# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1956_S15
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

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PRESIDENT’S TRIENNIAL REPORT 15
throughout Synod until the “Conquest for Christ” collection was
completed, were now requested by the Board to pool their efforts.
They consented to do this. The following were the beneficiaries
of the collection: Bethesda Lutheran Home in Watertown, Wis.;
Valparaiso University; the Deaconess Association; the Deaf Insti-
tute in Mill Neck, N. Y.; and World Relief.

The financial contributions of our people have increased
steadily. In 1955 an all-time high was reached in contributions for
all purposes. Contributions for Synod have also experienced in-
creases. It must be noted, however, that percentage-wise Synod
has not received as much of the total contributions as it did in 1927.
At that time congregations contributed an average of 12 per cent
to Synod. This has decreased to 7 per cent. Or, take another view
of it. In 1927 the average per communicant for Synod was $2.73.
According to the purchasing power of the dollar at that time com-
pared with 1921, this amounted to $2.20. In 1950 our contributions
averaged $5.86 per communicant for Synod. However, when com-
pared with 1921 this amounted to a purchasing power of only $3.11.
The convention will give due consideration to this.

Last summer at the Fiscal and Visitors’ Conference the re-
peated clamor from the field not to have frequent extra collections,
but to include everything, also the so-called capital investment
funds, in the annual budget, was given thorough consideration.
After prayerful deliberations the conference resolved to do this.
This resulted in a greatly increased budget for 1956, a total of
$12,900,000. The convention will decide whether this policy shall
be continued.

Will our people contribute this amount? It was established
that this amount is needed for the work in the Savior’s kingdom.
That our people in this day of unprecedented prosperity are able
to contribute it, is certain. God knows it. Our synodical and Dis-
trict officials know it. Our people know it. The real questions
are, Bo all our people know about the needs? Do they realize
that Synod’s work is their work? Do they understand that the
Lord Ged wants to use them as the instruments to carry on His
work? Have they been led to the Cross of their Redeemer, who
gave Himself into death for them? Have all of them heard the
ringing appeal to support the work in the kingdom for their
Savior’s sake? If so, they will be willing. Synod’s Stewardship
Department has been doing very intensive work to bring full
information and proper motivation to all our people. These men
tell us that this “Venture of Faith” is proving to be successful
and will persuade more and more of our people to become better
stewards, who will take the matter of stewardship of all of life
seriously.