The month of May was a busy one for LeaderCare, part of LCMC 3.0. Pastors, leaders, and spouses came together in North Carolina and Iowa to be cared for, connected, and experience a retreat designed around health and wholeness in ministry. It was great to see leaders from across the LCMC spectrum ministering to one another, listening to one another, and praying for one another. This was the second retreat for our Carolina leaders at ... [...]
We’re about to set forth on a new adventure and we would love for you to come along! It’s no secret that we’ve grown quite a bit since we held our first Annual Gathering & Convention in 2001, but with that growth comes many new challenges, questions, and opportunities. Consequently, it is time for us to join together and intentionally take a look at who we are and where we need to go from here. Our nickname for ... [...]
Recently, we took a survey of ordained and lay leaders in our small churches in LCMC. Thank you for your responses. Your feedback has not only been received, but is being followed up on by the LCMC Board of Trustees, Ministry Board, and staff. One example comes from our board of trustees and ministry board meetings held April 12-14 in Minneapolis. The boards affirmed a proposal to create a comprehensive plan for leadership and pastoral ... [...]
The LCMC Retirement Plan offers several different types of distributions depending on your age and active status. Forms can be found by logging into your account and clicking on forms. Some distributions may be submitted online, others require a paper form. All distribution forms must be signed by LCMC. The distribution instructions can be found at www.LCMC403B.com. Click on “Plan Information”. [...]
Naming a beneficiary for your retirement account is an important task and should be completed as soon as you enroll. It will mean that probate, attorneys’ fees, and other costs associated with settling estates will be avoided. [...]
One of the greatest gifts God has given me in all my years of ministry in the Church has been to be on mission with those I love. I have been so blessed by multiple relationships with men and women who I can truly call safe-place people in my life. And having those relationships has given me a place to share the issues of life and ministry I’m facing and receive help to navigate those issues in healthier and more effective ways rather ... [...]
.jpg){kind=logo}
LCMC 3.0 is the new season of life and ministry the Lord is leading us into as an association. It is a season of continuity and change. It is a season in which we are being called to embrace the tension (nothing new for Lutherans) between the two as we follow the Lord. It is a season in which we’re being confronted by challenges. But as we’re told in the Scriptures, what appear to be challenges to us can actually be turned into ... [...]
I am delighted to announce a new addition to our LCMC association staff. I have invited Pastor Christian Huntley to join my team in the role of Coordinator for Leadership and Pastoral Development. In this position Christian will help us focus on some points of emphasis for our LCMC 3.0 strategic plan such as the implementation of The LeaderCare Initiative, a series of retreats designed to help love, connect, and care for leaders in our ... [...]
In 2023 you may contribute up to $22,500 via payroll reduction. Your congregation can also contribute to your retirement account. The IRS allows total annual contributions into your account of $66,000. If you haven’t started saving early, you still have time to increase your retirement savings. Those over age 50 may contribute an additional “catch-up” contribution of $7,500. For more information, go ... [...]
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! [...]