# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1981_S216 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) 216 RESOLUTIONS By February 1: Teams of the Synod leaders have visited with teams of leaders in each District and have agreed on Synod/ District priorities and the percentage of the District’s offerings to be given to the Synod for the coming synodical fiscal year. By February 15: The Districts have confirmed to the Synod their commitment for the coming synodical fiscal year and estimated resources available for District and Synod ministries for the following three- and six- year synodical planning periods. By April 15: The Board of Directors has made adjustments as necessary and has notified boards and commissions of those adjustments. The Board of Direc- tors has reported the synodical budget for the coming fiscal year to the members of the Synod. By May 15: The Board of Directors has responded to any appeal a board, commission, or District may have made questioning the priorities and allocations of funds in the budget for the coming synodical fiscal year; and be it finally Resolved, That the Executive Coordinating Com- mittee consist of three District Presidents appointed by the Chairman of the Council of Presidents, three lay members chosen from within the Board of Directors by the Board of Directors, five executives from the Synod’s major boards represented on the Synod’s Council of Administrators appointed by the President of the Synod, and the Synod’s President. (Total: 12 members). Action: Adopted (10). (The committee changed “three executives” to “five.”) To Establish Stewardship and Financial Support Department RESOLUTION 12-08A Report 2-01 (CW, pp. 47; 123—126); President’s Report; Overtures 2-26, 12-02, 12-07, (CW, pp. 1386—139, 355, 364—365) WHEREAS, Our bounteous Lord has provided His people many opportunities and challenges to expand His church, has blessed them abundantly, expects them to use these blessings with prudent stewardship, and has admonished them to be as wise as the world in the administration thereof; and WHEREAS, The current financing with regard to missions and ministry within the LCMS, its colleges, seminaries, and Districts has become a maze; and WHEREAS, Our colleges and seminaries, along with agencies within the Synod have duplicated efforts to raise funds and generate moneys for their programs; and WHEREAS, “Forward in Remembrance” has indicated that congregations and individuals want less duplica- tion in approach for gifts; and WHEREAS, The Board of Directors has contracted with Community Counselling Services to conduct at the earliest practical time an in-depth continuity and plan- ning study in consultation with synodical and District leaders; therefore be it Resolved, That the Synod combine all stewardship and financial support activities into a new department to replace the present Board of Stewardship and that it be known and recognized as the Stewardship and Financial Support Department responsible to the Board of Directors for the motivation and promotion of giving of time, talents, and treasures, including normal weekly offerings, mission education and promotion, deferred giving, and special gifts; and be it further Resolved, That this convention endorse the author- ization as authorized by the Board of Directors of the special continuity and planning study utilizing both Community Counselling Services and appropriate synod- ical staff, together with the District Presidents, so as to determine the detailed structure of the department and its programs; and be it further Resolved, That the Board of Directors, after consulta- tion with the Commission on Constitutional Matters and the Council of Presidents, and with prior consulta- tion and approval of the Presidents of the Districts involved, shall implement such a structure, within the parameters of the adopted Bylaws, such structure to be responsive to the results of the aforementioned study; and be it finally Resolved, That the following Bylaws be adopted: VII. RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT AND UTILIZATION A. STEWARDSHIP AND FINANCIAL SUPPORT 7.01 General a. The Board of Directors shall have the respon- sibility for providing operating and capital funds for carrying out the work of the Synod and to that end provide for a Department of Stewardship and Finan- cial Support under the board which will promote stewardship, obtain deferred and special gifts, and coordinate capital drives for the Synod. 7.03 Stewardship Support In the area of stewardship support the department shall— a. provide input to other sections in the depart- ment to assist them in including proper Scriptural motivation in all special gift and deferred giving programs; b. provide to the Board for Parish Services advice and materials which will cultivate congregational members to continue to grow in living their lives as faithful stewards of Jesus Christ, effectively carrying out Christ’s ministry and mission collectively through congregations and through the Synod and its agencies as well as in their day-to-day personal relationships; c. provide, in consultation with Districts, mate- rials and training events to aid Districts, pastors, and congregations in effectively teaching the grace 0 proprotionate giving and in promoting their program in the congregation and through the District and the Synod.