# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1950_S573
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

FINANCIAL MATTERS 573

Lakewood,.Ohio. The Committee to Study the Question of Mem-
bership in the National Lutheran Council: Dr. A. Brunn, Dr. L.
Meyer, and Messrs. Carl A. Geist of Cincinnati, Arthur L. Miller
of St. Louis, and W. C. Dickmeyer of Fort Wayne. Upon the death
of Dr. Brunn, President R. R. Ressmeyer served as chairman for
several months. When he could no longer serve, the Rev. Walter
H. Meyer was chosen in his place. Mr. Geo. Eigel of St. Louis
continued to render valuable services as Synodical Attorney. Many
legal questions were turned over to him, such as the incorporation
of Synod in various States, the question of the charter of Synod, etc.
As the terms of the Trustees of Synod’s Trust Funds expired, the
vacancies were filled by the Board of Directors. We cannot but
emphasize that these men, well versed in the problems involved,
gave unstintingly of their time to invest the trust funds of Synod
according to the regulations. Their report is included in our
presentation.
General Synodical Matters

4. Budget Matters.— The Board of Directors was conscious
of the fact that one of its important functions is to “prepare the
annual budget of Synod and submit it to the Fiscal Conference for
final action” (Handbook, Section 2.79, a). Recognizing the fact that
under God’s gracious blessing Synod grew in numbers, which indi-
cates increased obligations in view of our mission expansion, but
should also mean increased ability to meet these obligations, the
Board, with the approval of. the Fiscal Conference, increased the
budget from year to year. It is a matter of record that in spite
of all efforts a deficit had to be recorded each year, which had to
be taken from our Contingent Fund. Our minutes show that much
consideration was given to this problem. Early in the triennium,
as our minutes of February 17, 1948, show, definite steps were
taken to strengthen the synodical setup for the raising of the
budget. We were convinced that our Christian people are able and,
if properly instructed, also willing to contribute the necessary
funds to carry on the work which the Lord has given us to do.
Every effort was made to use the channels set up by Synod to
collect the needed amounts. But the Board had to come to the
conviction that our Fiscal Office had to be strengthened in the
Stewardship Department. Not having the authority to set up a new
office, the Board, with the approval of the Fiscal Conference,
strengthened the Department of Publicity and Missionary Educa-
tion. by employing a Stewardship Secretary in the person of the
Rev. J. E. Herrmann, loaned to us by the Western District, and
a Secretary of Finance in the person of the Rev. W. C. Birkner,
coming to us on a similar temporary basis from the Central