# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1944_S911
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

326 FINANCIAL MATTERS

can the few members of the District subcommittees meet the situa-
tion in their comparatively large territories. (The two South
‘American Districts have joined practically unanimously.)

To remedy this situation it was suggested to engage a staff
‘of informed and qualified field men, who would establish personal -
contact with all who have not yet joined. But we need not go
to this big expense provided our District Presidents and Visitors
-will assist us. This was discussed at the recent Fiscal Conference
:and is in accord with Synod’s desires as expressed in the Con-
‘stitution, Art. XI, B,4: “The President of Synod (and his repre-
:sentatives) shall see to it that the resolutions of Synod are carried
.out.” It is evident, therefore, that the District Presidents and their
cofficials have been entrusted by Synod with the task of keeping
its financial program including the Support and Pension depart-~
ment on a sound basis and to make it function effectively. Should
any workers or congregations find it impossible to join the Fund
for reasons of poverty, the Proceedings of 1941, p. 381, show how
help is to be given in such instances, namely, in co-operation with
the District officials. ;

You District Presidents and Visitors are in a strategic spot to
render the needed help. You can inquire discreetly of the local
congregation why it has not joined; you can speak to some of
the officers and members of such congregations and offer your
help to the timid pastor and teacher. You are intimately acquainted
with the psychology of the individual workers and their particular
circumstances and will find an approach without difficulty where
we would be groping in darkness. In too many instances wrong
impressions and prejudices concerning Synod’s Pension Fund
exist. These can be easily removed by a personal interview on
the part of an official.

This does not imply that the members of the General Board
and local Boards of Support should be idle. They also will approach
the “prospects” personally and by letter; they will co-operate,
supply technical information, and, where necessary, give the history
of previous approaches, etc. But it does mean that we are pleading’
for the assistance of our Presidents and Visitors.

We therefore venture to make the following requests:
1. At the Visitors’ meetings please make participation in the
Pension Plan a standing subject for discussion and see to it that
the proper action is taken. A tabulation of the non-members will
be available.
2. When you act as advisers of a calling non-member con-
gregation which is anxious to secure the services of a certain