Workbook page: 31
PDF page: 66
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LCMS 2026 Convention Workbook: Reports and Overtures, PDF page 66
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2026 Convention Workbook 31OFFICER, BOARD, AND COMMISSION REPORTS (Mark 12:31). MADV is here to walk alongside you in living out this calling— through giving a donation, volunteering for those in crisis at one of our recognized service organizations, or learning about God’s missionaries and ministries around the world. Rest assured, our re- lationship with you—and with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ— reigns supreme above all else. A. Commitment to Ethics and Transparency Since MADV’s inception in 2011, our fundraising and organi- zational standards continue to be scrutinized and validated through the Better Business Bureau and earning the Accredited Charity Sta- tus. Additionally, MADV prides itself in being fully transparent and upfront when working with our constituents. Please take the time to peruse through our Fundraising and Contributor Rights page: lcms. org/giving/transparency#fundraising-and-contributor-rights. Included online: • Advancement Staff Code of Professional Ethics • Donor Bill of Rights • Fundraising Policy and Procedural Manual • Staff Directory • Financial Reports Further, all correspondence created and generated through MADV is brought through a strict review process touching all ar - eas of corporate Synod: LCMS Communications, mission offices, Office of the President, and external doctrinal reviewers. We pride ourselves in delivering products which directly align with the Lu- theran ethos. If you cannot find what you are looking for, we encourage you to contact us as indicated above. B. God’s Abundant Blessings The mission and operations of corporate Synod are made possi- ble solely through voluntary contributions. Phil. 4:19 states: “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” This pertains to all aspects of our life and work—personal to professional, within your local congregation, and across the ministry areas whose responsibilities are defined by the bylaws and resolutions set forth in convention. Over the course of the triennium, relationships were deepened particularly with family and corporate foundations along with an influx of planned gifts. God continues to bless His Church through saints even after they have been called to their eternal home. C. Collaboration and Expansion Within the Office of National Mission, ministry leaders and MADV have worked closely to strengthen relationships not only with Lutheran foundations but also with secular philanthropic part- ners. These collaborations have resulted in multi-year, multi-mil - lion-dollar proposals that significantly advance our shared mission. Our team continues to witness tangible signs of trust and partner - ship as non-Lutheran entities increasingly engage with the work of the LCMS. Most recently, the Lilly Endowment has begun partner- ing with various LCMS ministries—a direct outcome of intentional collaboration across units and teams. Donors are also demonstrating growing trust through an increase in least-restrictive gifts. The former trend of small - given directly to the seminaries. Significant support is also given to the seminaries through cor - porate Synod in St. Louis. One means of seminary support through the Synod is called “Synod Subsidies.” This is that portion of congregational worship offering passed on by districts to support national-level work, then granted by the budgeting process as unrestricted support for sem- inary operations. Computed by an agreed-upon formula, based on student graduations, Synod subsidies to the seminary have consis- tently been a total of $593,700 each year. Donations and bequests restricted by contributors to support the operation of both LCMS seminaries are given through the LCMS Joint Seminary Fund (JSF) and divided between the two seminar - ies. Donations and bequests restricted to a specific seminary are identified by the contributor. These gifts are not included in the JSF. The Global Seminary Initiative (GSI) provides donations vol- untarily restricted for disbursement to both Synod seminaries. It is also used to augment assistance for qualifying international stu- dents and to send Synod seminary faculty to teach overseas. Certain donations were voluntarily given to the Synod that car - ried a donor-imposed restriction to be given as financial assistance to students enrolled at either of the Synod’s seminaries. Seminary faculty services are undesignated or designated funds paid to seminaries in return for services provided by the seminary faculty members (e.g., presentations, seminars, and short-term in- tensive teaching assignments). Total national Synod support of our seminaries. James A. Baneck, Executive Director R1.2.4 Mission Advancement Mission Advancement (MADV) exists to do exactly what its name declares—to advance God’ s mission as entrusted to His Church. Our team of 44 dedicated employees serves as a bridge into the programs and projects approved by the Synod’s boards. Because of this linkage, contributors of the Synod can more ful- ly engage with the work of their church body—whether it’s hear - ing a mission advocate give a presentation at your church’s Bible study hour, a quick email sent to Mission.Advancement@lcms.org regarding a recent story you read about in Lutheran’ s Engage the World, or calling the donor care line at 888-930-4438. We are here to connect, inform, and serve you. In the book of Mark, God calls each of us to love our neighbor, “The second [commandment] is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these”