LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1992, Page 133

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PROGRAM AND FINANCE , 133

._ To Continue
Expanding the Circle Process

RESOLUTION 4-044

Report R4-04 (CW, pp. 83-85); Overtures 4-10, 4-19,
4-21 (CW, pp. 222, 224-25) ;

Rationale:

While it is recognized that unrestricted giving of con-
gregational offerings through District and Synod has been
and continues to be an essential source of financial support
for the mission and ministry of the church, a working team
was appointed following the 1989 synodical convention
address the desire of the Synod to encourage and attempt
to realize increased financial support. The working team
shifted the emphasis from “funding the mission” to “finding
the mission.” Expanding the Circle (ETC) as a model seeks
to help individuals and congregations support the work of
the Lord in a more generous manner as they— ~

* understand the Gospel basis for mission and ministry;

+ develop a personal sense of ownership in mission and
ministry;

* remain informed, excited, and interested in them.

The ETC process seeks to bring the Word of God to more
people by enabling individuals and congregations to grow
continually in understanding the biblical teachings |on
sharing the Gospel and using His blessings. ETC frees
more people in the congregation to “own” the mission
through presentations of biblical stewardship principles,
personalization of mission support opportunities, support
of our seminaries through the designation of student aid,
and stronger ties to our ministries of outreach and service.
It uses better and more frequent communication to unite
donor and receiver, so that together they can better serve
the Lord as He expanda the number of those within the
circle of His grace. , :

ETC was initially intended as a pilot program and,,
though working in a compressed time frame, was able to
reach a test group of congregations and Districts. Their
participation was expressed in a positive reaction and a
feeling of true ownership and involvement. ETC was not
meant to be a stewardship effort but, in its form, does
reflect, in congregational terms, the personalized firstfruit-
Giving concept supported by past conventions. The pilot
program, in a learning process, was able to incorporate
recommendations and changes which resulted from con-
gregational and District input. The continual evolvement
of the ETC model requires more time to crystallize into its

final form, so that it may benefit the total mission in min- _

istry effort of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod.
Resolved, That the ETC working team be directed|to
continue development of this model and the pilot test into
the next triennium; and be it further
Resolved, That we encourage the voluntary participa-
tion of more Districts and congregations; and be it finally
Resolved, That a report on research findings, model de-
velopment, and congregational implementation be pre-
sented to the 1995 convention.

Action: Adopted (10).

To Levy Districts for Convention
Expenses of Required Attendees

; RESOLUTION 4-05
Overture 4-24 (CW, p. 227)

Rationale: .
In the past, the convention budget costs of District Pres-
_idents and the synodical Board of Directors have been in-
cluded in the unrestricted budget of the Synod. Questions
‘have continued to arise as to whether this is appropriate
‘in view of the required attendance of District Presidents
; and synodical Board of Directors members. Bylaw 3.35 pro-
vides for assessing Districts for the operating costs of the
synodical convention which excludes from the assessment
, the expenses of synodical officials and District Presidenta.
_ Since the Bylaws (3.13) require the attendance of the syn-
‘odical Praesidium, Secretary, Treasurer, the Board of Di-
‘rectors, and all District Presidents, it would seem they
should be included in the assessment,

:_ Resolved, That the convention expenses of the synodical
_Praesidium, Secretary, Treasurer, the Board of Directors,
and all District Presidents be included in the operating
|cost of the synodical convention, and as such be part of the
,District levy as provided for in Bylaw 3.35.

1

| Action: Adopted (3).

' To Affirm Board of Directors’ Release
. of Financial Disclosure

; __ RESOLUTION 4-06A

Overtures 4-33 (CW, pp. 224, 229-30)

i

WHEREAS, The right to request financial and/or oper-
ating information of the Synod belongs to all the members
sof the Synod; and

WHEREAS, It has been a longstanding policy of our
synodical Board of Directors to provide financial disclo-
‘sures to members of the Synod upon request; and
| Wuereas, Such practice and policy demonstrates the
integrity of the Synod; therefore be it

Resolved, That the policy of the synodical Board of Di-
rectors continue to be
; 1. that it honor all requests for audited financial
‘statements; - :

, 2. that it honor all requests for officer salaries an
other salary scales (Res. 4-07A, 1989 Proceedings);

3. that it honor all requests for the Program Budget
Summary, using discretion in releasing budget detail;

4. that it refrain from releasing information concerning
payments made to specific vendors, individuals, or where
prohibited by legal action or advice of counsel; and be it
further

Resolved, That requests ordinarily be made in writing
through members of the Synod.

Action: Adopted (12).

(An amendment to add a point 5 stating, “That publi-
cation of all major audited statements such as balance