# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1938_S161
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

Missions in General 161

and two in the Navy as well as four Reserve Army chaplains on
active duty with the CCC camps. We have, as far as known,
twenty-six pastors who are commissioned in the Reserve Corps
of the Army; one commissioned in the New York National Guard.

The seven chaplains on active duty report monthly to this
_ Commission, and a survey reveals that a tremendous amount of
work is done for us by our men.

A sample report, not out of line with all others, from one of
our chaplains shows that in six months one chaplain preached 106
sermons to 9,324 men; conducted Bible classes; distributed 5,000
pieces of Christian literature, including over 100 New Testaments;
traveled over 13,000 miles and spoke before 24 gatherings of our
own congregations and societies,

The Commission has held five meetings to date.

This report was adopted March 14, 1938, at Fort Wayne, Ind.,
with all members of the Commission present.

Karu Scuirepe, Secretary

Committee 18 brought in the following recommendations:

1) That Synod extend a vote of thanks to the commission
appointed for the drafting of rules pertaining to the Army and
Navy Commission for Chaplains;

2) That Synod adopt Section A. “General Rules”;

3) That Synod adopt Section B. “Regulations for Chaplains”;

4) That Synod adopt Section C. “Regulations for Commission”;

5) That Synod adopt Section D. “Duties of the Commission.”

Action of Synod: These resolutions were adopted.

The secretary of Committee 2 was given permission to read
the following declaration of the former Army and Navy Committee
into the minutes:

“Pursuant to the resolution of Synod your Committee has

carefully studied the official documents regarding the office and
functions of the chaplaincy in the Army and Navy. The Committee
also heard reliable testimony from several of our pastors who have
been chaplains in the Army; furthermore, the Committee received
interpretations personally from the Chief of Chaplains on some
of the paragraphs and wording of the regulations which were
indefinite and might be variously interpreted. The Committee
was impressed with the fact that again and again it is emphasized
in these documents that the chaplains are to function ‘according
to their respective creeds or conscientious practise in each case.’
(A.R. 60—5, p.3.) And although they are under the authority
of the commanding officers, this provision does not imply any
_ dictation as to their spiritual ministry; consequently the con-
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