# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_1969_S476 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) STEWARDSHIP AND FINANCES; RETIREMENT AND BENEFITS 463 rectors on Nov. 21, 1968, to discuss the broad aspects of the recommendations of the Stewardship Study Com- mittee. It noted again that the special Stewardship Study Committee envisioned three basic changes to en- able the Stewardship Department to function at top efficiency. 1. Establish and develop the Office of Needs and Re- sources. This office could address basically the task of developing a coordinated program of needs and re- sources and raise money to meet the needs of the Synod and the Districts. 2. Alter and expand the current functions of the Board for Stewardship, Mission Education, and Promo- tion to include such functions as evangelism, adult edu- cation, and family life, that it might develop into a Board for Christian Growth. 3. Establish a division of Christian Life and Con- gregational Nurture to include the Board for Christian Growth and other parish-based boards (such as Parish Education and the Board for Young People’s Work). The Stewardship Board reaffirmed its commitment (in principle) to the report of the Stewardship Study Committee and took the position that in implementing these suggestions the number one priority be given to bringing the expanded program of Christian Growth and Stewardship into one department to allow close cooperation and liaison with other departments respon- sible for congregational nurture. This was predicated on the necessity of a unified approach to the parish, as opposed to a fragmented offering of services and pro- grams presently experienced despite such efforts as the Council of Administrators and others. The Stewardship Board also took the position that the most effective way of accomplishing the functional expansion of the Stew- ardship Department into the wider department of Christian Growth and Stewardship would be to do so gradually. As departments with common aims and goals work together in one closely cohesive division, there will develop a climate of mutual trust and helpfulness. Within such a division functions could be transferred from one department to another with a minimum of difficulty. Finally, the Stewardship Board wholeheartedly en- dorsed the establishment of a new Office of Needs and Resources. Because the effectiveness of such an office demands a good stewardship foundation and approach, the board also suggested that the Needs and Resources Office develop within the Stewardship Department rather than independently or attached to some other function of the church. Resolving these issues will help the department creatively develop into a more effective service arm of the church. Raising Funds and EMSV The congregations of the Synod have long felt the need for special help in raising funds for capita! projects. Commercial fund-raising firms have met this need to a limited degree. To make this kind of service available to more congregations within the context of their total stewardship responsibilities, the synodical Board of Di- rectors on Aug. 1—2, 1968, resolved “that the Steward- ship Department develop fund-raising techniques and services that will assist the local congregations in their total stewardship responsibilities.” The staff is in the process of analyzing, evaluating, and developing this function. As a proved method of training members in Chris- tian giving and providing them the opportunity of con- tributing generously to Christ’s work through the church, the Stewardship Department continues to pro- mote the Every Member Stewardship Visit. During the last decade the department has prepared an annual kit of EMSV materials for use by pastors and parish leaders to carry out their fall stewardship visit for pledges. The department also assists District leaders who conduct regional or circuit conferences and schools with con- gregational leaders to help make these visits more suc- cessful in local congregations. Continuing emphasis will be placed on this program. With the rapid, almost radi- cal changes taking place in credit buying, new experi- mentation and innovation is planned to offer more ef- fective ways for our people to support the church con- sistent with sound stewardship principles. Lay Enlistment Rev. Marcus T. Zill, as associate counselor of the department, took responsibility for developing a pro- gram of ministry of the laity. Pastor Zill thoroughly re- searched this area and cooperated with the Lutheran Laymen’s League in preparing materials for the Lay Sunday observance. This Sunday received special em- phasis at the 1967 synodical convention. Many pilot projects were completely tested. In 1969 Pastor Zill will represent the department at the national LWML con- vention in Houston, Tex., to give further emphasis to the ministry of the laity. In January 1969 the Lord led Pastor Zill to accept a call as pastor of St. Paul’s Church, Ogden, Utah. At the present writing his position on the synodical stew- ardship staff is vacant. Mission Education Mission education is becoming increasingly difficult for many reasons. 1. The excitement of a tremendous expansion after the World War II years is past, and a new era of the young church overseas is upon us. 2. The widely adopted unified budget does not re- quire the Christian to make an individual commitment to the needs of Christ’s world mission. And while mis- sion needs are not the motivation for giving, they are frequently an important occasion and opportunity for it. 3. Our country as a whole has become more isola- tionist in its world view. This attitude also finds its way into the church. 4. Many have mistaken the rise of the indigenous church to mean that help is no longer needed in lands of the younger churches.