Dear Pastors and Members of LCMC Congregations, This communique is to inform you of a transition for Perry Fruhling. Perry has served as LCMC’s Coordinator for Pastoral Ministry for the past five years but is now sensing a need to return to parish ministry. He writes, “During the past six to nine months, my wife, Marlys, and I have been discussing the need for me to return home and to parish ministry. While it ... [...]
Videos from our 22nd Annual Gathering & Convention, which took place October 2- 5 at Hosanna Church in Lakeville, MN at are now available for streaming. To watch from your mobile device, download our mobile app, tap on the "Media" tab, then select "2022 Annual Gathering" from the list of options. The app is compatible with AirPlay and Google Cast, enabling users to play ... [...]
Pastors, leaders, and church members from across the association gathered together October 2-5 at Hosanna Church in Lakeville, MN for LCMC's 22nd Annual Gathering & Convention. The theme of this year’s event was “Discipleship: Following Christ in a Complicated World”. Programming began on Sunday evening with an opening worship service preached by Becky Hand. Monday morning kicked off with Bible ... [...]
Join us January 3-5, 2023 for our 11th Annual Three Days of Prayer. No matter where you are or how you choose to structure this time, let's all join together as an association of congregations to kick off the new year with an intentional time of prayer. [...]
LCMC congregations are often geographically distant from one another, which can leave pastors and their congregations feeling isolated and remote from the mutual support they need. Seeking to overcome that sense of remoteness, a group of pastors in central Nebraska and northern Kansas have been making monthly meetings a priority in our busy schedules, and our commitment to each other has led to an incredible mission outreach by our ... [...]
What happens when close to 200 students and adults show up for the LCMC Youth Gathering, July 19-22, 2022, in the middle of the summer? God shows up with them. That is exactly what happened this year when our students and their leaders came together at Grand View University in Des Moines, IA. God was there with us, and it was truly amazing. The theme this year was “The Way, the Truth, and the Life” and students were ... [...]
When a new pastor comes to a congregation, there is a honeymoon period that can last as long as two years, or as little as two weeks! Those first months of a new call are critical to both the pastor and congregation to form healthy habits and dialog to arrive safely at a longer-term ministry. LCMC is offering a New Call Orientation workshop this fall to help pastors and congregations to get off on the right foot. There will ... [...]
This year’s Annual Gathering & Convention for Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ is being hosted at Hosanna Church in Lakeville, MN on October 2-5. Our gathering is so much more than a traditional, old-school business meeting, or a pastors’ only meeting. It is a gathering of God’s people, lay and ordained, coming together to worship the Lord, to begin building new friendships or nurture existing ones, to ... [...]
This fall there will be two online Zoom trainings for developing tools for conflict resolution: Conflict Coaches Training is to train up coaches who can assist congregations and pastors in conflict resolution in their respective areas of the country. Congregational Conflict Team Training is for congregations to develop their very own conflict teams to help their congregation develop good processes for conflict ... [...]
OneAmerica is the recordkeeper for the LCMC retirement plan. OneAmerica is committed to safeguarding their customers’ assets and personal information. In this environment where fraud and cyber risks are prevalent, OneAmerica uses a multi-faceted approach to guard against these threats. It is also important for you to do your part in safeguarding your account once you have enrolled in the plan. Here are some simple things you can do ... [...]
I love slowing down and resting in God’s presence, at times alone and at other times in the presence of others. One of the ways I experience this is in moments of worship and prayer with the community of sisters and brothers in Christ. Therefore, I am excited to announce that we will have an opportunity to do just that at our upcoming Annual Gathering & Convention. On Tuesday, October 4, we will gather at 7:00 P.M. at Hosanna ... [...]
The IRS allows credentialed ministers to declare a housing allowance distribution from their 403(b)(9) Retirement Plan account in retirement. This means that the portion of your distribution used for housing expenses is excludable from gross income for income tax purposes. This can provide significant tax savings during retirement. The LCMC Retirement Plan is a 403(b)(9) Plan and specifically designed for LCMC ... [...]
