We have been given all we need for faithful and effective ministry and mission in today’s world. We have been given the gospel which is God’s power for salvation (Rom 1:16). We have been given the gift of a new life in Christ (2 Cor 5:17). We have been given the gift of the Holy Spirit’s empowering presence (Acts 1:8; 2:38; 4:31). We have been given spiritual gifts through which God impacts people ... [...]
For the past several months, a team of LCMC staff and leaders have been discerning and planning our next national youth event (The Way • The Truth • The Life, July 19-22, 2022 at Grand View University). As we’ve discussed plans for the gathering, a shared heart and desire to attend to the care of youth leaders has become a focus. In our meetings, we’ve had conversation about common topics of concern for those who ... [...]
Join us online May 18-19, 2021 for "Safe Place", a FREE webinar hosted by LCMC Service Coordinator Mike Bradley. In a culture which is often judgmental, condemning, arrogant, angry, and polarizing, becoming a safe place is an essential key for increasing our effective witness in the world. Being a safe place creates an atmosphere to build authentic relationships, struggle without judgment, and ask real questions; a place ... [...]
The Lutheran Disaster Assistance Fund was established in 2013 to assist churches during times of natural disasters. The goal of the Fund is to reach out to those impacted by disaster who otherwise would not have resources. Grant decisions are made by a committee made up of representatives from five contributing churches... [...]
It’s great to be aboard the LCMC national staff as Coordinator for Districts and Fellowships. While this is a brand new position, LCMC’s commitment to districts and fellowships goes back to our earliest days. Our founding documents highlight local, grassroots partnerships as crucial for congregational support in carrying out their missions. Districts can be places for shared mission endeavors, collegiality and ... [...]
“Speak It, Live It, Share It” is the theme of our 21st Annual Gathering & Convention, which will take place October 3-6, 2021 at Upper Arlington Lutheran Church in Hilliard, OH, and registration is officially open! Keynote speakers Jeremey King, Nathan Hoff, Jenn Alexander, Julie Smith, Andrea Taphorn, and Mike Bradley will take the stage to help us uncover some practical ways in which we can speak, live, and share ... [...]
Connecting, equipping, and caring for leaders. This has been a passion of mine throughout my forty-two years of vocational ministry as a youth minister, associate pastor, lead pastor, seminary president, and now as Service Coordinator for LCMC. With that in mind, I am looking forward with much anticipation to attending and helping lead the annual meeting for LCMC District and Fellowship Group leaders, along with our newest staff ... [...]
If you have never gone on an overseas mission trip, you do not realize all that you have missed out on. A short-term focus, typically 10-14 days, and being part of Christ’s outreach abroad, is life changing. It was for me, decades ago. In choosing to go on a mission trip, a variety of reasons have been shared over the years, including these three: To help people, especially those living in incredibly impoverished areas of the ... [...]
As LCMC’s Service Coordinator, I am delighted to announce a new addition to our national staff. I have asked Pastor Julie Smith to join our team as the Coordinator for Districts and Fellowship Groups. Adding this position to our team will enable us to be more effective in connecting, equipping, and caring for all congregations and leaders throughout the association. We believe that developing a healthy and robust district and ... [...]
We heard the word “essential” a lot this past year. The word was used in regards for necessary items and personnel; but if we’re honest, the definition fell pretty broadly as to who was categorized in this way. However, we still needed the essentials for day-to-day life. Even in our congregations, we had to get down to the “essentials” for ministry to move forward. As things progressed, innovation took place. ... [...]
Calling All Interim Pastors! The impact an interim pastor has on a congregation is substantial, as it can be the time a congregation moves from unhealthy patterns and behaviors to a more positive healthy environment. Interim pastors are in a unique position to move a congregation forward during uncertain times. The need for intentional interim pastors is critical. Many congregations need some intentional healing before ... [...]
The purpose of LCMC-Lutheran Men is to worship God by helping congregations through the money we collect from the men of our congregations plus grants provided by congregations. After much discussion, our board has decided to reorganize our funding program. Currently, we have two funds, the Loan Fund and the Gift Fund. The Loan Fund is designed to provide a no interest loan to small/mission congregations that can be used for building ... [...]
