# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_2004_S218 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) 218 PROGRAM AND FINANCE Synod. But legal counsel has advised that it is important to have such language be clear and consistent. The unity and interests of - the Synod will be clarified and safeguarded by the inclusion of clear relational and property reversionary provisions in the Articles of Incorporation of all corporate agencies of the Synod, including its seminaries, universities, colleges, Districts, and Synodwide cor- porate entities. The Board of Directors as “custodian of all the property of the Synod” (Art. XI F 2) has asked the Commission on Structure to de- velop, with the assistance of special legal counsel, the recom- mended clear and relational language that can be included in the Articles of Incorporation of all corporate agencies of the Synod. The Commission on Structure accordingly proposes the following action to the 2004 convention of the Synod. Resolved, That every incorporated agency of the Synod, includ- ing every seminary, university, college, District, and Synodwide corporate entity of the Synod include the following provision in its Articles of Incorporation to promote the unity and to safeguard the interests of the Synod: 1. This corporation, as part of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (the Synod), acknowledges its allegiance to the Synod and to the convention of the Synod (the convention). 2. It submits to the authority of the Synod and the convention. 3. It accedes to, recognizes, and accepts the doctrine taught and practiced in the Synod (Art. II) and the Articles of Incorporation, Constitution, and Bylaws of the Synod, as currently in effect and as may hereafter be amended from time to time. 4. In the event of any conflict or inconsistency between the or- ganizational documents of this corporation and the Articles of In- corporation, Constitution, or Bylaws of the Synod, as may here- after be amended from time to time, the Articles, Constitution, or Bylaws of the Synod shall control and govern. 5. In the event this corporation is dissolved or its existence oth- erwise terminates or is terminated, all right, title, and interest in and to its property, whether tangible or intangible and whether real or personal, shall thereupon automatically vest in the Synod, and this corporation covenants and agrees to execute and deliver to the Synod such documents and instruments and to take such other and further actions as the Synod may deem reasonably necessary or de- sirable, in order to evidence and give full effect to the foregoing. 6. The above provisions may not be altered or deleted without the written consent of the Synod. Commission on Structure 4-37 To Support Concordia Historical Institute WHEREAS, The Concordia Historical Institute serves as the De- partment of Archives and History of The Lutheran Church—Mis- souri Synod; and WHEREAS, The LCMS Board of Directors grants a subsidy to the Institute to serve as its records and archive center, which ac- counts for approximately two-thirds of the Institute’s budgeted in- come; and — WHEREAS, The other third of the Institute’s income must come from the heartfelt financial support of individuals and congrega- tions in order to support its operations of publishing, museum, con- ferences, and awards; and WHEREAS, The Institute provides wonderful resources to benefit all members of the Synod, which tell the inspiring stories of our fa- thers and mothers in the faith and which pass on the wisdom of the Lutheran experience in America to new generations; therefore be it Resolved, That the Synod give thanks to God for His faithful- ness evidenced by the history of confessional and orthodox Luther- ans in North America; and be it further Resolved, That the Synod encourage all member congregations to become members of the Institute and make the Institute’s publi- cations available for use by its members; and be it further Resolved, That the Synod remind its congregations to establish their own archives, where there are none, and to maintain their of- ficial records diligently; and be it finally Resolved, That the Synod encourage all church workers and in- terested laymen to become contributing members of the Institute and to support its work generously. Concordia Historical Institute 4-38 To Develop Electronic LCMS Newsletter WHEREAS, Financial constraints have caused cutbacks on some printed communications of the Synod; and WHEREAS, A need exists to continue timely communications both to inform and to call for prayer in times of special circum- stances; and WHEREAS, Electronic communications can make both of these objectives feasible; and WHEREAS, The number of people with such technology in their homes is growing; therefore be it Resolved, That the Board for Communication Services develop an e-mail newsletter to which congregations and individuals of the Synod can subscribe; and be it further Resolved, That this newsletter be used to carry timely news ar- ticles (such as those carried in the Reporter) and to convey imme- diate prayer needs in times of special circumstances. Our Redeemer Columbia Falls, MT 4-39 To Delegate Responsibility for Electronic Media, LCMS Web Site, Editorial Services, and Church Information Center to Board for Communication Services WuerEAS, In response to a Synod task force report stating that “the Synod must speak with a common voice in communicating and promoting its positions and programs,” the Synod, in conven- tion, consolidated all of the Synod’s communications functions under the Board for Communication Services (“Report of Task Force II on Constitution, Bylaws, and Structure,” 1981 Convention Workbook, p. 45; 1981 Res. 2-05); and WHEREAS, The assigned functions of the Board for Communi- cation Services are “‘to interpret, subject to the approval of the ap- plicable officers and boards, the Synod’s purpose and program to its members and to promote an increased understanding on the part of the church’s publics of the mission of the church” (Bylaw 3.813); and WHEREAS, The Board for Communication Services is charged by the Synod with organizing the communications activities of the church body at general Synod, District, and Circuit levels (Bylaw 3.813 a); and WHEREAS, The Board for Communication Services is charged by the Synod with authorizing and supervising the production of necessary broadcast and print materials (Bylaw 3.813 b), and WHEREAS, The Synod has given responsibility for specific Synod-communications media (i.e., the official periodicals and the Synod’s radio stations) to the Board for Communication Services (Bylaw 3.813 c; 1986 Res. 1-12); and WHEREAS, The Internet has been developed as a widely used communications medium since the Synod in convention last ad- dressed the responsibilities of the Board for Communication Ser- vices; and WHEREAS, The Synod has developed a Web site, www.Icms.org, to further serve its communications needs; and WHEREAS, The Synod’s Web site, like other Synod-communi- cations media, is an outlet for interpreting the Synod’s purpose,