# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_1983_S136
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

136 ADMINISTRATION AND PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION

Treasurer to establish a separate property section within his
department upon recommendation of the external auditors;
assisted the Fort Wayne seminary in developing plans for
enlarging the seminary library; established housing allow-
ances for ministers of the Gospel serving on the synodical staff;
adjusted annually the midpoint for the various salary scales;
authorized Concordia, Milwaukee, to proceed with solicitation
of funds for its anniversary: upheld the Board for Social
Ministry Services in its application of criteria for recognition of
agencies: appointed a special committee to study electronic
data processing operations of the Synod; decided that parochial
schools should not be granted “listed service organization”
status; authorized the seminaries to conduct a special] fund-
raising campaign; engaged the new Draheim ’Pranschke legal
firm as the legal counsel of the Synod; received various audits
during the course of the biennium; decided to test the necessity
of our colleges and seminaries filing Form 990 with the IRS;
appropriated $4,000,000 from the expansion fund for a new
dormitory for Irvine: recognized the training of Hispanic
clergy as a high priority program; restructured the Department
of Stewardship and Financial Support staff as well as that of
the LCMS Foundation: considered the proposal of a new inter-
Lutheran agency; brought suit against the United States
government regarding taxability of vicar compensation:
approved a budget of $242,000 for Great Commission Convoca-
tion II; endorsed the decision of the Board for Communication
Services to petition the convention for a restructuring of its
standing committees; authorized an amicus brief regarding
the Central Indiana Lutheran Retirement Home; arranged for
Black Ministry scholarship funds to be administered in accord-
ance with normal procedures of the BPES; approved the
creation of a full-time position of Secretary for American
Indian Ministry; asked the Commission on Structure to
consider the advisability of combining the Commission on
Health and Healing and the Commission on Ministerial
Health; approved some amendments to the Concordia Retire-
ment Plan to maintain its qualification under the Internal
Revenue code; decided to secure an executive risk policy for
directors, officers, and employees of the LCMS as well as its
boards, committees, councils, colleges, seminaries, and Dis-
tricts; heard several presentations on the Lutheran Church—
Canada, its plans for an autonomous church, and its seminary
education plans; reviewed as instructed in the Bylaws the
governing instruments of the ‘‘other synodical entities” listed
in the Handbook and made appropriate recommendations;
encouraged early meetings with representatives of the Com-
mission for a New Lutheran Church to discuss future inter-
Lutheran work; approved the first phase for the expansion of
Christ College, Irvine; authorized certain steps to protect the
property of the Los Angeles Lutheran High School from
foreclosure; and authorized KFUO—FM to utilize its commer-
cial license.

IV. Recommendations

A. Determination Of Sites For Future Conventions. In a
special overture the board is recommending to the convention
the adoption of criteria which are to be met by groups which
intend to submit an invitation to host a convention of the
Synod.

B. Classifying “Ministers” for Purposes of Federal Law
(Res. 5-08). This convention resolution was referred to the
Board of Directors for study and report at the next convention.
A separate recommendation is being submitted.

C. Funding System of Colleges. The board is making a
proposal on this difficult matter in a separate overture. See the
section on professional education.

D. Concordia Publishing House. Several changes are being
proposed for the Bylaws of the Synod and for the governing
instruments of CPH.

E. Continuing Education. The board is endorsing the
proposal of the BPES that a standing committee be provided
for continuing education.

Herbert Mueller, Secretary

Appendix 4-05A
Appointments and Elections

Under the Bylaws the Board of Directors has the responsi-
bility to fill many positions by appointment or to ratify or
concur in various appointments. Such actions taken during the
past two years are as follows (all appointments are for two
years unless indicated):

Administrative Officer of the Board of Directors: John
Schuelke

Board for Communication Services: Revs. Arnold Kuntz.
Henry Lubben, John Frahm; Teacher Bob Christian; lay-
persons Jean Garton, William Wagner, Marlys Taege

Board for Social Ministry Services: Rev. Richard Krenzke;
Teacher Robert Schlesselman; laypersons Norman Tice,
Lavern Cattau

Board for Lutheran Radio—KFUO: Rev. Lawrence Burgdorf;
laypersons Elmer Kuhlmann, Maurice Anderson; layperson
Dorothy Mansholt to fill an unexpired term

LCMS Foundation Trustees: Harlan Klotz, Rupert Dunklau,
Ken Guebert, Arvid Jouppi, Harold Mattfeld, Dale Scheer,
Robert Welk; the following terms were extended by one year
to the end of 1983: Roger Bettin, Henry T. Grueber, William
Harbeck; the following were appointed in early 1983: Mark
Schoknecht, Paul Seltz, Jack Fleischli

Board of Managers, Concordia Plans: Ralph Niedert, Harlan
Klotz, Greg Smith, Ken Guebert; the terms of Richard Peters
and Fred Spurgat were extended by one year to the end of
1983

Lutheran Church Extension Fund (Class B): George Albers.
Harold C. Bohlmann

Board Representatives on Executive Coordinating Committee:
David Goertz, George Mohr, Harold Olsen

Synod’s Representative on Mass Media Committee of the
ILLL: Paul Devantier

Appendix 4-05B
General Services Department

As a relatively new department which has grown out of a
combination of older functions and the creation of new func-
tions, General Services encompasses almost every aspect of
physical services needed to support the programs and activities
of the other areas of the Synodical effort.

Recent additions are in the area of support related to the
International Center. These new services are central supply,
central files, library, food service, and conference center.
Existing functions that have been incorporated, modified, or
expanded are purchasing, mailing, printing operations, micro-
filming, word processing, and copy center.

‘The purpose of General Services goes beyond the walls of
the International Center. In keeping with one of its stated
objectives, good beginnings have been made in providing
national buying agreements which reflect price savings for
various commodities ranging from paper stock to automobiles.
These agreements are available and are used by the District
offices, colleges, and seminaries. Continuing investigations
are being made to broaden the reach of this type of purchasing
capability—always the point is to save money so that our
dollars go further.

Meeting planning and coordination serves the Synod in
areas of cost reductions for meeting facilities outside of the St.
Louis area. This activity involves negotiating rates with
national chains of hotels motels. General Services personnel
also develop and monitor Synodwide agreements for reduced
rates for automobile rental and air travel.

The facility operations (utilities, grounds, physical environ-
ment, etc.) at the International Center are the responsibility of
the General Services Department. We are committed to use the
efficiencies which have been designed into the structure to
their maximum. Energy management controls and solar
materials form the basis for our ability to economize in energy
costs.

In summary, perhaps the best statement of work of the
General Services Department is contained in its objectives,