LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1962, Page 176

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176 UNPRINTED MEMORIALS

seven organized districts and approximateely 203,000
members. Also included in this membership are women
in Mexico, Germany, Central and South America. Al-
though membership is generally on a unit or society
basis, “any woman who is a communicant mmber of
her local congregation and participates by promoting
the objects of the League” is considered a member of
the unit. The league collects no dues.

Pursuant to the 1950 synodical resolution for more
intensive lay training, the league developed what has
become to be known as its Christian Growth program.
Institutes, workshops, and program-planning sessions
are held on a regional, district, and local basis, with
strong emphasis being placed on the importance of
Christ-centered activities at all levels. Based on the
conviction that the business of the church is spiritual
and that mission work begins with the individual’s own
commitment to Christ, the Christian Growth program
has consistently stressed Bible study, a deeper prayer
life, and personal witnessing.

A unique opportunity is afforded the league for per-
sonal and direct contact with missionaries and other
workers in the foreign fields through the LWML Hos-
pice Committee, which, as the name implies, extends
hospitality to missionary families at various “ports of
call” as they travel to and from their stations. “Taxi
service,” sight-seeing tours, baby-sitting, and like ac-
commodations are provided as opportunity affords.
Contact through correspondence is also maintained by
leaguers who live far from the centers of travel, etc.

The Lutheran Woman’s Quarterly is the official pub-
lication of the league, serving as the “cement which
binds the organization together.” It carries current
news from the mission fields and includes a topic study
and other program helps. Each issue contains newsy
items relating to districts.

Conventions of the international Lutheran Women’s
Missionary League are held biennially. The districts
meet annually or once every two years. Zones within
the districts hold one or two rallies each year.

A pioneering effort was begun by the LWML in 1955
when the executive board voted to conduct a survey
of women’s work within the church. Exhaustive study
by the committee appointed to this task, together with
pastors named as advisers, resulted in the publication
of a “Survey Report, Women’s Work in The Lutheran
Church — Missouri Synod.” It is felt that earnest con-
sideration of the survey report will bring about “con-
tinued effort to expand the missionary outreach of the
women on each level — local, district, and international”
and that, true to their motto, members of the Lutheran
Women’s Missionary League will continue to “SERVE
THE LORD WITH GLADNESS.”

The above is a resume of the historic significance
of the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League as an
auxiliary of The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod.
It is intended for the floor committee of the convention
of The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod, at Cleve-

land, Ohio, June 20—30, 1962, as information in the
preparation of a resolution in recognition of the league’s
mission activities.
Tue LUTHERAN WOMEN’s Missionary LEAGUE
Mrs. Harotp E. Branpt, First Vice-President
Mrs. Watrer N. Hopps, President
[222]

To Merge Divisions of World Missions
and North American Missions, etc.

Wuereas, It has been apparent that the various mis-
sion boards of the Synod frequently have many con-
cerns which are common to all boards; and

Wuereas, Our church could make a much better im-
pact on the world with a united and coordinated mission
approach at home and abroad through a single division
of missions; therefore be it

Resolved,

a. That the Cleveland convention authorize the
merging of the divisions of World Missions and North
American Missions into one “Division of Missions,” the
chairman of which is to be appointed in the stipulated
manner;

b. That the Division of Missions include all boards
classified as missions and also the new Board of Institu-
tional Chaplaincy as recommended by the Survey Com-
mission and if adopted by the Cleveland convention;

c. That during the next triennium an annual meeting
of all mission boards be conducted;

d. That the functions of the individual boards con-
stituting the Divisions of Missions and their interrela-
tionship be reviewed during the next triennium and that
appropriate recommendations be made to the 1965 con-
vention and that meanwhile coordination be effected
through the divisional structure and through the offices
of the Executive Director.

Tye Boarp ror Missions In NorTH AND
SoutH AMERICA

C. Tuomas Sprrz, Chairman

Wuu1am H. Hitimer, Executive Secretary

COMMITTEE 3
[311-A]

To Set Forth Teaching of Scripture on Duty
of Christian when Confronted with
Doctrinal Statements That Are Scriptural

Resolution 9 of Floor Committee 3 of the San Francisco
Convention of the Synod

I. When Facing a Scriptural Statement It Is Our Duty to
Acknowledge that the Statement Is Scriptural

Resolution 9 of Floor Committee 3 of the San Fran-
cisco convention of Synod (1959) states:

That Synod further clarify its position by reaffirming
that every doctrinal statement of a confessional nature
adopted by Synod as a true exposition of the Holy Scrip-
tures is to be regarded as public doctrine (publica doc-
trina) in Synod.