Collection › LCMS Convention Workbook (St. Louis, Missouri) › 1973 · 50th Convention › Page 353
LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1973, Page 353

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

II EM'“N'S*™SCON OO SNE

350 SPECIAL AND SUNDRY MATTERS

tion of “providing a repository for theological treatises, con-
ference papers, and similar documents and studies,” be
amended as follows:
ff. in obtaining and studying theological trea
tises, conference papers, and similar documents and
studies.

In Brief

The immediate Institute needs during the next biennium
are expanded facilities, an Increased staff. an an enlarged
Operating budget. Meeting these needs will increase effi-
ciency and effectiveness of the work, provide Sreater secur-
ity for and preserve the integrity of the collections, and
correct the frustrations produced by: the present limitations.

In addition, the Institute needs to consider establishing
its own department of development, since costs are con-
stantly rising, countless projects remain untouched, and
new equipment is needed. At present the Institute is moving
on a plateau, and its services and accomplishments are lim-
ited by inadequate building Space, financial] resources, and
staff. Only increased financial support will provide increased
services,

The philosopher George Santayana had some fitting words
to the entire church, to this convention, and to the Institute:
“Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to
repeat it.”

Gerhardt Kramer, President
Otto A. Dorn, Vice-President
Frederick Nohl, Secretary
Harry Smith, Treasurer

Aug. R. Suelflow, Director

11-03

Report of Commission on Ministerial Health

The synodical Commission on Ministerial Health has met
during the past biennium on a regular basis. A continuing
concern with the health and well-being of the Synod's pro-
fessional church workers dominated the thinking of the
commission.

Contact was maintained with the corresponding District

commissions. It is worth noting that various innovative ap-

cal commission has encouraged all District commissions to
share their Programs, their concerns, their assessment of
available regional resources. It would like to express its
gratitude to those who have done so. The commission hopes
to use this information in the identification of possible
regional centers, so located geographically as to more ade-
quately serve the Districts of those areas.

The commission, during this biennium, implemented the
“Pilot Project” funded by the Wheat Ridge Foundation. The
cooperation given by the administrators of the Wheat Ridge
Foundation has been most cordial and positive. This pro-
gram of supportive care and therapy is conducted at the
Lutheran Medical Center, Omaha, Nebr. The number of
individuals evaluated and accepted into the residential treat-
ment program was not as large as anticipated, but 11 Dis-
tricts thus far have availed themselves of this program.
Some gratifying results have been reported. The evaluation
of the program continues. The commission anticipates the
extension of this program concept as a positive resource
available to the Districts in assisting those whose disability
requires support beyond their own capabilities,

is progress report is submitted with the prayer that our
heavenly Father will continue to guide and support all who
are involved with the care of our brethren who urgently
need our love and help.

CoMMISSION oN MINISTERIAL Hearty
Wilfred Langefeld. Chairman
Martin J. Maehr, Secretary

11-04

Report of Commission on Architecture

The objectives of the Commission on Architecture are
phrased in verbs like “encourage, arouse. foster, and stimu-
late.” These verbs make clear that the 11 members of the

commission are appointed by the Board of Directors to serve
in The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod mixture of con-

Included in their task are matters “concerning site selection,
site conditions, building programming, and various phases
of building and planning of construction of any structure.
new or remodeled.” The loaf is large and the leaveners
are few. They function “when requested” to “counsel and
advise.” The commission was created over 50 years ago and
currently the Synod invests about $6,800 each year in its
work. The many unleavened churches and other archi-
tectural projects which exist and are currently being de-
veloped indicate the continuing need and the difficulty of
permeating a large loaf with a little leaven.

The many excellent building projects that are now being
used week after week by congregations of the people of
God, and the high caliber of new building reported month
after month call attention to the permanent value of utiliz-
ing skilled architectural advice. The commission members

agencies by designating 8eographical areas to be served by
the nearest member. Service by correspondence is free, and
on-the-site consultation requires only payment of expenses.
About 50 direct contacts per year are made by members of
the commission and twice that many by letter and by the

literature which the commission has prepared, The com-

sponsible stewardship in carrying out plans. Another slide
sequence by Lutheran Film Associates on “understanding
modern churches” is also being utilized in presentations, The

to students at the two theological seminaries of the Synod
are scheduled, and representatives are sent to meetings ar-

In order to serve more effectively and to avoid unneces-
sary overlap of effort among the Lutheran church bodies,

LCMS Board of Directors such an inter-Lutheran arrange-
ment which would provide adequate staffing and provide
services to congregations and to the various synods’ agencies,
and effectual professional work in educational and research
projects,

The commission urges the individual congregations of the
od and its boards and agencies to utilize the guidance
that qualified architects can supply in all aspects of their
development programs. In addition to site selection, new
construction and remodeling, consideration should be given
to securing competent help in the areas of art and graphics
which contribute to the excellence of church work. It calls
attention again to the need for considering the new develop-
ments in liturgy and to new understanding of parish respon-
sibility to the needs of the total community before planning
church construction, It underscores again the wastefulness
of large debts and over-building, but continues to warn