# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1956_S703
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

Sma OAC RIESE eNO ERAN AOC EAN NANO Sta . sy cha abate st i te

MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS 703

Press

The press of the United States and Canada has shown itself
increasingly friendly to the whole field of religion, and has demon-
strated a growing appreciation of the Christian contributions being
made to national life by our church body. In the case especially
of large metropolitan dailies, wire services, and national magazines,
this has not always been as true in the past as it is today.

The work of our department in this area was recognized when
the director was elected to two terms as president of the National
Religious Publicity Council, an independent organization of
Protestants engaged professionally in public-relations work for
churches or church organizations.

Radio and Television

The department wishes to call attention to the great public-
relations value of “This Is the Life” and The Lutheran Hour, in
addition to the evangelistic service rendered by these two programs
to our church and to the world. Undeniably these two projects
represent the greatest efforts in Christendom today to bring the
Gospel to this generation through radio and television.

The NBC, CBS, Mutual, and ABC radio and television net-
works have granted free time for both television and radio pro-
grams to our church body. Programs on NBC “Frontiers of Faith”
(TV); CBS “Lamp unto My Feet” (TV); and CBS “Church of
the Air” (Radio) have been arranged by the department of public
relations.

Governmental Relations

Relations with agencies of the United States Government are
the responsibility of the Washington office of the department.
Miss Olinda M. Roettger serves as Washington secretary.

The office does not engage in lobbying for legislation but pro-
vides information on the church to Government agencies, and on
Government operations to synodical officers.

Regular contacts are maintained with a number of depart-
ments in the executive branch and as required with other agencies
and members of the legislative branch of Government, as well
as with the embassies of foreign governments.

The department helps to sponsor an annual seminar for
Lutheran students to acquaint them with the operations of Govern-
ment as an inducement to active Christian citizenship.

Information Service

’ Providing of information regarding Synod and its work is
a heavy responsibility of all three offices of the department. The