LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1983, Page 167

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ADMINISTRATION AND PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION 167

_ Resolved, That this convention affirm the concept of
a.balanced synodical budget; and be it further
-« Resolved, That we commend the Board of Directors
for its efforts in managing the deficit and operating the
Synod at a drastically reduced “real dollar” income

level; and be it further

a0 Resolved, That we express concern about certain
Districts balancing their budgets by reducing the per-
centage shared for national programs and by the Synod

7 balancing its budget by decreasing the support to

partner churches, colleges, and seminaries, thereby
increasing their deficits or curtailing their ministries;
and be it further

Resolved, That Districts and national conventions
not add or increase programs without participating in
the Planning Cycle and stipulating a source of funds
other than reducing the percentage shared for national
program or by deficit spending on the national level;
and be it finally

Resolved, That the Board of Directors continue its
present policies of funding the accumulated operating
deficit until it is repaid from increased income and/or
the 1986 major appeal.

Action: Adopted (10).

(The delegates voted down an amendment which called for
the addition of the words “or by sharing a very low percentage
of their budgets for national programs” after the words
“national programs” in the third resolve.)

To Continue Interest-Free Use
' of FIR Funds

RESOLUTION 4-06
Overtures 4-36—4-38 (CW, pp. 176—177)

WHEREAS, $5,000,000 has been distributed to debt
reduction in accordance with the Forward in Remem-
brance Mission and Ministry Statement and affirmed
by the 1981 convention; and

WHEREAS, A considerable accumulated operating
deficit remains; and

WHEREAS, The Board of Directors in 1982, upon
recommendation of the FIR Follow-Up Coordinating
Committee, approved subject to annual review the use
of interest free loans of allocated, but undistributed
funds, to help the Synod carry its accumulated operat-
ing deficit; and

WHEREAS, Allocated FIR funds yet unspent are
temporarily available to carry the accumulated deficit
until their normal distribution; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Board of Directors continue its
current practice of using these funds until they are
needed for distribution or until the deficit is paid.

Action: Adopted (10).

To Reaffirm Forward in Remembrance
Mission and Ministry Statement

RESOLUTION 4-07
Overtures 4-37—4-38 (CW, pp. 176—177)

WHEREAS, The Forward in Remembrance Statement
of Mission and Ministry makes provisions for sending
missionaries and other workers to existing and new
mission fields as evidenced by the mission report in the
1983 Convention Workbook; and

WHEREAS, The Board for Mission Services neither
requires nor desires that restrictions in the Mission and
Ministry Statement be modified; therefore be it

Resolved, That the convention reaffirm its commit-
ment to the Forward in Remembrance Mission and
Ministry Statement and thereby retain its integrity.

Action: Adopted (10).

To Provide for Improved
Communications Between Synodical
President and Circuit Counselors

RESOLUTION 4-08A

Report 4-01 (President’s Report, Part II) (TB, p.
24)

WHEREAS, The Synod has invested the office of the
Circuit Counselor with many responsibilities, including
communicating to the congregations of the Synod
information and encouragement relative to all aspects
of the Synod’s efforts to fullfill the Great Commission;
and

WHEREAS, The Circuit Counselors and Circuit lay
delegates are in an ideal position to share information
with the President of the Synod relative to congrega-
tional needs, concerns, and opportunities; and

WHEREAS, The creation of the Circuit Forum pro-
vides greater opportunity for more effective service of
the Circuit Counselor; and

WHEREAS, Many years have passed since the Synod’s
President has had the opportunity to communicate
directly with the Circuit Counselors; therefore be it .

Resolved, That the President of the Synod be en-
couraged to provide forums or other opportunities for
communicating with the Circuit.Counselors in the next
triennium; and be it further

Resolved, That Circuit lay delegates be advised of
such opportunities and welcomed at them; and be it
finally

Resolved, That these forums provide for discussion
of theology, North American and world mission out-
reach of the Synod and its Districts, matters relating to
the Board for Parish Services and the Department of
Stewardship and Financial Support, as well as any