LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1975, Page 141

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ADMINISTRATION 141

5-34. Election of District Presidents Reorganization Report next conv.
5-36 Youth Representation Reorganization Report next conv.
5-37 District President Reorganization Report next conv
5-39 Checks and Balances Reorganization Report next conv
5-40 Conflict of Intrest Reorganization Report next conv
5-41 Referenda Reorganization Report next conv
5-42 CCM Opinions Reorganization Report next conv
601 Colloquy Board, Pastors BHE Study
6-02 Colloquy, Teachers BHE Study
603 Continuing Education BHE Study
6-06 New Models Higher BHE Study
Education
6-07 Appreciation to BHE Synod. Secretary Implementation
6-10 Special Ministries BHE Study
6-11 Interview Theological BHE Disposition
Candidates
612 Recruitment BHE Study & Report
6-15 Honorary Degrees BHE Implementation
616 Lay Higher Education CLLHE Implementation
618 Admission Policies BHE Implementation
6-20 Terms for College Presidents BHE Study & Report
6-25 Heads of Graduate Schools BHE Implementation
6-28 Ministry to Women BHE & CTCR Implementation
7-01 Report of BPE Synod. Secretary Transmission
7-03 Early Childhood Program BPE Implementation
7-12. Education Programs BPE Implementation
7-13. Effectiveness Training BPE Implementation
7-14 Christian Personhood BPE Disposition
Materials
7-17. Urban Schools BPE Study
7-18 Report of BYM Synod. Secretary Transmission
7-20 Status of Walther League Council of Adm Consideration
7-21. Encourage Walther League Youth Ministry Study
7-23 Bible Study Helps BPE Study
7-25 Youth Gatherings Youth Ministry Study
802. Thanks Synod. Secretary Transmission
8-05 Confrontation Evangelism Evangelism Implementation
8-06 PTR Programs Evangelism Study
8-09 Evangelism Workers Evangelism Implementation
9-14. Capital Punishment CTCR Study
9-19 Support Economic Programs Soc. Min. & Study
World Relief
9-21. Scholarships for Clinical BHE Study
Training
11-07. Christian News Council of Pres Disposition
11-08 Smoking at Conventions Anaheim Conv. Study
Planning
11-09 Vocational Redirection Council of Pres. Disposition
11-10 Convention Planning Convention Consideration
Format
11-11 Convention Decorum Convention Consideration
Format
11-12 Realistic Salaries for Pastors Council of Pres. Consideration
11-13 Theological Characterization CTCR Study
Questionnaire
11-14. Mailing of Synodical CTCR Study
Literature
11-16 Concern for the Oppressed CTCR Study

11-19 Walter Buszin Synod. Secretary Letter of thanks

IV. Other Business

The minutes of the Board of Directors are available to the
floor committee for inspection. At this time we merely sum-
marize some of the actions that are of somewhat greater impor-
tance or interest.

A. Mediation and Reconciliation. There can be no doubt that
during the past biennium many of the energies of the Board of
Directors were directed toward the problems plaguing our
Synod. Early in January 1974 the board, even though it had no
specific Handbook directives to do so, felt constrained to dis-
charge its general responsibility for the welfare of the church
by initiating efforts at mediation and reconciliation. Literally
hundreds of hours were devoted especially by members of the
Executive Committee of the board to this objective. Some of the
efforts have been reported to the church: most of them remain
known only to a few and to God. Several months ago a highly
compressed chronological account of these efforts was released
to the church. We are attaching an updated version of that mini
report as Appendix B. It is our hope that all members of the
Synod will read it very carefully and join in the earnest seeking
after that peace which, while not compromising the truth of
God’s Word, is nevertheless so beneficial to the welfare of the
church. Conflict has its place also in God’s scheme of things.
Let us look for the blessings hidden in our present difficulties.
But let us not be satisfied until we have done everything we can
to create once again a climate of trust, of love, and of confidence.
Love is more than words and slogans.

