# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_2007_S129 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) PROGRAM AND FINANCE (e) The Support Program of the Synod is a program of financial assistance to those eligible ordained ministers, commissioned ministers, and other professional church workers and their eligible dependents who are in financial need. This aid is in the form of a gift from the budget funds of the Synod. Eligibility standards shall be determined by the Board of Managers. (e) The Concordia Retirement Savings Plan is the taxsheltered annuity retirement savings plan adopted by the Board of Directors in August 2003, effective October 1, 2005, as such plan has been heretofore or may hereafter be amended. The text of the plan, as amended from time to time, shall be published in booklet form under the supervision of the Board of Trustees—Concordia Plans. (f) The lists of ordained and commissioned ministers appearing in the on the official roster of the Synod current records of the Department of Human Resources of the Synod shall be the official lists for the purpose of the Board of ManagersTrustees—Concordia Plans. (g) National inter-Lutheran entities will be eligible to be “employers” under the various Worker Benefit Plans Concordia Plans of the Synod unless the policies of such a plan preclude such organization as an eligible employer. 3.7.1.2 Concordia Plan Services is also responsible for managing other ancillary programs, including various supplemental insurance and administration services programs and the Support Program. 129 other than the Board of Managers and select agents and actuaries, in accordance with the Synod’s policies governing the investment of trust funds. (d) It shall design for the Board of Directors of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod’s approval benefit plans which compare favorably with other similar plans while meeting the unique needs of full-time church workers in the Synod. (e) It shall provide copies of all audit reports to the Board of Directors of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod for information, advice, and counsel. (f) It shall settle disputes which arise in enrollment in the plans and the payment of claims and benefits. 6.1.4 Being a recognized auxiliary of the Synod offers the following privileges: (a) Eligibility of ordained and commissioned ministers of the Synod serving such organizations to remain on the membership rosters of the Synod as “active members,” if otherwise eligible. (b) Eligibility for obtaining church extension loans from the Lutheran Church Extension Fund—Missouri Synod (LCEF), unless the policies of LCEF preclude such organization as an eligible borrower. (c) Eligibility to be an “employer” under the various Worker Benefit Plans Concordia Plans of the Synod unless the policies of such a plan preclude such organization as an eligible employer. (ea) The Support Program of the Synod is not a trust but rather a program of financial assistance to those eligible ordained ministers, commissioned ministers, and other professional church workers and their eligible dependents who are in financial need. This aid is in the form of a gift from the budgeted funds of the Synod. Eligibility standards shall be determined by the Board of ManagersDirectors— Concordia Plan Services. (As the resolution was introduced, the committee noted four instances in the proposed bylaw changes where words should have been underscored to designate new wording: (5) the Concordia Plans under Bylaw 3.3.5.6; and Trustees—Concordia Plans at the end of Bylaw 3.7.1.1 paragraphs (b), (c), and (d). The resolution was adopted as presented after brief discussion [Yes: 1,133; No: 17].) (b) There exists and may be added in the future various ancillary supplemental insurance and administration services that will be made available to member organizations and their employees. These programs are not trusts and will be under the supervision of the Board of Directors—Concordia Plan Services. To Amend Bylaw 3.7.1.2 re Membership of Board of Directors—Concordia Plan Services and Board of Trustees— Concordia Plans 3.7.1.32 (Revisions to this Bylaw have been submitted under separate cover.) 3.7.1.43 The Board of ManagersTrustees—Concordia Plans and the Board of Directors—Concordia Plan Services shall have all general and incidental powers and duties appropriate for the performance of its their functions., In addition, the Board of Trustees—Concordia Plans will have including the powers and duties set forth in the respective plans, as amended from time to time. It may create or amend any plan within limits established by the Board of Directors of the Synod so long as such changes are reported to the Synod’s Board of Directors, since such power is finally vested in the Synod’s Board of Directors. (a) When the Board of Managers Trustees—Concordia Plans is carrying out its functions with respect to any such separate plan, it may be designated as the Board of ManagersTrustees of such separate plan. (b) When the board is carrying out its functions generally, it may be designated as the “Board of Managers— Worker Benefit Plans Trustees—Concordia Plans of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod.” (c) The board shall make investment decisions at its own discretion or select and utilize investment counsel Action: Adopted (4) RESOLUTION 4-07 Overture 4-02 (CW, pp. 190–191) WHEREAS, The Board of Directors of Concordia Plan Services and the Board of Managers of Worker Benefit Plans (the latter’s name to be changed to Board of Trustees—Concordia Plans per Res. 4-06) consist of the same appointed board members, currently ten voting members (two parish pastors, one teacher, and seven laypersons) and one nonvoting member. At present, at least three of the laypersons must be experienced in the design of employee benefit plans and the remaining in the management of benefit plan investments; and WHEREAS, With the growth of the Concordia Plans over the past decade ($3 billion in assets, nearly $400 million annual benefit payments, and a $12.5 million administrative budget), increasingly complex decisions are required that affect investments, employee benefit design, and financial oversight. In addition, general corporate governance has changed in recent years as a result of financial problems in the corporate world, requiring greater financial oversight by audit committees of boards, resulting in 2007 Convention Proceedings