LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1998, Page 149

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CONGREGATIONAL SERVICES 149

Wuereas, the 1995 convention passed a resolution that directed
that “all plenary and workshop speakers, preachers, and officiants
be approved by the synodical/District President,” and

WHEREAS, the District President has responsibility for supervis-
ing the rostered members in his District, and
WHEREAS, 1995 Res. 2-11B was used by the synodical Presi-
dent to approve and then disapprove an LCMS rostered pastor, Vic-
tor Belton, as a speaker for the National Youth Gathering in At-
lanta when he was under no discipline from his theological
supervisor, the President of the Florida-Georgia District, therefore
be it
Resolved, that 1995 Res. 2-11B be clarified so that all synodi-
cally rostered workshop and plenary speakers, preachers, or offi-
ciants for national gatherings be approved by their respective Dis-
trict President.
Zion
Anaheim, CA

2-80

To Amend 1995 Res. 2-11B re
National and District Youth Gatherings

WHEREAS, National and District youth gatherings are effective,
exciting opportunities to promote the development of Christian
faith in our young people as they boldly confess Jesus Christ as
their Lord and Savior; and

WHEREAS, Such gatherings promote unity of the Spirit through
the proper use of Word and Sacrament and provide opportunities
for Christian service and leadership training for youth; and

WHEREAS, The 1995 synodical convention passed a resolution
(2-11B) that directed that for only national youth gatherings “all
plenary and workshop speakers, preachers, and officiants be ap-
proved by the synodical/District President”; and

Wuereas, 1995 Res. 2-11B was used by the synodical Presi-
dent’s office to rescind approval of an LCMS rostered pastor as a
speaker for the national youth gathering in Atlanta, Ga.; and

Wuereas, The LCMS pastor is a member in good standing and
under no discipline from the District President, his ecclesiastical
supervisor; therefore be it

Resolved, That the 1995 Res. 2-11B be amended so that ap-
proval of all plenary and workshop speakers, preachers, or offi-
ciants for national youth gatherings who are members of LCMS
congregations be transferred to their respective District Presidents.

Our Father
Littleton, CO

2-81

To Increase Support of Concordia Historical Institute

WHEREAS, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod has cele-
brated a history of 150 years of God’s grace among the members of
our church body; and

WHEREAS, Concordia Historical Institute is commissioned with
the task of documenting the history of The Lutheran Church—Mis-
souri Synod and making available for research and study all mate-
rials pertinent to this history; and

WHEREAS, Concordia Historical Institute, as the Synod’s De-
partment of Archives and History, is responsible for receiving and
preserving the minutes, files, records, and reports of officers,
boards, and commissions of the Synod; and

WHEREAS, Concordia Historical Institute is required by the By-
laws of the Synod to “promote interest in the history of the
Lutheran Church in America, particularly of The Lutheran
Church—Missouri Synod” and to “stimulate historical research and
to publish its results”; and

WHEREAS, The vast majority of the materials contained at Con-
cordia Historical Institute are not arranged and described in a way

which makes their contents readily accessible to the members of
our church body; and

WHEREAS, Concordia Historical Institute does not have the
funds necessary for the staff needed to accomplish such arrange-
ment and description; and

WHEREAS, Every donation of materials made to Concordia
Historical Institute places additional financial requirements upon
Concordia Historical Institute, which must then provide for the
arrangement, storage, and preservation of these materials, thus
compounding the institute’s financial burden; and

WHEREAS, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, as a conse-
quence of its recent celebration of 150 years of God’s grace and
goodness upon the members of this Synod, wishes to recognize the
importance of preserving and proclaiming to future generations the
record of God’s wonderful acts among us; therefore be it

Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod in con-
vention encourage all of its member congregations to support the
mission and work of Concordia Historical Institute by becoming
members of the institute or by providing for the needs of the insti-
tute in their annual congregational budget; and be it further

Resolved, That the Board of Directors of The Lutheran
Church—Missouri Synod give serious consideration to these press-
ing needs of Concordia Historical Institute, which is the synodical
Department of Archives and History and seek to provide for the
staffing needs necessary for the systematic arrangement and de-
scription of the synodical Archives collections and for their con-
tinued preservation.

Board of Governors
Concordia Historical Institute

2-82

To Take Corrective Action re Inequity
in Compensation Due to Roster Status

Preamble

Through the years God has blessed our Synod through the min-
istry of our Lutheran schools. Well-trained and dedicated teachers
have made our schools one of the best outreach tools our Synod
enjoys as well as a training for our own young.

We owe a great deal of thanks to the many teachers who have
served in this ministry over the history of our church. Our church
has recognized their special contribution to the ministry of the
church by granting to those with the appropriate qualifications the
roster status of “Commissioned Minister.” This status is given to
those who have the important training to conduct their classrooms
in a way which reflects our understanding of Scripture and a proper
division of Law and Gospel.

Teachers who have this recognition are for the purposes of So-
cial Security tax considered self-employed. That means that they
must pay the full 15.3% Social Security tax on their own. Teachers
who do not have the roster status pay 7.65% and the church (or
local governing body) must also pay 7.65%. Many teachers on ros-
ter are not reimbursed for the additional tax that they must pay. The
result is that there is a financial penalty for being on the synodical
roster. Those without roster status are in reality paid more than
those with that status. This has led some to leave the roster for fi-
nancial reasons. This also becomes a financial disincentive for
nonrostered teachers to pursue synodical training through the PELT
or colloquy programs. This same type of financial inequity may
also exist with rostered workers in other institutions.

There are some that argue that there are tax advantages to being
on the roster that outweigh this tax penalty. That is only true if de-
ductions are itemized and any advantage is completely wiped out
for one when both spouses are on roster. ;

Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod ex-
presses its expectation that no synodically rostered worker should
be financially penalized for his or her roster status; and be it further