Collection › LCMS Convention Workbook (St. Louis, Missouri) › 1969 · 48th Convention › Page 478
LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1969, Page 478

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

STEWARDSHIP AND FINANCES; RETIREMENT AND BENEFITS 165

To summarize, Synod's program through the Districts
is barely holding its own, while the wider synodical
program is rapidly moving in reverse. This continuing
downward trend handicaps the Synod in its total pro-
gram both at home and abroad.

The congregations of the Synod. through their rep-
resentatives, set the Synod’s annual budgets and by
their membership in the Synod voluntarily pledge them-
selves to adequately support the programs they origi-
nate. Many program requests are cut out or revised
downward at the conventions of the Synod when the
voting representatives of the congregations set the bien-
nial program of the Synod. After this the Board of
Directors of the Synod recommends additional cuts
where needed in the light of expected income. Again
when the annual Budget Review Commission meets, the
voting representatives of all synodical Districts. and the
Board of Directors of the Synod, thoroughly screen
budgetary requests before the annual budget is set. In
view of the fact that for 4 successive years, 1964—-67, the
program of the Synod stood still, is it possible that there
comes a time when the program can no longer be
cut back without irreparably damaging the worldwide
thrust of the church’s mission?

During the past 2 years special churchwide appeals
have supplemented the budget income of the Synod.
In 1967 there was the special appeal for the spiritual
services rendered to our members serving in the armed
forces of our country. In 1968 there were two special
appeals — one for our members serving in the armed
forces and another to undergird an undersubscribed
synodical budget. To fully underwrite the Synod’s
minimum 1969 program the Synod’s Fiscal Review Com-
mission found it necessary again to recommend a synod-
wide special offering for our members serving in the
armed forces and to increase budget income. Some
$2,150,000 is needed above the amounts pledged by our
congregations through their Districts.

Such are the fiscal facts of life causing tensions to
build up among the various levels of the synodical orga-
nization and the congregations. The solution must be
found in new and creative ways of building and setting
budgets, as well as new methods of challenging the
church to creative action. A growing number of con-
gregations need understanding and counsel and indi-
vidual help to see how they can become more effective
in their corporate mission and ministry. District stew-
ardship leaders met in May 1968 to find ways of en-
couraging higher goals and commitments among under-
challenged congregations. Suggested plans and pro-
cedures for congregation follow-through were discussed
and adopted by these leaders and are now being ac-
tivated in several Districts, enabling District steward-
ship leaders to engage in systematic programs of help
to these congregations.

Thanks
Your board realizes that its prime objective, the

greater dedication of our people to the Lord Jesus
Christ and His cause, is far from full realization. How-

ever, distinct progress in areas of the total stewardship
life gives evidence that the Lord of the church is bless-
ing the endeavors of both board and staff. We have
new hope and courage as we look to the future. We
are especially grateful for the excellent leadership which
Dr. John E. Herrmann has provided the church in the
area of stewardship during these past 19 years. His
own joyful commitment to Christ and loyalty to the
Synod has exemplified for the entire church the kind
of dedication needed to successfully face the challenge
Christ places before His people. We thank God that
He has so wonderfully used Dr. Herrmann to bless our
Synod. Retired since Jan. 1. 1969, as head of the de-
partment, we pray God's blessing upon his writing as-
signment as he addresses himself to this important con-
tribution to the church and the Department of Steward-
ship.

The board and staff are grateful to the members of
the Synod for their full confidence and cooperation. We
take this opportunity to thank the President of the
Synod, the Board of Directors of the Synod, the Execu-
tive Director of the Synod, all of our District presidents,
and the circuit counselors of the Synod for the many
and kind considerations extended to us. A special word
cf thanks also goes to the District stewardship leaders
for their selfless cooperation. their valuable counsel,
and the services they rendered to us and our people
throughout the Synod.

Conclusion

Full-orbed and well-developed synodical steward-
ship is vital to God's gracious purposes through the
church in mission. Today we in our Synod need a
greater commitment to living out our high privilege as
stewards of the Gospel. Someone recently stated that
“mission without stewardship is helpless. and steward-
ship without mission is hopeless.” The goal we all must
seek is to combine the mission of the church and Chris-
tian stewardship in such a way that God's gifts to His
people are used in the most effective way possible to
achieve God’s redemptive purposes for a dying world.

We deeply regret that too many within our circles
still equate Christian stewardship exclusively with rais-
ing funds and fiscal procedures. They are convinced
that whatever else is attached is only “window dress-
ing.” Raising funds and fiscal responsibility is indeed a
very important part of Christian stewardship. However,
first emphasis must always be on our stewardship of
the Gospel — on becoming better stewards of the mani-
fold grace of God in Christ. This is evident in the objec-
tives of the total stewardship task adopted by the Synod,
namely

1. greater commitment of our members to Jesus
Christ and the cause of His kingdom:

2. growing appreciation of the privileges and re-
sponsibilities of membership in a Christian congregation:

3. enlisting and equipping all of our people for their
God-given work of service;