# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_1973_S24 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) 24 MISSIONS performance, growth, and service in our Lutheran ministries. Key objectives are to maximize location for good growth potential and minimize cost. We must always distinguish between Advance Site programs of the synodical Church Extension board and District Church Extension board. Results so far have substantiated a previously stated goal that with a specific input of capital on a specified time basis the program could then be perpetuated on a self-sustaining basis. Even though insufficient funds prevented a $1,000,C00 expenditure per year for 10 years, the program is, neverthe- less, moving toward its self-sustaining goal. II. Convention Concerns and Directions The synodical Board of Directors appointed an ad hoc committee to review practices and policies of the synodical Church Extension department in relationship to authority and responsibility statements of the synodical Handbook. Recommendations were to accomplish two purposes: 1. Accurately define the objective of the Fund. 2. Make the necessary Handbook statement changes to incorporate the additions in loan services. A. Handbook Change Recommendations PRESENT WORDING 8.53 Objectives Acquisition of sites and erection of facilities to aid expansion for effective programs of ministry, witness, outreach, and service. 8.55 Functions The Board shall — a. provide funds to assist the Synod, Districts, and congregations with loans for sites and facilities in the church’s program of expansion; 8.61 The Fund The Church Extension Fund is a permanent fund from which loans or expenditures can be made to acquire sites and erect facilities. PROPOSED WORDING 8.53 Objectives i) . Financing the acquisition of sites and the erec- "\ { tion of facilities to aid expansion for effective pro- * grams of ministry, witness, outreach, and service. 8:55 Functions The Board shall — a. provide funds to assist the Synod, Districts, and congregations with loans for sites and facilities in the church’s program of expansion, for the reno- vation and improvement of facilities, refinancing of existing indebtedness, and short term loan assis~ tance to Synod and Districts during times of tight money or temporary money shortages. 8.61 The Fund The Church Extension Fund is a permanent fund from which disbursements are made for loans and/or expenditures for the purpose of acquiring anticipated church sites and erecting parish facil- ities for expansion, for renovation and improvement of church facilities, refinancing of congregations’ existing indebtedness, and short-term loan assis- tance to Synod and Districts during periods of tem- porary money shortages. B. Expansion of Loan Services Historically, Church Extension funds served newly formed (subsidized) congregations with loan services for sites and facilities. Expansion and growth opportunities of existing congregations made financing needs to self-supporting con- gregations more prominent and necessary. Not only did this development provide for additional loan service needs; in- clusion of these congregations in Church Extension Board and Fund services soon emphasized the necessity and im- portance of consultation and counseling in financing, re- financing and budgeting as well. These added considerations are rendering a necessary and valuable service. This expan- sion of loan services is being recommended to the conven- tion for its approval. The synodical Church Extension de- partment would proceed to establish guidelines and sugges- tions to District Church Extension boards or committees on a uniform basis for a more standardized procedure and ap- proach, This program would naturally be developed in con- cert with the Districts. C. Uniformity of Service, Policy, and Practice The authority and responsibility for District Church Ex- tension administration, policy-making, and programming is the responsibility of the District Church Extension Board. The Handbook, however, charges the synodical Church Ex- tension Department with the responsibility of providing for uniformity in policy and practice. Mobility of people and ease and rapidity of communica- tion makes uniformity mandatory. The variables, variations, and unique approaches and interpretations frequently tend toward confusion, misgivings, and misunderstandings. While mere copying and duplicating are not encouraged, more uni- formity can be wholesome and profitable for the entire Church Extension operation. Utilization of knowledgeable resources and professional skills aid in arriving at more satisfactory results. This is applicable in a site acquisition program. Similarity of meth- odology and procedure tends to standardize the end product. This dimension is vital and necessary as Districts add to their inventory of properties for ultimate church use. Realization of the profitability of real estate investments and the competition for real estate in major metropolitan areas makes the necessity for improvement and sophistica- tion in techniques for research, field study, and acquisition imperative. D. Specific Suggestions and Recommendations for Future Direction The three broad areas of Church Extension concern are: (1) Promotion, (2) Allocation, (3) Administration. A concern for ongoing attention in each of the three aforementioned areas is necessary. Specific items denoting a priority in planning, study, and resolving during the next biennium are being suggested. They are the following: 1. Districts have always had a responsibility in providing investments to the synodical Church Extension Fund. This recommendation provides for a specified goal of support and participation of their annual plans. 2. Excessive financing costs overtax annual budgets of congregations, thereby eliminating participation in certain facets of ministry, service, nurture, and outreach. Loan ser- vice and counsel to established congregations in financing, refinancing, and budget development can be very important. 3. Church Extension loan service was intended to help the newly established congregation. Facts and factors have changed, making additions in loan service not only desirable but also very necessary, Service to self-supporting congre- gations is, therefore, being recommended for inclusion in District Church Extension plans and programs, and for Dis- trict Church Extension responsibility. 4. To accomplish more uniformity in policy and program, District and synodical Church Extension Fund personnel should become involved in developing a model manual of accepted policies and tested practices for District use. CuHuRCcH EXTENSION Boarp Fred Lietz, Executive Secretary To Investigate Mission Possibilities in Southeast Asia WuereEas, Under the gracious guiding hand of the King of kings the war in Vietnam has now officially come to a halt; and