Collection › LCMS Convention Proceedings (St. Louis, Missouri) › 1935 · 36th Convention, Cleveland › Page 291
LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1935, Page 291

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

Ev. Luth. Synod of Missouri, Ohio, and Other States. 1935. 291

be explained in part by improved economic conditions.” However, it
was reported in our official organs that the “Open-Bible Thank-offérs
ing” amounted to $391,000, and if it may be assumed that Synod ré-
ceived 75 per cent. of this offering, as was suggested, then the thank-
offering accounts for $293,000 of last year’s increase and all other
favorable conditions combined produced only $32,000 of the increasé.
In other words, without the thank-offering our income from Districts
during 1934 would have been about $942,000 and our total income
about $1,106,000, or $112,000 less than our budget disbursements... .,

8. Synod began -the last triennium with an operating deficit ‘of
$561,263.64 and finished it with a deficit of $675,487.20. Thus we: lost
ground to the extent of $114,000 during the last three years. In con-
sidering this matter, it must be recalled that the last convention voted
the Board of Directors and College of District Presidents rather broad
powers to be exercised in an effort to bring about balanced budgets,
that these powers were used judiciously, with the result that a much
larger deficit was avoided.

9. As noted in Paragraph 6 above, the income from Districts dur-
ing the first four months of this year is about $8,000 ahead of that
for the corresponding period of last year. Analysis of our records
does not warrant the presumption that this rate of acceleration will
continue during the year unless influences not now apparent. ‘are
brought into active operation. A normal development can hardly be
expected to bring our this year’s income up to the minimum budget
requirements. - ne

10. In view of all the foregoing your Committee respectfully sub-
mits the following conclusions to the convention for consideration and
eventual action: — ae

a) That no attempt be made at this time to fix a budget for the
years 1936 or thereafter, but that the Fiscal Conference be charged
with that duty until the Synod itself shall otherwise provide.

b) That all requests for appropriations which would automati-
cally fall into Group A of the budget be not acted upon by this con-

vention, but be referred to the Fiscal Conference with power to act.
For ‘the purposes of this resolution Group A of the budget shall be
. “HUM

understood to include —

a) All missions, but not providing for any expansion or
buildings; ‘ , -
b) ‘Synodical ‘Treasury (includes all séminariés and col-
“leges); © 7
c)- Board of Support;

d) Contingent Reserve Fund; we
e) Repairs and maintenance of Synod’s properties. ~~“

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