# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1965_S211
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

4. SYNODICAL ADMINISTRATION 211

have been most cooperative and unanimously express
the hope of sharing in the benefits of the project.

In an effort to produce a preliminary compilation of
recent and existing synodical efforts in the use of the
mass media, including use in pilot projects, a question-
naire has been circulated among mass-media function-
aries in mission fields and sister churches, to the auxili-
ary agencies and involved private enterprise, and to the
mission boards. Early returns already reveal a quan-
titative breadth of interest and activity never before
reported to the church. There appears to be an un-
planned investment of effort and personnel which far
exceeds otherwise available records and reports. Early
projections of further opportunities are also quite stag-
gering.

Third, we have begun the compilation of research
persons and materials having a bearing on the analysis
of the use of mass media in the Christian mission.

While the early stages of the surveys will focus on
synodical efforts in the mass-media ministry, it will
ultimately be desirable to have for reference a record
of other Lutheran and other Christian activity in the
field. A coordinated effort within synodical relationships
will be even more meaningful if it can be plotted with
the total Christian effort in mind.

An effort will also be made to establish evaluative
criteria, including theological, by which the effectiveness
of our use of the mass media may be assessed. And this
survey is benefitting immeasurably from its association
with the mission self-study and survey directed by Dr.
Martin L. Kretzmann.

Mass Mepra IN MIssIon SurvEY
C. THomas Sprrz, Jr.

[4-53 Un]
Auxiliary Organizations

Re Unfinished Item of Survey Commission Assigned
by the 1962 Convention to the President and
Vice-Presidents for the 1965 Convention

Wuereas, Membership in the auxiliary organizations
of The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod is made up
of persons who are members of the Synod and its con-
gregations and thus committed to the objectives of the
Synod; and

Wuereas, The Preamble to the Synod’s constitution
states that one of the reasons for the formation of the
Synod is the “Lord’s will that the diversities of gifts
should be for the common profit,” and the Synod seeks
to utilize these human gifts of God for effective King-
dom service; and

Wuereas, By their stated goals the auxiliary organi-
zations of the Synod are committed to assisting the
Synod through their auxiliary roles and supportive ser-
vice; therefore be it

Resolved, That The Lutheran Church — Missouri
Synod recognize with deep gratitude the services of the

auxiliaries and their readiness to aid in carrying out
the mission God has assigned to the church; and be it
further

Resolved, That the Synod urge the auxiliary organi-
zations to continue to operate as free-standing insti-
tutions, self-determining in their internal affairs; and
be it finally

Resolved, That the Synod discharge its primary re-
sponsibility by establishing the necessary relationships
with auxiliary organizations to insure that the nature
and scope of activities undertaken by them be in har-
mony with and subordinate to the work undertaken by
the Synod. These responsibilities are to be delineated
in the Synod’s Handbook and discharged as follows:

1. Representatives of the Synod, named by the office
of the President of Synod and responsible to him, shall
serve as counselors to the governing bodies of the
auxiliary organizations.

2. The Council of Administrators shall name division
leaders who shall be responsible for convening planning
and coordinating meetings in specific areas of service
designed to involve appropriate auxiliary organizations
or their parts.

3. The Council of Administrators shall assign to spe-
cific boards, committees, or commissions the responsi-
bility of continuing consultations with appropriate per-
sons from auxiliary organizations to assure that specific
kinds of service are conducted with the highest degree
of coordination and effectiveness possible.

For THE PRESIDENT AND VICE-PRESIDENTS
Ouiver R. Harms, President

[4-54 Un]
To Declare Moratorium on Establishment
of Full-Time District Presidents, etc.

Wuereas, A number of the Districts of the Synod
have established the office of District President as a
full-time office; and

Wuereas, Additional Districts have considered or
are considering this major administrative change; and

Wuereas, It is possible that more desirable and ef-
fective solutions to synodical District administrative
problems may be available; therefore be it

Resolved, That this delegate convention declare a
moratorium on the establishment of full-time District
presidencies; and be it further

Resolved, That the President of the Synod appoint
a committee including representation from the synod-
ical Board of Directors and the District Presidents to
bring appropriate recommendations on synodical Dis-
trict organization and administration.

Boarp or DIRECTORS
THE LUTHERAN CHURCH — Missourr SyNop
W. C. Birxner, Secretary