It is the congregation’s––more importantly, lay leadership’s––responsibility to ensure that their pastors and families are cared for properly. Planning proper compensation and benefits for those who serve the church is an important task. Every church should see that the pastors and staff have adequate salary and retirement benefits established. The LCMC 403B Retirement Plan is a great vehicle for ... [...]
Seminary students are invited to join us October 1-2, 2022 at Hosanna Church in Lakeville, MN for our next Seminarian Retreat. The retreat is an opportunity for LCMC seminarians to come together to experience fellowship, learn about issues related to vocational ministry in LCMC, become more aware of our association’s DNA, and ask questions. Registration for the retreat is being handled separately from Annual Gathering ... [...]
Registration is now open online and by mail for our 22nd Annual Gathering & Convention. The event includes speakers, fellowship meet-ups, breakout sessions, worship, and more! For the discounted rate, sign up by August 15. [...]
Hosanna! Lutheran Church will be hosting a new retreat for retired pastors and spouses from August 29-31 at Okoboji Lutheran Bible Camp in Milford, IA. This event will give you an opportunity to connect with other retired pastors, be inspired, and hear helpful financial information…all at a cost you can’t refuse, even if you no longer have a church paying your way! [...]
Naming a beneficiary for your retirement account is an important task and should be completed as soon as you enroll. It will mean probate, attorneys’ fees, and other costs associated with settling estates are avoided. If you are married and would like someone other than your spouse as your primary beneficiary, your spouse must sign and witnessed by a notary public. A trust may be named as a beneficiary. You ... [...]
This Friday, April 1 is the last day to register for Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ's upcoming summer 2022 youth event, The Way • The Truth • The Life. The purpose of our national youth event is to serve as a leadership development experience for both students and student leaders. Everything at this youth event is designed to empower youth ministry in the local church and encourage ... [...]
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Small churches have tremendous impacts for the kingdom of God in their local communities and in other countries around the world. Over five hundred of our member churches in LCMC have one hundred members or less. These two facts are why serving, encouraging, and equipping the leaders and members of our small churches is one of the priorities in LCMC 3.0. I served two congregations of one hundred members or less in my years of ... [...]
The LCMC 403(b) Retirement Plan now has a new app for your mobile device that will allow you easy access to your account. To download the app, go to www.oneamerica.com/mobileapp. Participants can register and log into the app using the same username and password as their account. Call OneAmerica at 1-800-858-3829 with questions. Let them know you are with LCMC, plan #963003. [...]
On December 10, 2021, the West Kentucky area was devastated by a category 4 tornado. Several cities were deeply affected by this tragedy. Large portions of Mayfield through Dawson Springs were destroyed. Many families were displaced by the tornado and at this time there are Mayfield families living in surrounding areas, including Paducah. We, as a congregation, along with many who have been visiting the Mayfield ... [...]
One of the first questions people ask me when we begin a conversation about forming or renewing a district or fellowship is, “Why would we do that?” It’s a good question. After all, we have functioned perfectly well for twenty years with only a small portion of our congregations being actively involved in a district or fellowship. Why would we want to change that? The time when everyone in our association knew everyone ... [...]
From January 4-6, every congregation is invited to join together in prayer in celebration of the association's 10th Annual Three Days of Prayer. We realize that every congregation in LCMC is different. Consequently, we invite you to structure this intentional time of prayer in any way that makes sense for your congregation. In past years, some congregations have organized special events such as prayer vigils, services, ... [...]
“To be human is to pray,” says Pete Greig, founder of the global 24/7 prayer movement. He continues, “Prayer is the least weird, most natural, necessary, and wonderful invitation. But no one finds it easy. I guess we all need a little help.” We all need a little help because, knowing that prayer is central to our life with God, we are prone to turn prayer into a mandatory performance. So, we try hard to do it right, ... [...]
LCMC is pleased to announce that the LCMC Health Plan is moving forward effective January 1, 2022. If you have not submitted your health application, we have a one-time extension to December 10, 2021 to be part of our January 1, 2022 start date. If there are any questions please reach out to the Hahn Financial Group at 1-800-516-4246. [...]