LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 2004, Page 136

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136

RESOLUTIONS

To Direct Establishment of Reversionary
Interests on College, University,
and Seminary Properties
RESOLUTION 4-04
Overture 4-35 (CW, p. 217)
WHEREAS, The Synod owns the properties of all agencies
of the Synod, including its institutions of higher education,
regardless of how such properties are titled (Bylaw 3.51 i);
and
WHEREAS, The Board of Directors of the Synod, acting
pursuant to its authority over property matters, has reviewed the titles to the properties of the institutions of
higher education and has determined that such properties
are in some cases held in the name of the institution of
higher education, in some cases in the name of the institution of higher education subject to a reversionary interest
in the Synod, and in some cases held in the name of the
Synod, and thereupon resolved in 1998 that all properties
of the institutions of higher education shall be titled in the
name of each institution subject to a reversionary interest
in the Synod; and
WHEREAS, Several of the Synod’s educational institutions
have not executed deeds and other legal documentation
necessary to the establishment of reversionary interests to
their properties in favor of the Synod; therefore be it
Resolved, That each institution of higher education of
the Synod shall hold title to properties presently owned or
at any time hereafter acquired by it subject to a reversionary interest or possibility of a reverter in favor of the Synod
in such form and stating such conditions as shall be established by the Board of Directors of the Synod except as provided by such Board; and be it further
Resolved, That the Board of Regents and officers of each
institution of higher education of the Synod shall, and are
hereby directed to, take all actions and execute all deeds, resolutions, statements, and legal documents necessary to carry
out the terms of this resolution where permitted by law.
Action: Adopted (10)
(When the committee introduced the resolution it added the
words where permitted by law at the end of the final resolve. After
discussion, the resolution was adopted as presented [Yes: 748; No:
352].)

To Establish Houston as Site
of 2007 Convention
RESOLUTION 4-06
Overture L4-44 (TB, p. 33)
WHEREAS, The Board of Directors of the Texas District
has submitted an invitation to hold the 2007 convention of
the Synod in Houston, Texas. Documentation has been provided by the Synod’s Director of Travel and Meeting Planning to support this invitation; and
WHEREAS, Major cost-saving considerations include (1)
complimentary convention center rental and (2) complimentary transportation from the one hotel located 10
blocks from the convention center (Hyatt). The other hotel
(Hilton) is attached to the convention center; and
2004 Convention Proceedings

WHEREAS, Other factors supporting acceptance of the invitation include the following:
• Availability of volunteer staff from the St. Louis area has
diminished after four straight conventions and the 1997
Great Commission Convocation.
• Houston hotel room rates (compared to the seven St.
Louis hotels being used for the 2004 convention) are less
expensive by a minimum of $25 per room per night, resulting in a savings of approximately $192,500.
• Houston is served by two major airports, hubs for Southwest and Continental Airlines, while St. Louis has experienced a significant decline in flights availability.
• While Houston is eager to attract the LCMS convention,
St. Louis has been reluctant to offer a proposal after four
years of requests.
• Texas is a Right to Work state, which will allow the Synod
to use its own personnel to unload and set up—a major
cost-saving factor; and
WHEREAS, In response to the invitation received from the
Board of Directors of the Texas District and upon consideration of site information received from the Synod’s Director of Travel and Meeting Planning, the LCMS Board of Directors recommended the following action to the 2004
convention; therefore be it
Resolved, That the 2007 convention of The Lutheran
Church—Missouri Synod be held in Houston, Texas.
Action: Adopted (10)
(The resolution was introduced by the President of the Texas
District, a member of the committee. After additional financial
information was provided by the Vice-President−Finance—Treasurer of the Synod and debate was ended, the resolution was
adopted [Yes: 996; No: 137].)

To Establish Blue Ribbon Task Force
for Funding the Mission
RESOLUTION 4-07
Overtures 4-01-08 (CW, pp. 207–209)
WHEREAS, A major purpose for having a synodical union
is to fulfill our Lord’s desire for utilizing the diversity of our
many gifts for the common good and the development of
His kingdom (1 Cor. 12); and
WHEREAS, Many financial gifts are being received and
given by our congregational members in diverse ways for
the implementation, support, and maintenance of our various agreed-upon ministries and programs; and
WHEREAS, The basic funding pattern for the mission and
ministry of the Synod has continually evolved over our 157year history; and
WHEREAS, Our Synod’s funding pattern during the past
30 years has gradually changed from a mostly unified-budget model to a mostly designated-giving model; and
WHEREAS, These changes in funding trends and sources
are forcing the Synod at the national and District levels to
rethink its funding systems; and
WHEREAS, An effective funding system needs to (1) evaluate and identify necessary costs associated with Synod’s
common-good activities, (2) value input from congregations
and Districts for prioritizing areas of mission and ministry,