Collection › LCMS Convention Workbook (St. Louis, Missouri) › 1975 · 51st Convention › Page 170
LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1975, Page 170

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

170 ADMINISTRATION

CAPITAL EXPENDITURES

FOR WHICH FUNDS WERE NOT AVAILABLE

January 31, 1974 and 1975

FUNDS TO BE PROVIDED THROUGH FUTURE BUDGETS AND GIFTS
1. Cash Capital Debt:

January 31, 1974

Exhibit J

January 31, 1975

a. Church Extension Notes Signed by Mission Board $ 540,969 $ 791,415

b. New Capital Funds Advanced to Mission Board... 237,046  —  weeee

c. Capital Budget Debt - 1964.............. sees 2,929,335 1,998 ,585
Total Cash Capital Debt......... cece eee eee . $3,707,350 $2,790,000

2. Cash Operating Debt: ©0000 00 en 82,283

Total Cash Operating Debt......scecccevceccces

Total Synodical Cash Debt....... ec. cee eee

$82,283

4-07

Report of Synodical Services
Commission

During the last 2 years, since its last convention report, the
Synodical Services Commission held three meetings, during
which it screened approximately 80 nominees for the following
five (5) staff positions in the Synod: Associate Secretary for
Evangelism: Assistant Executive Secretary, Commission on
Theology and Church Relations: Director of Personnel: General
Manager, Radio Station KFUO: Executive Secretary — Board
for Missions.

The position of Director of Personnel was closed by the ap-
pointment by the Board of Directors of the Synod of Mr. William
J. Barge, who was serving on the synodical staff at the time of
his appointment.

All of the balance of the above positions, with the exception
of General Manager—KFUO, were filled by the responsible
appointing board.

The commission deeply appreciates the services of the
synodical personnel department staff in requesting nominations,
obtaining the necessary evaluations, and then submitting, in
profile form, all reports on nominees for the review of the
commission.

The commission expresses its heartfelt gratitude for the
splendid cooperation from those consulted for profiles, and asks
for the continued prayers of the church for its assigned task.

Synodical Services Commission
Victor M. Selle, Chairman
Elmer W. Smitt, Secretary

4-08

Report of Board of Stewardship
Introduction

Helping congregations equip Christians to grow in using all
of life and its resources to carry out Christ’s mission through the
church individually and corporately—that is the objective as-
signed to the Board of Stewardship by the Synod. This objective
and the specific functions for carrying out this ministry of Chris-
tian stewardship are clearly outlined in the 1973 edition of the
synodical Handbook. pp. 235-38.

$3,707,350 $2,872,283

In seeking to carry out its responsibilities, the Board of
Stewardship has organized its stewardship ministry on the
pattern of St. Paul's. An analysis of the apostle’s letters indicates
that this successful ministry in stewardship was built on the
conviction that the only inspiration to live the Christian steward-
ship life is the compelling power of God’s love in Jesus Christ,
given through the Gospel. To this he added instruction about
arranging life and its resources to carry out God’s purposes
most effectively .. . information on what God’s mission and
ministry to the world of people is all about . . . and the actual
ingathering—an opportunity for the giving of life’s resources
of time, talent, and treasure. Finally, he made his stewardship
ministry effective by using involrement—bringing together all
kinds of dedicated people into cooperative partnership with the
Lord Jesus Christ and himself.

The Board of Stewardship is convinced with St. Paul that
the only authentic power for true Christian stewardship is
Christ’s love for us communicated by the Gospel. The board
therefore has followed St. Paul’s example and organized its
work into four basic ares of program activity. These are:

—Stewardship Cultivation (instruction)

— Mission Education and Synod Promotion (information)
— Fund Procurement (ingathering)

—Field Consultation and Services (involvement).

In reporting to the 51st regular convention of The Lutheran
Church— Missouri Synod, the Board of Stewardship intends
to share:

1. Ongoing activities that reach toward the objective and
carry out the functions assigned to it by the Synod.

2. Problems and challenges that need to be met if an effective
stewardship ministry in the Synod is to continue.

I. Stewardship Cultivation (Instruction)
A. Activities

Stewardship is more than a yearly fund drive to raise money
for congregational, District. and synodical budgets. Stewardship
is a 12-month effort which excites, encourages, equips, and
enables the Christian to use life and all of its resources for God's
mission.

That’s why the Board of Stewardship has programs to help
congregations in stewardship cultivation. If stewardship is to
be a growing Christian life-style based on the motivation of
Christian love—rather than a one-time appeal based on various