# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1941_S878
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

408 Miscellaneous

church horizon, to get the benefit of inspiration of outside Christian
fellowship, and to deepen the spirit of united effort. .

As far as we know, the Lutheran Laymen’s League has not ex-
pressed itself on the age question, nor has, as far as we know, the:
International Walther League come to a decision. But for the sak
of Synod-wide or even international coordination and uniformity -.
of effort in organization work and to avoid the hampering effects;
(generally speaking) that often follow if membership without con:
cern for the age complex is continued aimlessly or regardlessly, it
would be well to recommend to the respective officers or authorities
of these organizations (Walther League and Lutheran Laymen’s :
League) and, of course, also to the prospective Lutheran Women’s
League that they together consider a coordinated plan which in the. :
end would work to the benefit of the individual organizations, the -
local congregations, and the Church at large.

As it is, the Walther League, the L. L. L., and other organiza-
tions are periodically suffering because of lack of a graduated
system. If one organization outgrows itself or loses spirit and
vitality and the membership is not passed on, much talent trained
through organizations is lost, and there is a loss not only to the
respective organizations and local congregations, but also to the
Church at large. A graduated system would also help to avoid
misplaced (age complex) or duplicated (belonging to too many
societies and thus scattering efforts) membership in organizations.

We should be so constituted that wherever there is interest
for organizations (societies), we can continue this through a grad-
uated system with adapted and adjusted Christian objectives, ideals,
and also recreation. While the play life must take secondary place,
nevertheless the Christian recreational, social, and fellowship side
(or call it the human side) of church-life, also to help take up the
slack of much leisure time of our day, ought to be worked up
thoroughly and definitely to serve as a supplement. Primary, of
course, is the purpose of making all organizations greater service
units to the local congregations and to Synod through a more or
less unified, graduated system and program with Christian Knowl-
edge and Christian Service departments (similar to that of the
Walther League’s). :

Again, the practice of automatically moving up, thus eliminat-
ing the perennial consideration of being “too old” or “not fitting
in,” has its distinct value.

It is understood of course that local circumstances alter cases
and that the local congregation remains supreme; but even in