LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2007, Page 195

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PROGRAM AND FINANCE 195

the Synod, Recognized Service Organizations, or other Synod enti-
ties to give monies directly to the Synod or a district of the Synod.

St. Paul
Brookfield, IL

4-11

To Decline the “Fee-for-Service” Task Force
Recommendation

WHEREAS, The Holy Scriptures clearly indicate that the full
manifestation of the Church is found wherever the Word of God is
taught in all its truth and purity and where the Sacraments are ad-
ministered in accord with Christ’s institution; and

WHEREAS, Synods are man-made structures that are voluntary
associations of congregations holding in common doctrine and its
practice; and

WHEREAS, The Constitution of The Lutheran Church—Missouri
Synod recognizes this supportive and advisory relationship be-
tween Synod and the congregations of the Synod when it says:

1. In relation to its members the Synod is not an ecclesiastical gov-
emment exercising legislative or coercive powers, and with respect to
the individual congregation’s right of self-government it is but an advi-
sory body. Accordingly, no resolution of the Synod imposing anything
upon the individual congregation is of binding force if it is not in ac-
cordance with the Word of God or if it appears to be inexpedient as far
as the condition of a congregation is concerned.

2. Membership of a congregation in the Synod gives the Synod no
equity in the property of the congregation (Art. VII);

and

WHEREAS, The congregations of the Synod include their finan-
cial resources as their property; and

WHEREAS, The Task Force for “Funding the Mission” (TFFM)
has proposed
If a congregation refuses to meet its reasonable obligation then it
should be subject to a ‘fee for services’ expectation for the many ser-
vices it is receiving and yet not acknowledging with some degree of re-
sponsible fiscal support. (TFFM, p. 21);
and

WHEREAS, The term “reasonable obligation” is vague, unde-
fined, and easily swayed by subjective judgment; and

WuereaS, Our Synod’s first President, Rev. Dr. C. F. W.
Walther has rightly said:

In its self-government the congregation is free to do anything that it
can to defend before God, and the Synod has no say in the matter. But
[the Synod} has the duty to give advice when asked. Therefore the
Synod can establish no rules, no ceremonies, nor any kind of regula-
tions; it cannot impose taxes, not even a penny. If our Synod would ever
say, ‘Every congregation must contribute one cent every year,’ then the
congregations should say, ‘Not even [half a cent]. You must beg; yes,
we’ll gladly give to a beggar, but if you try to give us orders, our friend-
ship is over. Because—whether much or little if we have conceded you
a penny this year, you can demand a dollar next year, and even more in
two years; for we would have then given you the right, the power, to
tell us what to do (“Duties of an Evangelical Lutheran Synod,” Essays
for the Church, vol. 2 [St. Louis: CPH, 1992], p. 1);

therefore be it

Resolved, That the 2007 Synod in convention respectfully de-
cline the “fee for services” recommendation of the TFFM (Recom-
mendation #11: Improved Congregational Support; July 2006).

North Kansas City Circuit 11
Missouri District

4-12

To Make Professional Church Worker
Education Funding a Top Priority

WHEREAS, St. Paul, inspired by the Holy Spirit writes: “But how
are they to call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how
are they to believe in Him of whom they have never heard? And

how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are
they to preach unless they are sent?” (Rom. 10:14-15); and

WHEREAS, One of the primary reasons for the forming of The
Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod was for the orderly training of
pastors and teachers for the common good, (Art. III 3, 5); and

WHEREAS, During the last 20 years, funding from the Synod for
our seminaries and teacher education universities has dramatically
dropped; and

WHEREAS, The need to train new and additional workers for the
Lord’s harvest is needed now more than ever; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Northern Illinois District petition the 2007
LCMS convention to make funding of the programs and courses of
study at our institutions of higher education that specifically train
professional church workers once again a top priority for our
Synod; and be it further

Resdlved, That the rate of funding subsidized by the Synod
would incrementally increase each year through 2017 for the train-
ing of professional church workers at the Concordia universities,
colleges, and LCMS seminaries; and be it finally

Resolved, That congregations of the Northern Illinois District
make funding for the training of professional church workers a top
priority.

Northern Illinois District

4-13

To Increase Seminary Funding through Synod Budget

WHEREAS, The Constitution of The Lutheran Church—Missouri
Synod states as one of its objectives: “The Synod, under Scripture
and the Lutheran Confessions, shall...3. Recruit and train pastors,
teachers, and other professional church workers and provide op-
portunity for their continuing growth...” (Art. III); and

WHEREAS, Our seminaries are not currently receiving sufficient
funds through the Synod budget to provide such training; and

WHEREAS, Our seminaries are spending time and energy raising
funds that could be put to better use in the classroom; and

WHEREAS, The financial independence of the seminaries may
lead to unhealthy relationships with donors and cause confusion
when it comes to question of loyalties; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Board of Directors of The Lutheran Church—
Missouri Synod be directed to increase the level of support within the
Synod budget for the two seminaries to 20 percent of the seminary
budgets by the year 2010; and be it further

Resolved, That the level of support be increased to 50 percent
by 2015; and be it finally

Resolved, That this resolution be submitted to the 2007 Synod
convention for consideration.

Montana District

4-14

To Provide Support for Seminaries

Whereas, Holy Scripture tells us that among the gifts that God
has given to His Church is the gift of “pastors and teachers” (Eph.
4:11); and

WHEREAS, The support of seminaries for the recruitment and
preparation of pastors is a key objective of The Lutheran Church—
Missouri Synod according to Art. III of the Constitution; and

WHEREAS, The Synod has understood the wisdom of providing
support for these seminaries so-that their energies may be properly
focused on the preparation of pastors, missionaries, and dea-
conesses with integrity and a strong sense of service to the church;
and

WHEREAS, God is blessing the efforts of the seminaries to re-
cruit and prepare more men to study for the Office of the Holy
Ministry; and