# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_1983_S139 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) ADMINISTRATION AND PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION 139 Overview The Department of Stewardship and Financial Support accepts responsibility for implementing and coordinating a stewardship program that enables members of congregations to understand more clearly the Scriptural concept of steward- ship. The department provides management and helps for thorough study of the Word so that moved by it, and it alone, members will prayerfully employ their time, talent, and treas- ure in a God-pleasing manner. This includes assistance in stewardship and development to Districts, congregations, and individuals as well as to all commissions, boards, committees, colleges, and seminaries listed in the Lutheran Annual. It also involves the solicitation of deferred and special gifts for mission and ministry, coordination of development activities throughout the Synod, and special assistance to seminaries and colleges in their development programs. 1. Stewardship Section This section of the department is responsible for developing and implementing Gospel-based stewardship programs to increase the stewardship consciousness of God’s people. This includes preparation, distribution and coordination of plans, programs, and materials. It will also review all planned giving, special giving, and other programs of the department to ensure proper stewardship theology in all programs and materials. Currently, the new department is in the initial stages of developing new Gospel-based stewardship materials for use by Districts and congregations. Regarding material preparation, the philosophy of the department will be to draw upon the skills and writing talents of District stewardship executives and other District and congregation leaders. It is believed the department can best serve by being a broker and distributor of materials—with the developing and writing accomplished by others. Bible class and other study materials will be an important aspect of the work. Through all these efforts members, congregations, Districts, and the Synod will be encouraged to be responsible stewards of the time, talents, and treasures the Lord has provided. Rev. Roy Bleick heads the stewardship section as steward- ship counselor. He is assisted by Rev. Arnold Soeldner, Rev. Vince Larson, Mr. David Strand, Mr. Gerhard Kamprath, and Mr. Mark Marshall. Others will soon be joining the steward- ship staff. Other functions performed by the stewardship section include: —Stewardship Field Staff, who are deployed on a regional basis. At the request of and in coordination with District leadership, these men will implement stewardship nur- ture efforts and programs to benefit congregations and their members. The corporate stewardship program, semi- nars, and training events will beimportant aspects of this activity. These men will be involved in the District: Synod Joint Planning Session meetings and also serve as liaison between Districts and the Synod. —Project Coordinators, who at the request of Districts plan, implement, and conduct the special Districtwide steward- ship program—an intensive 12-month educational pro- gram designed to lead God’s people into a study of His Word, increase their stewardship consciousness, provide the motive force to enable them to respond to His bless- ings, and increase the resources available for congre- gations, Districts, and the Synod. The project coordinator relates closely to District leadership, such as the District President and steward- ship executive, and works with them in developing an emphasis consistent with the traditions and stewardship level of the District to ensure that its special requirements and needs are met. The Nebraska District conducted this special effort as 1 a pilot program during 1982. Approximately 55 percent of the congregations participated and reported encouraging results and increases in Sunday worship, at the Lord's i table, and in a clearer understanding of how to use all His i material blessings to advance the Kingdom. ; In 1983 three additional Districts are involved: Texas, Mid-South, and Southern Illinois. Other Districts intend to implement the program in 1984. —Mission Education activity has as its function the com- munication of the Synod’s activity in missions to Dis- tricts, congregations, and their people. This includes North American missions as well as overseas. This effort is coordinated with the Districts, the Board for Com- munication Services, and the Board for Mission Services. —The District/Synod Joint Planning Sessions seek to develop a closer working relationship and to improve the spirit of ‘walking together” between District and Synod. Personal visits are made to each District to learn its short- and long-term priorities, the process of establishing its work program and District budget, and its plans to lead God’s people into the Word. The Synod’s representative shares similar information and plans. (These meetings are jointly sponsored by the Depart- ment of Stewardship and Financial Support and the Executive Coordinating Committee (ECC). For a narra- tive report regarding the 1982 series of District meetings, please read the ECC report in this convention workbook). 2. Planned Giving This section of the department is responsible for organizing and implementing a planned giving (deferred) program to serve God’s people in the stewardship of their material bless- ings, including promotion of the planned giving instruments and trust services available through the LCMS Foundation. Activity includes prospect identification, cultivation, visita- tion, and solicitation as well as developing and implementing a public information program regarding the services of the LCMS Foundation. In effect, the department serves as the development arm of the Foundation. During calendar year 1982 more than 1,100 people were served by planned giving staff. Many worked through a charitable estate plan and intend to remember their congre- gation or other LCMS entities in their will or through a revocable type of agreement. In one District alone more than $8 million in expectancies was achieved in one year by a de- velopment officer; in another District nearly $4.2 million in one year was reported. Also 173 of God’s people entered into an irrevocable plan with the LCMS Foundation, and these agree- ments totaled $2.9 million. These funds will eventually be used for mission and ministry among all levels and entities of the Synod when the donor is called to his or her true home. The LCMS Foundation as of Jan. 1, 1983, was managing more than $62 million. Through activities and advertisements during 1982, more than 900 individuals requested printed information regarding charitable estate planning and the services of the LCMS Foundation. Through field staff deployed on a District or regional basis under partnership agreements with the Districts, the depart- ment works directly with District leadership and with colleges, seminaries, and other agencies and institutions in soliciting planned gifts to benefit entities of the LCMS. Associate Planned Giving Counselors are located on the St. Louis staff. These men assist in the technical matters of finalizing deferred giving instruments, working with the Synod’s legal counsel and the foundation’s trust service staff as appropriate, and providing counsel to other LCMS develop- ment officers. The planned giving section also develops and sponsors periodic seminars and provides resource materials regarding charitable estate planning. A major will awareness program is currently being devel- oped by the department for use by congregations. Materials and information will be provided to congregations for mem- ber’s usein their Christian stewardship and estate planning. A will is one of the most important documents a person will ever prepare, since it not only provides for family members and disposition of an estate according to personal wishes, but it also enables a person to express for one final time the love they have in their heart for their Lord and Savior who loved them and gave Himself for them (Gal. 2:20). Serving God’s people in the stewardship of their material blessings are the St. Louis based staff of Dr. Otto Dorn, Rev. Richard Maddox, Mr. Philip Esala, Mr. Richard Heinrich, and Mr. Robert Shafis.