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 ... [...]
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 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 ... [...]
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 ... [...]
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! [...]
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, ... [...]
Registration is officially open for our next national youth event, a leadership development experience for students and youth leaders designed to help empower the ministry of the local church. Our youth event offers a chance for students and youth leaders to connect with one another, explore God's call on their lives by participating in keynote presentations, breakout sessions, worship, and small groups, and take part in a service ... [...]
Conflict is a normal part of our everyday lives. We experience conflict in our relationships at home, places of work, community, and yes, even in our churches. As many as 40% of our congregations will experience conflict to the point of disrupting mission! During the past year, Perry Fruhling, Coordinator for Pastoral Ministry for LCMC, has been conducting Conflict Resolution Workshops around the country. The desire ... [...]
LCMC's 21st Annual Gathering & Convention, a four day event featuring speakers, worship, fellowship, Bible study, vendors, and networking, will kick off this Sunday, October 3. Registration for the event has closed early due to space limitations caused by construction delays at the venue, however a livestream option will still be available on our website beginning with opening worship on Sunday, October 3, 2021 at 7:00 P.M. ... [...]
Due to construction delays, the main sanctuary space at UALC will not be ready for use by the time the Annual Gathering is going to start on Sunday, October 3, 2021. We must move to a much smaller space, hence closing registration for the Annual Gathering this year. All registrations received through Thursday, September 16, 2021, have been confirmed. Unfortunately, we will not be able to accept walk-in registrations. If ... [...]
Registration is now closed for the 2021 Annual Gathering & Convention. Due to space limitations at the venue, we have closed registration and can no longer accept new registrations for the event. We look forward to a great event and will be live streaming, so if you are not able to attend in person, you are welcome to participate online. More information on how to access the livestream will be available on our ... [...]
Mark your calendar now for LCMC’s next national youth event, which takes place July 19-22, 2022 at Grand View University in Des Moines, IA. The event is open to high school students completing grades 8-12, youth ministry leaders, and adult chaperones, and is designed to serve as a leadership development experience for both students and youth leaders. Registration for the event will be online only and opens November ... [...]
Advanced Intentional Interim Ministry Training has returned. The intentional interim ministers will gather January 17-20, 2022 at Spirit in the Desert Retreat Center in Carefree, AZ. This is an incredible campus and the event is designed for both equipping for ministry and rejuvenation from ministry. We begin Monday night at 6:00 P.M. with dinner, worship, and fellowship. Class begins Tuesday morning at 8:00 A.M. with ... [...]
In June, leaders from ten existing and potential districts and fellowships, along with LCMC staff, had their annual meeting at Hosanna! Lutheran Church in St. Charles, IL. The gathering was an excellent opportunity for the staff to learn more about the priorities and concerns of leaders, for the various districts and fellowships to share their stories, and for those considering forming (or re-forming) a district or fellowship to get some ... [...]
Join us August 26 at 11:00 A.M. Pacific Time for a FREE Zoom webinar led by Thomas Brashears and Michael Boyle and designed to help you manage people who have frustration and anger using empathy, listening, and reframing. Advance registration is required, and the deadline to sign up is August 20. [...]
Join LCMC Pastor and Ministry Board Member Ebassa Berhanu for a FREE webinar July 6-7, 2021 from 10:00 A.M. to 12:00 P.M. CDT online via Zoom. [...]
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 in Des Moines, IA). 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 ... [...]
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 ... [...]
“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 ... [...]
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 ... [...]
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 ... [...]