The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1942-06-18


on the State OF the Church. The
committee in-its report emphasized
the serious need OF ministering to
the spiritual welfare of the men and
women serving with the armed
forces OF the United States. Spe-
eial emphasis was laid upon the
importance OF pastors feeping con-
tact with them. Past experience
has shown that men who have
been contacted by pastor and con-
gregation only after they haze re-
turned TO lucrative positions. may
question the motives of such pas
tors and congregations The com
mittee then offered the following
suggestions: e.. Keep these men
and women in active membership.
(2.) Pastors. write to them. Start
a circular letter in which you have
clearing house for news for the
young men. interspersing the let
ter with spiritual messages. 50
See 10 ii that they have prayer
books, testaments. the church bull.
letin. 90 Organize members of
the congregation to send a little
something now AMI then for exam
pie, box of cookies. 50 Remem-
Der them by name in your Church
prayers. 60 Keep an up.to-date
list of their addresses on the bulle-
tin board of your church. "a Have
a nriN1fn communion snHNtnn
the men home on furlough.
Critical Situation
The committee report also call
ed attention to the critical situa-
tion which confronts the church,
in the following words Both pas.
tors and laymen realize how critical
the situation is. Unless there is a
real spiritual revival in the church,
so that men are set on fire for
Christ and His Kingdom. the social
order OF tomorrow may have no
room for the Christian Church.
We must make Chri-t and our
Church indispensable for the world
of tomorrow. The crux of the mat.
ter, however. Is not that we realize
something is amiss, but rather,
What can we do?'. In other words,
pastors and laity are crying out for
real leadership Under the guild
ance OF God, If we have the will to
do His will, such leadership can
and must be developed"
offers Suggestions
Tho r,ittan DMornd tbaca cue
gestions: a. Let the president OF
the American Lutheran Church sur
round himself with men OF the
highest caliber VINO are informed
and on fire for certain phase OF
Kingdom work like evangelism
preaching, private couuselling the
Sunday School. finance church ad
ministrstion, architecture, visual
| education. % Let the district
presidents do the same in then
respective districts. 81 Let these
linen be at the disposal OF pastors
and congregations who desire them
They are not in any sense to :orce
their services upon pastor or con
/ gregation. Such men fired with
enthusiasm and qualified to speak
will inspire others. The little
spark will strike ire and the fire
will grow until even some OF the
cold and Indifferent hearts will
| take flame. We would like &c
see this plan put in operation al
an early date.
The report urged upon all pastors
/ the necessity of toing all within
/ their power to recruit the besl
| and most capable young men in
their congregation for the Gospe
ministry. Due to the existing wal
emergency the chlrch is facing 4
serious shortage of pastors. II the
nation needs the finest young mer
for its defense. the church ais
needs men of the highest type fol
leadership in the church, it wa:
pointed out,
A word of caution was directed Il
the people OF the church lest
wrong conclusions be drawn aboui
giving to the church. The commit
tee expressed the conviction tina
increased financial gifts do no
necessarily prove spiritual growth
Regular attendance at church ser
vices and Holy Communion were
seen as a much better barometel
of spiritual life.
Support Pledged
Support was pledged by the com
mittee to the general president o
the American Lutheran Church il
anything which will contribute to
ward a greater Lutheran fellow
ship. His project ior nm all-Ameri
/ can Lutheran convention wa,
CIIIrp CII ID n