# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1938_S99
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

EDIE SAS i a ER DN tne WA I EEE

Action Regarding Individual Institutions 99

tion in the past cannot but be looked upon as emergency measures.
Institutes were established under the pressure of urgency to meet
insistent necessities by any group that had the courage to undertake
this work, not by their own choice but because no other facilities
were available to carry out such work. .

This spontaneous development of lay-leadership training has
certain implications for Synod that must not be overloked. It in-
volves both a “short view” and a “long view.” Much of what has
been done in the past should be looked upon as the “short view” —
it was merely solving immediate, often local, urgent needs in ways
that seemed for the moment to be most practical. For the solution
of immediate problems such measures offer temporary help. Synod,
however, should be more concerned with the “long view.”

It seems advisable, then, that an administrative plan be set up
which embodies the following considerations:

1. It shall be inclusive enough to take in the total work of
education in the Missouri Synod.

2. It shall safeguard the principles of the Missouri Synod, e. g.,
the autonomy of the local congregation, the singleness of purpose in
all educational functions, the effort to maintain, besides able pastors
and teachers, also an intelligent lay leadership built on the founda-
tions of an unfaltering faith in Scripture.

3. It shall enable competent boards in an advisory capacity to
give directive guidance and assistance in the development of edu-
cation on all levels to the end that increasingly able leaders be
developed for the more and more complex work of present-day
congregational life.

4. It shall so place responsibility that every sphere of educa-
tion will be recognized and may be developed as the needs arise.

5. It shall provide for such coordination and cooperation as may
be necessary for a complete and unified total program of religious
education.

6. It shall encourage existing organization arrangements which
have proved their worth and shall stimulate wholesome initiative.

The following plan for the administration of a comprehensive
educational program is offered for consideration as a goal toward
which to strive.

This proposed organization meets the requirements outlined.

1. It includes all areas in which educational work is now done.

2. It provides for the coordination of the entire educational
work of the Church by the integration of the various committees
in the Council of Christian Education. :