LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2004, Page 107

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SYNODICAL REPORTS 107

at a reduced cost. Upon investigation it was determined that con-
tinued occupancy of the IC provided the best economic result, even
when compared to less-desirable office space.

Utilization of the Synod’s Assets

The Board continues to review how effectively and economi-
cally the Synod’s assets are being used in furtherance of our mis-
sions and ministries. As part of this review, the Board is evaluating
whether certain assets should be converted to liquid assets (cash
and cash requirements). This project is ongoing.

Communications

Some members of the church body have expressed concerns
and questioned the Board’s motives in making certain decisions.
The Board is sensitive to these concerns and has attempted to com-
municate with the church body in a straightforward manner. These
communication tools are being used by the Board:

LCMS Board Web Site
Board E-News

Board Briefs

Statements to the Church

The Board understands the importance of ongoing communica-
tions with the church body. ,

Partnering Activities

The Board recognizes the need of walking together with Synod-
wide corporate entities, boards, and commissions in fulfilling its re-
sponsibilities. To ensure that the Board is collegial in its dealings with
others and is adequately informed about the various initiatives and op-
portunities of the Synod, it meets regularly with boards, commissions,
and executive directors. For example, in order to better understand the
challenges facing our seminaries, universities, and colleges, the Board
met with the Board for Higher Education/Concordia University Sys-
tem (BHE/CUS) on two different occasions. Also in analyzing some
opinions issued by the Commission on Constitutional Matters (CCM),
the Board or some of its members met with the CCM twice. Recently
the Board met with the Council of Presidents to discuss funding and
legal matters.

Property Matters

The Board has been monitoring on a continuing basis compli-
ance with policies on property matters by the agencies of the
Synod. Specifically, compliance reviews are being performed of
their governing documents and/or the instruments of ownership.
Changes are being recommended and made in order to obtain com-
pliance with the policies.

BHE/CUS

The national Synod has guaranteed the financial performance of
Concordia University, Irvine, (Irvine) and Concordia University,
River Forest, (CURF) in connection with $53,000,000 of tax-exempt
bond issues. These guarantees have enabled Irvine and CURF to re-
duce their annual interest costs by approximately $2,000,000.

Also during this triennium the national Synod has deposited
$6,000,000 into a risk-endowment fund for the benefit of those col-
leges or universities facing unusual financial challenges. In the current
fiscal year $1,850,000 was distributed from the fund to CURF.

Further, in the past two fiscal years it was necessary for the
national Synod to represent to the external auditors that it would
continue to fund the risk-endowment fund and provide a cash sub-
sidy to BHE/CUS. If the representations were not made, those
schools would have received qualified audit opinions.

Conclusion

The Board wishes to express its thanks to The Lutheran Church—
Missouri Synod, its many entities, and all of its people for the privi-
lege of serving the Lord, His church, and the LCMS.

Robert T. Kuhn, Chairman

R7-04-01
General Services

General Services is charged with “developing and administer-
ing building, office, information, and electronic support services
to the entities of the LCMS International Center properties and
other corporate organizations of the church in their support of the
LCMS mission and ministry objectives.”

In October 2001, a number of LCMS service units were con-
solidated into General Services: The Church Information Center,
Electronic Media, and Planning and Research. At the same time,
General Services was reorganized into five operational units: Busi-
ness Services, Facility Services, Information Services, Purchasing
Services, and Travel and Meeting Planning. Most of these service
units are joint operations of the four corporate and trust entities
housed in the LCMS International Center buildings, and are oper-
ated under the authority of the Facilities and Services Management
Board.

Business Services combines units in General Services that sup-
port the IC organizations’ business activities.

The Rosters and Statistics unit maintains the rosters of LCMS
professional church workers and congregational lay leaders, as well
as a list of LCMS high school youth. It also maintains demographic
and statistical information on LCMS congregations and schools.
All activities are done in compliance with the requirements of the
Synod Handbook. Information is available from the Rosters and
Statistics database to all congregations, schools, Districts, and
boards as well as other approved organizations. Data is also pro-
vided to Concordia Publishing House for a number of purposes, in-
cluding its production of the Lutheran Annual. The staff of
Rosters and Statistics interfaces regularly with people at all
levels within the LCMS in order to collect and disseminate this
data. The LCMS Rosters Statistical System (LRSS), created in
2000, is the tool used to maintain data. Enhancements during the
past three years include District office access, automated data entry,
and the ability for Districts and individuals to submit data via the
Internet. Scheduled for 2004 is a test of the Web update feature,
which will allow church workers to maintain certain information
electronically.

IC Services provides mail and document reproduction support
for the LCMS International Center organizations. The Mail Center
staff manages the internal and external mail deliveries, including
those between offices, buildings, and Synod entities such as Con-
cordia Publishing House, the Missouri District office; Lutheran
Hour Ministries, and Concordia Seminary. The Mail Center also
handles USPS, UPS, FedEx, and DHL pick up and delivery. In ad-
dition, staff also prepares bulk mailings, provides address labeling,
manages central supplies, and makes package deliveries throughout
the day.

The Copy Center provides a suite of services, including print-
ing, digital imaging, color-network printing, and other print-finish-
ing services (folding, 3-hole punching, stapling, binding, etc.).

During the past three years, the Synod’s microfilming operation
has been replaced by digital imaging equipment. This new process
facilitates the creation of compact discs (CDs), each conceivably
containing hundreds of documents. This system has allowed us to
significantly reduce the number of files and file cabinets while pro-
viding access to information more readily.

2004 Convention Workbook