# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1971_S60 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) IIE /-— 60 PRESIDENT’S REPORT of new officials than to destroy the Structure under but a challenge. Let our 125th anniversary be crowned which they carry out their work. with the Opening of 125 new mission stations! Some of the Proposals which would turn much of the government of the church over to the Council of VI. Our Mission Requires a Well-Educated Laity United States. During the 195 years of our nation’s educated laity does not end with childhood or confirma. history, we have had Some very good presidents and tion but rather continues through the entire period of authority of the president in order to bring about changes that were desirable for the nation. The Board of Parish Education over the past two actually create an administrative vacuum which would rapidly be filled — in fact, if not in theory — by the full-time synodical executives who are not directly re- developed. The Board of Parish Ed mended for its imagination and initiative in developing this far-ranging program. only way an executive can be removed from office! Unfortunately some of the theological accents of the It appears that the Synod would do well to retain its Mission: Life Program have received some criticism. The time-honored principle of placing the primary adminis- President and Vice-Presidents, as well as our Com- trative responsibility in the hands of elected officials, mission on Theology and Church Relations, have also through whom it can directly contro] its destiny. In expressed concern about some aspects of Mission Life essence, this is the issue. Committee 2 which deals with theological matters, is Please give the recommendations of Committees 4 and 5 your careful consideration. They will have an V. Our Mission Requires Well-Educated Pastors many very fine features of this program. We are con- and Teachers Committee 6 will be devoting its attention to the the Christian e ducation of all our people, work of higher education in our Synod. Our church, from its very beginning, has been extremely concerned VU. Our Mission Requires that We Show L ove about the professional and theological training of its and Concern full-time church workers. We spend over 9 million dollars annually on a Program of education which pro- The church is made up of people who not only hold duces more than a thousand pastors, vicars, teachers, to a certain faith, but also show their faith by their deaconesses, parish workers, and lay workers each year, love and concern for their fellowmen. Committee 9 jis This is a rich gift to the church, and it requires very devoting itself to a review of the work of our synodical careful planning and thought on the part of our Board Board of Social Ministry and World Relief. One can for Higher Education as well as on the part of the con-_ read the report of this board with great enthusiasm and vention as jt considers the report of this board. Of gratitude to God for what our church has been able to