Collection › LCMS Convention Proceedings (St. Louis, Missouri) › 1926 · 33rd Convention, Holy Cross Church › Sheet 135
LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1926, Sheet 135

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

Proceedings of Thirty-Third Regular Convention,

Creating a Synodical Board for Promotion

and Publicity.
(German Report, p. 221.)

During the course of the past triennium various mission boards,
with the approval of the Board of Directors, appointed a Committee
for Publicity and Lectures in order to coordinate and advance the
publicity work for the various interests which they represent. Though
in its infancy, the report from this committee shows that this co-
operation has borne some fruit. We believe, however, that there is
much room for improvement and for more service; but in order to
accomplish this, a change in the relationship of this committee should
be made. ‘ ‘

' Accordingly, we petition the Ven. Synod to create a Board for
Promotion and Publicity, this board to take over the work of the
present Committee for Publicity ‘and Lectures and to have super-
vision over all publicity for the promotion of interest in, and support
of, the mission activities and other. activities of Synod, and such
other publicity as may be delegated to it in the course of time.
We bring this petition for the following reasons: —

1) To leave mission publicity to the various boards would not
be correct in principle, as it would imply a responsibility on the part

-of the mission boards to raise the necessary money for their own
operating expenses. This responsibility, we believe, rests upon Synod.

2) The present method leaves each board to decide the amount
of money which it may properly spend for promotion and publicity.
This has decided disadvantages : —

a) Large deficits will discourage adequate publicity when it is
most needed.

b) It tends toward unbalanced publicity because of greater zeal
on the part of one board and less zeal on the part of another. Thus
it easily may happen that comparatively minor interests are much
better known and understood than some which are greater.

c) The present method results in disproportionate support of
various missions, not only in money raised and in personal interest,

. but especially as to prayers.

8) A Board for Promotion and Publicity would render valuable
service in general synodical publicity by bringing to the attention
of congregations the needs of educational institutions, missions, and
church extension endeavors at home and abroad and of other synod-
ical activities by means of pamphlets, lectures, charts, and exhibits.
The special efforts made jn connection with the Synodical Building
Fund Campaign and the more recent Mission Booklet have proved
their value. Such efforts, continued and expanded, under ever more
experienced guidance, should prove valuable in keeping the treasuries
of Synod and its Districts in a more healthy condition, to say nothing