Collection › LCMS Convention Workbook (St. Louis, Missouri) › 1969 · 48th Convention › Page 436
LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1969, Page 436

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

436 SPECIAL MINISTRIES AND SUNDRY MATTERS

preached by the Rev. F. W. Schulze in London (Aug.
30, 1896)

2. In 1970 the 50th anniversary of the establishment
of a full-time fiscal office in the Missouri Synod (1920).

3. In 1971 the 125th anniversary of the death of Mar-
tin Stephan (Feb. 22, 1846).

4, In 1971 the 125th anniversary of the founding of
Concordia Seminary, Springfield, Ill. (Aug. 2, 1846)

5. In 1971 the 50th anniversary of the opening of
Concordia Seminary, Hankow, China (July 20, 1921),
and of Concordia College, Edmonton, Alta., Canada
(Oct. 30, 1921).

We respectfully call attention to these anniversary
dates not only to remind the entire Synod of the great
heroes of faith who have preceded us in the triumphant
march of the church, but to offer an opportunity for
self-examination with respect to projects and events
that have engaged the resources and efforts of those
who preceded us. Such exercise affords us an oppor-
tunity today to stand as their beneficiaries and to raise
our common voices in praise and gratitude to the Lord
of the church, whose blessings have been undeserved
and unceasing.

To this end, the board and staff of Concordia Histor-
ical Institute rededicate themselves, that through the
various changes and transitions facing each generation
within the church the foundation, “The Edifying Word,”
may remain visible and “the rock from whence we are
hewn” may remain solidly as the launching pad into
the future. Nothing will remind a church more effec-
tively of its source of strength and power than to use
such opportunities to thank the God of all history, as
He revealed Himself in the love and forgiveness of
His Son, our Savior Jesus Christ.

ARTHUR C. Repp, President
Aus. R. SuELFLow, Director
(11-04)

Report of Armed Forces Commission
I, Program Changes

Some changes have taken place in the program of
the Armed Forces Commission of our church since the
last report was submitted to the Synod in 1967.

A. The church, service center/parsonage, and all
activities in the Canal Zone have been transferred to
the Synod’s Division of Missions. A pastor serving
under the Division of Missions has replaced the service
pastor there.

B. The production of some literature for servicepeo-
ple has been taken over by the Division of Services to
Military Personnel in the Lutheran Council in the
U.S.A. However, the Armed Forces Commission con-
tinues to produce some items and distribute them
to servicepeople: Loyalty — Christ and Country
(monthly), the Service Prayer Book, a Directory for
Servicepeople of chaplains and chaplains’ services, and
sends out bimonthly Concordia’s Portals of Prayer.
Other tracts of interest to servicepeople are included

in the monthly mailings and are made. available to our
chaplains for distribution.

The Lutheran Chaplain and Double-Time have been
discontinued. Dr. Lambert Brose, who for many years
was editor of Double-Time and managing editor of The
Lutheran Chaplain, has assumed a position in the Divi-
sion of Public Relations of LCUSA. He has not been
replaced on the staff of the Armed Forces Commission
of the Synod.

C. The provision for and arrangements for retreats
and convocations of military chaplains has+been as-
sumed by the Division of Service to Military Personnel
of LCUSA. However, the Armed Forces Commission
continues to provide funds for the attendance at retreats
of Veterans Administration chaplains and full-time hos-
pital pastors who serve Veterans Administration hos-
pitals.

The Commission also underwrites the expenses for
the attendance of all chaplains — military and V A—
at local pastoral conferences and District conventions.

D. The service-pastor ministry in continental Europe,
that is, in Frankfurt/Main and other military stations
in Germany, Spain, Italy, Belgium, Greece, and Crete;
in North Africa and the Near East (Rev. William Mar-
wede) was transferred on July 1, 1969, to the Division
of Service to Military Personnel of LCUSA.

E. The contact-pastor program for both military
people and those in veterans hospitals is now under the
supervision of the Division of Service to Military Per-
sonnel and the Department of Institutional Chaplaincy
in the Division of Welfare Services of LCUSA, respec-
tively.

F, The furnishing of the Missouri Synod’s share of
funds for the maintenance of service centers was for
many years the responsibility of the Armed Forces
Commission. This also is now the responsibility of the
Division of Service to Military Personnel of LCUSA.

II. Outline of the Present Program

The Armed Forces Commission continues to assist
pastors and congregations in a ministry to servicepeo-
ple and their families. Thus, while some of the activi-
ties have been transferred from the Armed Forces
Commission to the Lutheran Council in the U.S. A., the
major personal services provided by the commission
for more than a quarter century continue to be the
responsibility of the commission, and in fact, some of
these have in the past 2 years been extended in scope
and intensified. Following is an outline of the present
responsibilities carried out by the Armed Forces Com-
mission:

Chaplains
(Army — Navy — Air Force)
The commission —

RECRUITS _ seminarians and pastors for
the chaplaincy
SCREENS _ all applicants