LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1983, Page 174

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174 ADMINISTRATION AND PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION

4-25

To Revise
and Update LCMS Statistical Yearbook

WHEREAS, Principles of church growth call for the careful
gathering and analysis of congregational statistical data; and

WHEREAS, Significant changes have occurred in the type of
data needed to be gathered in order to make necessary and
realistic growth projections in missions and evangelism; and

WHEREAS, The need exists to examine the present procedure
of gathering data for the LCMS Statistical Yearbook along
with the type of data gathered; therefore be it

Resolved, That the LCMS authorize the establishment of a
task force—to include the director of Research and Planning
and at least three people trained in church growth and using it
at a congregational, District, or synodical level—to study and
update the LCMS Statistical Yearbook with changes to be
brought to the synodical Board of Directors for action and
implementation no later than the end of 1984; and be it further

Resolved, That the LCMS President appoint the members of
this task force in consultation with the secretary for North
American missions and the director of Research and Planning.

Board of Directors
Minnesota South District
Robert G. Bailey, Secretary

4-26A

To Promote Proper Motivation
for Christian Giving

WHEREAS, Scripture teaches that the giving of money for
God’s work should be regular (weekly), bountiful, and not
reluctant or under compulsion (1 Cor. 16:1-2; 2 Cor. 9:6-8); and

WHEREAS, The Macedonian Christians were commended by
Paul for going beyond offerings which are regular and bounti-
ful, saying, “They gave according to their means and beyond
their means—of their own free will” (2 Cor. 8:2); and

WHEREAS, Paul does not use a “hard sell” approach (2 Cor.
8:8 ff.) when he urges the Corinthians to follow the example of
the Macedonians, but he wants what is given to come com-
pletely from faith and love, not from external, psychological
pressure; and

WHEREAS, Some among us have perceived such psycho-
logical intimidation in past fundraising campaigns, which
may sometimes raise money, but does not increase faith or
love; therefore be it

Resolved. That the Synod guard against a ‘‘Madison
Avenue.” hard sell approach in its fundraising campaigns, but
be alert to stress Christian faith and love, and the offerings
which should flow from them willingly.

St. John’s Lutheran Church
Luxemburg, Wis.

Thomas D. Werner, Secretary
Harold Reckelberg, President

Identical or similar:

4-26B

St. Peter. Hilbert. Wis. Gene R. Kangas

4-27

To Restrict or Clarify the Term
“Grace of Giving”’

WHEREAS, The term “grace of giving” has been used a
number of times in recent resolutions of the Synod without full
explanation: and

WHEREAS, The term seems to refer to the King James
translation of 2 Cor. 8:7, to say that giving. motivated by faith
and love. is a ‘‘grace”’ in the sense of a “virtue” or good work;
and

WHEREAS, Among us the term “grace’’ usually is used to
mean the unearned favor and love of God, the source of
salvation, over against good works (including the offering of
money), which never “merit favor before God,” even though
they are produced from faith (Augsburg Confession, VI); and

WHEREAS, The unexplained use and overuse of this term,
“grace of giving,” especially in the midst of an energetic
fundraising campaign, could cause confusion among our
people; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod use this term, “grace of giving,”
with caution, and only after adequate explanation.

St. John’s Lutheran Church

Luxemburg, Wis.

Thomas D. Werner, Secretary

Harold Reckelberg, President

4-28

To Urge the Synod to Implement Council
of Administrators’ Proposals

WHEREAS, The Council of Administrators of The Lutheran
Church—Missouri Synod has reported to the church a continu-
ing problem of undersupport of the regular work of the Synod,
particularly in missions and higher education; and

WHEREAS, The Council of Administrators has reeommended
that no further deficit spending be authorized and that provi-
sion be made for the retirement of the debt incurred and that
economies be instituted, and that greater effort be made for
effective communication and coordination in planning; there-
fore be it

Resolved, That the Montana District commend the Council
of Administrators for its careful study; and be it further

Resolved, That the Montana District petition the Synod in
convention to give wholehearted support to decisions made or
proposed that enable the church to function within its
resources; and be it finally

Resolved, That the Board of Directors of the Synod be
requested to prepare a bylaw that will make it impossible for
conventions of the Synod to mandate expenditures without at
the same time providing such funds in a manner other than
borrowing.

Montana District
David A. Boehnke, Secretary

4-29A
To Support a Synodical Balanced Budget

WHEREAS, District bylaws require the annual District budget to
be prepared by which expenditures are balanced with projected
income; and

WHEREAS. For the current fiscal year the Board of Directors of
Synod was compelled to prepare the synodical budget as a deficit
budget; and

WHEREAS, To prevent this procedure from recurring in future
years, new spending priorities need to be established: therefore be it

Resolved, That this convention encourage the Board of Directors
of Synod in its determination to keep synodical operations fiscally
solvent; and be it further

Resolved, That this convention memorialize the Synod in
convention to encourage the Baord of Directors of Synod to
establish spending priorities which reflect careful research and wise
planning in meeting the needs of the Synod; and be it finally

Resolved, That the cost of synodical operations be held at a level
which will make it possible to provide a balanced budget within
anticipated revenues. .

Northern Illinois District
Walter F. Fisher, Secretary

Identical or similar:

4-29B

Southeast Circuit Forum, N. Dak. District R. C. Hallman