# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_2023_S82 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) 82 OFFICER, BOARD, AND COMMISSION REPORTS diversified investment portfolios at a low cost aimed to help LCMS ministries accomplish their long-term goals. By managing assets collectively for the church, the Foundation offers access to LCMS congregations and ministry organizations to a sophisticated, diversified investment model at a low cost. A variety of investment options are available to help meet ministry needs for investment timeline and risk tolerance. Leadership and Organization ally with members in establishing their charitable Christian estate plans. Transfer the Blessings builds upon the relationship the member has with the congregation and produces an approach to giving that provides resources to the church beyond weekly offerings. In 2022, God truly blessed the Foundation’s work; we helped new donors create gifts to ministry (both future “planned gifts” as well as immediate gifts) totaling more than $213 million. This was a record amount for the Foundation and nearly 50 percent higher than our average over the past 10 years. Mr. David Fiedler has served as President of the LCMS Foundation since 2013. Currently, 64 full-time employees serve the Foundation in various capacities. Governance Direct oversight of the Foundation is provided by its board of trustees, which meets quarterly to review and monitor the performance and activity of the organization and to provide strategic direction. The Foundation board is made up of 13 trustees, 8 of whom are elected by the LCMS member organizations described below. Two other trustees are elected by the Synod in convention. The remaining two trustees are the Synod President or his representative and the chairman of the Board for National Mission or his representative. The Chief Financial Officer of the Synod is an ex-officio nonvoting member of the board. The LCMS Foundation is also responsible to 55 member organizations, which represent directly or indirectly all of the ministries of the church served by the Foundation. These member organizations include the 35 LCMS districts, the member institutions of the Concordia University System, our seminaries, auxiliaries, and so on. Once a year, delegates from this group meet to elect trustees and to vote on other official actions at the Foundation’s annual meeting. Strategic Plan As the Foundation looks to the future, we seek to grow our impact on the LCMS and its ability to share the Gospel. We continually review the needs of the church and our Lutheran donors to determine how we can better serve the people and organizations of the LCMS. We gather input from our board, our leadership team, our staff, and outside experts to identify areas where we can improve our work in this support of ministry. Thus, we have identified six key areas of focus over the next three years: • Improve message clarity and understanding. • Increase awareness of and preference for the Foundation’s abilities to support ministries. • Increase retention and realization of revocable gifts. • Expand the ability for organizations and individuals to participate through products and services. • Lead collaboration across Synod entities. • Maintain infrastructure vigilance to ensure a balance of purposeful growth and high standards of service. As we enter the next triennium, the servants at the LCMS Foundation rejoice with the church in the enormous blessings the Lord has bestowed upon the LCMS and its ministries through these efforts. We look forward confidently by God’s grace to carrying on our service to the individuals and organizations of the LCMS in the future as well. David W. Fiedler, President R19 Board of Trustees—Concordia Plans; Board of Directors—Concordia Plan Services Concordia Plan Services (CPS) has been charged with managing the Concordia Plans (the employee benefit plans and trusts of the LCMS) and providing other ancillary programs, including supplemental insurance and administrative services that serve the needs of ministries and church workers. CPS serves a critical component in fulfilling the 10th formation objective of our Synod: Directly aiding in the care of our church workers and their families. CPS administers benefits that improve and support the health and financial wellness of LCMS workers so that they can focus on spreading the Word of God. Approximately 6,000 ministries, 30,000 workers, 41,000 retirees and beneficiaries, and 53,000 covered dependents count on CPS to help them be well to serve well. A. Responding to Needs Transfer the Blessings A.1. COVID-19 Response Transfer the Blessings, the Foundation’s gift planning ministry to LCMS organizations, continues to demonstrate its value in assisting LCMS donors in creating their Lifetime Plan for Giving. This Transfer the Blessing ministry pairs a Foundation gift planning counselor with a congregation to work directly and intention- CPS is an active member of the Church Alliance, comprised of nearly 40 faith-based employee benefits organizations. Church Alliance members were active during COVID, working with na- 2023 Convention Workbook CPS was blessed to serve and support LCMS ministries and workers throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.