Synodical Conference Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1954, Page 130

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180 Proceedings of the Forty-Third Convention,

Coast churches of the field and the Alabama Lutheran Conference
from its Easter mission offerings.

The congregation, eager to have a suitable place of worship,
made and paid for plans that turned out to be too elaborate for
the potential membership. Pulling the left foot back, Bethel started
out again, this time securing a loan of $8,000 from the Missionary
Board for a building patterned after the time-tested combination
church-school found in many places on the field. The congrega-
tion committed itself to substantial yearly repayments. Then it
proceeded to put a pitcher pump on the land for water. A bid
has been obtained, acceptable to the congregation and the Mis-
Sionary Board. At this writing everything is in readiness for the
erection of the building.

If the Lord will, when the building is dedicated, we hope to
arrange to give the congregation more spiritual attention by divid-
ing the time spent at Montrose and Point Clear more equitably,
giving each congregation two afternoon services and two midweek
Bible study classes monthly, instead of the 3—2 present ratio.

We have no day school. Of course, we should like very much
to have one, but we do not expect the Missionary Board to put
one into our lap for nothing. We trust that we can put the right
foot forward if and when the time comes for this very important
move. A. Dominick

Faith, Mobile, Ala.

Pastor: William H. Jones Teachers: Mrs. Iola McBride
Mrs. Mildred Diggs

During the past five-year period 190 souls were added to our
congregation through baptism, adult confirmation, and transfer. At
the same time we experienced a loss of 141 souls through excom-
munication, transfer, and leaving the church (as in the case of
children who were received through baptism, but who were later
taken away from us by the parents). For this five-year period,
therefore, we have a net gain of 49.

Five years ago Faith Congregation was raising $4,000 per year.
At the end of 1953 the offerings have increased to $6,700. This
increase permitted a reduction in subsidy. In 1949 the pastor re-
ceived a salary of around $220 per month. Of this amount the
congregation raised $120 per month, which necessitated a subsidy
of $100. As the pastor’s salary was increased, the congregation
more than kept pace. By 1953, when the salary was $280 per month,
the congregation resolved to take over all the pastor’s salary, with
the exception of the pension item, which amounted to around $17
per month. Since the beginning of 1954 all subsidy has been wiped
out, and the congregation is paying its share into the Pension Fund.

Five years ago the Board was paying the entire salaries of our
two teachers, which amounted to around $225 per month. By 1953
the monthly salaries had reached the sum of $260 per month, the
Board still paying the entire amount. During the summer of 1953
the school system of our congregation was re-organized. All re-
sponsibility for the school was taken off the Board and placed on
the local congregation. At the same time the congregation also
asked the Board that it permit us to keep all tuition fees for the
running of the school. The request for subsidy was reduced from
$260 per month to $100 per month. Within the next three or four