# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_1981_S212 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) 210 ADMINISTRATION WHEREAS, The purpose of the formation of the English District, that is, English-language work, has been fulfilled, and in view of the fact that the vast majority of LCMS congrega- tions use the English language; and WHEREAS, When the English Synod joined the LCMS and became the English District, the Articles of Union stated, “That we regard it as most expedient and most salutary for both parties of this union if individual congregations of the English Synod join the respective District of our Synod”; and WHEREAS, There has been for many years an excess layer of government in the form of the English District and vast inefficiency and unnecessary duplication of programs, services, administration, and funding of the geographical Districts; and WHEREAS, Holy Scriptures exhort God’s people to be good stewards of the gifts and resources that God has so richly and abundantly supplied to us; therefore be it Resolved, That the English District be dissolved effective Jan. 1, 1982; and be it further Resolved, That every congregation, pastor, and teacher in membership in the English District as of Jan. 1, 1982, be assigned on that date to the respective geographical District in which such is located or resides; and be it finally Resolved, That all matters relating to the dissolution of the English District, including but not limited to the corporate status, real and personal property, and the Church Extension Fund, shall be coordinated by the synodical Board of Directors, and that all these matters shall be completed by Jan. 1, 1982. Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church Franklin, Nebr. Maynard Schriner, Secretary Jay Currie, Pastor 4-14 To Stimulate Concordia Retirement Plan WHEREAS, Over a decade and a half ago the Synod, in its wisdom, founded the Concordia Plans with the expectation that they would provide for God’s faithful people in illness and in old age; and WHEREAS, The Concordia Retirement Plan has been some- what less than successful in meeting these objectives (vide: 1978 earnings, including unrealized gains, were only 7.59 percent; 1979 earnings, including unrealized gains, were only 9.55 percent); and WHEREAS, The efforts of some to call this to the attention of the administrator and the Synod have been met with pleas for time and explanations that indicate a great hesitancy to respond with proper care for the funds our congregations channel into the Retirement Plan; and WHEREAS, Inflation might last a bit longer than most of us want, and itis inflation that decreases the purchasing power of retirement income; therefore be it Resolved, That the 1981 synodical convention instruct the Board of Directors of the Synod to investigate thoroughly the inadequate return on invested capital of the Concordia Retir- ment Plan, determining— 1) if the problem is already corrected; 2) why it was not corrected earlier; 3) what changes in the personnel and regulation will insure a better situation in the future. Our Savior Lutheran Church Lake Worth, Fla. Byron Q. Folmer, President 4-15 To Investigate Comments re Retirement Plan WHEREAS, There are many rumors and dissatisfactions with the Concordia Retirement Plan; and WHEREAS, Our Synod should welcome any constructive criticisms regarding the Concordia Retirement Plan; and WHEREAS, Full disclosure of the investments and the management of all funds held in trust by the Concordia Retirement Plan isin keeping with the Freedom of Information Act; therefore be it Resolved, That a special committee be appointed by the synodical President to investigate all the charges made by Rev. Theodore W. Eisold concerning the Concordia Retirement Plan; and be it further Resolved, That this committee report the findings of their investigation by Jan. 1, 1982, in the Reporter. St. Timothy Lutheran Church Otisville, Mich. Jack Overzet, Chairman Gerald L. Russell, Secretary 4-16A To Review Concordia Plans WHEREAS, One of the basic purposes of the Concordia Plans should be to give needed aid to pastors and other church workers at retirement; and WHEREAS, Church workers who have served their Lord faithfully in the ministry have not always received large salaries; and WuerEAS, Benefits given to the retired worker from the Concordia Plans are based on a percentage of their former salary; and WHEREAS, These workers are assessed for health care, at times in an amount equal to one-third of their retirement benefits, thus producing an added burden for them financially; and WHEREAS, The assessment for health care benefits for the retired worker has been doubled in the past two years, while benefits have not been increased in needed areas, causing further burdens for persons on limited income; and WHEREAS, There are other areas where benefits to the retired worker are drastically reduced immediately upon retirement, such as the lump-sum death benefit; and WHEREAS, Concordia Plans have been in existence for 15 years, providing a fair basis on which to assess the strengths and weaknesses of the program of health, welfare, and retire- ment benefits; therefore be it Resolved, That the LCMS ask for a thorough review of the entire program of the Concordia Plans, to the end that the needs and concerns of our retired workers and families be adequately cared for as well as those who are inservice, witha particular concern for those retired workers whose income while in the active ministry was limited, so they not be further penalized in retirement by drastic cuts in their retirement income by ever-increasing assessments for health care; and be it further Resolved, That an impartial task force be appointed by the Board of Directors of the Synod, composed of persons knowlege- able in insurance and financial matters, to conduct the review of Concordia Plans, giving special attention to funding benefits needed by persons with limited assets; and be it finally Resolved, That every effort be made to make Concordia Plans the finest health, welfare, and retirement plan available, keeping in mind good stewardship of funds entrusted to the Fund by congregations and workers and remembering that it is intended to be a worker benefit fund. Pastoral Conference North Dakota District Joseph Jones, Secretary Identical or similar: 4-16B Good Shepherd, Glens Falls, N.Y. Larry E. Bock