Coming Pentecost 2010 – Specific Fundraiser for Corporate Synod, by Ginny Valleau

In case you missed it, the August 2009 minutes (p.161-162) of the LCMS Board of Directors (just published within the last couple of weeks) tell about a proposed new annual fundraising event that will be timed to coincide with Pentecost 2010.

Why a new fundraiser for corporate Synod?  Since “all gifts, unrestricted and restricted, already are gifts to the Synod as a whole.”  Why  at Pentecost? The BOD minutes tell us that Pentecost is “thought to be a fitting time since even as Pentecost marked the beginning of the church, an annual appeal would benefit the Synod as a whole…” Uh…I must be missing something because I don’t see the parallel between God pouring out His Holy Spirit on the Church and a new LCMS fundraiser.”

How will the people in the pews benefit from a new appeal to send $$$ to corporate Synod? We will get a mission statement, a vision statement, and a “promise statement.”

What is a “promise statement”? We are told that a “promise statement” is key to the proposal; it is the way in which the synod communicates its vision in such a way that compels  the pew sitter to contribute to synod and it is described as  “a compelling statement that engages, is absolutely true, and provides the relationship context that will invite support.” Hmm…the promise will be “absolutely true“?

There’s more…membership will also have the “opportunity…to experience the value of the Synod in their lives…” I am not sure how to gauge experiencing the “value of Synod” in my life—but somehow I don’t think I need any more of it!”

Another benefit for the pewsitters: the annual appeal will create a “new tradition” for LCMS members. And, the fund drive will “nurture ‘strong relational value’ among the members of the Synod.” I think this is slick business-speak for making us think we have a stake in this.”

Oops, almost forgot…we will also get more bureaucracy: a newly developed President’s Advisory Council to give all of this direction.

No need to write this on your calendar—you won’t miss it because they promise to come at us with all the forces of Synod’s periodicals and internet resources.

Ginny Valleau
Independence, MO

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