# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_1998_S78 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) 78 SYNODICAL REPORTS Agency: Congregations Responsible Action: * inquire, with sensitivity, into the debt level of the profes- sional church workers within their congregation and assist such workers in the management and resolution of any such indebtedness Second Issue: Inadequate Level of Financial Support Currently Provided Retired Church Workers or Widowed Spouses under the Synodical PPPT Program Resolution: Identify Retired Church Workers and Widowed Spouses That Have Financial Needs and Implement Programs to Provide Adequate Financial Support Agency: District Presidents Responsible Action: * inquire and determine the number of retired church work- ers and widowed spouses under the PPPT program who re- side in each District and the financial needs of such individu- als * provide information obtained to Worker Benefit Plans Agency:, Worker Benefit Plans Responsible Action: * send letters to all retirees under PPPT advising them of pro- grams and level of financial support available ¢ inform District Presidents of all PPPT retirees or widowed spouses within each District and work with District Presi- dents in the resolution of financial problems of such individ- uals establish a benefits flow stream of money that will be re- quired over the ensuing years to adequately fund and provide for the financial support of retirees or widowed spouses under the PPPT Agency: Board of Directors Responsible Action: * establish a special synodical Sunday on which date collec- tions will be earmarked and used to assist in meeting the fi- nancial needs of retired workers and widowed spouses under the PPPT authorize the necessary funds for the budget of Worker Ben- efit Plans, supplemental to any collected through special of- ferings or gifts, to meet the projected benefits flow stream for future payments under the PPPT, as established by Worker Benefit Plans Agency: Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod Foundation Responsible Action: * establish and manage a special fund(s) to which contribu- tions may be made and from which portions of the principal and/or interest earned is used to underwrite programs estab- lished pursuant to this report Agency: Lutheran Church Extension Fund Responsible Action: * implement a program that will permit the earmarking of in- terest income from LCEF investments into the “special” fund established within the LCMS Foundation, as outlined above Notes 1. It is our understanding that the retired church worker, or wid- owed spouse, that falls within this concern is that person who would have been under the Synod’s Pension Plan for Pastors and Teachers (“PPPT”). 2. We are using as the definition of “professional church worker” all rostered personnel within our Synod. Exceptions to this definition could arise. Any such exception is to be approved by the District President in whose District the non-rostered person is serv- ing. 3. There are approximately 500 vacancies in which the congre- gation is calling a new pastor. In addition, 200 congregations with vacancies are not calling pastors at the present time. R5-01 Board for Higher Education Concordia University System —— la * \ | \e ... All Across the Country ... An Educational Mission of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod Preface During the past three years the Board for Higher Education fo- cused attention on the aspects of cooperation among the campuses, collaboration with related educational support groups, and a re- nhewed commitment to enhancing the spiritual life of both students and faculties on each campus. While these objectives are difficult to measure with statistical accuracy, it is evident in the life of the institutions that cooperation in planning, operational procedures, and mutual support continue to characterize campus life. The ef- fect of this cooperative spirit is evidenced by both public recogni- tion for the LCMS system of higher education and generous finan- cial support of the underlying activities. The BHE/CUS Board is pleased to share with the members of the LCMS that the once growing debt in educational operations is now contained and the enrollment trendline of students, both Lutheran and others, has continued to increase. All 12 campuses reported positive fiscal balances for FY 1996~97, and church work student enrollment increased 7.8 percent. Standards for operational procedures have been strengthened by a revised and updated Cam- pus Policy Manual. More important than the numbers and measurable results is the dedication and commitment to serve the LCMS in this special edu- cational ministry. Preparation of church workers remains the focus of all campuses. At the same time, extensive effort and energy is devoted to offering a greater variety of programs within a Lutheran context. The BHE firmly believes Lutheran education must em- phasize the confessional principle we hold near and dear as Luther- ans—‘we believe, teach, and confess”—as the mark of our dis- tinctive heritage. The notable achievements during the past three years are listed throughout the report, generally and specifically by institution. Sig- nificantly, it should be pointed out that there has been no other known three-year period in the past in which the BHE could report that it elected and installed five new campus presidents (Fort Wayne, River Forest, Mequon, Irvine, Bronxville). Likewise, the development and implementation of CUENet and DELTO are no- table in this period as significant accomplishments. It is the intent of the BHE/CUS Board to build on the present di- rection and trends in LCMS education to achieve three specific re- sults: (1) to strengthen the fiscal base of each institution with a sub- stantial endowment, (2) to embrace technology as a tool to deliver education, and (3) to enhance pastoral formation with significant involvement in ministry contexts. The challenges remain about the same—affordable education, cooperative spirit, student recruit-