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LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1973, Page 387

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

STEWARDSHIP AND FINANCE 387

PROPOSED WORDING
IX. FINANCE

E. MISSOURI SYNOD FOUNDATION

9.65 Board of Trustees

b. Terms. Members of the Board of Trustees
shall be elected in such manner and shall serve for
terms of such duration and number as shall be set
forth in the Bylaws of the Foundation.

Victor Mennicke, Executive Director

12-07A

To Provide for Earlier Retirement
or Semi-Retirement in the Concordia Plans

Wuereas, God has blessed our Synod with many dedi-
cated professional leaders over the past years; and

Wuereas, Some of these men and women could serve the
Savior and the church longer, more ably, and with more joy
if they were enabled to conserve their strength and to serve
in limited capacities during their declining years; and

Wuereas, God is giving us more younger men and women
who would be able to serve in leadership positions (pastors,
deaconesses, teachers, LLTI graduates, etc.) with the able
assistance and advice of the older, experienced, semi-retired
workers; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Northwest District of The Lutheran
Church — Missouri Synod petition the Synod at its New Or-
leans convention in 1973 to direct the Board of Managers of
the Concordia Retirement Plan to, in the very near future,
make it possible for participants in that plan to enter re-
tirement, or semi-retirement, at the age of 60 or 62 as the
Board may deem best; and be it further

Resolved, That congregations be encouraged to again
consider or reconsider the care of the servants of the church
during their declining and retiring years.

NorTHWEST DISTRICT
Wayne H. Brandmire, Secretary
Similar:
12-07B
Atlantic District, Arlin A. Maas, Secretary.

12-07C
Christ Lutheran Church, Albany, N. Y., Roy Matthews,
Secretary.

12-08

To Gear Pension Payments to Cost
of Living
Wuereas, Synod’s pensioners are caught in a financial
bind with the increase in the cost of living and devaluation
of the American dollar; and
Wuereas, There are no policies in relationship to Cost of
Living Indexes; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod establish a policy of pension
payments in relationship to the Cost of Living Indexes of
the United States and Canada.

EASTERN REGIONAL PASTORAL CONFERENCE
OF THE ENGLISH DISTRICT
Erich H. Wildgrube Jr., Chairman

12-09

To Release Personal Savings from Synod’s
Pension Fund

Wuerras, The original Pension Fund of Synod has been
superseded by the Concordia Retirement Plan; and

Wuereas, Said Pension Fund merely affords additional
support for those who participated in it; and

Wuereas, Members of the Pension Fund paid monies into
this Fund personally out of their salaries, often at a con-
siderable sacrifice; and

WuerEas, It would seem fair that members of the Pension
Fund be allowed an option regarding the disposal of these
funds; and

Wuereas, It is often desirable and even necessary for
those reaching retirement age to have access to such a sav-
ings for the purpose of acquiring a home or to meet some
other immediate obligation on retirement; and

Wuereas, The only way in which a member can draw out
his personal accumulation in the Pension Fund under pres-
ent regulations is by leaving the Synod or by forfeiting his
c.r.m. status; and

Wuereas, This places those who remain in the Synod at
a disadvantage if they wish to or need to draw out their
personal accumulation in the Pension Fund; and

Wuereas, Those who would draw out their personal ac-
cumulation in the Pension Fund at their retirement, if this
is allowed, would not find themselves without support, but
would still draw monthly payments from the congregation’s
contributions to the Pension Fund, from the Concordia Re-
tirement Plan. and from Social Security, plus earnings
allowed under Social Security; therefore be it

Resolved, That Synod alter its regulations regarding the
release of monies from the Pension Fund to the effect that
members of the Pension Fund shall be allowed to withdraw
from the Fund a sum up to the full amount of their personal
accumulation in the Pension Fund when they reach their
65th birthday, or when they retire from full-time service in

the Synod. St. Joun’s LUTHERAN CHURCH

State Center, Iowa

Donald L. Gerke. President
Raymond D. Gerke, Secretary
E. L. Stuempfig, Pastor

12-10

To Make Some Benefits of the Concordia
Retirement Plan Available to Workers
Who Withdraw from the Plan

Wuereas, Funds contributed to Synod’s Pension Plans
have been contributed in the name of individual employees;
and

Wuereas, Employers’ portions of such contributions have
been referred to as part of employees’ benefits, sometimes
even referred to as salary benefits; and

Wuereas, A greater degree of mobility about entering and
leaving the employ of “the employer” now exists than did
when the plans were first inaugurated; and

Wuereas, Some employees may fear to leave the employ
of the employer largely because of the prospect of losing
their pension and retirement benefits; and

Wuereas, The church should eliminate such fears and
deciding factors in the minds of those who otherwise have
sincere and valid reasons for leaving the employ of the
employer; and

Wuereas, The church in other areas of social concern
claims to be in the forefront of activity; and

Wuereas, The church should also in this area be in the
forefront of movements to provide for social well-being;
therefore be it

Resolved, That the Northwest District of The Lutheran
Church — Missouri Synod petition Synod and/or Board of
Directors of the Synod to devise a plan whereby some bene-
fits from the retirement program of the Concordia Plan might
be made available to individual workers who, for any rea-
son, withdraw from the plan.

NortHwest DIstRIcT
Wayne H. Brandmire, Secretary