USA > Indiana > Clinton County > Mulberry > Minutes thirty-third annual convention Chicago Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, 1903 > Part 9
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The Church is not like the many other organizations in the world, human in it's origin, but divine. It is the Kingdom of God among men, and as such, God has given her a great work todo. She is to carry the Gospel to all mankind. This she is in duty .bound to perform, or prove faithless.
"Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel," "Make dis- ciples of all the Nations," are the explicit commands of the Divine Master, himself. And when we remember that all men are by nature the enemies of God and slaves to the world, we realize that the winning of the world to Christ will be a slow and laborious process, and can never be accomplished in an indifferent and haphazard way, but only by persistent, untiring and united effort.
It is therefore necessary that the forces of God in the world should be thoroughly organized, fully equipped, and faithfully supported when sent into the conquest. And this is all the more necessary, since the Church has not merely to hold the ground she has gained, but must continue to extend her borders until they embrace the whole earth. The more thoroughly she does these things, the more able will she be to do the work God has laid upon her, and the greater will be her progress in doing it.
That congregations sometimes fail to pay the amount apportioned, is only stating a simple fact, for within the last six years, there has been a delinquency along this line, in the Chicago Synod alone, of more than one thousand two hundred dollars.
Nor is this failure on the part of congregations to pay the apportionment the result, in any case of poverty, for it is a fact that
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congregations always pay more money into the treasury of Synod when thy have pastors than when they are vacant. This frequently means that when they have a pastor's services they pay his salary and the apportionment in full, and when they have no minister, and consequently no salary to pay, they pay least of all into the Synod's treasury. This condition is the result, largely, of indifference and negligence, and perhaps also of ignorance as to what the apportion- nient really is for, rather than a wilful refusal on the part of the con- gregation.
We will now proceed to discuss, briefly, some of the obligations resting upon the congregation with regard to paying it's Synodical apportionment. It is the duty of the Congregation:
I. From the fact that it is practically an obligation of the congregation's own making.
The Synod is not some higher body whose business and privilege it is to lay burdens on the congregations beneath it, and command them to hear, but it is the congregations themselves assuming certain burdens. The work of Synod is done, not by the entire membership, (for it would be impossible for all to meet together in _ one place) but by the different congregations composing Synod, through pastors and delegates sent by them for that purpose. When- ever, therefore, a congregation is not represented at Synod by pastor, or delegate, or both, the fault lies with itself, and is not the result of any law prohibiting it, and it's voice in the deliberations of that body is wanting only where it has failed to do it's duty.
Here the congregations through their representatives, plan the general work of Synod for the coming year, and make provisions for carrying out those plans, and it is here that the apportionment originates.
The Church cannot maintain schools, seminaries, institutions of charity etc., and carry on the work of building up the Kingdom of God at home and in heathen lands, without money; and the amount of money needed will depend upon the amount of work contempla- ted. Whenever Synod has ascertained the amount of money needed to carry on it's various enterprises, it then knows how much money it must raise within its bounds for the coming year, and so apportions this amount among the different congregations, according to their strength and ability.
Thus instead of the Apportionment being something which is laid on the congregation by some higher power, it is merely what the
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congregation, through it's pastor and delegate, has agreed to raise for certain specified purposes. It is therefore, as an honest and honorable . party, under obligation to pay what has been apportioned to it. "When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it." "Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay." Ecel. 5: 4, 5.
2. From the fact that, "The laborer is worthy of his hire." Or as also declared: "They which preach the Gospel should live by the Gospel."
This has reference to the first two items of the synodical ap- portionment, Home and Foreign Missions, so far as those who are sent out to preach are concerned, and a failure to pay the apportion- . ment is virtually a refusal or neglect to pay the laborer his hire.
The congregations composing the Synod propose to engage in certain mission work at home or abroad, and extend a call to a person or persons to enter upon the work proposed. As there is as yet no means of support on the field, the Synod engaging them must make itself responsible for their pay, to whatever extent it may deem necessary to the proper carrying on of the work. As this generally is the entire source of all income the missionary has, it is evident that without it he cannot live. But where is the Synod to get the money to pay these men and make possible the success of it's enterprises? From the congregations, according to agreement, and as has been apportioned. The success or failure, therefore, of the Synod's enter- prises rests with the congregations. If they fulfil their promises these enterprises go forward; if they fail, they die. And it is the same thing whether it is an individual who engages us to do work, or a Synod. The obligation to pay is the same in both cases. For the individual to fail in paying those who labor for him, is called dis- honest; in a Synod it will amount to the same thing, though people often seem to think that it is of small importance whether obligations made in spiritual things are kept or not. The congregation which does not pay it's apportionment is failing in a two-fold duty; first to the missionary whom it fails to support after calling him to the work, and secondly, to the other congregations to whom it has shifted the burden, by making them pay what it should have paid.
3. From the obligation arising from the Saviors command "Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel."
This is the other side of the first two items of our apportionment,
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and affects us with regard to our duty to our fellow men, as set forth by the Divine Lord and Master.
