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 building trust and healthy habits. New Call Workshop: Tips for Healthy Relationships and Conversations is being offered via Zoom on November 7, 2023 from 12:00 P.M. to 4:00 P.M. Central Time. The new call ... [...]
Attending this year's Annual Gathering & Convention? Be sure to register by August 15 to get the discounted rate! This year’s theme is All Hands on Deck, and make no mistake, we need you all there. Please consider joining us October 1-4 in St. Charles, MO. [...]
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 ... [...]
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 ... [...]
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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 ... [...]
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 ... [...]
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 ... [...]
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 ... [...]
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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. [...]
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, ... [...]
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. [...]
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 ... [...]
Payroll and tax filing services often cost way too much, especially for ministries, like yours, that rely on tithes, offerings, and donations. This was one of the reasons our preferred insurance provider, Brotherhood Mutual, created its own payroll company: MinistryWorks®. “We serve more than 5,000 ministries, so our team has the expertise to help solve complicated payroll problems, especially for clergy,” said Mark ... [...]
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 ... [...]
LCMC Congregations, Pastors, and Leaders, The LCMC Board is pleased to announce the start-up of a group health plan for our association, including coverage for pastors and eligible staff members within the congregations! The LCMC Board has explored various plan designs and options available, and to finalize those findings, LCMC has partnered with the Hahn Financial Group, Inc. for implementation. The next step is to gather ... [...]