# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1977_S149
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

RESOLUTIONS 149

Managers—Pensions and Support to have an official
list of pastors, teachers, and professors; and

WHEREAS, This is also in the best interest of the
individual enrollee with Pensions and Support;
therefore be it

Resolved, That Bylaw 10.31 be amended to read as
follows:

PRESENT WORDING

10.31 Official Lists

The lists of pastors, teachers, and professors
appearing in the current records of the various
Districts shall be the official lists for the purpose of
the Board of Managers—Pensions and Support.

PROPOSED WORDING

10.31 Official Lists

The lists of pastors, teachers, and professors
appearing in the current records of the synodical
Department of Statistics shall be the official lists for
the purpose of the Board of Managers—Pensions and
Support.

and be it further
Resolved, That this resolution become effective
immediately upon adoption.

Action: Adopted (13).

To Decline Overtures 4-56A
and 4-56B (Access to Records)

RESOLUTION 4-17
Overtures 4-56A—B (CW, p. 160)

WHEREAS, The Synod does pursue a policy of
openness in all its business dealings; and

WHEREAS, All proper congregational requests for
information are currently being given prompt and, in
most instances, satisfactory attention; therefore be it

Resolved, That Overtures 4-56A and 4-56B be
respectfully declined.

Action: Adopted as amended (13).

(The convention declined to consider the substance of
Overture 4-56A, CW, page 160, as a substitute but did
eliminate the third paragraph, which had read: ‘Whereas,
Individual requests, particularly when they require much time
and expense, are inadvisable and impractical and should be
discouraged.”’)

To Continue Study of Providing
Increased Retirement Benefits

RESOLUTION 4-18
Overture 4-61 (CW, p. 161)

WHEREAS, Through the Pension Work Committee,
an ad-hoc committee with representatives from both
the Board of Managers—Workers Benefit Plans and the
Board of Trustees, benefits have been increased since
1965 from $150 to $200 per month through a managed
program without subjecting the synodical budget to
increased costs; and

WHEREAS, The Pension Work Committee is com-
mitted to an ongoing review of this matter; and

WHEREAS, The Board of Managers—Worker Benefit
Plans, in consultation with the actuary engaged by the
board, is studying the feasibility of providing a cost-of-
living increase; and

WHEREAS, Increased benefits for previously retired
workers could potentially require increased con-
tributions from current active workers; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Pension Work Committee and
the Board of Managers—Worker Benefit Plans con-
tinue to study the feasibility of increased retirement
benefits for retired workers.

Action: Adopted (13).

To Decline Overture 4-64
(Social Security)

RESOLUTION 4-19
Overture 4-64 (CW, p. 162)

WHEREAS, The federal Social Security program and
the Concordia Retirement Plan have been changed to
provide increased benefits; and

WHEREAS, The Concordia Survivor Plan costs and
benefits have been adjusted in consideration of the
above; and

WHEREAS, Only a small percentage of our ministers
of religion do not participate in the Social Security
plan; and

WHEREAS, Enlarging the coverage of those workers
not in Social Security would create an inequity in
relation to the workers in the Social Security program;
therefore be it

Resolved, That Overture 4-64 be respectfully de
clined.

Action: Adopted (13).

(The convention agreed to consider the resolve of Overture
4-64 as a substitute but then declined it and adopted Res. 4-19.)

To Disapprove Arbitrary Retirement
at Age 65
RESOLUTION 4-20
Overtures 4-54—4-55 (CW, p. 160)

WHEREAS, Twenty-three million persons in the
United States have passed their 65th birthday and
3,500 are being added daily to this group, it being
estimated that there are some 325,000 in this age group
in the Synod; and

WHEREAS, Mandatory retirement practices at age 65
may cause serious problems for older people; and

WHEREAS, Older Christians carry a great potential
for contributing to the mission and ministry of the
church; and

WHEREAS, The dignity and worth of every person is
derived from his creation, redemption, and sanctifica-