Economists frequently point to the availability and capitalization of natural resources when projecting a country’s long-term success. My state, Minnesota, is rich in farmland and iron ore. By shipping beyond its borders, these products enrich the lives of people across the world. LCMC is equally rich in resources. We have incredible teachers, preachers, and leaders, lay and ordained, who impact where they serve. These rich resources ... [...]
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 ... [...]
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 has a new ministry partner that provides high-quality insurance protection for congregations. Check them out on our resources page (under Church Life > Resource Links) or visit their website at: www.brotherhoodmutual.com. [...]
LCMC is hosting our second training class for those who feel called into intentional interim ministry. Those of us serving on the LCMC staff believe those serving in this capacity need training. Some of the best training is through the Interim Ministry Network (IMN) or the National Association of Lutheran Interim Pastors (NALIP). These courses require significant time and money, so we are providing a lower cost alternative, ... [...]
Six years ago, Service Coordinator Mark Vander Tuig invited every congregation in LCMC to join in prayer for three days at the beginning of the new year. In the time since, our association has turned Three Days of Prayer into an annual tradition with many congregations choosing to organize prayer walks, host special services and vigils, or distribute resources to congregation members for each of the three days. Mark your calendars now ... [...]
Did you know that the LCMC App lets you sign up to receive news updates on your mobile device based entirely on your interests? Here's a breakdown of what's available: General Notifications: Select this option if you’d like to be notified ONLY of announcements that aren’t related to attending a specific event. Examples: New videos/podcasts Service projects Contests Major news updates from the ... [...]
During the 2017 Annual Gathering, Johan and Sonja Hinderlie shared a skit depicting on Martin Luther and his wife Katy in honor of the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation. This was well received and we have had many requests for more information. Johan has graciously provided a video on the 95 Thesis that we have linked here. It is available for download so you will be able to share it with you congregation as you ... [...]
You asked, we answered! After receiving dozens of requests from LCMC-ers everywhere for clothing items featuring our new logo to be available online, the staff of Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ is happy to announce the official launch of our brand new online store. [...]
To God be the Glory, to a seminary student the gain! A wonderful gift was given to St. Paul Lutheran Church in Kodiak, Alaska. So, we have established a new scholarship, The Wheeler Family Scholarship! This scholarship was established from a gift given by Gary and Annette Wheeler, long time members of St. Paul Lutheran Church who hoped to encourage people to consider a call into the ordained ministry of Lutheran ... [...]
Part of my role as Coordinator for Pastoral Ministry includes dealing with pastors and congregations in the call process. As I prepared my Call Committee Workshop I came across a very helpful article by Lavern Brown on the advisability of interim pastors. I have found that many congregations neglect the essential work of dealing with the transitional issues that arise after the resignation and departure of their pastor. I offer ... [...]
Our 4th Annual Three Days of Prayer is set for January 5,6 and 7, 2016. Obviously, we pray more than three days a year but this is an opportunity for the congregations of LCMC to spend this time together before the throne of Grace. Each congregation is free and encouraged to do this in the way that seems best to them. For us together, Day One is a prayer of Confession, recognizing that we have sinned against God, against ... [...]
Lutheran Leader Scholarship Valparaiso University is offering two scholarships to high school seniors for outstanding leadership . The deadline to nominate a student is Friday, October 23, 2015. The application process, if selected, would be later. For further information, contact Rev. Martha Nelson at marthaunelson@yahoo.com. [...]
Did you know that Thanksgiving sometimes comes in October? Well, not the official Thanksgiving, but elements of thanksgiving have found their way into October in many congregations, because the second Sunday in October has been designated as Clergy Appreciation Day, and some congregations observe this spirit of Thanksgiving all month long! [...]
When I first started in this job in 2010, I had an idea about a way to use our website to connect congregations with one another. The idea came from the internet dating programs that are now commonplace and have resulted in thousands of marriages. We are finally ready to launch this new effort. Here’s how it works: The leader/pastor/member of a congregation goes to our website and signs up for Churches ... [...]
Is the Holy Spirit poking at you to consider being a pastor? Are you already attending seminary? Do you know someone who would make a good pastor? It has always been important for the body of Christ to be connected... connected to Jesus and to one another. One of the most practical ways for LCMC seminarians to connect is to make sure that their name is on our list of seminarians. If you are an LCMC seminarian and would like to be on ... [...]
2015. I am looking forward to a great year together. Steve Lien will continue to offer workshops on call committee coaching, Dan Clites will continue to offer workshops on the development of new ministries, and I will continue to offer workshops for congregational leadership. One of the things that we hope to be is a resource to our congregations. Other models for staffing in church bodies looks to do the work ... [...]
Rev. Steve Lien, LCMC's Coordinator for Pastoral Ministry, announces Interviewer Inservices for those who conduct Certification Interviews. Join him for this two-hour refresher and training session just before or after any of the following District Conventions: Texas District: Friday, August 1, 2:00-4:00 P.M. (Seguin, TX) Heartland District: Friday, August 15, 2:00-4:00 P.M. (Fremont, NE) Iowa District: Saturday, November ... [...]
LCMC will be hosting a three day Seminarian Retreat from October 3-5, 2014 at Riverside Bible Camp in Story City, IA. Throughout the weekend, seminarians will have the chance to meet fellow seminarians in LCMC; ask questions about seminary, LCMC, first call, and pastoral family life; gain wisdom and advice from a few pastors who have been there; build relationships with your future colleagues in [...]
Preparations for this fall's meal packaging project are underway, and we are making progress in raising the $80,000 needed for the supplies we will use to package 400,000 meals together at our Annual Gathering in October. As of January, we have collectively raised $8,940.67 to be used for obtaining food, packaging materials and postage for the project. Those wishing to make a donation to the project, or to download ... [...]
When you add up to cost of tuition, books, lab fees, parking passes, and sometimes even room and board, the cost of a college education adds up fast. Fortunately, one organization is offering an opportunity to help avoid racking up the debt. The Lutheran Community Foundation plans to award one $5,000 scholarship to a graduating high school senior who plans to attend a Lutheran-affiliated college or university for the 2014-2015 ... [...]
Many of us may be wondering about the recent court decision about minister’s housing allowances. Here is some excellent info from a denominational office (The Presbyterian Church USA). