LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1983, Page 177

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ADMINISTRATION AND PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION 177

WHEREAS, LCMS representatives made promises concern-
ing the treatment of FIR funds; and

WHEREAS, Our congregational representatives made prom-
ises, trusting in the promises LCMS representatives made to
them concerning FIR; and .

WHEREAS, The presentations made concerning the use of
FIR funds included the earning of interest on undispersed
funds; and

WHEREAS, Reports have circulated concerning interest-free
loans made from FIR funds to assist the LCMS in covering a
budget deficit; and

WHEREAS, Questions have been raised concerning the actual
use of FIR funds in contravention to the promises made to
donors; and

WHEREAS, Inquiries to the LCMS concerning these questions
have not been answered; and

WHEREAS, The FIR fund drive involved donors in a
“contractual” agreement; and

WHEREAS, Any use of FIR funds outside their promised use
(which in FIR terms is a “contract”) constitutes a breach of
promise; and

WHEREAS, The Scriptures are very clear concerning the
importance of God’s people keeping their promises (Ps. 15:4;
Matt. 5:37; etc.); therefore be it

Resolved, That the LCMS policy concerning FIR funds be
restated and reaffirmed: to maintain the integrity of FIR funds,
keeping them strictly separate from other LCMS funds; and be
it further

Resolved, That the LCMS office responsible for FIR make
openly available a detailed accounting of FIR funds, to enable
donors to verify that the promises made to them are being kept;
and be it finally

Resolved, That any interest-free loans made by FIR funds to
the LCMS or any other body be converted immediately and
retroactively to notes paying commercial interest rates.

St. John’s Lutheran Church
McCook Nebr.
Harold Esch, President

4-39A

To Declare Seven-Year Moratorium
on Special Fundraising Drives

WHEREAS, Scripture emphasizes an ongoing financial
stewardship in which, motivated by the Gospel, we are to give
regularly our firstfruits and a liberal percentage of our income
to God throughout life; and

WHEREAS, Frequent fundraising drives erode the very
concept of firstfruit and percentage giving by competing with
and undercutting special drives conducted by our church’s
educational institutions and church-related charities, since the
same members are asked to give to them, and by draining the

- local church’s income; and

WHEREAS, We recognize there may be exceptional and
critical needs that necessitate an occasional fundraising drive
to give over and above the percentage of our income we pledge
to God, and we are completing this year Forward in Remem-
brance fundraising drive, which raised the largest amount of
money of any such drive in history; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod call for a seven-year moratorium
on any major special fundraising drive like Forward in
Remembrance, and that between now and 1991 our Steward-
ship Department concentrate on producing and distributing
programs and materials that instruct and inspire its members
to practice a Scriptural total and ongoing stewardship (Gospel
motivated, regular percentage, and firstfruit giving of time,
treasures, and talents).

Grace Lutheran Church
Storm Lake, Iowa

Dean Brock, Chairman
Lionel O. Shamser, Pastor

Identical or similar:

4-39B to 4-39E
St. John’s, Storm Lake, Iowa

Immanuel, Odebolt, Iowa
St. Paul, Carroll. lowa

Zion, Atlantic, lowa

Harvey Hendrickson
Car] R. Gausman
Donald G. Wuertz

Edwin R. Jensen

4-40

To Place Ten-Year Ban
on Fundraising Drives

WHEREAS, The Holy Scriptures everywhere emphasize that
we are to be motivated by the Gospel to give regularly our
firstfruits and a liberal percentage of our income to God
through our whole life, in other words, a stewardship that is
regular and steady; and

WHEREAS, Fundraising drives, by tneir very nature, militate
against the concept of a steady and regular stewardship
commitment of firstfruits and percentage giving, which is
Scripture’s pattern for us; and

WHEREAS, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod made a
promise to its membership in the phenomenally successful
Forward in Remembrance fundraising drive, that this was to
be an EXTRAORDINARY effort, not soon to be repeated, and
integrity demands that we make every effort to keep that
promise; and

WHEREAS, The Synod's regular budgetary requirements
have soared and need to be met in a steady and regular way
and not in extra and emergency efforts: therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod place a ban on any major special
fundraising drives, such as Forward in Remembrance, for a
period of 10 years; and be it further

Resolved, That the Synod adopt and implement a special
Synodwide education and stewardship program to reeducate
our people in purposes of our Synod (our determination to walk
and work together to do our Lord's work in this world). and to

enlist their active and regular support of these purposes in our

Synod.
Peace Lutheran Congregation
Des Moines, Lowa
Ronald Dolman. Chairman
Robert V. Jorgenson, Secretary:
Victor O. Hover, Pastor
4-41A °°

To Decline Major Funding Campaign
at This Time

WHEREAS, When Forward in Remembrance was undertaken,
we covenanted with our people that it was to be an “‘extraordi-
nary” appeal; and

WHEREAS, God enormously blessed that appeal with an
outpouring of more than $75 million in gifts; and

WHEREAS, It appears that our credibility is at stake when
“extraordinary” assumes the meaning of “ordinary,” thus
confusing the meaning of words and intentions; and

WHEREAS, Our emphasis on the teaching of Biblical steward-
ship is jeopardized by the plethora of special fund drives;
therefore be it

Resolved, That the LCMS not pursue any new major
funding campaign at this time; and be it finally

Resolved, That the synodical Department of Stewardship

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