Collection › LCMS Convention Workbook (St. Louis, Missouri) › 2026 · 69th Convention, Phoenix › Page 445
LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2026, Page 445

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

FINANCE
preparation for the pastoral office (2019 Res. 6-02; 2023 Res. 602A); and
WHEREAS, CTSFW reported an audited 2024 annual operating
budget of $17,310,173, of which approximately two percent was
provided through direct corporate Synod funding, with the
remainder supplied through gifts, endowment distributions, and
tuition (Jon Bruss, “Rise Again, Ye Lion-hearted! Strategic Plan
2024–2029,” For the Life of the World, Vol. 29, no. 1 [Spring 2025]:
4–6); and
WHEREAS, Seminary leadership has publicly acknowledged that
corporate Synod once underwrote a substantially greater proportion
of seminary operating expenses than is presently the case; and
WHEREAS, The formation of pastors who rightly teach,
administer the Sacraments, and shepherd Christ’s flock is
foundational to every other work of the Synod; and
WHEREAS, Faithful stewardship requires that corporate Synod
funding priorities reflect the Church’s primary responsibility to
form ministers of the Gospel; therefore be it
Resolved, That the Synod in convention declare the full
operational funding of CSL and CTSFW to be a primary
responsibility of corporate Synod; and be it further
Resolved, That the Synod direct the Board of Directors (BOD),
in consultation with the President of the Synod, the Chief Financial
Officer of the Synod, and the presidents of both seminaries, to
develop and implement a multi-year plan that begins with an
increased appropriation for both seminaries in the Synod’s fiscal
year 2027 (FY27) corporate budget (July 1, 2026–June 30, 2027),
with the stated objective of moving toward full operational funding;
and be it further
Resolved, That the FY27 corporate Synod budget shall include a
measurable increase in direct corporate Synod funding for each
seminary, the amount of which shall be publicly reported and shall
represent a material step toward full operational funding; and be it
further
Resolved, That the FY27 increase be achieved through the
reallocation and prioritization of unrestricted corporate Synod
funds, as determined by the BOD in the course of normal budget
development, while explicitly preserving donor-restricted gifts and
designated funding; and be it further
Resolved, That the BOD report to the Synod no later than Dec.
31, 2026, the specific FY27 dollar amounts appropriated to each
seminary, the budget lines affected, and the projected increases for
subsequent fiscal years; and be it finally
Resolved, That the Synod give thanks to God for the faithful
generosity of His people and pray for wise stewardship that
strengthens both the Church’s mission and the formation of her
pastors.
Trinity (Decatur Rd)
Fort Wayne, IN
Ov. 8-16

To Encourage Synod Transparency and Unity
regarding Concluded HotChalk Litigation
WHEREAS, The Synod gives thanks to God for His mercy in
Christ and prays for a life together marked by humility, gentleness,
patience, and bearing with one another in love, as we seek to

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maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace (Eph. 4:2–3);
and
WHEREAS, The structure of the Synod orders and supports our
life together in the proclamation of Christ and Him crucified, such
that decisions made at the Synod level regarding shared ministries,
including Lutheran higher education and institutional closures, have
real and lasting effects on congregations and the people they serve;
and
WHEREAS, The Synod Board of Directors (BOD) has publicly
stated that mediation has concluded litigation brought by HotChalk,
Inc., relating to the closure of Concordia University, Portland, and
that a financial settlement has been reached; and
WHEREAS, The BOD “is the legal representative of the Synod
and the custodian of all the property of the Synod” and “shall be
accountable to the Synod in convention for the discharge of its
duties” (Bylaw 3.3.4); and
WHEREAS, Under Bylaw subsection, “Full Financial
Disclosure,” “The Synod and each of its agencies shall fully
disclose their financial books and records to any member
congregation of the Synod,” while also recognizing stated limits and
requiring written explanation where information is declined or
limited (Bylaw 1.5.4); and
WHEREAS, Transparent communication regarding significant
legal settlements involving Synod resources supports faithful
stewardship, promotes trust among congregations, reduces rumor
and confusion, and strengthens the Synod’s ability to proceed
together with clarity in an uncertain season; therefore be it
Resolved, That the Synod in convention give thanks to God for
His continued work through the Synod even amid hardship and
legal challenge, and exhort all members to continue in charity,
patience, and confidence in Christ as we walk together in our
common mission; and be it further
Resolved, That the Synod in convention respectfully request that
the appropriate Synod officers and/or the BOD disclose to the
Synod the total amount paid by or on behalf of the Synod in
settlement of the concluded HotChalk litigation, to the fullest extent
permitted by law and any binding settlement terms, and that such
disclosure be made available to member congregations in a readily
accessible manner; and be it finally
Resolved, That if the settlement amount, or any portion thereof,
cannot be disclosed, the Synod officers and/or the BOD provide a
written explanation describing the general nature of the restriction
or restrictions and the reason or reasons disclosure is not possible,
consistent with the Synod’s commitments to financial disclosure
and clear communication.
Circuit 27 (Livonia)
Michigan District
Ov. 8-17

To Encourage Transparency and Accountability
in Legal Judgments and Settlements
WHEREAS, Constitution Articles VII and XI establish the Synod
as a voluntary association acting on behalf of its member
congregations and vest final human authority in the Synod in
convention; and
WHEREAS, The Bylaws of the Synod charge the Board of
Directors (BOD) with fiduciary responsibility for the Synod’s
2026 Convention Workbook