# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1944_S138
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

138 Young Reorie’s Work

zations. Some societies have editorial committees which prepare
‘and mail news letters to their, young men and women in national
service. Others render servict'to the Red Cross, enroll as nurses’
aides, and volunteer for many kinds of wartime work in their
community. —

Undoubtedly ‘there are congregations which cannot attempt to
carry on young people’s work on this wide range of activities;
in addition to other handicaps they do not have ‘suitable meeting
rooms and other facilities. Yet we ought to bear mind that
assembly rooms and equipment are mere things, and things are not
so important as young people.. A resourceful. and consecrated

‘leader will not be easily deterred by such limitations. ‘Love for
’ the work can often find a way. We should make the most of. what
we have where we are. Many successful societies operate with’
fewer than ten members and despite so- -called inadequate facilities,

‘This is an encouraging fact to keep in mind in these days of ‘depleted
membership rosters, Even small societies can provide for growth
-in Christian knowledge, living, service, fellowship, and recreation,

if they are guided by leaders who are aware of their responsibilities,

know their duties, study their problems, and solve them with
prayer and creative imagination.

Without the continuous and complete co-operation of the — -

“Walther League your Board would find its range: of opportunities
greatly circumscribed and its methods less effective. We regard
the League as an especially prepared field for our operations. With
the District committees of Synod our contacts must’ be maintained
almost exclusively by corresyendence; the triennial meetings of
District committees with your ‘Board are the only exception to this.
rule. We should like to meet more frequently with the District
committees. With the League we confer regularly in person by
means of representation at their meetings and ours, and-we are
happy to testify that we have ¢onsistently enjoyed the most cordial
and mutually helpful relation¢ with the organization. May we add
here that the League staff thinks and plans in terms of all young
people of Synod; its interest is not confined to the registered
membership. The achievements of the Walther League have been
valuable contributions to the whole youth welfare endeavor of our
Church. It has been willing to share its resources of experience,
leadership, organization, and program. with your Board and with -
the church ‘at large. To enumerate some good results which are,
under God, largely attributable tothe: League is not difficult. The
increasing number of Bible classes is due in no small measure to

- the impetus and drive of the League, which assists the pastor in

conducting them. The noticeable improvement and higher standard

of choral work in our congregations is due in part to the music