LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1981, Page 210

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210 ADMINISTRATION

WHEREAS, The purpose of the formation of the English
District, that is, English-language work, has been fulfilled, and
in view of the fact that the vast majority of LCMS congrega-
tions use the English language; and

WHEREAS, When the English Synod joined the LCMS and
became the English District, the Articles of Union stated,
“That we regard it as most expedient and most salutary for
both parties of this union if individual congregations of the
English Synod join the respective District of our Synod”; and

WHEREAS, There has been for many years an excess layer of
government in the form of the English District and vast
inefficiency and unnecessary duplication of programs,
services, administration, and funding of the geographical
Districts; and

WHEREAS, Holy Scriptures exhort God’s people to be good
stewards of the gifts and resources that God has so richly and
abundantly supplied to us; therefore be it

Resolved, That the English District be dissolved effective
Jan. 1, 1982; and be it further
Resolved, That every congregation, pastor, and teacher in
membership in the English District as of Jan. 1, 1982, be
assigned on that date to the respective geographical District in
which such is located or resides; and be it finally
Resolved, That all matters relating to the dissolution of the
English District, including but not limited to the corporate
status, real and personal property, and the Church Extension
Fund, shall be coordinated by the synodical Board of Directors,
and that all these matters shall be completed by Jan. 1, 1982.

Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church
Franklin, Nebr.

Maynard Schriner, Secretary

Jay Currie, Pastor

4-14
To Stimulate Concordia Retirement Plan

WHEREAS, Over a decade and a half ago the Synod, in its
wisdom, founded the Concordia Plans with the expectation
that they would provide for God’s faithful people in illness and
in old age; and

WHEREAS, The Concordia Retirement Plan has been some-
what less than successful in meeting these objectives (vide:
1978 earnings, including unrealized gains, were only 7.59
percent; 1979 earnings, including unrealized gains, were only
9.55 percent); and

WHEREAS, The efforts of some to call this to the attention of
the administrator and the Synod have been met with pleas for
time and explanations that indicate a great hesitancy to
respond with proper care for the funds our congregations
channel into the Retirement Plan; and

WHEREAS, Inflation might last a bit longer than most of us
want, and itis inflation that decreases the purchasing power of
retirement income; therefore be it

Resolved, That the 1981 synodical convention instruct the
Board of Directors of the Synod to investigate thoroughly the
inadequate return on invested capital of the Concordia Retir-
ment Plan, determining—

1) if the problem is already corrected;
2) why it was not corrected earlier;

3) what changes in the personnel and regulation will insure
a better situation in the future.

Our Savior Lutheran Church
Lake Worth, Fla.
Byron Q. Folmer, President

4-15
To Investigate Comments
re Retirement Plan

WHEREAS, There are many rumors and dissatisfactions with
the Concordia Retirement Plan; and

WHEREAS, Our Synod should welcome any constructive
criticisms regarding the Concordia Retirement Plan; and

WHEREAS, Full disclosure of the investments and the
management of all funds held in trust by the Concordia
Retirement Plan isin keeping with the Freedom of Information
Act; therefore be it

Resolved, That a special committee be appointed by the
synodical President to investigate all the charges made by Rev.
Theodore W. Eisold concerning the Concordia Retirement
Plan; and be it further

Resolved, That this committee report the findings of their
investigation by Jan. 1, 1982, in the Reporter.

St. Timothy Lutheran Church
Otisville, Mich.

Jack Overzet, Chairman
Gerald L. Russell, Secretary

4-16A
To Review Concordia Plans

WHEREAS, One of the basic purposes of the Concordia Plans
should be to give needed aid to pastors and other church
workers at retirement; and

WHEREAS, Church workers who have served their Lord
faithfully in the ministry have not always received large
salaries; and

WuerEAS, Benefits given to the retired worker from the
Concordia Plans are based on a percentage of their former
salary; and

WHEREAS, These workers are assessed for health care, at
times in an amount equal to one-third of their retirement
benefits, thus producing an added burden for them financially;
and

WHEREAS, The assessment for health care benefits for the
retired worker has been doubled in the past two years, while
benefits have not been increased in needed areas, causing
further burdens for persons on limited income; and

WHEREAS, There are other areas where benefits to the retired
worker are drastically reduced immediately upon retirement,
such as the lump-sum death benefit; and

WHEREAS, Concordia Plans have been in existence for 15
years, providing a fair basis on which to assess the strengths
and weaknesses of the program of health, welfare, and retire-
ment benefits; therefore be it

Resolved, That the LCMS ask for a thorough review of the
entire program of the Concordia Plans, to the end that the
needs and concerns of our retired workers and families be
adequately cared for as well as those who are inservice, witha
particular concern for those retired workers whose income
while in the active ministry was limited, so they not be further
penalized in retirement by drastic cuts in their retirement
income by ever-increasing assessments for health care; and be
it further

Resolved, That an impartial task force be appointed by the
Board of Directors of the Synod, composed of persons knowlege-
able in insurance and financial matters, to conduct the review
of Concordia Plans, giving special attention to funding benefits
needed by persons with limited assets; and be it finally

Resolved, That every effort be made to make Concordia
Plans the finest health, welfare, and retirement plan available,
keeping in mind good stewardship of funds entrusted to the
Fund by congregations and workers and remembering that it
is intended to be a worker benefit fund.

Pastoral Conference
North Dakota District
Joseph Jones, Secretary

Identical or similar:

4-16B

Good Shepherd, Glens Falls, N.Y. Larry E. Bock