LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1981, Page 216

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216 RESOLUTIONS

By February 1: Teams of the Synod leaders have
visited with teams of leaders in each District and have
agreed on Synod/ District priorities and the percentage
of the District’s offerings to be given to the Synod for the
coming synodical fiscal year.

By February 15: The Districts have confirmed to the
Synod their commitment for the coming synodical
fiscal year and estimated resources available for District
and Synod ministries for the following three- and six-
year synodical planning periods.

By April 15: The Board of Directors has made
adjustments as necessary and has notified boards and
commissions of those adjustments. The Board of Direc-
tors has reported the synodical budget for the coming
fiscal year to the members of the Synod.

By May 15: The Board of Directors has responded to
any appeal a board, commission, or District may have
made questioning the priorities and allocations of funds
in the budget for the coming synodical fiscal year; and
be it finally

Resolved, That the Executive Coordinating Com-
mittee consist of three District Presidents appointed by
the Chairman of the Council of Presidents, three lay
members chosen from within the Board of Directors by
the Board of Directors, five executives from the Synod’s
major boards represented on the Synod’s Council of
Administrators appointed by the President of the
Synod, and the Synod’s President. (Total: 12 members).

Action: Adopted (10).

(The committee changed “three executives” to “five.”)

To Establish Stewardship
and Financial Support Department

RESOLUTION 12-08A

Report 2-01 (CW, pp. 47; 123—126); President’s
Report; Overtures 2-26, 12-02, 12-07, (CW, pp.
1386—139, 355, 364—365)

WHEREAS, Our bounteous Lord has provided His
people many opportunities and challenges to expand
His church, has blessed them abundantly, expects them
to use these blessings with prudent stewardship, and
has admonished them to be as wise as the world in the
administration thereof; and

WHEREAS, The current financing with regard to
missions and ministry within the LCMS, its colleges,
seminaries, and Districts has become a maze; and

WHEREAS, Our colleges and seminaries, along with
agencies within the Synod have duplicated efforts to
raise funds and generate moneys for their programs;
and

WHEREAS, “Forward in Remembrance” has indicated
that congregations and individuals want less duplica-
tion in approach for gifts; and

WHEREAS, The Board of Directors has contracted
with Community Counselling Services to conduct at the

earliest practical time an in-depth continuity and plan-
ning study in consultation with synodical and District
leaders; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod combine all stewardship
and financial support activities into a new department
to replace the present Board of Stewardship and that it
be known and recognized as the Stewardship and
Financial Support Department responsible to the Board
of Directors for the motivation and promotion of giving
of time, talents, and treasures, including normal weekly
offerings, mission education and promotion, deferred
giving, and special gifts; and be it further

Resolved, That this convention endorse the author-
ization as authorized by the Board of Directors of the
special continuity and planning study utilizing both
Community Counselling Services and appropriate synod-
ical staff, together with the District Presidents, so as to
determine the detailed structure of the department and
its programs; and be it further

Resolved, That the Board of Directors, after consulta-
tion with the Commission on Constitutional Matters
and the Council of Presidents, and with prior consulta-
tion and approval of the Presidents of the Districts
involved, shall implement such a structure, within the
parameters of the adopted Bylaws, such structure to be
responsive to the results of the aforementioned study;
and be it finally

Resolved, That the following Bylaws be adopted:

VII. RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT AND
UTILIZATION

A. STEWARDSHIP AND FINANCIAL
SUPPORT

7.01 General

a. The Board of Directors shall have the respon-
sibility for providing operating and capital funds for
carrying out the work of the Synod and to that end
provide for a Department of Stewardship and Finan-
cial Support under the board which will promote
stewardship, obtain deferred and special gifts, and
coordinate capital drives for the Synod.

7.03 Stewardship Support

In the area of stewardship support the department
shall—

a. provide input to other sections in the depart-
ment to assist them in including proper Scriptural
motivation in all special gift and deferred giving
programs;

b. provide to the Board for Parish Services advice
and materials which will cultivate congregational
members to continue to grow in living their lives as
faithful stewards of Jesus Christ, effectively carrying
out Christ’s ministry and mission collectively
through congregations and through the Synod and
its agencies as well as in their day-to-day personal
relationships;

c. provide, in consultation with Districts, mate-
rials and training events to aid Districts, pastors, and
congregations in effectively teaching the grace 0
proprotionate giving and in promoting their program
in the congregation and through the District and the
Synod.