LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2007, Page 105

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SYNOD REPORTS 105

RSO Review

It came to the attention of the Board of Directors that the Rec-
ognized Service Organization granting, monitoring, and renewal
processes needed review. There seemed to be little or no consis-
tency in the processes followed by the granting groups. This surely
was not fair to the respective RSO, nor was it what was expected
and deserved by the Synod. Among other things added to the oper-
ating policies have been:

Appropriate LCMS representation on governing boards of the RSO
Develop and maintain a common process for accurate reporting and
uniformity of forms and process

Require that each RSO-granting operating board have in place a
process that ensures that the service organization engages in activity
that is in harmony with the doctrine and practice of the Synod

Advise operating boards that their granting of RSO status be lim-
ited to their ability and resources to monitor such organizations |

Responsibility and Authority of Board

Questions regarding the authority of the Board of Directors
were raised prior to the 2004 convention resulting in changes to the
Bylaws that limited the board’s authority to carry our its responsi-
bility. Additionally, questions regarding the authority of the board
and the authority of the CCM continue to persist into the current
triennium. The board is hopeful that the convention-mandated 7-
02A Committee will offer resolution to these difficulties so that the
board and the CCM have a clear delineation of responsibility and
authority with which to carry out their roles in service to the king-
dom.

The members of the board express their thanks to the Lord of
the Church and to the Synod for the opportunity and privilege of
serving.

Robert T. Kuhn, Chairman

R7-04-01
General Services

In support of the church’s charge to share the “One Message of
Christ our Lord,” the Department of General Services is responsi-
ble for:

“developing and administering 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.”

General Services is made up of the following units:
¢ Business Services
* Facility Management
¢ Information Services
¢ Purchasing Services
¢ Travel and Meeting Planning

Most of these service units are joint operations of the four cor-
porate and trust entities housed in the LCMS International Center
buildings and are operated under the authority of the Facilities and
Services Management Board. Approximately 35 full- and part-time
employees presently work in these five areas.

Business Services contains units in General Services that sup-
port business activities of the entities housed at the International
Center, as well as district offices, congregations, Recognized Ser-
vice Organizations (RSOs), and professional church workers.

The Rosters and Statistics unit compiles and maintains the offi-
cial LCMS rosters of congregations and professional church work-
ers. Additionally, this unit maintains lists of schools,
congregational lay leaders, Recognized Service Organizations, and
LCMS high school youth. Maintaining both statistical and demo-
graphic information, all activities are done in compliance with the
requirements of the Synod Handbook. In addition to being accessi-

ble on the LCMS Web site, information is available from the Ros-
ters and Statistics database to all congregations, schools, districts,
and boards, as well as other approved organizations. Data is also
provided to Concordia Publishing House for a number of purposes,
including the publication of the Lutheran Annual. Staff interfaces
regularly with people at all levels within the LCMS in order to col-
lect and disseminate this data. The LCMS Rosters and Statistical
System (LRSS), created in 2000, is the tool used to maintain data.
Enhancements during the past three years include district office ac-
cess, automated data entry, and the ability for districts and individ-
uals to manage data via the Internet.

IC Services provides document reproduction and mail support
for the LCMS International Center organizations. The Mail Center
staff manages the internal and external mail deliveries including
interoffice, interbuilding, and deliveries to and between Synod en-
tities such as Concordia Publishing House, the LCMS Missouri
District office, Lutheran Hour Ministries, KFUO radio, and Con-
cordia Seminary. The Mail Center also handles USPS, UPS,
FedEx, DHL pickup and delivery. In addition, staff also prepares
bulk mailings, provides address labeling, folding, and inserting ser-
vices, as well as manages central supplies.

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

During the past three years, much of the shipping, copying, and
printing equipment has been upgraded, allowing better service at
significant cost savings through improved technology. A compre-
hensive cost analysis that took place in 2005-2006 showed that this
service can be offered in-house at less cost than by using an outside
provider.

IC Services also offers digital imaging service to entities at the
IC, a process that allows scanning of paper documents to CD. This
allows the storage of literally hundreds of documents on a single
disk, significantly reducing the number of files and file cabinets
previously needed while providing access to information more
readily.

Research Services provides a full range of research design and
analysis services. This staff can conduct original research including
written surveys, telephone interviews, or focus groups (in-depth in-
terviews), and secondary analysis of existing data, such as congre-
gation information collected by Rosters and Statistics or public data
collected by the U.S. Census. They also assist in survey designs
and can select samples and collect data for analysis.

Research Services publishes the LCMS Insights newsletter, a
quarterly review of recent research which focuses on important in-
sights for leaders at the congregation, district, and national level
and those who strive to assist them in ministry.

Furthermore, Research Services represents the LCMS in sev-
eral national religious studies. Drawing on more than 30 years of
experience and personal relationships with top religious research
professionals in the United States and around the world, the Re-
search Services staff seeks out information that provides answers to
critical, strategic questions for today’s congregations, as well as de-
nominations.

Facility Services provides support services within the Interna-
tional Center. The Synod’s International Center consists of two
buildings. The original building, located at 1333 S. Kirkwood
Road, Kirkwood, Missouri, houses the offices and operations of
The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, The Lutheran Church—
Missouri Synod Foundation, and Concordia Plan Services. The sec-
ond building, located at 10733 Sunset Office Drive, Sunset Hills,
Missouri, houses the offices of The Lutheran Church Extension
Fund. Additionally, the Synod is responsible for the maintenance of
the Walther Mausoleum, located on the grounds of Concordia
Cemetery in St. Louis.

2007 Convention Workbook