# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1950_S1222
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

730 . FINANCIAL MATTERS

District. Under their guidance and with the consecrated efforts
of our special Stewardship Committee the threatening large deficit
for 1949 was held down to a comparatively small amount, and the
foundation was laid for better stewardship in the future. The
Board recommends to Synod to establish, on a permanent basis
a Department of Stewardship and that the proper regulations for
this office be drawn up and embodied in the Handbook.

Resolution re Stewardship Secretary or Stewardship Department

Wuereas, The principle and practice of the stewardship of the
whole Christian life requires wider dissemination and implementa-
tion throughout our Church to enable her to fulfill her God-given
mission to an ever greater degree; and

Wuereas, The Special Fiscal Conference of Synod on Febru-
ary 2 and 3, 1949, urged the Board of Directors of Synod to “provide
a man whose special duties shall be those usually assigned to
a stewardship secretary”; and

Wuereas, The Board of Directors of Synod is persuaded that
the study and promotion of stewardship life is essential to the
over-all Kingdom program of our Synod; and

Wuereas, The promotion of stewardship, missionary education,
and publicity about the work of the Church are closely allied and
should be integrated and co-ordinated, therefore be it

Resolved, That all work coming under the classification of
stewardship, publicity, missionary education, and promotion be
merged in a department to be called the Department of Steward-
ship, Missionary Education, and Promotion;

That the Board of Directors be empowered to create such

secretaryships as are necessary to adequately staff this depart-
ment; and

That the Department of Stewardship, Missionary Education,

and Promotion shall be responsible to the Board of Directors for
the conduct of its work. ,

5. Special Collections.—To revert to the Centennial Thank-
offering and the Peace Thankoffering, collected during the previous
triennium, your Board was conscientiously concerned about ad-
‘ministering the remaining funds within the framework of the
allocations made (cf. Proceedings, 1947, page 578), so that the
moneys so liberally contributed by our people continue to serve
their purpose. As to the collection for the most necessary items
in our building program, including the building grants made by
the last convention, the original goal of $1,500,000 had to be raised
to $2,050,000, with the consent of the Fiscal Conference. This

FINANCIAL MATTERS 731

@ffort, known as the “Building for Tomorrow” collection, has not

been brought to a conclusion. In conjunction with the Board for
Higher Education the most urgent allocations were made from

* the moneys received. (Cf. Treasurer’s report.) Concerning the

“Collection for Relief in Europe and Asia” (Proceedings, 1947,

page 665), see the report of the Treasurer. Much assistance was

given of which we have no record.

6. Synodical Building and Loan Fund.— According to the
action of Synod on Memorial 401 (Proceedings, 1947, page 623f.),
the Board of Directors appointed the following committee to study
this matter: Messrs. A. T. Wilson, George Schudlich, Henry Buck,
R. C. Obermann, and Oscar Doerr. Dr. F. C. Streufert, Mr. A. Ww.
Huge, and the Rev. H. A. Mayer served in an advisory capacity.
This committee gave it as its opinion “that the organization of
the Synodical Building and Loan Department is not advisable.
However, the Board of Directors was requested

“1. To empower the General Church Extension Board to
enlarge its fund through gifts and loans, with interest, where
necessary.

“2. To continue to confine loans by the General Church Exten-
sion Board to Districts and synodical boards.

“3. To. permit the General Board to charge the Districts a rate
of interest adequate to cover the interest paid and the operating
costs of the fund. This will mean a change in Handbook Section
8.113 d.

“4. To prepare the proper memorial to bring these suggestions
to the attention of Synod.

“It was finally recommended to request the General Church
Extension Board through its executives to study the best procedure
of administering Church Extension Funds and to encourage and
assist the District Boards in the promotion and developments of
the best methods of Church Extension.”

A separate memorial on this matter is attached to this report.

7. Retirement Plan for Lay Employees.— (Cf. Proceedings,
1947, pages 619—622.) The revised plan provides for the appoint-
ment of a Retirement Committee of six men by the Board of
Directors. Regulations were drawn up, which are embodied in the
Handbook, Article IX, D, Sections 10.61—10.93.

8. Siynodical Board of Social Welfare. — In accordance with the
resolutions of Synod with reference to Memorial 420 (cf. Pro-
ceedings, 1947, page 471). The committee appointed by the Presi-
dent, consisting of Dr. C. A. Behnke, Prof. E. E. Foelber, and