RESOLUTION 10-01
Report R16 (CW, pp. 88–90); President’s Report, Part 2 (TB, pp. 21–31)
WHEREAS, The Lutheran Church Extension Fund (LCEF) incorporated in convention on June 15, 1978, as the continuation of the Synod’s Church Extension Fund (CEF) that began in 1902 to provide a structure for efficient delivery of church extension services nationwide, providing opportunity for district CEFs to consolidate into a single entity; and
WHEREAS, LCEF supports the church in fulfilling its mission of sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ by being a Christ-centered servant partner of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS), ensuring that funds and services are available now and in the future; and
WHEREAS, LCEF provides LCMS members and organizations the opportunity to partner in mission by offering competitive investments through which investors effectively steward their financial resources and provide funds for loans to support LCMS ministries; and
WHEREAS, LCEF offers loans and ministry support services designed to meet the unique and specific needs of LCMS ministries and rostered church workers as they seek to fulfill the great commission within their communities; and
WHEREAS, LCEF has distributed portions of each year’s operating results to its participating districts and the Synod in excess of $25 million since inception; and
WHEREAS, LCEF has rebated portions of its interest income annually to borrowing congregations based on the level of member investments in LCEF, totaling over $30 million; and
WHEREAS, LCEF Board approved the sponsorship of and allocated capital to support the establishment of the Lutheran Federal Credit Union to serve solely the members and the ministries of the LCMS; and
WHEREAS, LCEF has and continues prayerfully to work with and encourage ministries facing financial challenges, providing opportunities for the ministries to address the issues confronting them; and
WHEREAS, LCEF meets its fiduciary responsibility to protect its investors funds and to maintain a strong financial position to support the church with strong financial standards and third party audits to insure transparency; and
WHEREAS, LCEF continues to seek ways to advance innovation and creativity in supporting the LCMS; therefore be it
Resolved, That the Synod in convention thank God for the work of LCEF on behalf of the LCMS; and be it further
Resolved, That the Synod continue to pray for and support the efforts of LCEF; and be it finally
Resolved, That the Synod encourage LCMS ministries always to consider utilizing LCEF as its partner in ministry for investments, loans, and ministry support services.