Collection › LCMS Convention Workbook (St. Louis, Missouri) › 1969 · 48th Convention › Page 403
LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1969, Page 403

Scan: The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
Transcription machine transcription, uncorrected

CHURCH LITERATURE AND PUBLICATIONS; PUBLIC RELATIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS 408

are not so sure that all young people are young and
all aged old. We are not sure which is more violent —
the violence of the antiestablishment or the neutrality
of the establishment. We are quite sure that gullibility
is decreasing. We also know, because we are witness
to them, that ancient categories and easy generalities
are being exploded; and while the convulsion may be
unpleasant and the noise discomfiting, emotion or wishes
will not make the facts go away. In this context new
books such as The Holy Infection, by P. Bretscher,
Change and the Church, by E. Lueker, and Power
Structures and the Church, by D. Schuller, are evidence
that the Synod cares very much about this time and
this place and is wrestling with itself to be the church.

Then, too, old lines and labels are breaking down.
Theology interests sociologists, and theologians are
studying sociology. The older generation wants to be
young, and the young want to be adult. Moreover,
learning and looking materials without easy answers
are demanded. Men will no longer hold still for cracker-
barrel philosophies and know-it-all solutions. Their
guard is up, their suspicions aroused and well-founded,
and their fears and emptiness exposed.

To meet the insatiable and critical need with Law
and Gospel and their application to daily life is truly
the Father’s business, and docking and locking a wan-
dering generation to the eternal Christ must surely be
no less phenomenal, exacting, and exciting than reach-
ing higher and farther in space. Perhaps it is more so:
for the most difficult distances in all the universe we
believe are between the heart and the hands, between
mouth and billfold, and between man and man.

With the world less afraid of change, in truth in-
citing it, and more bold in asking and doubting. the
Synod's Commission on Church Literature strives al-
ways to be ready with a reply for anyone who calls
them to account for the hope they cherish, gently and
respectfully, in honest conversation.

Frep H. WEBER, Secretary
(10-02)

Report of Concordia Publishing House
Introduction

1969 marks the 100th anniversary of Synod’s pub-
lishing arm, Concordia Publishng House.

Through the years the charge of Dr. C. F. W.
Walther, first President of the Synod. spoken at the
dedication of Concordia’s first plant, “to serve the glory
of God and the temporal welfare and eternal salvation
of man,” has guided the officers, management, and em-
ployees of the publishing house.

One of the great strengths of the Missouri Synod
stems to a large extent, under God. from the globe-en-
circling ministry of its publishing house.

Concordia is but the reflection and extension of the
Synod itself, organized to carry out the Synod’s purpose
and mission.

Concordia rejoices in its strategic role as the pub-
lishing arm of the Synod, a role that has broadened and

taken on new dimensions and a new urgency in keeping
with the new needs of a growing church.

Concordia is more than just a “publisher” of the
printed Word. It is also highly regarded for its min-
istries of music, audiovisuals, and ecclesiastical arts.

Tapes, records, radio. TV are all a part of the re-
ligious communications outreach of the Synod’s “print-
ery,” as Concordia was sometimes referred to in its
earlier days.

Concordia’s centennial theme. “New Horizons in
Christian Communication,” characterizes the enlarged
role that CPH is filling and must continue to fill to an
ever greater degree if it is to help equip the church that
has been in the forefront of the communications revo-
lution.

The Financial Picture

Based on projected gross sales of $15,100,000 for the
1968—69 fiscal year, and $14,800,000 for 1966—67, audited
figures as of June 1 should show an estimated sales in-
crease of approximately $300.000 for the past 2-year
period. Final audited figures will be presented in a
special printed Biennial Report at the convention.

Although costs for raw materials. labor, production,
and distribution continued to rise. reducing income,
CPH was still able to transfer to the synodical treasury
$1,800,000 -- $450,000 more than in the previous bi-
ennium.

The CPH Board of Directors authorized that $100,000
be transferred to the Synod for capital expenditures.
This was in addition to $900,000 already transferred dur-
ing the current fiscal year, making this the largest
amount ever transferred during a 12-month period.

While income is necessary to maintain and develop
CPH, it was not the final criterion. A number of books
and periodicals continue to be subsidized to meet spe-
cialized needs in the church. Actual additional subsidy
during the biennium amounted to well over $200,000.

Coming to Grips with Change

During the biennium ongoing attention was also given
to keeping CPH's facilities modern and efficient. De-
partments were relocated. enlarged. and modernized.
A new Icbby was completed. Improvements were made
in cafeteria service. New training and meeting areas
were created. A new offset platemaking department was
another step toward greater economy and the centra-
lizing of manufacturing operations at 3558 S. Jefferson
Ave. to provide more fully for synodical needs.

CPH Board of Directors

The 11-man Board of Directors of CPH bring to their
job a wealth of successful experience in finance. man-
agement, the pastoral ministry, the teaching ministry,
and in the field of higher education.

Present officers and members of the board are: Al-
fred T. Leimbach (president of the board), advisory di-
rector, Edison Brothers Stores, Inc., St. Louis; Rev. Ken-
neth R. Hoffmann (secretary), pastor, Grace Lutheran
Church, Cleveland Heights, Ohio; Enno Sauer (board