Collection › LCMS Convention Workbook (St. Louis, Missouri) › 1981 · 54th Convention › Page 5
LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1981, Page 5

Scan: The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
Transcription machine transcription, uncorrected

—5-

Of the costs, $1,425,000 million dollars will be paid to Community
Counselling Services, Inc. for its assistance as consultants in the appeal.

"Obviously, it costs more to raise over 70 million dollars than it does to
raise over 40 million dollars. I am going to go over my budget a little,"
Hyatt said. The program's original operating budget was 1.5 million dollars.

The cost of the appeal will be paid from the interest earned on the money
before being paid out for mission and higher education projects.

"Let's not insult God again by setting such a low goal as 40 million
dollars," Hyatt said.

A plan "permitting congregations to establish more personal relationships
with our missionaries and their work through prayer, communication and
financial support" was overwhelmingly adopted by the convention on Surday.

Such support is to be "over and above the Synod financial support for
District and Synod."

Dr. Edward A. Westcott, Jr., the Synod's executive secretary for missions,
answered a number of questions about the plan and spoke of reasons why the
Synod's Board for Missions had proposed it to the convention.

Discussion on the floor included questions concerning tax law implications
for congregations supporting overseas operations, but those were satisfied in
Westcott's remarks.

Creation of five program boards and two support services boards to give
emphasis to major thrusts of the church body was approved Tuesday.

The five elected program boards, in some instances combining functions
assigned to several administrative units, will be the Boards for Parish
Services, Evangelism Services, Youth Services, Missions and Professional
Education.

The support services boards, whose members will be appointed, are Board
for Communications and Board for Social Ministry.

Initially, the task force considering restructure of the Synod had
recommended the establishment of three program boards-- Congregational
Services, Missions and Professional Education. However, that proposal was
voted down as many delegates encouraged greater attention for evangelism and
youth ministry.

The proposal for the support services boards also was defeated the first
time around, but gained reconsideration once the convention approved the
expanded recommendation for program boards.

Earlier the delegates had concurred in the continuation of nine national
units, sometimes with name changes. All are now called commissions. They are
the Commissions on Adjudication, Appeals, Constitutional Matters, Doctrinal
Peview, Health and Healing, Ministerial Health, Organizations, Theology and
Church Relations and Black Ministry. The Commission on Black Ministry will
cease functioning in 1986.

A Board of Directors expanded by one voting member was established. The
new voting membership includes the LCMS president and secretary, four
additional pastors, one teacher, and eight laypersons. .The first vice
president and treasurer will be non-voting members.

Following an appeal by President Preus, the delegates on Wednesday solidly
supported a resolution to establish a department of stewardship and financial
support.

This action means that the existing Board of Stewardship, established two
decades ago, will be replaced by a department answering to the Board of
Directors of the Synod and will be responsible for the motivation and
promotion of giving of time, talents, and treasures, including weekly
offerings, mission education and promotion, deferred giving and special gifts.

The resolution initiating this action endorsed authorization of a special
continuity and planning study utilizing both Community Counselling Services
and appropriate synodical staff, together with the District presidents, to
determine the detailed structure of the department and its programs.