# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1956_S719
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

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ala ati & saben I

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MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS 719

Finances: The costs for the first fiscal year of operation, Sep-
tember 1, 1952, to January 31, 1953, were covered by a special
grant of the Synodical Board of Directors in the amount of $750,000,
made from the “Conquest for Christ” funds.

The funds for the second fiscal year of operation, February 1,
1953, to January 31, 1954, were provided by a grant of $400,000 by
the Fiscal Conference of September, 1952. This total was to be
supplemented by an additional amount of $300,000 to be secured
from the sale and distribution of prints, film rentals, and direct
fund solicitation.

The funds for the third fiscal year of operation, extending from
February 1, 1954, to January 31, 1955, were covered by a grant of
$500,000 by the Fiscal Conference of September 1953 and were to
be supplemented by an additional amount of $250,000 to be secured
from sundry sources.

By resolution of the St. Paul Fiscal Conference of June 1955
the moneys needed for the fourth fiscal year, February 1, 1955, to
January 31, 1956, were to come in full from the synodical budget.
This same Fiscal Conference also granted the total of $750,000 for
the new fiscal year, beginning February 1, 1956.

Staff: Since the fall of 1951 the Rev. Herman W. Gockel has
served as Religious Director.

Since the spring of 1952 Mr. Melvin Schlake has joined the
organization in the capacity of Executive Secretary.

Coverage in Foreign Lands: Requests for the use of television
films continue to reach your Television Committee from various
foreign lands. Inquiries have come in from Norway, Sweden, Eng-
land, Germany, Japan, the Philippines, and Australia. As far as
funds will permit, your Committee will do everything in its power
to extend the usefulness of our church’s television program.

Improvement of the Program: Your Television Committee is
deeply concerned with the constant improvement of the program
“This Is the Life.” By the grace of God our church has been per-
mitted to lead the way and to pioneer in the use of the television
medium for the presentation of the Gospel. It has also been per-
mitted to maintain its leadership for the past five years. Constant
study and attention is being paid to the maintenance and improve-
ment of quality of the presentation.

Conclusion

Your Committee unites in giving thanks to Almighty God for
the overflowing blessing He has showered. upon the work of Lu-
theran Television Productions and the television program “This Is