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LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2013, Page 231

Scan: The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
Transcription machine transcription, uncorrected

6. ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE
6-01

6-03

To Increase Financial Support

To Increase Synod’s Support for Seminaries

Whereas, God desires for us to use His gracious gifts to us,
including financial, for the furthering of the kingdom of God (Matt.
25:14–30; 1 Cor. 16:2; 2 Cor. 9:7–11; 1 Tim. 6:17–19); and
Whereas, We have formed a synod to administer those ministries
that can be accomplished more effectively in association with other
member congregations through the Synod and assist in bringing the
saving Gospel to every corner of the world; and
Whereas, There are entities within the Synod that are vital to the
mission and ministry of the Synod and which have seen a reduction
in their financial support from the Synod; therefore be it
Resolved, That Iowa District West memorialize the 2013 LCMS
convention to make its financial support of our two seminaries, the
institutions of the Concordia University System, LCMS World Relief
and Human Care, and those programs of the Offices of National and
International Missions a higher priority.
Iowa District West

Whereas, The financial support given to our two seminaries has
continued to decline over the past years; and
Whereas, Our LCMS congregations deserve the very best trained
and educated men as pastors; and
Whereas, Article III 3 of our Synod’s Constitution states that one
of the main objectives for forming our Synod was to “recruit and train
pastors, teachers, and other professional church workers, and provide
opportunity for their continued growth”; and
Whereas, The seminaries are important for conserving and
promoting the unity of the true faith (Eph. 4:3–6); therefore be itResolved, That the 2013 LCMS convention designate that it positively
supports both of our seminaries; and be it further
Resolved, That the 2013 LCMS convention immediately implement a plan to increase the financial support of the seminaries by an
additional 10 percent of its budget.
Salem Lutheran Church
Taylorsville, NC

6-02
6-04

To Increase Financial Support of Seminaries
Whereas, Our Lord Jesus Christ has said, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of
the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest” (Matt. 9:37–38); and
Whereas, A stated objective of the LCMS is to “recruit and train
pastors, teachers, and other professional church workers and provide
opportunity for their continuing growth” (Constitution, Art. III 3); and
Whereas, The seminaries of the LCMS have been established
to prepare men to serve as pastors and to prepare women to serve as
deaconesses for the congregations and missions of the Synod; and
Whereas, The seminaries increasingly rely on student tuition,
fees, and gifts from congregations and individuals, rather than funds
from the LCMS, in order to fund their mission to the Synod of providing theological education (about 2 percent of the seminaries’ annual
budgets are provided by direct subsidy from the Synod’s operating
budget [The Lutheran Witness, May 2011]); and
Whereas, The continued existence of both Concordia Seminary,
St. Louis, and Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, is critical to the long-term faithfulness and well-being of the LCMS;
therefore be it
Resolved, That the LCMS give thanks to the Lord of the Church
for having answered the prayers of His people by sending laborers
into His harvest; and be it further
Resolved, That congregations and individuals be encouraged to
provide financial support for the seminaries of the LCMS; and be it
finally
Resolved, That the Montana District memorialize the 2013 LCMS
convention to increase direct financial support for the seminaries of
the Synod, starting with 5 percent of the seminaries’ annual operating
budgets in 2014 and increasing another 5 percent of the seminaries’
annual operating budgets each year until 2023, after which time the
Synod will support the seminaries at a minimum of 51 percent of their
annual operating budgets, to be continued at this level indefinitely.
Montana District

231

To Increase Support of Our Seminaries
Whereas, We, as a Synod, a body “walking together,” are called
to raise up pastors and missionaries; and
Whereas, The Synod in convention has previously voted to support men and their families in attending seminaries in order for the
men to be trained as pastors to serve God and His people; and
Whereas, The Synod presently supplies only about 2 percent of
the two seminaries’ financial needs; and
Whereas, Educating all congregations on this fact would be quite
beneficial; and
Whereas, In order for pastors to be well and serve well it is certainly helpful to have their financial burdens minimized; therefore
be it
Resolved, That the LCMS increase its support of its seminaries to
12 percent of the seminaries’ needs.
Minnesota North District
6-05

To Increase Synod’s Financial Support
of Seminaries and Universities
Whereas, The Scriptures say,
Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly,
and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man
should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or
under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to
make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all
that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written: “He
has scattered abroad His gifts to the poor; His righteousness endures
forever.” Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will
also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest
of your righteousness. You will be made rich in every way so that you
can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will
result in thanksgiving to God (2 Cor. 9:6–11);
and

2013 Convention Workbook