# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1857_S368
# AI translation — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

— 368 —

Censure of the Negligence of Many Congregations in Contributing to
the Synod's Needs.

The Synod found itself compelled to censure seriously the negligence
and sluggishness of many congregations in contributing to the needs
of the Synod in general, and of our two educational institutions in
particular. It was repeatedly observed that the fault certainly also
lay in part with the pastors concerned, in that they had not urged and
guided their congregations to this earnestly and diligently enough.

Several deputies declared that they, too, recognized it as their duty
to support their pastors in exhorting their congregations, so that
matters might improve. One of them thought that the congregations
probably did not know how great the need was, and that they should
therefore be better acquainted with the actual need.

The president replied that, given the many and varied needs, the sum
of what was required could not be determined so precisely. But whoever
has the Church's welfare at heart can well know and learn how great
the want is everywhere. It was a disgrace, he said, how little some
congregations contributed. While some congregations did almost beyond
their means, others were mired in rank stinginess and showed an
irresponsible indifference to the Church's welfare and prosperity.
This great ingratitude of theirs toward the Word and Sacrament offered
them so abundantly, purely, and undiluted, God would surely punish by
withdrawing the same from them again, should they not repent in time.
The congregations should consider: whoever sows sparingly will also
reap sparingly; but whoever sows in blessing will also reap in
blessing.

One of the deliberating pastors complained how hard it was, especially
for a pastor whose congregation had not joined the Synod — and indeed
had not joined precisely for that reason, so as not to be obligated to
contribute to the Synod's needs — nevertheless to hold that
congregation earnestly to doing so.

He was answered: such a congregation deserves no pastor from our Synod
at all. But people also have to be guided toward this and accustomed
to giving. The pastor need only not shrink from the effort of drawing
his people's attention to this matter individually, particularly in
their own homes, and encouraging them to give. This will not remain
without fruit. Of course, it must always be kept in mind that this is
not a matter of gold and silver — of that the Lord has enough, and
enough ways besides to provide us with as much as we need — but of
the fruit of the Gospel. Whatever the Gospel does not produce, and
whatever does not grow from the root of a faith active in love, is
worth less than nothing to the Synod.

On the repeated observation that it would be good if, from time to
time, an overview of the need were published, since this would remind
the congregations of the large and manifold needs that exist and
exhort them to more diligent and generous giving — reference being
also made to a similar wish and resolution of the Middle District
Synod (see the 2nd synodical report of the Middle District, p. 28) —
the Synod resolved that its general treasurer be requested to publish,
semi-annually or at least once a year, a tabular overview of the
general synodical treasury's needs, taking the mission's needs into
account as well, as a supplement to "Der Lutheraner."