# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1979_S127
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

RESOLUTIONS 127

workers as is done in other areas of the statement where
those benefits are included; and be it further

Resolved, That surviving widows and dependent
children of deceased workers who are in need of finan-
cial assistance make application for such assistance
from the Synod as same is provided for in Chapter X,
Section C, of the Handbook; and be it finally

Resolved, That the Board of Managers—Workers
Benefit Plans report their findings and decisions to the
Synod during the next biennium as these matters are
resolved.

Action: Adopted as amended. (4)
(The original third and fourth whereases were removed by
amendment:

WHEREAS, There was action taken at the 1977 convention
declining a request to restore previous Survivor Plan coverage and
since that time it has been clarified that opting out of Social Security
was possible only on the basis of religious principles or religious
tenets of a church body; and

WHEREAS, During 1977 and 1978 it was possible for workers
who previously opted out of Social Security to enter without paying
for back years; and

The next whereas, before being amended to read as given
above, had originally read:

WHEREAS, There is no accurate information available about the
number of LCMS pastors and teachers who have opted out of Social
Security, even though it appears that the numbers are a small
percentage; and)

To Refer Retirement Matters
to Board of Managers
RESOLUTION 4-04
Report 4-06 (CW, pp. 132—134); Overtures 4-34—
4-38B, 4-41A—B (CW, pp. 146—148)

WHEREAS, The Board of Managers— Worker Benefit
Plans, after 15 years of operation, is in the process of
doing comprehensive studies and analyses; and

WHEREAS, Changes in retirement plans, inflation,
and other factors demand such reviews; therefore be it

Resolved, That the concerns expressed in the above
overtures be referred to the Board of Managers— Worker
Benefit Plans for implementation as feasible; and be it
further

Resolved, That the Board of Managers—Worker
Benefit Plans report their findings and decisions to the
Synod during the next biennium as these matters are
resolved.

Action: Adopted (4).

To Review Retirement Requirements
RESOLUTION 4-05A
Overture 4-33 (CW, p. 146)

WHEREAS, The 1977 Dallas convention disapproved
arbitrary retirement at age 65 and amended Bylaw
2.105 to provide for service up to age 70; and

WHEREAS, These revisions do not apply to colleges
and seminaries; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Board for Higher Education
review the Bylaws applicable to colleges and seminaries
and propose to the 1981 convention necessary Bylaw
changes to meet the current personnel needs of the
Synod’s system of higher education keeping in mind
Bylaw 2.105, Federal requirements, and general trends
in higher education.

Action: Adopted (7).

To Increase Medical Assistance
to Retirees

RESOLUTION 4-06
Overture 4-39 (CW, p. 148)

WHEREAS, The continuing spiral of costs in medical
needs is working a hardship on those living on fixed
incomes; and

WHEREAS, There is a problem of meeting those costs
not allowed by Medicare and not covered by the Con-
cordia Welfare Plan; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Board of Managers—Concordia
Welfare Plan give careful consideration to post-65 bene-
fits to bring such benefits even with the objectives of full
medical coverage including government Medicare for
those on fixed incomes.

Action: Adopted (7).

To Authorize
Synodical Headquarters Building

RESOLUTION 4-07
Report 4-04 III, App. 4-04B (CW, pp. 129-—-132)

WHEREAS, For many years there has been a recog-
nized need for a permanent headquarters to house the
scattered agencies of the Synod; and

WHEREAS, The Board of Directors through an ad hoc
committee has set certain criteria for such a building
and site; and

WHEREAS, Certain funds have been made available
toward this purpose; therefore be it

Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri
Synod in convention approve the construction or pur-
chase of a synodical headquarters building; and be it
further

Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri
Synod Foundation be requested to make every effort to
obtain sufficient gifts (the estimated need to be $4 to $5
million) so that the entire project might be debt free at
its completion; and be it finally

Resolved, That the Treasurer of the Synod be author-
ized to obtain suitable financing for costs not covered by
gifts.

Action: Adopted (7).