January 5-7 marked Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ’s ninth annual Three Days of Prayer event, bringing pastors and congregation members of the association together to kick off 2021 with an intentional time of prayer. In light of the circumstances brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, it is no surprise that fewer congregations than usual opted to host in person events. According to the results of our ... [...]
In the gospel text for January 24th from Mark 1:14-20, Jesus comes proclaiming good news. Great news. The long-awaited kingdom of God is near. Jesus comes declaring and demonstrating that a new life, a better way of living life is breaking in on the world here and now. It is a way of living life that is made possible by what God is doing in and through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus; a way of living life that we can never create ... [...]
LCMC’s Three Days of Prayer on January 5-7, 2021 is an opportunity for us to follow the Lord’s example and to come together as one across the association with a shared purpose: to pray. Follow along with us on Facebook or in the app during each of the three days, and please consider sharing your testimony with us by taking our survey. [...]
Ministry for children, youth and young adults is an essential element in the future development of our association and in the work of sharing the Gospel in the United States and around the world. With that in mind, we are so thankful for the adults throughout LCMC who are coming alongside of parents and giving of their time to share God’s love with children, teens, and young adults. As we begin to make plans for a national youth ... [...]
Our Lord Jesus is our model for all things in life and faith. With that in mind it is important to note how intentional He was in making time to be with God the Father and to pray (see Mark 1:35). These were such important priorities for Jesus that He even refused to allow the ever-present needs of people to deter Him from making time to pray. Jesus was intentional when it came to prayer. Following our Lord’s example, we are ... [...]
Videos from our 20th Annual Gathering & Convention, which took place October 5 at North Heights Lutheran Church in Arden HIlls, MN, are now available for streaming. To watch from your mobile device, download our mobile app, tap on the "Media" tab, then select "2020 Annual Gathering" from the list of options. The app is compatible with AirPlay and Google Cast, enabling users to play content on a TV or ... [...]
A total of 139 people joined together in person at North Heights Lutheran Church on October 5 to celebrate Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ's 20th Annual Gathering and Convention. This total included 105 voting delegates, 14 guests, 8 members of the board of trustees, 5 members of the LCMC staff, 5 members of the ministry board, and 2 speakers. The event, which was also live streamed online, featured a discussion on the ... [...]
From the LCMC Board of Trustees - It is with real regret that I inform the LCMC of the resignation of our treasurer, Jeff Wold. Jeff Wold served as a trustee and then as treasurer for a total of three years. Jeff has been a valuable addition to our board and an important voice in this transition process and hiring of the new Service Coordinator for LCMC. Jeff has been prayerfully considering the demands of the ... [...]
Our 20th Annual Gathering & Convention is only one week away! Since we are anticipating more people than ever to be tuning in live, we thought we would fill you in on a few last minute details. Those of you who plan to "attend" the event virtually can access our live stream on Monday, October 5 from 9:30 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. CDT by visiting www.lcmc.net/live. A digital version of this year's event program, ... [...]
Remember the mission. Three words that you will hear me say often as I begin my tenure as Service Coordinator for LCMC. There are certain things about who we are, what we do, and what we believe as Christians that must never change. They remain true in every era, country, community, and congregation for all time. The mission God has given us is one of those things. Our Lord Jesus articulates the mission in Matthew 28, telling us to go into ... [...]
LCMC Conflict Coaches Training has been taking place in August and September. LCMC Coordinator for Pastoral Ministry Perry Fruhling, continues to work with potential coaches who are preparing to be available to congregations throughout the association. The training has consisted of understanding conflict from a systems perspective, learning to identify sources of anxiety in congregational conflict, and developing skills in the ... [...]
Congregations who are interested in viewing the LCMC conflict resolution workshop video recorded by LCMC Coordinator for Pastoral Ministry Perry Fruhling, may email Perry (perry@lcmc.net) for a link to the video along with the workshop workbook. Congregational councils, small groups, or newly forming conflict resolution teams may have interest in forming a study around the video presentations. The video was recorded at ... [...]
The LCMC Conflict Coaches Training event has been rescheduled as an online workshop set to take place August 19 - 20 and August 31 - September 1 from 10:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. To register, contact Perry Fruhling at perry@lcmc.net. [...]