LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1975, Page 383

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PARISH SERVICES 383

people of God by various means. the needs of the church and
of its mission to the world must constantly be reevaluated in
terms of the changes in society. This is one of the chief tasks of
the Commission on Church Literature as it meets to advise the
publishing arm of the church. Concordia Publishing House.

In its various units the commission studies and identifies the
many needs of the church in its mission to itself and to the world,
and suggests the best possible means of serving those needs
with the latest technical capabilities and media. The recent
national recession has affected the operation of Concordia
Publishing House as well as the Synod. and this factor is taken
into account as the potential market is studied and priorities
for publication suggested. Within the commission are experts
in their respective fields who are able to suggest publications.
react to proposals, and analyze the changing needs of all seg-
ments of the church and of society.

The work of the commission is divided into the following
categories: Children’s Materials, Mrs. Barbara Steege: Devo-
tional Materials, Dr. Carl F. Weidmann: Exegetical Materials,
Rev. Paul G. Barth: Historical Materials. Dr. Wilbert H. Rosin:
Homiletical Materials, Dr. Gerhard Aho: Practical/Laymen
Materials, Rev. Victor Marxhausen: Practical Professional/
Paraprofessional Materials. Dr. Arthur Graudin: Research
Materials. Dr. August E. Suelflow: Systematics, Dr. Robert
Preus: Tracts, Rev. Theodore Allwardt Sr.: Youth-Young Adult
Materials. Dr. Kenneth Frerking.

Members of the respective units currently serving are: Chil-
dren, Mrs. Jan Sernett: Devotional, Dr. Norman Temme: Exe-
getical. Dr. Walter A. Jennrich. Prof. Dean Wenthe. Dr. Walter
Roehrs: Historical. Dr. August Suelflow: Homiletical, Dr. Erwin
Kolb. Rev. Richard G. Kapfer: Practical/Laymen, Rev. Norman
Heidorn: Practical Professional/Paraprofessional, Dr. Richard
Graudin:; Systematics. Dr. David Scaer: Tracts. Rev. Arthur
Kaul. Rev. Fred Weber: Youth-Young Adult, Mr. Roger Kahle.
Mr. Richard Bimler.

Dr. Ralph Reinke. president of Concordia Publishing House.
serves as an advisory member of the commission and as liaison
between the commission and the Concordia Board of Directors.

In the past 2 years the Commission on Church Literature
has considered 198 manuscripts for publication. Of these 70
were published.

Even more important in the process of publishing is the eval-
uation of the contemporary and anticipated needs of God's
people. a critical study of the prevailing market. a broad knowl-
edge of material already available in various fields of literature.
a precise delineation of the users and purchasers of published
materials, a fair estimate of potential sales. and a recommenda-
tion of the most capable authors. It is this extremely important
evaluative process that occupies the commission members and
their units more than an editorial evaluation and reaction to
manuscripts, a task assigned to full-time employees of the Pub-
lishing House and to appointed doctrinal reviewers.

Within the past biennium the commission suffered a great
loss in the death of its chairman and long-time member. Dr.
W. Harry Krieger. Many of his contributions to the commission
continue to serve the people of God in the form of printed ma-
terials,

The Commission on Church Literature is grateful to the
Synod for the opportunity to serve God's people in this very
important area of communications via the published Word. It
solicits the prayers of the Synod as it continues to offer its ser-
vices to the glory of God and the welfare of His church.

Wilbert H. Rosin, Chairman
Barbara Steege. Secretary

7-08

Report of Editorial Commission
of “Advance” Magazine

Advance magazine is the Synod’s communication piece for
transmitting “information concerning the Synod's work and
program to the congregations, to assist congregational leaders
in developing coordinated programs, and to enable congrega-
tions to share with one another successful methods of practical
church work.”

The framework within which the Editorial Commission
attempts to fulfill these purposes of Advance is the Synod’s

theme for planned parish activities. In 1973-74 that theme was
“One in Christ.” and in 1974-75. “Challenged by Change.”