As sincere believers in God and Jesus Christ, whom He has sent, we must recognize the fact, that we cannot live for ourselves alone, cannot be satisfied and content simply to see that we and our children are provided for in spiritual things. That would prove us to be un- worthy of the name we bear, for a Christian is one who loves God, "and this commandment have we from Him, that he who loves God, love his brother also."
The congregation, therefore, that wilfully refuses to pay it's apportionment, or even indifferently neglects it, does not show the proper respect for the Master's command, nor the love it should for it's fellow men.
4. From the command of our Savior "Pray ye the Lord of the harvest, that He will send forth laborers into His harvest."
This touches upon the third item of our apportionment, viz. Beneficiary Education.
The question of laborers has always been the same, "The harvest plenteous, but the laborers few." This has been true of every age and is true of this age also. But it is especially true of our Church in this land. The cry for more laborers is one that continu- ally goes up from all parts of our field, and one which from all appearances will continue to go up for many years to come. The question, therefore, of a Ministry equal to the demands of the Church, should be one of great concern, for to fail in this line would be fatal to the Church, for, "It pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe," and belief rests upon preaching and preaching on a Ministry.
Now as our theological students are largely drawn from the ranks of the poor, those whose only heritage is their ability to work, and their willingness to do so, and, since to become a minister requires years of study and great expense, it is necessary that the Church give at least so much aid as to make it possible for those who purpose to enter upon this great work, to do so. Hence the third item of the apportionment.
The refusal then, of a congregation to pay it's apportionment, is a refusal to aid in raising up a Ministry for the Church, hence is an evidence that the congregation has not the future welfare of the
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Church at heart. In it's case, the Savior's words "Pray ye the Lord of the harvest that He will send forth laborers iuto His harvest," have fallen on deaf ears. .
5. From the obligation which rests upon all men to pay an honest debt.
Under this, somewhat plain heading, we will refer to the fourth item of the Synodical apportionment, Synodical Expenses. There are certain expenses incurred each year by Synod in the carrying on of it's work. These expenses are unavoidable, and to them all con- gregations contribute. They are therefore, apportioned among the different congregatious in such a manner that each bears it's right- ful portion. The largest single item of these expenses is incurred in the printing and distribution of the minutes. Last year these com- prised a pamphlet of 56 pages, and the expense of printing and mailing them amounted to $159 69.
These minutes are printed for the benefit of the members of the different congregations, and in sufficient numbers that a copy may be placed in the hands of every family, in order that they may know the work Synod has done, the amount of money raised, how it was ex- pended, the amount to be raised the coming year, for what it is to be used, etc.
This then, is an honest and honorable debt, one for which the congregation has had value received, and to refuse to pay it or neglect to do so, is poor business from whatever point we view it. Yet a congregation that would never think of refusing to pay it's coal or gas bill, will sometimes let the apportionment go, without apparently, giving it even a thought.
6. From the obligation arising from the declaration of God's Word "He that provideth not for his own, especially those of his own house, hath denied the faith and is worse them an infidel."
While this does not primarily refer to the fifth item of the apportionment, yet we believe that it covers this point, viz., the apportionment for Ministerial Relief. It is as self-evident as an axiom in Mathematics, that few ministers die rich in this world's goods. This is not so much the result of bad management as of small income. The ordinary salary of the minister is, as a rule, not above his actual needs. Now, so long as the minister has good health for himself and family, and is able to perform the duties of an active ministry, all goes well and he is able to take care of himself and his .
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family. But like other mortals, his allotted time is also three score and ten years, or, perhaps by reason of strength, four score years. There comes, therefore a time when the. minister grows old, and to age often infirmity is added. What is to be done then? He has sacrificed time, and money, and talent, and health for the up-building of the Church; and is he now to be cast aside at will like a piece of worn out machinery on the farm or in the factory? This seems to be the idea of some congregations, for it is sometimes done. But sucli should never be the case. When, as does occasionally happen, the minister breaks down in the service and has no means of support, it is the duty of the Church to see that his wants are provided for; and in such cases it is not a work of charity, but simply a case of the Church providing for it's own. And that congregation which refuses to pay it's apportionment, is failing to do it's duty to those of it's own household and has in a measure, at last, denied the faitlı.
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We have now dealt with the congregation's obligation to pay it's Synodical apportionment, as it affects a congregation of our own . Synod, and liave, therefore, touched only upou those subjects covered by our own apportionment. We miiglit proceed to multiply the obli- gations resting upon God's people to further the work of His kingdom, by taking up the various phases of the Church's activities as found on the Parochial Blank, or recommended in the minutes of Synod; but as they are not a part of the apportionment, they hardly fall within the limits of the subject.
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We will, therefore, close at this point, hoping that what has been written may prove helpful in enabling some to see the apportion- ment in it's true light, who have hitherto been unable to do so; and seeing, cheerfully aid in advancing the causes it represents, giving "not grudgingly or of necessity, for God lovetli a cheerful giver."
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Copies of this paper in tract form, will be sent free upon application to the Secre- tary of the Chicago Synod. Rev. H. B. Reed, 944 Le Moyne St., Chicago, I11.
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INDEX
Absentees.
.46
Applications for Membership 14
Applicants for the Ministry ... 5
Apportionments
16
Apportionments, Paper on, .. 53
Appropriations to Missions. . 29
Archives, Report on ..
.37
Auditing Com., Report of .
.40
Benevolence.
45
Beneficiary Education .
35
Calls Accepted.
9
Chicago Seminary
12
Committees, Regular
15
Special
16, 48
Standing.
16, 48
Conferences
.34
Colburn Academy
.37
Deaths
.7
Dedication
IO
Delinquencies
19
Delegates to General Council,
Report of.
.20
Dismissals
9
Division of Charges.
10, 25
Education
.35
Examination, Report on
14
Excuses
46
Thanks, Resolution of .
.47
Foreign Missions.
.44
General Council
II
Treasurer's Report Synodical 17
Home Missions
- 33
Trustees
42, 46
Home Missions, Report on
.. 26
Home Missions of General
Council
- 30
Plan for unification of. . . 31
Installations
8
Lutheran, The
I2
Memorial Service.
49
Minutes of Previous
Conven-
tion
41
Next Convention
35
Obituary
7,52
Officers
.14
Opening Service
.3
Ordination
7
Parochial Reports
42, 43
Porto Rico Missions.
44
President's Report.
6
Report on
24
Protocol.
41
Publications of G. C.
46
Reception of Congregations .. 36
Register of Congregations. . . 51
Religious Serv.and Addresses 50
Resignations and Removals .. 9
Roll of Ministers.
4
Roll of Lay Delegates
5
Status of Brethren
13
Synodical Organ.
40
Visiting Ministers
5
Vacancies
II
NEXT CONVENTION, Wednesday, June 21st. 1905, 10:00 A. M. - La Fayette, Indiana. REV. ELMER D. S. BOYER, PASTOR LOCI.
3 9306 00098182 5 CONCORDIA THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY
Forms of Bequest
To prevent mistakes in writing wills and making be- quests, carefully note the Corporate Titles. In the case of an unincorporated Board (like the Foreign Mission Board), or of an object within the scope of the General Council but not covered by any Board, designate the Trustees of the General Council as the custodians, using this form:
I give and bequeath to the "Trustees of the General Council of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in North America" the sum of dollars.
If real estate, use the words and devise after the word bequeath, and give a designation or description of the property.
State also the particular object to which the bequest is to be devoted, or the name of the unincorporated Board in whose interest the bequest is made.
If for ENGLISH HOME MISSIONS, use the title: The "Board of English Home Missions of the General Council of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in North America."
If for CHURCH EXTENSION, use the title: "The Lu- theran Mission and Church Extension Society."
If for THE CHICAGO SEMINARY, use the title: "The Theological Seminary of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, at Chicago, Illinois."
If for THE CHICAGO SYNOD the "Trustees of the Chi- cago Synod, of the Evangelical Lutheran Church."
If for THE COLBURN ACADEMY "The Colburn Academy of the Evangelical Lutheran Church."
The laws of the state in which the testator lives, should be consulted.
Officers of Synod
PRESIDENT, Rev. Hiram Peters, Decatur, Ill. SECRETARY, Rev. H. B. Reed, Chicago, Il1. TREASURER, Rev. Isaiah Whitman, Wallace, Ind.
Benevolent Work of Synod
:
All Contributions made under the head of Synodical Apportionment are devoted to the following five objects: Foreign Missions in India under control of the General Council. Beneficiary Education in College and Seminary. Home Missions of the Chicago Synod. Synodical Expenses. Ministerial Relief.
The following educational, charitable and missionary enterprises are earnestly commended by Synod to the prayerful consideration and liberality of all congregations: Home Missions of the General Council and of the Chicago Synod. Theological Seminary, No. 1311 Sheffield Avenue, Chicago. Jewish Missions. Passavant Memorial Hospital, 192 E. Superior St., Chgo. Deaconess Work, Mother-House, Milwaukee, Wis. Church Extension of the General Council. Orphan Work, Zelienople, Pa. Porto Rico Mission. Academy, Colburn, Ind.
Call for Workers
Deaconesses. Young women, members in good and regular standing of our Evangelical Lutheran Congregations, between the ages of 18 and 40, are earnestly urged to consider the call to become Deacon- esses. Widows without children, meeting the above requirements, are also eligible. Unlimited opportunities to serve the Master are offered in this call. Address,
Sister MARTHA GENSIKE, Mother-House, Milwaukee, Wis.
Trained Nurses. A number of Christian young women between the ages of 20 and 35, with a good common school education, are wanted to take a two-year's course to become trained nurses. Pupil-nurses are provided with board and wash, and receive four dollars a month for their services. Address
Pass. Mem. Hospital, 192 E. Superior St., Chicago.
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