B. Budget. Perhaps the principal Handbook responsibility
of the board is to develop and to administer the annual budget
of the Synod. Although the budget-setting processes are under
study and revisions may be proposed to the Anaheim conven-
tion, the board has tried to discharge this responsibility by
involving as many of the responsible boards, commissions, and

officers of the Synod in the process as possible. The budget
adopted for 1974 was $26,899,717: the budget recommended to
the Fiscal Review Commission for 1975 was $24,300,000 in view
of shortfalls in remittances for 1974 and in pledges. While many
church bodies have suffered a serious erosion of receipts and
while an even more serious erosion might have been expected
by our Synod because of our internal difficulties, God has been
extremely good in moving the hearts of most of our members to
continue to support His work within the Synod even while some
may disagree with certain aspects of the Synod’s life. This
continuing support on the part of so many is another reason to
thank God, for it is one of those many things that are “right”
with our Synod today. This needs to be remembered gratefully
even while we express prayerful concern.

C. Capital Projects. The Handbook requires that capital
projects receive affirmative action by the Board of Directors.
Practically all of the capital projects undertaken within the
biennium were as a result of earmarked funds. Indefinite
postponement of capital projects may cause the Synod difficulty
in later years.

D. Policy Statements. Another of the major responsibilities
ofthe Board of Directors is the development of policy statements.
These have now been brought up to date, systematized, and
issued to all boards, commissions, and officers in the form of
a loose-leaf binder properly divided and indexed. It is hoped
that as a result of this systematic approach to decision making,
some of the conflicts of the past that resulted when personalities
seemed to be injected into issues may be avoided.

E, 125th Anniversary. The celebration is past. The Thank-
offering is still being given by devoted Christians. As of Dec. 31,
1974, $5,543,977.43 in cash has been received at headquarters.
Expenses for the effort amount to $1,167,436.94, leaving a net
balance of $4,376,540.49. From these receipts the following
allocations have been approved by the Board of Directors to
date:

Church Extension Fund $ 500,000

Concordia Historical Institute 300,000
Board for Higher Education 704,000
Board for Parish Education 65,250
Debt Reduction 500,000
Mission Department 413,750

$2,483,000

F. Staff Relations. It is no secret that the difficulties in the
Synod have found expression at least in part within the synodical
staff. A considerable portion of the staff for missions resigned.
This had its effect also on some of the remaining members of the
headquarters staff. But this in turn created opportunities for
meetings with staff which have, we trust, resulted in better
understanding. We are grateful to God that even though morale
was quite low for atime, there has been a marked improvement.
The Synod continues to have many loyal and devoted servants.

G. Liaison. Since team visits from the Board of Directors to
District boards as well as liaison relationships with certain
boards and commissions proved very helpful, the Board of
Directors decided to enlarge this approach. Closer relations are
being established with several of the boards within the Synod.
And toward the end of 1974 the board decided to embark once
again on team visits to District officials, including this time not
only the District Boards of Directors but also the Counselors.

H. LCUSA. A resolution of the New Orleans convention
(Res. 2-39) referred under the omnibus resolution to the Board
of Directors questioned in effect the validity of the Synod’s
continuing participation in the Lutheran Council. The Board of
Directors itself took sharp exception to some of the activities
of the Office 6f Communication and Interpretation of the Council
and decided to withhold financial support from especially those
activities it found objectionable. Later the implementation of this
was delayed to permit all boards and commissions to participate
in a wider study of the benefits accruing directly to them from
the Synod’s participation not only in the public relations pro-
gram but in the Council itself. This study has not been completed
at the time of this writing. The Council itself through the creation
of a new planning committee is scrutinizing its own reason for
existence and its operations. The net result of all this could be
a more productive and more economically justifiable agency
serving the three church bodies. After the above sentences
were written, the board, in view of projected reduced income