# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_2004_S137
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

PROGRAM AND FINANCE
(3) encourage and manage designated giving from individuals and congregations, and (4) at the same time fund in
an adequate and equitable manner those common-good activities of the Synod; and
WHEREAS, The LCMS Board of Directors, the Synodical
President, and the Council of Presidents have already
taken a responsible leadership role in the last triennium by
actively participating in joint-planning exercises. Despite
their efforts, a funding model has not yet been identified
that fully meets the financial challenges facing the Synod;
therefore be it
Resolved, That the Synod President appoint a Blue Ribbon Task Force (with representation from the Board of Directors, Council of Presidents, and other such representatives as deemed appropriate by the President) on “Funding
the Mission” that would report its recommendations to the
2007 convention one year prior to the convention; and be it
further
Resolved, That the task force be instructed to demonstrate that the funding system it proposes is supported by
Scripture; and be it finally
Resolved, That until the 2007 convention, communication and collaboration among congregations, Districts, and
the national Synod will continue to ensure the ways and
means of maintaining or increasing current levels of financial support under our present funding system.
Action: Adopted (10)
(The committee introduced the resolution with the following
change: inserting in the final resolve in place of the words between District the words among congregations, Districts, and the.
An amendment to insert the words one year prior to the convention at the end of the first resolve was approved by common consent. A second amendment to add a new second resolve to read,
Resolved, That the task force be instructed to demonstrate that the
funding system it proposes is supported by Scripture, was approved. After debate was ended, the amended resolution was
adopted [Yes: 623; No: 514].)

To Amend Bylaws
re Chief Administrative Officer Duties
RESOLUTION 4-09
Overture 4-34 (CW, p. 217)
Rationale
The departure of former Chief Administrative Officer
Brad Hewitt occasioned a review by the Board of Directors
of the position description and responsibilities of that office. The Board, through its Personnel Committee, received
counsel from numerous persons, including the former Chief
Administrative Officer, his predecessor, and the President
of the Synod.
After weighing all of the counsel and information received, the Board of Directors concluded that it continues
to be important and necessary for the Board to have a staff
position and that this position should remain an officer position of the Synod. With the concurrence of the President
of the Synod, the Board also concluded that the dual reporting relationship outlined in current Bylaws of the
Synod should be eliminated and that the Chief Administrative Officer should be directly accountable only to the

137

Board of Directors. This will require minor changes to the
Bylaws of the Synod.
Resolved, That the 2004 convention of the Synod amend
Bylaws 3.171, 3.173, and 3.175 to read as follows:
PRESENT/PROPOSED WORDING
Bylaw 3.171 Appointment
The Chief Administrative Officer shall be an officer
of the Synod and be appointed by the Board of Directors of the Synod in consultation and mutual concurrence with the President of the Synod, to a three-year
renewable term during which he shall serve at the pleasure of the Board of Directors. He may serve an unlimited number of terms, but each reappointment shall be
with the mutual concurrence of the President and the
Board of Directors of the Synod. The appointment or
reappointment shall occur within six months following
each regular meeting of the Synod in convention with
an Annual reviews and evaluations shall be conducted
between conventions by the Board of Directors.
Bylaw 3.173 General Duties
The Chief Administrative Officer shall assist the
President and the Board of Directors of the Synod as
each directs in carrying out the responsibilities given to
them it by the Constitution, Bylaws, and resolutions of
the Synod.
Bylaw 3.175 Specific Duties
The Chief Administrative Officer shall
a. meet regularly with the executive officers of program boards, commissions, and synodwide corporate entities as the liaison with the Board of Directors and the
President of the Synod;
b. provide leadership to assure that the mission and
ministry activities of the church Synod are being carried
out in a coordinated, cooperative, and efficient manner.

Action: Adopted (10)
(After the resolution was introduced by the committee, additional information was provided by the chairman of the Board of
Directors and the President of the Synod. After discussion, the
resolution was adopted as presented [Yes: 898; No: 225].)

To Assure Uniformity in Articles
of Incorporation of All Incorporated
Entities of the Synod
RESLOUTION 4-11
Overture 4-36 (CW, pp. 217−218)
Rationale
Bylaw 3.51 i defines “Property of the Synod” as follows:
“Property of the Synod” includes all assets, real or personal,
tangible or intangible, whether situated in the United
States or elsewhere, titled or held in the name of the Synod,
its nominee, or an agency of the Synod. Provided, however,
“‘property of the Synod’ does not include any assets held by
the Lutheran Church Extension Fund—Missouri Synod or
by an agency of the Synod in a fiduciary capacity (including, for purposes of example, the funds administered by
Worker Benefit Plans and certain funds held by The
Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod Foundation).”
As the various corporations of the Synod were established, various kinds of reversionary language was used to
make clear that all property is ultimately owned by The
Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. But legal counsel has
2004 Convention Proceedings