Each issue of Adrance includes a wide variety of articles as
well as a study on the program emphasis for that month. Adults
and youth in the parishes of the Synod that use these topic
studies in each program year discuss ways to strengthen the
following ministries: Christian education (September). the
church in continuing reformation (October), personal and
corporate stewardship (November), Christian social concerns
(December). world mission | January), local evangelism (Feb-
ruary), personal faith and life (March). the church and society
‘April). Christians in families (May). youth (June). Christian
citizenship ( July). and congregation program planning (August).

In the June issue Advance includes specific suggestions on
how a parish can plan the details of its annual program of wor-
ship. witness, teaching. service. and fellowship.

The Synod sends Adrance free to church professionals and
to the following leaders in each congregation: congregational
chairman, Sunday school superintendent, youth counselor, and
the chairmen of the following committees: evangelism, stew-
ardship. elders, social ministry. and education.

The Synod’s Board of Directors instructed that in December
1974 Advance request the congregations of the Synod to send
in the names of these eight leaders for the compilation of a mail-
ing list of people to receive other mailings from the Synod’s
headquarters as well as Adrance. The Synod’s Board of Direc-
tors established the following policy for the use of these lists:

Synodical boards and commissions and elected officers at head-
quarters may automatically use the mailing lists gathered by the
Department of Statistics and the Adrance Editorial Commission
without requesting anyone's permission.

Synodical schools are permitted use of the Synod's mailing lists
only when such use has received the permission of the Board for
Higher Education.

Auxiliaries, such as the LLL and the LWML., and recognized
agencies. such as Valparaiso University. the Wheat Ridge Founda-
tion. and Mill Neck Manor. may use the Synod's mailing lists only
after they receive clearance and are granted permission by the
President of the Synod.

No individuals or congregations shall be granted permission to
use the mailing lists of the Synod. since this would be perceived as
informal endorsement of their products or causes. Persons requesting
the use of the lists will be referred to The Lutheran Annual or the
New York List Broker by the office of the Synod’s President.

Currently serving on the Advance Editorial Commission.
and with terms expiring as indicated. are: A. Lorenz Grumm
(1977), chairman. Duane Hingst (1977). Milton Nauss (1977),
Victor Constien (1975), Lois Dankenbring (1975). and Walter
Hoffmann (1975). Leslie Weber retired from the commission
in 1973. Eldon Weisheit is managing editor of Advance. while
Victor Constien is operations director.

In 1973 the average monthly circulation for the 10 issues of
Advance magazine was 58.439. In 1974 the average was 58,453.

In 1974 the Advance Editorial Commission also experimented
with four mailings of SHARE-PAK. In January. March, May.
and October the boards and commissions of the Synod provided
materials to be mailed jointly to the congregations. The items
related to the congregation's work with youth, evangelism, wor-
ship. church extension, television, higher education, mental
retardation, social ministry. the 125th Anniversary Thank-
offering. the Lutheran Foundation, public relations, marriage
education and counseling seminars, campus ministries, the
Armed Forces Commission, world relief. mission education,
and stewardship.

In the fall of 1975 the Adrance Editorial Commission will
further evaluate SHARE-PAK to determine whether to recom-
mend to the Synod that SHARE-PAK become a permanent
program feature in 1976. Total cost to the Synod's departments
for the four mailings in 1974 was $9,725.82. Each mailing reached
15,000 different addresses of pastors. congregation chairmen,
and selected day school teachers.

Because of financial restrictions the publishing schedule
of Adrance magazine must be curtailed in the coming months.
The Editorial Commission is approaching this need creatively
in an effort to maintain effective communication between the
program departments of the Synod and the leaders of congre-
gations who want help in developing their own unique min-
istries of the Word of God in their communities.

A. Lorenz Grumm. Chairman
Victor A. Constien, Operations Director