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LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2019, Page 478

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

478

FLOOR COMMITTEE REPORTS AND OVERTURES ASSIGNMENTS
Ov. 8-02

8. Finance
REPORTS
R1, R1.1, R1.2, R4, R4.1–2, R6–6.2, R14, R16,
R16.1–8, R18, R19, R20, R62, R66
OVERTURES
Ov. 8-01

To Encourage the Synod to Establish a Synod-wide
1.1.1 Funding Model for Specifically Designated
Mission Endeavors
WHEREAS, Resolution 2-02 adopted at the 2018 District
Convention of the English District of The Lutheran Church—
Missouri Synod (LCMS) established a funding model for missions
whereby congregations gather significant gifts above and beyond
regular offerings to be used for specifically designated mission
endeavors (namely, the $1 per member per week initiative, hereafter
“1.1.1”); and
WHEREAS, Many congregations of the English District are
participating in this simple model, showing there is power and
strength in many giving a little as these congregations raise
significant extra funds for missions; and
WHEREAS, More than $50 million could be raised annually if half
of the Synod baptized members would participate in a 1.1.1 funding
model; and
WHEREAS, The church is the beautiful Body of Christ that desires
more missions to be started, more missionaries to be sent, more
pastors and teachers to be trained, more people to be baptized, to
hear of Jesus and be saved; and
WHEREAS, Corporate mission funding by member congregations
has been a hallmark of the LCMS since its founding, as seen in the
original Synod Constitution, Article I, “Reasons for Forming a
Synodical Organization”: “6. The unified spread of the kingdom of
God and to make possible the promotion of special church projects.
(Seminary, agenda, hymnal, Book of Concord, schoolbooks, Bible
distribution, mission projects within and outside the Church.)” (tr.
Suelflow, Concordia Historical Institute Quarterly 16, no. 1 [Apr
1943]: 1–18); therefore be it
Resolved, That the Synod adopt and promote the 1.1.1 mission
funding model as a way for its congregations to raise funds for
specifically designated mission endeavors; and be it further
Resolved, That the Council of Presidents set before the Synod
the specific designated mission goals that all congregations can see
and help achieve through their extra designated funds raised via the
1.1.1 mission funding model; and be it finally
Resolved, That the members of the Synod dream big and joyfully
work together to fulfill a purpose for which the Synod was
originally formed.
Prince of Peace, Menomonee Falls, WI;
Board of Directors, English District;
Circuit 16 (Milwaukee), English District

2019 Convention Workbook

To Plan Wisely for the Future Use of Our Earthly
Resources, Trusting in the Lord (Jeremiah 29:11)
WHEREAS, As we enter a post-Christian culture in the United
States, every district of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
(LCMS) has witnessed a decline in its membership; and
WHEREAS, Most individual congregations, districts, and our
Synod itself, along with other entities of our Synod, are facing
significant challenges to their ability to continue their present work
with fewer people and reduced financial resources; and
WHEREAS, For our Synod to assist its local congregations in the
continued proclamation of the Gospel in its truth and purity and
right administration of the Sacraments, our Synod must prioritize
its primary purposes and duties, as set forth in its first constitution
(1847):
1.
2.

3.
4.
5.
6.

The example of the apostolic Church (Acts 15:1–31).
The preservation and furthering of the unity of pure
confession (Eph. 4:3–6; 1 Cor. 1:10) and to provide common
defense against separatism and sectarianism (Rom. 16:17).
Protection and preservation of the rights, and duties of
pastors and congregations.
The establishment of the largest possible conformity in
church government.
The will of the Lord that the diversities of gifts be used for
the common good (1 Cor. 12:4–31).
The unified spread of the kingdom of God and to make
possible the promotion of special church projects (seminary,
agenda, hymnal, Book of Concord, schoolbooks, Bible
distribution, mission projects within and outside the Church);
and

WHEREAS, To assist in evaluating the Synod’s existing programs,
properties, and structures, it would be helpful to obtain
recommendations from those with expertise in such matters who are
not currently employed by the Synod or any of its agencies;
therefore be it
Resolved, That the Board of Directors (BOD) of the Synod
engage experts who are not currently employed by the Synod or any
of its agencies, to conduct an independent third-party review of the
property, programs, duties, operations, and staffing of the LCMS,
including its Synod corporate entities, Synod trust entities, districts,
Concordia University System (CUS), and auxiliary organizations of
the Synod; and be it further
Resolved, That such a review consider the reasons for forming a
synodical organization (listed above) as set forth in the first
constitution of the LCMS for prioritization of tasks and duties of an
Evangelical Lutheran Synod in making its recommendations; and
be it further
Resolved, That such a review and recommendations be
completed and submitted to the Synod BOD by October 31, 2020,
and made available electronically to all members of the Synod; and
be it further
Resolved, That such a review and recommendations be used by
the BOD to recommend a strategic plan for the LCMS, including its
Synod corporate entities, Synod trust entities, districts, CUS, and
auxiliary organizations of the Synod, to streamline programs,
duties, and staffing of the same, and optimize use of property, for
the benefit of all congregations of Synod, taking into account
financial and demographic resources and realities, and making
recommendations for any resolutions of the Synod in convention