# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1938_S264
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

264 Financial Matters

employed by the Board. The question of making pension provi-
sions for laymen on the pay-roll of Synod was discussed, but at
present we are awaiting the outcome of proposed legislation
affecting the employees of religious bodies.

4. Salaries. — Salaries paid by Synod had been cut 25 per
cent., as reported to the last Synod. This worked a hardship in
many cases. A number of professors were compelled to ask for
special assistance. A questionnaire was therefore sent out to all
faculties regarding the situation of the individual professors in
order to bring about a fair temporary adjustment. The answers
to this questionnaire convinced the Board all the more of the
wisdom and even necessity of at least a partial restoration of
salaries. Upon the recommendation of our Board the Fiscal Con-
ference in 1937 made provision in the 1938 budget for a restora-
tion of salaries up to 90 per cent. of the basic amount. This went
into effect on February 1, 1938.

5. Church Extension Matters. — Under consultation with the
Church Extension Board it was decided to grant a loan of $15,000
for the new church at Rio de Janeiro to the Brazil District, this
arrangement having been made personally by Pastor Schulz in
connection with his visit to South America rather than to have
a loan made to the Mission Board. (Proceedings 1935, p.152.) The
Board was much concerned about the arrears in repayments to
the Church Extension Fund. In order to get early action in this
matter, an agreement was reached with the Church Extension
Board to send out a man in the interest of collecting or refinancing
such loans.

6. Centennial Collection.—In connection with the plans for
a proper celebration of the Saxon Immigration Centennial the
Board inaugurated a Preconvention Debt Collection Thank-offering.
A committee was appointed, with Pastor Barth as chairman, to
approach members of Synod who could and would contribute
larger sums, $1,000 being considered the desirable minimum, to
wipe out the deficit in our treasury before the real celebration of
the anniversary begins. As to a fitting thank-offering in con-
nection with the centennial proper it was decided to submit the
following recommendations to Synod. We recommend that

“a) The Board of Directors be authorized and instructed to
inaugurate a nation-wide Centennial Thank-offering in the amount
of one million dollars.

“b) Each District of Synod may retain one-third (33% per
cent.) of the moneys raised by it for the Centennial Thank-offering,

the sum thus retained to be used for the Expansion of Missions
within its territory.

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