RESOLUTION 9-05
Overture 9-02 (CW, p. 379); President’s Report, Part 2 (TB, pp. 21–31)
WHEREAS, The Lord of the Church has placed before our Synod many remarkable opportunities for Gospel testimony, both at home and abroad; and
WHEREAS, The LCMS Foundation was incorporated in 1958 to promote the growth of our church body by receiving special gifts on behalf of the church, including its congregations, districts, schools, RSOs, auxiliaries, and other organizations; and
WHEREAS, The LCMS Foundation offers investment management services for planned gifts, endowments, and trust funds of the Synod and its agencies, striving to offer competitive returns in a low-cost model; and
WHEREAS, The LCMS Foundation was created to offer “programs of deferred giving … for the Synod, its districts, colleges, seminaries, and other agencies” and to provide for immediate and future work in our Lord’s kingdom through proper estate planning, using such devices as unitrusts, annuities, life reserve, and life income agreements to transfer cash, securities, and real estate to the church; and
WHEREAS, Since its incorporation, the LCMS Foundation has distributed over $1 billion dollars from gifts provided by generous and spirit-moved donors to ministries of the LCMS; and
WHEREAS, The LCMS Foundation earnestly endeavors to continue serving our church body and its entire membership by channeling additional support to the missionary, educational, and other activities of the Synod; therefore be it
Resolved, That the Synod commend the LCMS Foundation to our congregations and their membership, urging them to utilize the Foundation’s services in making special gifts available for our work at home and abroad; and be it further
Resolved, That the 2016 Synod convention express deep appreciation to the generous donors who have elected to utilize the channel of the LCMS Foundation in the exercise of their Christian stewardship; and be it further
Resolved, That all members of the LCMS be encouraged to use estate planning also to provide additional resources for the extension of Christ’s church in the future; and be it further
Resolved, That the LCMS Foundation seek to expand its various deferred giving programs within the LCMS for the promotion of the church’s mission and ministry; and be it further
Resolved, That the Synod give thanks to the Lord for His gifts and the ability to use them to His glory and the welfare of His church; and be it further
Resolved, That the official boards of all districts, Synod schools, affiliated agencies, and congregations make themselves aware of and be encouraged to utilize the LCMS Foundation’s various services and, where feasible, use the LCMS Foundation in establishing their own endowment funds; and be it finally
Resolved, That the LCMS, in convention assembled, implore the overflowing blessing of the Lord of the Church on the continued activities of the LCMS Foundation, so that under divine benediction it may continue to be a powerful help in the expansion of our Synod’s work.