LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1998, Page 78

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78 SYNODICAL REPORTS

Agency: Congregations

Responsible Action:

* inquire, with sensitivity, into the debt level of the profes-
sional church workers within their congregation and assist
such workers in the management and resolution of any such
indebtedness

Second Issue: Inadequate Level of Financial Support Currently
Provided Retired Church Workers or Widowed
Spouses under the Synodical PPPT Program

Resolution: Identify Retired Church Workers and Widowed
Spouses That Have Financial Needs and Implement
Programs to Provide Adequate Financial Support
Agency: District Presidents

Responsible Action:

* inquire and determine the number of retired church work-
ers and widowed spouses under the PPPT program who re-
side in each District and the financial needs of such individu-
als

* provide information obtained to Worker Benefit Plans

Agency:, Worker Benefit Plans

Responsible Action:

* send letters to all retirees under PPPT advising them of pro-
grams and level of financial support available

¢ inform District Presidents of all PPPT retirees or widowed

spouses within each District and work with District Presi-

dents in the resolution of financial problems of such individ-

uals

establish a benefits flow stream of money that will be re-

quired over the ensuing years to adequately fund and provide

for the financial support of retirees or widowed spouses under

the PPPT

Agency: Board of Directors

Responsible Action:

* establish a special synodical Sunday on which date collec-
tions will be earmarked and used to assist in meeting the fi-
nancial needs of retired workers and widowed spouses under
the PPPT

authorize the necessary funds for the budget of Worker Ben-
efit Plans, supplemental to any collected through special of-
ferings or gifts, to meet the projected benefits flow stream for
future payments under the PPPT, as established by Worker
Benefit Plans

Agency: Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
Foundation
Responsible Action:

* establish and manage a special fund(s) to which contribu-
tions may be made and from which portions of the principal
and/or interest earned is used to underwrite programs estab-
lished pursuant to this report

Agency: Lutheran Church Extension Fund

Responsible Action:

* implement a program that will permit the earmarking of in-
terest income from LCEF investments into the “special” fund
established within the LCMS Foundation, as outlined above

Notes

1. It is our understanding that the retired church worker, or wid-
owed spouse, that falls within this concern is that person who
would have been under the Synod’s Pension Plan for Pastors and
Teachers (“PPPT”).

2. We are using as the definition of “professional church
worker” all rostered personnel within our Synod. Exceptions to this

definition could arise. Any such exception is to be approved by the
District President in whose District the non-rostered person is serv-
ing.

3. There are approximately 500 vacancies in which the congre-
gation is calling a new pastor. In addition, 200 congregations with
vacancies are not calling pastors at the present time.

R5-01

Board for Higher Education
Concordia University System

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... All Across the Country ...

An Educational Mission
of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod

Preface

During the past three years the Board for Higher Education fo-
cused attention on the aspects of cooperation among the campuses,
collaboration with related educational support groups, and a re-
nhewed commitment to enhancing the spiritual life of both students
and faculties on each campus. While these objectives are difficult
to measure with statistical accuracy, it is evident in the life of the
institutions that cooperation in planning, operational procedures,
and mutual support continue to characterize campus life. The ef-
fect of this cooperative spirit is evidenced by both public recogni-
tion for the LCMS system of higher education and generous finan-
cial support of the underlying activities.

The BHE/CUS Board is pleased to share with the members of
the LCMS that the once growing debt in educational operations is
now contained and the enrollment trendline of students, both
Lutheran and others, has continued to increase. All 12 campuses
reported positive fiscal balances for FY 1996~97, and church work
student enrollment increased 7.8 percent. Standards for operational
procedures have been strengthened by a revised and updated Cam-
pus Policy Manual.

More important than the numbers and measurable results is the
dedication and commitment to serve the LCMS in this special edu-
cational ministry. Preparation of church workers remains the focus
of all campuses. At the same time, extensive effort and energy is
devoted to offering a greater variety of programs within a Lutheran
context. The BHE firmly believes Lutheran education must em-
phasize the confessional principle we hold near and dear as Luther-
ans—‘we believe, teach, and confess”—as the mark of our dis-
tinctive heritage.

The notable achievements during the past three years are listed
throughout the report, generally and specifically by institution. Sig-
nificantly, it should be pointed out that there has been no other
known three-year period in the past in which the BHE could report
that it elected and installed five new campus presidents (Fort
Wayne, River Forest, Mequon, Irvine, Bronxville). Likewise, the
development and implementation of CUENet and DELTO are no-
table in this period as significant accomplishments.

It is the intent of the BHE/CUS Board to build on the present di-
rection and trends in LCMS education to achieve three specific re-
sults: (1) to strengthen the fiscal base of each institution with a sub-
stantial endowment, (2) to embrace technology as a tool to deliver
education, and (3) to enhance pastoral formation with significant
involvement in ministry contexts. The challenges remain about the
same—affordable education, cooperative spirit, student recruit-