LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1973, Page 24

Transcription machine transcription, uncorrected

⤓ Download .txt · copy text

24 MISSIONS

performance, growth, and service in our Lutheran ministries.
Key objectives are to maximize location for good growth
potential and minimize cost. We must always distinguish
between Advance Site programs of the synodical Church
Extension board and District Church Extension board.

Results so far have substantiated a previously stated goal
that with a specific input of capital on a specified time basis
the program could then be perpetuated on a self-sustaining
basis. Even though insufficient funds prevented a $1,000,C00
expenditure per year for 10 years, the program is, neverthe-
less, moving toward its self-sustaining goal.

II. Convention Concerns and Directions

The synodical Board of Directors appointed an ad hoc
committee to review practices and policies of the synodical
Church Extension department in relationship to authority
and responsibility statements of the synodical Handbook.

Recommendations were to accomplish two purposes:
1. Accurately define the objective of the Fund.

2. Make the necessary Handbook statement changes to
incorporate the additions in loan services.

A. Handbook Change Recommendations

PRESENT WORDING

8.53 Objectives

Acquisition of sites and erection of facilities to
aid expansion for effective programs of ministry,
witness, outreach, and service.

8.55 Functions

The Board shall —

a. provide funds to assist the Synod, Districts,
and congregations with loans for sites and facilities
in the church’s program of expansion;

8.61 The Fund

The Church Extension Fund is a permanent fund
from which loans or expenditures can be made to
acquire sites and erect facilities.

PROPOSED WORDING
8.53 Objectives

i) . Financing the acquisition of sites and the erec-

"\

{ tion of facilities to aid expansion for effective pro-
* grams of ministry, witness, outreach, and service.

8:55 Functions
The Board shall —

a. provide funds to assist the Synod, Districts,
and congregations with loans for sites and facilities
in the church’s program of expansion, for the reno-
vation and improvement of facilities, refinancing of
existing indebtedness, and short term loan assis~
tance to Synod and Districts during times of tight
money or temporary money shortages.

8.61 The Fund

The Church Extension Fund is a permanent
fund from which disbursements are made for loans
and/or expenditures for the purpose of acquiring
anticipated church sites and erecting parish facil-
ities for expansion, for renovation and improvement
of church facilities, refinancing of congregations’
existing indebtedness, and short-term loan assis-
tance to Synod and Districts during periods of tem-
porary money shortages.

B. Expansion of Loan Services

Historically, Church Extension funds served newly formed
(subsidized) congregations with loan services for sites and
facilities. Expansion and growth opportunities of existing
congregations made financing needs to self-supporting con-
gregations more prominent and necessary. Not only did this

development provide for additional loan service needs; in-
clusion of these congregations in Church Extension Board
and Fund services soon emphasized the necessity and im-
portance of consultation and counseling in financing, re-
financing and budgeting as well. These added considerations
are rendering a necessary and valuable service. This expan-
sion of loan services is being recommended to the conven-
tion for its approval. The synodical Church Extension de-
partment would proceed to establish guidelines and sugges-
tions to District Church Extension boards or committees on
a uniform basis for a more standardized procedure and ap-
proach, This program would naturally be developed in con-
cert with the Districts.

C. Uniformity of Service, Policy, and Practice

The authority and responsibility for District Church Ex-
tension administration, policy-making, and programming is
the responsibility of the District Church Extension Board.
The Handbook, however, charges the synodical Church Ex-
tension Department with the responsibility of providing for
uniformity in policy and practice.

Mobility of people and ease and rapidity of communica-
tion makes uniformity mandatory. The variables, variations,
and unique approaches and interpretations frequently tend
toward confusion, misgivings, and misunderstandings. While
mere copying and duplicating are not encouraged, more uni-
formity can be wholesome and profitable for the entire
Church Extension operation.

Utilization of knowledgeable resources and professional
skills aid in arriving at more satisfactory results. This is
applicable in a site acquisition program. Similarity of meth-
odology and procedure tends to standardize the end product.
This dimension is vital and necessary as Districts add to
their inventory of properties for ultimate church use.

Realization of the profitability of real estate investments
and the competition for real estate in major metropolitan
areas makes the necessity for improvement and sophistica-
tion in techniques for research, field study, and acquisition
imperative.

D. Specific Suggestions and Recommendations for Future Direction

The three broad areas of Church Extension concern are:
(1) Promotion, (2) Allocation, (3) Administration.

A concern for ongoing attention in each of the three
aforementioned areas is necessary. Specific items denoting
a priority in planning, study, and resolving during the next
biennium are being suggested. They are the following:

1. Districts have always had a responsibility in providing
investments to the synodical Church Extension Fund. This
recommendation provides for a specified goal of support and
participation of their annual plans.

2. Excessive financing costs overtax annual budgets of
congregations, thereby eliminating participation in certain
facets of ministry, service, nurture, and outreach. Loan ser-
vice and counsel to established congregations in financing,
refinancing, and budget development can be very important.

3. Church Extension loan service was intended to help
the newly established congregation. Facts and factors have
changed, making additions in loan service not only desirable
but also very necessary, Service to self-supporting congre-
gations is, therefore, being recommended for inclusion in
District Church Extension plans and programs, and for Dis-
trict Church Extension responsibility.

4. To accomplish more uniformity in policy and program,
District and synodical Church Extension Fund personnel
should become involved in developing a model manual of
accepted policies and tested practices for District use.

CuHuRCcH EXTENSION Boarp
Fred Lietz, Executive Secretary

To Investigate Mission Possibilities
in Southeast Asia
WuereEas, Under the gracious guiding hand of the King

of kings the war in Vietnam has now officially come to a
halt; and