# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1956_S779
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

CONVENTION MINUTES 779

communion registration cards at the booth of Trinity First Lu-
theran Church by Friday noon.

The session was closed by singing “Now Rest Beneath Night’s
Shadow,” uniting in the Lord’s Prayer, and receiving the Apostolic
Benediction.

Session 2
June 21, A.M. j

The second session was opened with a devotion in which
Rev. Eric Malte, President of the Eastern District, served as lit-
urgist. Vice-President Herman Harms, in giving the first of the
meditations on the general topic, “I believe in the Holy Christian
Church, the Communion of Saints,” on the basis of Eph. 2:20
stressed the fact that the church is built on the foundation of the
prophets as the inspired writers of the Word, which centers in
Christ, by whom the Scriptures are the rock on which the church
is built. As builders of the church of Christ we must always
remember that the Word is the foundation of the church, the tool

with which the church is built and by which we become a victorious ~

church that does great things for Christ.

The minutes were read and adopted with the correction that
the Hon. Eric Hoyer, Mayor of Minneapolis, addressed the assembly
in person. The President announced changes in the personnel of
floor committees.

Greetings were received from the Slovak Evangelical Lutheran
Church and from the Missionaries in New Guinea. The death of
Rev. Paul C. Barth on June 20, former Director of Public Relations
for KFUO and the Family Worship Hour, was announced.

President Behnken gave the convention a preview of the chal-
lenge and work that lies before us. The blessings received should
stimulate us to show forth the praises of our Lord. Representing

_2 per cent of the church population of America we should assume
‘the responsibility of considering 1,340,000 of all fellow citizens as
missionary prospects. The expected population increase would
raise this number to 1,900,000. A similar challenge confronts us
in Canada, South America, and the Argentine. In the next ten
years our 5,000 congregations should reach a total of 900,000 souls,
an average of 18 people. 1,300 to 1,400 new stations should be
established in the next ten years to keep up with population
“growth, This challenge calls for much work, increased prayer, and
greater giving. About $3,000 a year are required to open each new
station. Our subsidized Districts will need some $2,225,000 support
in the coming decade and some $20,000,000 in loans. Equally blessed