Synodical Conference Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1958, Page 47

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Lutheran Synodical Conference, 1958 47
MISSIONS

Domestic Missions

REPORT OF MISSIONARY BOARD AND OF REGIONAL
CHAIRMEN

In our report to the Convention of the Synodical Conference,
we shall touch on those phases of our domestic mission setup which
are essential and vital to the general conduct of our work. The
specific details in connection with our present fields of labor in the
South are recorded in the presentations prepared by the various
congregations and the chairmen of the local boards of our educa-
tional institutions at Selma, Ala., and Greensboro, N.C.

Since most of the districts of the constituent synods of the Syn-
odical Conference have taken over the work among the Negroes in
their territorial areas, an account of such work is embraced in each
district’s presentation to its own constituency.

The Missionary Board at the present time is negotiating with
the Southern District of the Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod
for an eventual merging of Negro work in the Deep South.

Much consideration has been given recently by the Missionary
Board to the possible reception of pastors and congregations still
holding membership in the American Lutheran Church. The fol-
lowing petition has come to us from pastors of this body which
reads as follows:

Wuereas, The Alabama Conference with its four remaining
congregations needs more fellowship in order to reach more
effectively men and women in Southern Negro communities; and

Wuereas, The distance from Alabama to the other ALC con-
gregations is great and serves to isolate the Alabama Conference
from its sister congregations; and

Wuenreas, The Synodical Conference has about 42 congrega-
tions in Southern Negro communities and membership in the
Synodical Conference would not cause us to compromise our
faith as adhered to and taught by Evangelical Lutheranism; and

Wuereas, The Board of American Missions of the ALC rec-
ognizes these facts and encourages us to seek membership in the
Synodical Conference; be it

Resolved, That we, the pastors of the Alabama Conference,
express ourselves as favoring the action taken by the Board of
American Missions of the American Lutheran Church, namely,
that we seek to negotiate with the Synodical Conference con-
cerning the transfer of our Alabama Conference congregations to
the Synodical Conference; and be it further

Resolved, That we recommend to our congregations in the
Alabama Conference to consider and hear Pastors Priebe, Fenske,
and men from the Synodical Conference at a time agreed upon
py Pastor Fenske and each congregation involved; and be it
‘urther :

Resolved, That we thank the ALC for giving us of her life.
these many years; and be it finally