# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_2019_S485
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

FINANCE
Directors, Meeting Minutes, February 17–18, 2017, Financial Report,
paragraph 45, lcms.org/about/leadership/board-of-directors), which
stated that without funds held on behalf of the two seminaries, the
Synod had only a five days of cash available; and
WHEREAS, In the face of such challenging financial times,
transparency, and regularity in reporting of the financial situation of
the Synod is of utmost importance to the members and constituency
of the Synod, who have a vested interest in the financial viability of
the Synod and who merit clear, concise, and timely reports; and
WHEREAS, The President of the Synod recommended in his
report to the Synod in 2016 that the Synod have “Uniform Financial
Reporting.” (President’s Report, Part 2, 2016 Today’s Business,
28); therefore be it
Resolved, That it is the formal declaration of this assembly that
annual reporting of the Synod’s financial position in the official
publications of the Synod is insufficient; and be it further
Resolved, That the Synod in convention direct the Chief
Financial Officer to report quarterly in the Synod’s official
publications about the financial position of the Synod in a format
easily understood by persons unfamiliar with financial terminology,
such reporting to include, but not limited to income and expenses,
budget versus spending, explanations for variances in budget line
items that vary by $50,000 or more, cash reserves, and cash
position, etc.; and be it further
Resolved, That these quarterly reports include information about
the regular Synod budget and the reporting on special appeals as
stipulated in 2016 Res. 9-04A; and be it further
Resolved, That the Synod be shrewd managers with the resources
God has given it; and be it further
Resolved, That clear, transparent reports of the use of disaster
relief funds (who received grants and for what purpose) and clear,
transparent plans for expenditures of disaster relief fund balances
be published annually; and be it finally
Resolved, That the Synod give thanks to God for the resources
He has entrusted to us, recognizing “that the earth is the Lord’s and
the fullness thereof” (Ps. 24:1).
Trinity
Roselle, IL
Ov. 8-11

To Exercise Financial Restraint in Salaries of
Synod and District Executives and Staff
WHEREAS, Congregations across the Synod have been
experiencing widespread budget shortfalls; and
WHEREAS, The salaries of many Synod and district executives and
staff are far higher than the district guidelines where they live; and
WHEREAS, Many local pastors and other church workers are paid
well below their district guidelines; and
WHEREAS, A reduction in Synod and district salaries would still
enable executives and staff to be paid generously, while freeing up
funds to be used for other mission and ministry purposes; therefore
be it
Resolved, That Synod and district executives and staff not be
paid more than 20 percent above the applicable salary guidelines in
the district in which they reside.
St. Matthew
Bonne Terre, MO

485

Ov. 8-12

To Change Congregational Assessments for
District Conventions
WHEREAS, Each congregation in The Lutheran Church—
Missouri Synod is considered a member of Synod; and
WHEREAS, Each congregation is assessed an equal amount for
the support of its district conventions; and
WHEREAS, Congregations that share a pastor under a dual parish
arrangement are allowed only one lay delegate from only one of the
congregations to district conventions; and
WHEREAS, Both congregations in a dual parish arrangement are
allowed separate delegates to the circuit forum that elects pastoral
and lay delegates to the Synod convention; therefore be it
Resolved, That only the parish with a lay delegate be assessed
for the district convention.
Circuit 6
North Wisconsin District
Ov. 8-13

To Commend the Work of the LCMS Foundation
to the Church
WHEREAS, The Lord of the Church has placed before our Synod
many remarkable opportunities for Gospel testimony, both at home
and abroad; and
WHEREAS, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod Foundation
was incorporated in 1958 to promote the growth of our Church by
receiving special gifts on behalf of the Church, including its
congregations, districts, schools, recognized service organizations,
auxiliaries, and other organizations; and
WHEREAS, The LCMS Foundation offers investment
management services for planned gifts, endowments, and trust
funds of the Synod and its agencies, striving to offer competitive
returns in a low-cost model; and
WHEREAS, The LCMS Foundation was created to offer
“programs of deferred giving … for the Synod and its districts,
colleges, seminaries, and other agencies” (Bylaw 3.6.5.3) and to
provide for immediate and future work in our Lord’s kingdom
through proper estate planning, using such devices as unitrusts,
annuities, life reserve, and life income agreements to transfer cash,
securities, and real estate to the church; and
WHEREAS, Since its incorporation the LCMS Foundation has
distributed over $1 billion dollars from gifts provided by generous
and spirit-moved donors to ministries of the Lutheran Church—
Missouri Synod (LCMS); and
WHEREAS, The LCMS Foundation earnestly endeavors to
continue serving our Church and its entire membership by
channeling additional support to the missionary, educational, and
other activities of the Synod; therefore be it
Resolved, That the Synod commend the LCMS Foundation to
our congregations and their membership, urging them to utilize the
LCMS Foundation’s services in making special gifts available for
our work at home and abroad; and be it further
Resolved, That the Synod convention express deep appreciation
to the generous donors who have elected to utilize the channel of
the LCMS Foundation in the exercise of their Christian
stewardship; and be it further
2019 Convention Workbook