# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_1998_S199 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) 4. PROGRAM AND FINANCE 4-01 To Adopt Biblical Stewardship Principles WHEREAS, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod in its 1995 convention (Res. 4-07A) resolved that the Department of Steward- ship articulate the biblical principles of stewardship which should guide all of our stewardship and appeal efforts, and disseminate these to all synodical entities, agencies, and auxiliaries prior to the 1998 convention; and Wuereas, The Synod in convention resolved that the Synod’s entities, agencies, and auxiliaries approach any solicitation on the basis of these biblical principles of financial stewardship, instead of a worldly, legalistic approach; therefore be it Resolved, That the Synod in convention adopt the draft of bib- lical stewardship principles articulated by the Department of Stew- ardship of the Board for Congregational Services with consider- able input from rostered workers and representatives of the congregations, entities, agencies, and auxiliaries of the Synod as found in the 1998 Convention Workbook; and be it further Resolved, That the Synod in convention encourage all members of congregations, entities, agencies, and auxiliaries to study care- fully these articulated biblical stewardship principles and use them as guidelines for all stewardship education and fund-raising activi- ties. Board for Congregational Services 4-02 To Reevaluate Process for Extending Loans to Mission Congregations Wuereas, We thank our gracious God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, for the Lutheran Church Extension Fund; and WHEREAS, We thank God for the resources He has provided through the Lutheran Church Extension Fund in the past to support the mission of the church to reach out with the Gospel to all people; and WHEREAS, One of the stated goals of the Lutheran Church Ex- tension Fund is to further the Great Commission and to promote the starting of new missions; and WHEREAS, It has become increasingly difficult and burdensome for new missions to utilize the resources of the Lutheran Church Extension Fund; and WHEREAS, In many instances congregations have found it would be easier and less expensive to deal with local banks, despite the stated purpose of the Lutheran Church Extension Fund; therefore be it Resolved, That there be a reevaluation of the implementation of the mission of the Lutheran Church Extension Fund; and be it fur- ther Resolved, That there be a total reevaluation of the process for extending loans to mission congregations that would lead to a less cumbersome and less expensive application with the construction loan process that is more in keeping with the stated mission of the Lutheran Church Extension Fund to provide opportunity to make funds and services available in support of the Great Commission; and be it finally Resolved, That this reevaluation be provided to the Board of Di- rectors of the Synod for their approval and implementation. Holy Trinity, Yonkers, NY; Peace, Galloway Township, NJ; St. John, Emporia, VA; Redeemer, Lakehurst, NJ 4-03 To Encourage Open Communication between LCMS Foundation and Districts of Synod WHEREAS, There are some Districts where the LCMS Founda- tion is locating gift-planning counselors without the partnership of the District; and 199 WHEREAS, There are instances where reports on the activities of the planned-giving counselor are not being shared with the Dis- tricts: and WHEREAS, It is necessary, for the work of the Kingdom and the spread of the Gospel that cooperation and open communication be- tween parties within the church be evident; therefore be it Resolved, That the LCMS Foundation be required to submit de- tailed quarterly reports to the Districts on the activities of the planned-giving counselors and make every effort to keep channels of communication open with the Districts. Iowa District East Board of Directors 4-04 To Encourage Disclosure of Synodical Compensation WHEREAS, The LCMS, being a church of Christ, should never place anything in darkness but keep everything in light; and WHEREAS, The proper sustenance of pastors and officials of the LCMS is mandated by Scripture and the Confessions; and WHEREAS, The wages of pastors are made public regularly for congregational, District, and synodical review: and WHEREAS, The wages of District and synodical officials are treated differently and generally kept private and those who receive such information are admonished, “Do not publish”; therefore be it Resolved, That annually all District and synodical compensa- tion be itemized and mailed to all churches and pastors within the LCMS by Jan. 31 of the salaried year. Bethany Fort Wayne, IN 4-05 To Make Better Use of LCMS Foundation Funds WHEREAS, The last day of human history is rapidly drawing closer; and Wuereas, The LCMS Foundation is drawing interest on $700+ million in designated and nondesignated funds (over $100,000 a day interest?); and WHEREAS, Young pastors and teachers and their wives may well be spending the last days of this age neglecting their families while both work outside the home to repay education loans; and WHEREAS, Mission fields and boards and committees of our Synod are cutting back staff and projects for no other reason than shortage of funds; therefore be it Resolved, That the LCMS Foundation Board of Directors be in- structed 1. to spend all future nondesignated interest toward making ed- ucation for bona fide future pastors and teachers free to the stu- dents; 2. to work with LCMS schools of higher education to pay off loans of former students in response to years of service to the church; and 3. to encourage the managers of designated funds held by the Foundation to do the same; and be it further Resolved, That donors be informed that future gifts to the Foun- dation will be spent in toto/in seven years financing plans proposed by mission fields, boards and committees of Synod after these have been accepted by Foundation and Synod’s Boards of Directors. St. Paul Stover, MO