Report of the Committee on Grants from The Report to the Ten Districts, 1978

Abstract

This 1978 report by the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod’s Committee on Grants addresses concerns about the Synod’s practice of requesting and receiving financial support from sources outside WELS. Prompted by a memorial from the Dakota-Montana District, the committee examined Scripture, church history, and contemporary practices. The report concludes that accepting such grants is a matter of Christian liberty, not a violation of biblical principles, provided it does not compromise stewardship or confessional integrity. It distinguishes between acceptable external support (e.g., from the Aid Association for Lutherans after bylaw revisions) and problematic sources (e.g., Lutheran Brotherhood, which implied spiritual fellowship). The report emphasizes vigilance, transparency, and respect for differing consciences within the Synod. It warns against selective use of Scripture and urges careful application of Christian freedom. The 1979 Synod convention endorsed the report in substance and thanked the committee for its work. —Abstract generated by Microsoft Copilot (GPT-4)