# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_2007_S101 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) SYNOD REPORTS 101 Support Benefits Program Special Assistance Program The purpose of this program is to provide financial aid to eligible disabled and retired ordained or commissioned ministers, as well as dependents of deceased ordained or commissioned ministers. Funds are primarily provided by Board for Human Care fund-raising efforts as part of the Synod’s budget. The amount of assistance is based on demonstrated need and is determined in accordance with established guidelines. Financial assistance is currently being provided for 53 in- dividuals under the Support Program. 2005/2006 $455,000 2004/2005 $311,000 2003/2004 Annual Financial Aid $307,000 Accident Insurance Programs The Travel Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance Program is provided for members of boards, commissions, com- mittees, and designated members of staff of the Synod. About 2,408 individuals have this coverage. The Travel Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance Program for Foreign Missionaries is a program for foreign mis- sionaries and their dependents and covers 222 people. The All-Cause Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insur- ance Program is available to all workers participating in the Con- cordia Plans. There are 8,885 workers participating. ¢$¢%¢ 6% 6 6 6 ¢ Before closing, we would like to address two questions that we are asked at various times, concerning the security of plan assets and promised pension benefits. If the Concordia Plans are accountable to the LCMS, does the LCMS have access to the funds that have been paid into the Con- cordia Plans? The answer to that is absolutely not. All employer or member contributions to the Concordia Plans are held in separate em- ployee benefit trusts and can be used only for the purpose specified— the benefits provided for in the individual Plan documents. We are also asked, “Are our pensions safe?” Everyday, we read in the newspaper about another corporation that has walked away from its retirement promise to its workers. The Concordia Retirement Plan’s (CRP’s) funded status provides sig- nificant benefit security from an actuarial measurement standpoint. Annually, an actuarial valuation is performed that measures the Plan’s funded status from three perspectives: (1) benefits accrued to the current date for existing members; (2) projected benefits that will be paid to current members at their future retirement date based on current service and projected final average compensation for current workers; and, (3) total benefits, that are expected to be paid by the CRP for current and future workers including future contributions, service, and compensation. All three measures are then stress tested by running 1,000 different economic scenarios for the next five years to determine the likelihood of not maintain- ing funded status over the projection period. All three measures ex- ceed the benefit objectives as of Dec. 31, 2006, and hold up very well to stress testing during the projection period. In Summary We are excited about the recent enhancements that we know will make a remarkable difference in the lives of our LCMS church workers. We take seriously our commitment to provide for the health and well-being of workers, and we feel that the recent en- hancements will be a blessing to workers and their families. We also are dedicated to provide the best possible service to both our employers and workers as we continue to partner and provide sup- port to those telling others about the Good News of Jesus. Paul Middeke, President Richard Beumer, Chairman R7-01 First Vice-President The vice-presidents of the Synod are the elected advisers of the President and, upon his request or as provided by the Synod, assist him in carrying out his responsibilities and represent him. The First Vice-President serves as a full-time executive and a nonvoting member of the Board of Directors. His is responsible to the President at all times for the performance of his duties. During this past triennium, I have had opportunity to be in- volved with many individuals and groups throughout the Synod. These groups include —The Council of Presidents —The Board of Directors of the LCMS —The Corporate Synod Executives —tThe President’s Church Relations Cabinet —Ablaze! Ambassadors —Conversations with the American Association of Lutheran Churches —Conversations with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America —Fan Into Flame Cabinet —President’s National Outreach Cabinet —Blue Ribbon Task Force on Funding the Mission —President’s Representative to the Board for Pastoral Educa- tion —Blue Ribbon Task Force on Synodical Structure and Gover- nance —Praesidium —Chapel Advisory Committee —National Circuit Counselors’ Conference Committee The Praesidium, which includes the President of the Synod and the five vice-presidents, met regularly for prayer, Bible study, and discussion of Synod matters. The Praesidium gave counsel on a variety of matters as requested by the President of the Synod, dis- trict presidents, and others. In the past three years, I had occasion to visit each of our semi- naries and Concordia University campuses, attend the LCEF Fall Leadership Conferences, attend 15 district conventions, speak at various professional church worker conferences, preach at a num- ber of congregations around the Synod, and address a variety of groups within the Synod. The First Vice-President has served this past triennium as chair- man of the Colloquy Committees for Pastoral Ministry and the Col- loquy Committee for Commissioned Ministry. Through this process, the Lord has provided to the congregations of our Synod many qualified commissioned ministers and ordained pastors. For this past triennium, it has been my distinct privilege to serve with President Kieschnick, the Praesidium, the other Synod offi- cers and staff, and the Council of Presidents. The Lord has blessed The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod with rich resources and godly leadership. William R. Diekelman, First Vice-President R7-02 Secretary The responsibilities of the Office of the Secretary of the Synod are many and varied. The faithful and tireless proficiency of my very capable co-worker (executive assistant) Pearl Houghton has continued to make it possible to carry out these responsibilities with minimal staff. Also deserving mention is our Synod’s Rosters and Statistics Department, which carefully handles the meticulous detail that is essential to the major roster responsibilities of the Secretary’s Office. 2007 Convention Workbook