LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1975, Page 23

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MISSIONS 23

D. Advance Site Program

Closely related to the providing of space to permit the
gathering of young and old around Word and sacrament is the
availability of land to build on. The acquisition of land becomes
more difficult and also more costly in larger metropolitan areas.
The problem is compounded when visibility. desirability. acces:
sibility, and cost become factors. Finding a solution to this
problem resulted in the establishing of our Advance Site
program.

Criteria and strategy of the synodical program provide for
acquisitions of raw land to be used in a 5- to 20-year projection.
Purchases are to be made in the path of projected population
growth. Acquisitions must be made before speculation and
appreciation costs are involved. Real estate costs in many
metropolitan areas are such that use for church sites is made
prohibitive.

The synodical program does not compete or duplicate what
Districts are doing for their advance site program. Sites acquired
in the synodical program may never be used for the specific
location of a church: the program does permit exchange oF
trade of a more desirable location. However. the basic objective
is still achieved — minimizing the cost.

Another stated objective of the program is to perpetuate the
program on a self-sustaining basis. Income from the sale of
excess acreages and unnecessary sites has also validated this
stated objective.

This biennium established the utilization of synodical per-
sonnel in compiling essential statistics and information. doing
the fieldwork. completing the research, and writing the metro-
politan study manual. One study involved a cooperative venture
with two other Lutheran bodies in a joint program in the metro-
politan area of Detroit. Mich. This approach eliminates duplica-
tion of cost and effort in metropolitan areas in which all three
Lutheran church bodies have an equal interest.

1. Church Extension Plans

The final section will mention areas that must receive either
continued attention or areas that must receive attention because

of new considerations and involvement. Some are under short-
term goals. some under long-term goals.

A. Church Extension Promotion

The fund's ability to serve is directly related to the success
and results of its promotional endeavors. A solution must be
found to involve a far greater percentage of our membership
in a systematic program of saving and investing. Related to the
need for a larger percentage of membership participation is
also the District's responsibility to assist in providing supporting
investments to the synodical Church Extension Fund on a
planned and systematic basis.

B. Church Extension Programs and Blue-Sky Laws

Frauds and misrepresentations have extracted large sums
of money from innocent investors. More states are enforcing
regulations providing for controls and supervision making
swindles and losses more difficult. Church Extension funds are
also involved when reforms and revised regulations are intro-
duced. Reforms are intended to protect the investment of the
investor. We agree with this intent. District and synodical
Church Extension Fund notes and certificates have already
been registered and approved in some states. Licensing has also
been required in some states. The issuing of an offering circular
listing the various types of instruments available and the calling
of attention to a potential risk factor is another requirement.
Even though these instruments are not insured, the record of
“no loss’ performance is a precedent that must be maintained
and perpetuated.

C. Uniformity in Policies and Practice

After the New Orleans convention. representatives of ‘all
North American District operations met to develop a Policy
Manual that will achieve greater uniformity in practice. Two
areas are causing considerable concern at present: (1) yields
on Church Extension investments: (2) security documents to
protect and safeguard the investment.

Although there are other areas of mutual concern and need
for uniformity. the two mentioned are currently the most
critical. Variations in yield are creating problems of inequitable

competition and resulting in withdrawals from one and place-
ment in another. The matter of security documents is necessary
to maintain the integrity and safety of Church Extension invest-
ments.

D. Central Depository for Investments of Church Extension Reserves

The necessity of a liquid reserve in a banking type of pro-
gram is an incontestable and undeniable fact. Variations in the
amounts in reserve accounts do exist. Present policy provides
for a minimum of 10° of its fund's liabilities. A pooling of reserve
funds for investment purposes would improve yields by having
larger amounts for investment in yield negotiations. Many
Districts have already given their approval to this procedure.
The capability of wiring money no longer presents a problem
of immediate liquidity of investment funds in a central deposi-
tory. This procedure would have another salutary benefit. This
would distinguish two categories of District investments: ()
the amount for a definite reserve: (2) the amount available as
their responsible share in support of the synodical Church
Extension Fund needs.

E. Synodical and District Fund Relationships

Funds from both sources are involved in most of our North
American Districts. Policies and practice must be compatible.
one with the other. The policies and practice of a District fund
have a bearing on the safety and return of funds received from
the synodical fund. The synodical fund is called upon to under-
gird and provide supplemental loan assistance. This necessitates
a thorough acquaintance of policies and practices of District

funds on a regular and systematic reporting basis.
F. Advance Site Activities

The basic objectives and criteria for the Advance Site
program have been tested. proven. and found to be reliable.
necessary. and successful. Three things must be given attention
to improve and expand the program. (1) updating of information
of previous studies: (2) monitoring and managing current
inventory of properties: (3) studying and establishing priority
order of major metropolitan areas for new study and research.

G. Foreign Investment and Fund Responsibility

Synodical Church Extension Funds are involved in foreign
fields of ministry and mission. Is there a difference between
loans to Districts in North America and South America? Do
loans in foreign fields denote a term or relationship different

from that of a North American District. for example. Brazil and
India and Southern?

H. Implications of State Licensing and Certification

Although nothing is definitive as yet. one must nevertheless
anticipate outcome of certain trends. Will the cost of licensing
or certification necessitate organizational or structural changes
in Church Extension? Will eligibility and requirements have a
bearing on the number of funds in use? Should or will this
situation have any bearing on future division and/or amalgama-
tion of Districts?

Coupled with the narrative report is also the financial report
that appears with the Treasurer's Report in another section of
this book of Reports and Memorials.

Fred E. Lietz. Executive Secretary

Report of Council for Christian
Medical Work

O give thanks unto the Lord: for He is good: for His mercy
endureth forever. Ps. 106:1: 136:1

Looking back over another biennium in the service of our
Lord, the council has reason to give thanks for goodness and
mercy received in abundance.

We thank God for having permitted us, even during a period
of mounting internal upsets and confusion, to continue to repre-
sent concerns of the ministry of health and healing within and
beyond the membership of our Synod.

We are grateful for the Lord’s guidance and protection of