# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1941_S376
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

376 Financial Matters

Insurance experts have testified that our annuities exceed even

the best that commercial companies can offer,

We have been told that, considering the conditions and the
character of the undertakin , the results are most gratifying. We
certainly appreciate the loyalty and brotherly spirit of so large
a number of workers, congregations, and practically all salary-
paying boards. And yet we are confronted by the alarming fact
that almost one half of your workers and two thirds of the con-
gregations still hesitate to comply with the resolution adopted
unanimously by their representatives: “Since the Pension System

is now Synod’s system of Support, all workers and congregations °

are earnestly urged to make Synod’s system, if possible, their
own.” It was clearly stated at Cleveland in 1935 and at St. Louis
in 1938 that the former “Support” system is to be replaced ‘by a
“contributory reserve Pension system.” We have reason to believe
that prejudice against the Fund was created by biased information
and argument. Many prefer to invest all their savings in life
insurance. :

We submit:

1. It has become necessary for Synod to decide whether and
to what extent a worker or a congregation that arbitrarily with-
holds his or its cooperation in the new system can demand that
Synod continue the old system for their particular benefit.

A few non-participating workers have stated that they do not
intend to turn to Synod in illness and old age; only one has
expressly relinquished his claim on Synod’s support. For obvious
reasons the worker’s wife should also waive her claim.

2. It has further become necessary for Synod to instruct the
Board under what circumstances the contention that it is “im-
possible” to cooperate is to be accepted as a bona-fide excuse and
what the Board is to do in such cases. We would suggest that
cases of extreme poverty, both of the worker and the respective
congregation, be investigated by the Board and eventually relief
be granted by temporarily reducing the amount of the contribution
or by making arrangements that the funds necessary for the con-
tribution are provided from other sources,

3. Although it is to be desired that the congregation join to-
gether with its worker or workers, no pastor or teacher should
postpone his entry because his congregation is not yet ready. Un-
doubtedly he can speak more convincingly to his members after
he has identified himself fully with the Fund.

c) We have conclusive evidence, however, that in the majority
of cases the respective financial conditions do not determine the
attitude toward Synod’s Plan.‘ . .

1. In the first place, we have compared the cities St. Louis and

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