# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_1975_S22 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) CO EESSSSSSS Sa 22 MISSIONS Results of the board’s reorganization at its first meeting were A. Church Extension Loans the following: chairman, Prof, Vance Hinrichs; vice-chairman, These are the loans available to Districts for newly estab- Mr. Herbert Hast; secretary, Mr. Winfried Graebner. Advance lished or subsidized congregations having either no facilities Site Subcommittee: chairman, Mr. Herbert Hast: Rev. Louis available for worship, tem Orary facilities, or inadequate Schuth; Mr, George Albers; secretary, Dr. Donovan Claussen. facilities. The synodical Church’ Eyes Fund supplies Promotion Subcommittee: chairman, Rev. Ewald Mueller: ; : secretary, Mr. Howard Crumb: Mr. Winfried Graebner. A resolution adopted at the New Orleans convention again ad Provides for the election Process for board membership. 2. Expansion of District Church Extension Funds eliminates t The traditional and historic reference of the Church Exten- he need for supplemental loan assistance from the sion Fund has basically been related to the needs of the newly synodical fund. established and subsidized congregation. This was a logical ; ; association since the newly established and subsidized congre- The most need for loan @ssistance under Church Extension gations relied on District and synodical Church Extension Funds loan terms are in the following categories: for their loan assistance for sites and facilities. Even though 1. Supplemental loan assistance to our Canadian Districts. 2. Loans to Districts for sites. should this detract from its basic thrust. The addition of self- 3. moans to the Board for Missions for foreign field invest- supporting congregations to its list of eligible users underscores ment. — the need and importance of a 8rowing synodical Church Exten 4. Loan assistance to our smaller Districts. sion Fund. A signif . . oa, . ; . . gnincant policy change was made during this biennium. The potential of loan fund totals is almost limitless. We are Church Extension loans no longer need to be repaid in‘10 years certainly nowhere near reaching our potential. Less than 5 percent of the synodical membership is involved in a regular and systematic program of Savings and investments in the work provided for annual repayments of a designated amount of and program of the church. We are much closer in reaching our nai : potential of the “contributed” dollar than we are in reaching our potential in available “investment” dollars, Furthermore, savings experienced by congregations through reduced financ- ing costs will also free certain “contributed” dollars for other Policy provides for quarterly repayments of equal amounts including both Principal and Interest. Terms can Provide for 20-year repayment schedules, but always ona 5-year term basis. One of the Stated goals of Church Extension is to ultimately B. Service-Charge Loans This loan service Provides financing for specialized ministries having a “low” or “no” income potential. Eligibility includes the following ministries: inner-city, ethnic and minority groups, campus ministries, and Strategic ministries, Loans are to the District. Terms Provide for 20-year repay- ment schedules at a 1% annual service charge, reviewed and refinanced in 5-year intervals. Loan requests exceed availability of funds. These loan funds or inadequate facilities. ; : _ an : are Increased through pecial offerings. The latest was the 125th Mission and ministry focus attention on the Word and People. iversary Thanko s ao Pa : . : Ann ffering. This effort did not reach its estab- Mission and ministry involve witness, Proclamation, outreach, : . . on ~ and service. Outreach implies growth. Church Extension aids lished goal. Church Extension did not receive its anticipated growth and expansion, The theme and focus of this convention is on evangelism and growth. There is a concern among churchmen and church members about a declining church membership. Our Synod experienced its most phenomenal Srowth during an earlier decade when we opened our largest number of mission and preaching stations, A growing and serving Church Extension Fund paralleled a challenging and substantial mission expansion Program. Dare we imply fewer opportunities today? This in essence is the challenge and need of Church Extension today. C. Department of Investment Loans of all Congregations. This goal is obviously somewhere in the distant future. Church Extension is an arm of missions. Church Extension Supports ministry by Providing space to permit the 8athering service is available to all Districts, large or small, thereby increasing its needs and demands. Districts have no loan funds available to them in a similar manner from the resources of This is the most recent of the loan services available to congregations for financing Purposes. Loans are negotiated I. The Church Extension Program directly with congregations. Eligibility requires a self-supporting The biennial Church Extension Teport contains elements of Status of the congregation. Loans are made on a secured loan contrasts, aspects of increased services, areas of unmet needs, basis. Terms Provide for 15-year loans with a 20-year amortiza- unresolved opportunities, and unprecedented successes. This tion schedule, Providing for an 8% interest rate. mixture of description and results obviously contains elements A feature of this loan 8 bee nateBOry aiding both the con- of solution and elements yet requiring solutions. gregation and the fund has been the “Incentive Plan” program. The following firsts or all-time highs were reported and Congregations are encouraged to provide designated amounts recorded in this biennium: of their total loan in new supporting investments to the synodical Church Extension Fund. Congregations aid the fund in provid- ing a Percentage of the loan funds eventually needed. Congregations receive the benefit of an interest cost adjust- ment. The 25% level entitles the congregation to a 74% loan: the 50% level Provides for a 7% loan; the 100% level provides 1. Total assets, 2. Total withdrawals. 3. An annual allocation and disbursement total. 4. Total in deferred loan requests. A substantial amount of funds were available for advance for a 6%% loan. site acquisitions. Funds were 8enerated from income of sales Mortgages become marketable investment Portfolios. We of excess acreage and sites no longer deemed necessary for are grateful to the Board of Trustees of The Lutheran Church — church use. Missouri Synod for a substantial amount of secured mortgages Each aspect of Church Extension loan service and Church purchased. Up to 10% of the Trust and Pension Funds can be Extension responsibility will be reported. invested in church mortgages.