# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_2019_S61
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

OFFICER, BOARD, AND COMMISSION REPORTS

61

further exploration and conversation.
Truthfulness and transparency dictate a need to state that
executives and staff within the International Center were already
working to increase transparency efforts prior to the overtures
received ahead of the 2016 Convention. Budget documents and
audited financial statements have been posted publicly online
going back several years (reference lcms.org/bod). Strides toward satisfactory levels of transparency have been made. Still
more work lies ahead, despite certain risks. Publicly disclosing
information could feed a temptation outside the LCMS to misuse disclosed information for self-serving purposes. Sensitivities
to the risks along international lines and within the Synod must
be respected. It will be most helpful for delegates and floor committees to provide clear, objective, unambiguous definitions for
words and phrases when it comes to the fulfillment or extension of 2016 Resolution 9–04A should the issue of transparency
come before the 2019 Convention.

It operates under the nonprofit exemption granted to the LCMS
by the International Revenue Service. The staff at Mission Central are salaried or hourly wage employees of the LCMS, and
valued members of the MADV team. Contributor engagement
and communication efforts are coordinated with the team at the
International Center. The International Center receives all contributions given to support LCMS national and international
mission efforts and maintains the official records for all contributions received for national or international mission work. The
promises made to contributors by Mission Central are the same
promises made to contributors by LCMS MADV.
In March 2019, LCMS executive leadership implemented
a succinct section in The Reporter monthly newspaper, seeking
to address important questions regarding Synod’s finances and
fiscal management practices as stewards of God’s blessings. Answers point readers to an easily accessed LCMS website location
containing additional information that is always available for

Contributions Trends—2015 to 2018
The following table summarizes the financial impact of voluntary giving, including the undesignated funding joyfully supplied by
congregations through their respective district budget.

Contribution Information
Fiscal Year

2015

2016

2017

2018

Receipts from worship offerings

14,805,353

14,794,601

14,366,882

13,931,383

Gifts, grants, and bequests

3,179,020

3,669,929

3,666,674

4,724,165

Undesignated

Donor-designated
Multi-department funds*

6,708,062

6,709,755

5,695,753

5,772,902

International Mission (w/missionaries)

18,655,554

17,784,187

17,890,193

20,738,566

National Mission (w/missionaries)

1,561,496

979,808

1,442,548

1,354,807

749,271

1,246,878

1,665,677

10,237,458

Support of seminaries

2,789,312

1,893,362

2,093,214

2,582,277

KFUO

1,590,183

1,158,126

647,221

929,725

Other restrictions; agency funds

3,164,393

3,380,717

2,915,239

3,053,718

802,106

341,227

496,838

67,996

Disasters/Disaster Response

Special Campaigns
Wittenberg Project/Old Latin School

N/A

495,467

294,163

1,000,666

54,004,750

52,454,057

51,174,402

64,393,663

MADV budget

7,777,870

7,834,060

6,393,831

5,581,148

MADV expenditures (audited)

6,360,395

6,260,148

5,762,799

5,416,325

Revenues designated to MADV

3,042,722

2,141,774

1,678,105

2,683,249

Draw on undesignated net assets (deficit)

3,317,673

4,118,374

4,084,694

2,733,076

Fundraising cost ratio (“overhead percentage”—
MADV expenditures divided by contributions)

11.78 percent

11.93 percent

11.26 percent

8.41 percent

Fundraising net return per $1 expended by
MADV ([contributions minus MADV expenditures] divided by MADV expenditures)

$7.49

$7.38

$7.88

$10.89

Lutheran Center for Religious Liberty
Total contributions revenue (audited)
Related Financial Information

*Multi-department funds are agile accounts able to support work in more than one mission unit. These include, but are not limited to, the LCMS Global Mission Fund, LCMS World Relief and Human Care (or Mercy), LCMS Disaster Response (general
fund), LCMS Life and Health Ministry, etc.
2019 Convention Workbook