# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1953_S668
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

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674 FINANCIAL MATTERS

instance, if after January 1, 1954, the con i

a ’ ’ gregati i
remit at 4 per cent, the additional deduction will be $10. ra
minimum subsidized pension for each
participation; and be it further

Resolved, That the deduction fr i

: > om the widow’ idizeg
pension shall be 50 per cent of the husband’s deduction Subsi

ues to
‘om the

such year of 4-per-cent

Resolution 9
. ENDOWMENTS AND GIFTS
ah Wuereas, The benefits of our Pension Fund would be great}
enhanced if we had, or were to receive, large endowments or ‘ .
for the benefit of the Pension Fund; therefore be it its
Resolved, That we encourage the
Synod and their members to make use

cards which are available and al:
sad sine so enco

various congregations of
of the memorial wreath
urage larger endowments

Resolution 10
COST OF ACCOUNTING
tha Wuereas, Committee 3 of the Board of Directors recommends
t the cost for all accounting of the Pension Fund (which
caring, ‘o $22,825.00 in the fiscal year 1952) be charged to the
arnings o e Pensi i
conte ion Fund instead of Synod’s budget ac-

Wuereas, The Board of Su i
ipport and Pens i
recommendation; therefore be it wee SMBROENS thle

Resolved, That beginning Febru: 1
. olved, ary 1, 1954, th
accounting for the Pension Fund be charged to the carnings
the Pension Fund instead of Synod’s budget account,

Resolution 11
FEDERAL SOCIAL SECURITY

Memorial 811 proposes that S i
. ynod express itself i
Social Security benefits for pastors and teachers. Ss favoring
Memorial 812 Proposes that a stud:
emc ly be made of the possibili
of obtaining these benefits in dditi i . Y
sion prom addition to a modified church pen-
Memorial 816 recommends that the F
ederal Social Security
program be ad i
program | a opted and that our own Pension System be dis-

Unprinted Memorial 30 and the’ sas
e communi rece
port these memorials. cations received sup-

ist Social Security benefits are at present not available to min-
isters and teachers of religion; however, Government bills are

FINANCIAL MATTERS 675

# ing which propose the inclusion of pastors, teachers, and other
fessional church workers under the Federal Social Security
Some church bodies have gone on record favoring Social.
eeurity for ministers and other church workers. Others have not.
Bown Church has not yet taken an official stand in this matter.
© It is not yet certain what action the Government will take,
Ein case such a law is enacted, our pastors, teachers, congre-
ions, and Synod itself with its various Districts will be con-
ted with this question.
In considering this problem, it must be borne in mind:
a). That this is a question of practical judgment and wisdom
ing with the temporal and material side of life;
“b) That it is a question about which intelligent and con-
tious Christians may differ without offending the conscience
the other. ‘
Those favoring Social Security benefits for church workers
gue: ;
a) That it would be the law of the land and no moral objec-
ons should be raised against it; ,
‘ - b) That this law is intended for the good of all citizens and
hat it is supported by the taxes of all citizens (pastors and other
professional church workers are citizens and taxpayers) and that
-fhere are no valid reasons why they should be excluded from the
benefits of this law intended for all;

c) That if the law is enacted, most of the pastors and teachers
will automatically become eligible for Social Security benefits
regardless of any action that Synod might take;

d) That it will be of distinct benefit to the retired pastors and
professional church workers and their dependents because it would
increase their possible income without an additional burden to
the Pension Fund.

Those opposed to Federal Social Security benefits argue:

a) That the Church and its workers should not become the
beneficiaries of a secular government;

b) That the advantages of the Federal Social Security benefits
for pastors and professional church workers are outweighed by
the disadvantages; ,

c) That the Federal Social Security benefits would “shackle
our servants of the Church” and that “the pulpit and the school-
room should always remain free to declare the truth”;

d) That it is the duty of congregations to support their
workers during the time of their service and that it is also their
duty to care for them when they are no longer able to serve.