TRIENNIAL REPORT 13
and altar fellowship. This year’s conferences will include such
men of the “Landeskirchen” as the Free Churches will invite.
Some have asked: What have these conferences accomplished?
The answer is that they have furnished an excellent opportunity
to bear witness and acquaint churchmen, with whom we had had
no contact for many years, with the doctrinal position of our Synod.
Thus they have afforded opportunities to exert a real influence for
Scriptural Lutheranism. We know that these conferences were
deeply appreciated. We have been assured both orally and by
letters that they have had a very wholesome influence on the
preaching and teaching done by many pastors and teachers.

All these matters concerned with doctrine and practice need
the conscientious and prayerful thought and attention of our con-
vention. Without a doubt the eyes of many are focused on us.
Lutherans all over the world are asking: What will The Lutheran
Church — Missouri Synod do? Some have predicted that our
Synod will abandon its former stalwart position. Some great
theologians, not of our Synod, have stated that our Synod and
those in fellowship with us, are the last hope of true Lutheranism.
Many are praying most fervently for us. All this reminds us of
the great importance of our convention. As God grants us grace
and wisdom, we must remain firm and steadfast, faithful and loyal
to God’s Word.

Every morning from 8:30 to 8:45 we shall have opening devo-
tions. The topics are taken from the statement of the Apostles’
Creed: “I believe in the holy Christian Church, the communion
of saints.” Afternoon devotions begin at 1:15 P.M. All delegates
should be present promptly.

The convention will be given the privilege of hearing four
essayists, each of whom will deliver two one-half-hour essays. The
time for the essays is 9:00 to 9:30 A.M. Dr. Paul M. Bretscher
will deliver the essays on “Christian Education”; Dr. Lewis Spitz
on “Youth for the Kingdom”; Prof. Martin J. Naumann on “En-
deavoring to Keep the Unity of the Spirit”; and the Rev. John E.
Herrmann on “A Trust, O Lord, from Thee.”

The convention must give due thought and attention to Synod’s
colleges and seminaries for the training of pastors and teachers
and missionaries. The book of Reports and Memorials contains
some important requests, which involve large sums of money. As
God graciously grants growth and expansion to our Synod, we
shall need increased numbers of workers. The convention has
before it a report of our manpower shortage. That furnishes food
for serious thought and calls for action. May God graciously guide
and bless our deliberations!

A matter which surely causes hearts to leap for joy is the