# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_1998_S68 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) 68 SYNODICAL REPORTS state the desired outcomes that meet prescribed human needs at a prescribed cost; ‘ * determine board philosophy, its accountability, and specifics of its governance job; * clarify the manner by which delegation of authority to staff will take place as well as how evaluation of performance will occur; * set boundaries of acceptability within which methods and activi- ties are responsibly expected of staff. Results of this process appear to be that * responsibility and authority are clear; * focus is on performance, not activities; * issues, not details, are addressed; * board and staff are looking ahead, not backward; adjustments (corrections) to policy are made as change occurs; * board dialogue is open and challenging; relationships are strengthened and trust improves; * meetings are focused and participants are prepared; parameters of acceptable behavior are stated, with roles defined. Based upon the guiding principles and the board’s understand- ing of its role in leadership, the Gift Planning staff goes about the business of serving all LCMS donors regardless of to whom they wish to donate. We have a most unique Foundation structured to serve the totality of the Synod, its congregations, and related orga- nizations. No other Foundation like this exists anywhere. There- fore, we must be about the business of enhancing the individual donor’s stewardship life and provide opportunities for expansion and enhancement of the donor’s expression of God’s love in their life. In almost every case we work with donors who know that “He made the earth by His power, He established the world by His wis- dom, and He stretched out the heavens by His understanding” (Je- remiah 51:15). These Christian stewards know that the Lord has plans for them. *... plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11). (See chart.) As always, a great deal of work remains to be done, especially in the area of staff training and the development of relationships, including a closer “alliance” with Lutheran Church Extension Fund. Since we have a small staff in relation to the membership of the Synod. we are concerned that our staff use their time wisely by making the right calls on the right individuals who need the ser- vices of the Foundation. In the area of consulting services, Capital Funding Services—a cooperative stewardship approach to growth—has continued to make progress at a rapid pace. A quality staff stands ready to help congregations plan funding for major building projects, eliminate burdensome debt, or increase members’ giving to expand ministry. All services are provided by LCMS member consultants with fees designed to be on a self-sustaining basis. While many other orga- nizations exist to provide similar services, there is a desire by many congregations of the Synod to have such services provided by in- dividuals thoroughly trained in the principles of biblical steward- ship as a way of life. Several attached charts depict the results of these efforts. Assets under management and investment-related activity are depicted on the charts that follow this report. As can be seen, the work of Trust and Investment Services has been richly blessed these past years and additional outside investment managers have been engaged. It is the present Board of Trustees’ intent not to add additional investment staff but to engage outside specialists as war- ranted, including appropriate relationships with Aid Association for Lutherans and Lutheran Brotherhood investment specialists. During the past triennium significant effort has been spent in discussion with the President’s Blue Ribbon Committee on Struc- ture as its work relates to the Foundation. As of this writing, four is- sues remain as follows: * The Board of Trustees believes that the membership of the Foun- dation is already reflective of the Synod as a whole; therefore the election of one-third of the Trustees by Synod in convention is not necessary and would prove difficult in its implementation. ¢ The Board of Trustees believes that the slate of candidates for the Foundation’s President should require consultation with the Board of Directors and the synodical President but not their ap- proval. The latter in effect would grant a veto power which is neither appropriate nor necessary. * In addition, the Trustees believe that the role of the Chief Finan- cial Officer as a member of the Board of Trustees would be more meaningful if he were elected by the convention after nomina- tion by the synodical Board of Directors in consultation with the boards on which he serves. * An apparent conflict between proposed Art. XI e and Bylaw 3.185 regarding delegation of powers and duties regarding prop- erty. As is evidenced by this report, the transfer of responsibilities to the Foundation by the 1992 convention has gone forward and has received significant blessings during these past years. The Foun- dation, organized in 1958 to assist all of God's people relating to the LCMS as God’s stewards, is thankful to God for the original vision, the changes adopted by the 1981 and 1992 conventions, and for the opportunity to serve the entire Synod as together we respond to the rapid changes going on all around us in this country and throughout the world. We pray for God’s continued guidance to God’s stewards and to us so that we prudently manage and invest what has been entrusted to us. To Him be the glory! Fred Bernthal, Chairman Norman Sell, President GIFT PLANNING SERVICES FUTURE GIFTS BY CATEGORY-FACE VALUE July 1996-June 1997 Direct (2.76%)=_ irrevocable (13.50%) : “Revocable (83.74%) Revocable $120,451,461 Irrevocable $ 19,415,288 Direct $ 3,969,404 Total $143,836,153