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English through the Latin mouth and which means,
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WHAT ITS WORK IS 7)
in whatsoever tongue, to bring good tidings to. The
English equivalent, though rarely used, is gospelize.
The missionary idea involves further the in-
gathering of souls into the Church of Christ and
the ministration of Word and sacrament to the end
that they may be built up steadfast, strong and
complete in the faith and in the life.
The carrying out of the missionary idea of propa-
gating the knowledge of Christ and of His Gospel
involves also expression.
This takes many forms, and first of all in speech
or language. The medium of evangelization is the
spoken and the written word. Therefore, the first
task of the missionary is to learn the language of
the people to whom he is sent. Then, if they have
no written language, he must give them one, so
that they may read and thus enlarge their knowl-
edge of Christian truth and extend the truth to
others.
The missionary idea finds expression also in
Christian education. This is as necessary in the
foreign as in the home fields, and it is the same in
both with the necessary modifications. See Out-
line, IT.
Inasmuch as the missionary idea aims at nothing
short of a Christian society instinct with the spirit
of the Master, and serving in His Name, it expresses
itself by providing for the relief of suffering and
need wherever found and for the promotion of the
social welfare. This includes the care of the poor,
of orphans, defectives, the aged and the like; the
providing of homes, food, clothing, medicines and
other supplies where needed; also provision for the
advancement of the people in general education, in
76 OUR CHURCH
industry, in the various crafts, in pure arts and in
all useful knowledge. See Outline, Il, 2 a (2),
and IIT.
2. The Scope. The Lord defined the scope of
the Church’s missionary task when He said, ‘‘Go
ye into all the world and preach the Gospel to every
creature.”’
It is betes he to speak of Home Missions and
Foreign Missions, and though the distinction is not
clear and adequate it serves in a general way to
distinguish between our missionary operations
within the territory of the United States and Canada
and the work which we are doing outside of those
countries, especially in non-Christian lands. The
work in Canada must be regarded as Home Mission
work, both because it is concerned with Christian
populations and because the United Lutheran
Church came into being with dimensions which
embraced Canada. See Outline 1, 2, a and b, and
Chapter VI.
3. The Method. The method of the Church in
establishing and carrying on its missionary work
does not differ essentially from that which it em-
ploys in countries and places where the Church is
established. It dispenses the means of grace,
preaches the Word and administers the sacraments
which were given as the means unto salvation. This
the Church does through ordained missionaries.
Qualified unordained helpers are used in the edu-
eational work; for wherever the Church is planted
schools become necessary. This is true in every
field, whether home or foreign. The schools, ex-
cepting the theological, conform in the main to the
WHAT ITS WORK IS Tt
educational system of the country, but afford the
additional advantage of Christian instruction.
In order to marshal the whole of its strength for
the missionary task and to conduct the work more
intelligently and efficiently the Church has estab-
lished certain boards; for the work of Foreign Mis-
sions it has board 3. For its home mission opera-
tions it has boards 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8. See List. The
Women’s Missionary Societies, general, synodical
and local, exist for the same purpose and form a
powerful auxiliary force.
By means of these and other agencies the Church
keeps in constant touch with the field and also in-
structs and informs the people and seeks their
whole-hearted support. Chapters VI and VII con-
tain much matter relevant to this section.
Il. Tuer Epucationan Worx
The Church must educate. This has ever been
regarded as necessary, and in the work of educa-
tion the Church has always been a pioneer. It has
been its policy to establish schools where there were
none, and where others have led the way the Church
has, until comparatively recent times, wielded a
controlling influence upon the course of education.
1. The Idea. Education as fostered and car-
ried on by the Church must be Christian. It must
differ from a purely secular education in some im-
portant way, and must offer something which is
better; otherwise the schools of the Church would
have no just and prior claim to the patronage and
support of the people, and their very existence
would no longer be a matter of special concern.
73 OUR CHURCH
Christian education requires not only that there
be Christian teachers, men and women who walk in
the way of faith and are able to sympathize with
youth and guide it to the true light; not only that
the Church with its ministries and associations
must be an ever-present, watchful and kindly par-
ticipant in the work, but there must be something
in the very concept which differentiates it from
education in general. If education is a complex
idea we add something to the complex when we
speak of Christian education. We mean an educa-
tion which begins and proceeds with the constant
recognition of the truth as revealed in Holy Scrip-
ture and as divinely given for fulness and beauty
of life in time and in eternity. This education never
forgets God. ‘To it the child or youth is an immor-
tal being made in the image of God. In reality, as
it knows itself and is known by others, this handi-
work of God falls far short of likeness to Him who
made it. Herein is sin, and to this Christian eduea-
tion cannot be blind. Neither can it ever lose sight
of Jesus Christ the Saviour of sinners and of all
that He has done and given for our salvation. The ©
Bible is treated reverently in the spirit of faith and
not of trifling criticism.
In Christian education these things must enter —
constantly as life-giving and molding influences and —
nothing must be allowed to displace or obscure them.
This is the differential characteristic which gives it ©
distinctive value. Christian education is always ©
positive and constructive in regard to faith, right —
and duty.
These things being properly attended to it de- ©
spises or neglects nothing that contributes to the —
“Suffer the Little Children to Come Unto Me, and Forbid
Them Not: For of Such is the Kingdom of Heaven”
SRbiyrhietergersetpas
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ELISTS
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G
CHRIST AND THE EVA!
WHAT ITS WORK IS 79
full development of mind and body, to an adequate
preparation for a right enjoyment of life and for
fullest service in all of life’s relations. It is a
fitting and perfecting process which seeks to rear
the whole man for the whole of life and all that it
means. II Tim. 3:17.
2. Scope; and 3. Method. As regards the scope
and method of Christian education a reference to
the accompanying Outline will suffice.
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