# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1998_S126
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

126

RESOLUTIONS

many of our Synod’s professional church workers (Financial Aid Task Force Report R4-06, Convention Workbook,
pp. 74–78); and
WHEREAS, The Task Force has suggested plausible solutions; therefore be it
Resolved, That the Synod in convention assembled endorse the Task Force Report; and be it further
Resolved, That the Synod in convention assembled direct the various synodical entities addressed in the report
to implement the suggested solutions where possible; and
be it further
Resolved, That congregations be encouraged to implement where possible the suggested solutions addressed to
them; and be it further
Resolved, That the synodical entities report their efforts
at implementation to the synodical President; and be it finally
Resolved, That the synodical President give a cumulative report to the next synodical convention.
Action: Adopted (4)

To Fund Staffing for Commission
on Organizations
RESOLUTION 4-04
Overture 4-07 (CW, p. 200)
WHEREAS, In 1926 the work of the Commission On Organizations began as the Lodge Information Bureau; and
WHEREAS, Since the decade of the 1970s—which has
been called the beginning of the “modern era of cultism”—
we have witnessed a virtual explosion of cultic ideas, movements, and belief systems in America (e.g., New Age); and
WHEREAS, The Synod has established the Commission
on Organizations to provide information and counsel to the
members of the Synod through the gathering and preparation of current resources on organizations, philosophies,
and world views in our society and culture; and
WHEREAS, The Commission on Organizations—despite a
growing need for the services it has rendered—since 1993
has been functioning with only part-time staff services provided by the Commission on Theology and Church Relations under an “Operating Agreement” adopted by both
commissions; and
WHEREAS, Prior to 1993, CTCR staff was able to devote
its full-time energies to CTCR matters, which have been
significantly and steadily increasing; and
WHEREAS, There is a pressing need for the expansion
and updating of Commission on Organizations files and library resources to provide materials that present a much
needed Lutheran theological perspective; and
WHEREAS, The Commission on Organizations, upon the
encouragement of the CTCR, has unanimously urged the
Synod to provide funding for the restoration of a full-time
staff position for the Commission on Organizations; therefore be it
Resolved, That the Synod commend the Commission on
Organizations for its invaluable service to the Synod over
the years, its ongoing attempt to monitor developments in
the changing and confusing religious scene today, and its
efforts to provide biblically and confessionally sound evaluative materials for the pastors and lay people of our church
body; and be it further

Resolved, That the Synod thank the CTCR for providing
staff services to the Commission on Organizations during
the past four years; and be it further
Resolved, That the Synod reaffirm the present “Operating Agreement” between the CTCR and the Commission on
Organizations, and commit itself to secure funding for a
full-time Commission on Organizations staff person; and be
it finally
Resolved, That the CTCR and the Commission on Organizations seek out and employ human resources on an “as
needed” basis in order to be proactive in the research and
development aspects of this important ministry.
Action: Adopted (4)

To Eliminate Council on Human
Resources
RESOLUTION 4-05
Overture 4-08 (CW, p. 200)
Rationale
The Council on Human Resources was appointed at the
1989 convention. Since that time it has continued to struggle with the broad responsibilities assigned to it in Bylaw
3.935. In addition, it has become clear that the council has
limited ability to impact the Human Resources policies followed throughout the Synod. Inasmuch as the current position description of the Director of Human Resources calls
for providing leadership to the Synod in areas related to
human resources, it appears that the council as defined in
Bylaw 3.935 is a duplication of assigned responsibilities.
The council feels that the Synod could better be served
through the appointment, on an as needed basis, of advisory groups to work with the Director of Human Resources.
Such advisory groups would provide appropriate representation and input to the director and would also allow for
flexibility, when needed, to add to or modify the membership for issues related to specific areas of the Synod.
Resolved, That the Council on Human Resources be
eliminated; and be it further
Resolved, That Bylaw 3.935 be deleted.
Action: Adopted (4)

To Respectfully Decline Overtures
RESOLUTION 4-07
Overtures 4-04–06, 4-09–10 (CW, pp. 199–201)
WHEREAS, The floor committee has considered all overtures assigned to it and has concluded, for various reasons,
that certain overtures should be declined; therefore be it
Resolved, That the following overtures be respectfully
declined for the reasons given:
Number

Subject

Reason

Ov. 4-04
Ov. 4-05
Ov. 4-06
Ov. 4-09

Disclosure of Compensation
Better Use of Foundation Funds
Restrict Use of Endowment Funds
Provide Financial Support

Already available
Inaccurate information
In control of givers
Already in process for unjust,
arbitrary removals; Handbook,
chapters 2 and 8

Ov. 4-10

To Permit Video Conferencing

Already allowed

Action: Adopted (4)