LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1998, Page 199

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4. PROGRAM AND FINANCE

4-01

To Adopt Biblical Stewardship Principles

WHEREAS, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod in its 1995
convention (Res. 4-07A) resolved that the Department of Steward-
ship articulate the biblical principles of stewardship which should
guide all of our stewardship and appeal efforts, and disseminate
these to all synodical entities, agencies, and auxiliaries prior to the
1998 convention; and

Wuereas, The Synod in convention resolved that the Synod’s
entities, agencies, and auxiliaries approach any solicitation on the
basis of these biblical principles of financial stewardship, instead of
a worldly, legalistic approach; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod in convention adopt the draft of bib-
lical stewardship principles articulated by the Department of Stew-
ardship of the Board for Congregational Services with consider-
able input from rostered workers and representatives of the
congregations, entities, agencies, and auxiliaries of the Synod as
found in the 1998 Convention Workbook; and be it further

Resolved, That the Synod in convention encourage all members
of congregations, entities, agencies, and auxiliaries to study care-
fully these articulated biblical stewardship principles and use them
as guidelines for all stewardship education and fund-raising activi-
ties.

Board for Congregational Services

4-02

To Reevaluate Process for Extending Loans
to Mission Congregations

Wuereas, We thank our gracious God, Father, Son, and Holy
Spirit, for the Lutheran Church Extension Fund; and

WHEREAS, We thank God for the resources He has provided
through the Lutheran Church Extension Fund in the past to support
the mission of the church to reach out with the Gospel to all people;
and

WHEREAS, One of the stated goals of the Lutheran Church Ex-
tension Fund is to further the Great Commission and to promote
the starting of new missions; and

WHEREAS, It has become increasingly difficult and burdensome
for new missions to utilize the resources of the Lutheran Church
Extension Fund; and

WHEREAS, In many instances congregations have found it would
be easier and less expensive to deal with local banks, despite the
stated purpose of the Lutheran Church Extension Fund; therefore
be it

Resolved, That there be a reevaluation of the implementation of
the mission of the Lutheran Church Extension Fund; and be it fur-
ther

Resolved, That there be a total reevaluation of the process for
extending loans to mission congregations that would lead to a less
cumbersome and less expensive application with the construction
loan process that is more in keeping with the stated mission of the
Lutheran Church Extension Fund to provide opportunity to make
funds and services available in support of the Great Commission;
and be it finally

Resolved, That this reevaluation be provided to the Board of Di-
rectors of the Synod for their approval and implementation.

Holy Trinity, Yonkers, NY; Peace, Galloway Township,
NJ; St. John, Emporia, VA; Redeemer, Lakehurst, NJ

4-03

To Encourage Open Communication
between LCMS Foundation and Districts of Synod
WHEREAS, There are some Districts where the LCMS Founda-

tion is locating gift-planning counselors without the partnership of
the District; and

199

WHEREAS, There are instances where reports on the activities of
the planned-giving counselor are not being shared with the Dis-
tricts: and

WHEREAS, It is necessary, for the work of the Kingdom and the
spread of the Gospel that cooperation and open communication be-
tween parties within the church be evident; therefore be it

Resolved, That the LCMS Foundation be required to submit de-
tailed quarterly reports to the Districts on the activities of the
planned-giving counselors and make every effort to keep channels
of communication open with the Districts.

Iowa District East
Board of Directors

4-04

To Encourage Disclosure of Synodical Compensation

WHEREAS, The LCMS, being a church of Christ, should never
place anything in darkness but keep everything in light; and

WHEREAS, The proper sustenance of pastors and officials of the
LCMS is mandated by Scripture and the Confessions; and

WHEREAS, The wages of pastors are made public regularly for
congregational, District, and synodical review: and

WHEREAS, The wages of District and synodical officials are
treated differently and generally kept private and those who receive
such information are admonished, “Do not publish”; therefore be it

Resolved, That annually all District and synodical compensa-
tion be itemized and mailed to all churches and pastors within the
LCMS by Jan. 31 of the salaried year.

Bethany
Fort Wayne, IN

4-05

To Make Better Use of LCMS Foundation Funds

WHEREAS, The last day of human history is rapidly drawing
closer; and

Wuereas, The LCMS Foundation is drawing interest on $700+
million in designated and nondesignated funds (over $100,000 a
day interest?); and

WHEREAS, Young pastors and teachers and their wives may well
be spending the last days of this age neglecting their families while
both work outside the home to repay education loans; and

WHEREAS, Mission fields and boards and committees of our
Synod are cutting back staff and projects for no other reason than
shortage of funds; therefore be it

Resolved, That the LCMS Foundation Board of Directors be in-
structed

1. to spend all future nondesignated interest toward making ed-
ucation for bona fide future pastors and teachers free to the stu-
dents;

2. to work with LCMS schools of higher education to pay off
loans of former students in response to years of service to the
church; and

3. to encourage the managers of designated funds held by the
Foundation to do the same; and be it further

Resolved, That donors be informed that future gifts to the Foun-
dation will be spent in toto/in seven years financing plans proposed
by mission fields, boards and committees of Synod after these have
been accepted by Foundation and Synod’s Boards of Directors.

St. Paul
Stover, MO