# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_2019_S7
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

OFFICER, BOARD, AND COMMISSION REPORTS
debtedness plus CUS historic debt has been reduced
from about $37 million to about $22 million.
••

The BOD has identified international properties able
to be sold for anticipated significant financial benefit
to Synod and reduction or even elimination of the
historic CUS debt. The situation in China is becoming ever more complex, and government control of
assets owned by entities outside China are subject
to increasing restrictions, particularly if Christianity is involved. We had a tremendous opportunity to
move our Asia mission headquarters to Taiwan, to a
beautiful building we already possessed. It’s the right
move at the right time.

••

As a response to 2016 Res. 9-04A, we published a
first-ever annual report in the November 2018 issue
of The Lutheran Witness.

••

A monthly “dashboard” on Synod finances has been
established for Reporter to increase financial transparency by reporting in a more simplified and timely
manner.

••

We just had our A rating with the Better Business
Bureau renewed, based upon 20 criteria.

••

Our cost of funds is 8 cents on the dollar—a tremendous number for the non-profit sector. The BBB
allows up to 35 cents on the dollar, for instance.

Council of Presidents and Ecclesiastical
Supervision
••

The COP is now more unified and collegial than I
have ever seen it. Meetings deal with many challenging topics but are a joy. COP Chair David Maier
does a good job in leading the body. The program
committee is excellent, and we are constantly seeking
better ways to use our time together and to serve the
church.

••

COP is now reviewing pastors on candidate status at
every COP meeting.

••

COP is engaging with the Koinonia Project process
as a body.

••

I present a theological topic at most every COP meeting.

••

We continue working fraternally with district presidents to build and maintain doctrinal unity, especially regarding Synod expectations on worship and
Communion practice per the excellent resolutions
passed in 2016 and before.

••

The 2016 convention set in place a process that
restored the right of an accuser to appeal to the
Synod President should the district president not
act in a clear case of a violation of Synod doctrine
and practice. Much has been made of this in some
quarters of the Synod. I could spill a fair bit of ink
here too, but won’t. The current process is not new or
unprecedented. The Synod President is not granted
unbridled power to “kick someone out.” The Synod
President has the option under specific circumstances

7

to proceed as the district president. The rights of
appeal and choosing of panels, etc., are all the same.
If a district president investigates a case and consults
with the Synod President, and the Synod President
agrees that more serious action should not be taken,
then there is no access to appeal for an accuser.
Finally, and perhaps most important, since the new
Bylaws have been in place, there has not been one
single case. In fact, there has not even been an inquiry
to the Secretary of Synod.

Public Square
••

Our testimony before Congress some years ago
regarding religious freedom and HHS Mandates
(wmltblog.org/2012/02/a-brief-catalog-of-press-sto
ries-regarding-president-harrisons-testimony-before
-congress-on-religious-freedom), brought to light a
growing need and interest for the Synod to act more
aggressively.

••

We launched the “Free to Be Faithful” campaign to
educate and move people to take informed action to
protect religious freedom and all the cultural issues
that pertain to it: confessing the faith in the public
square, marriage, defending the sanctity of human
life, etc. (www.lcms.org/social-issues/free-to-be
-faithful).

••

We conducted a successful capital campaign and
launched the Lutheran Center for Religious Liberty
in Washington, DC, staffed by Rev. Dr. Gregory Seltz
(lcrlfreedom.org).

LCMS Communications
••

Messaging and voice of Synod. Our communications
team works across multiple platforms to faithfully
and consistently communicate what the Synod
believes, teaches, and confesses as we bear witness to
Christ and share His mercy in our life together.

••

Social media. We are focused on reaching a broader
audience through the use of Facebook, Twitter, and
Instagram and have watched the number of followers
grow exponentially over the past six years. Our Facebook followers number 141,000+ and growing. By
God’s grace, the LCMS holds the largest Lutheran
Facebook presence on the Internet.

••

Lutherans Engage the World. We launched this new
periodical to inform all donors and rostered workers
about our work of sharing the Gospel in word and
deed across the nation and around the world. This
has resulted in a growing donor base and increase in
unrestricted and less-restricted gifts.

••

The Lutheran Witness. Our Synod’s official and
storied periodical has been refocused on teaching
the faith by exploring contemporary topics in light
of our confession, with timely and critical themes,
engaging writers, and outstanding layout and design.
2019 Convention Workbook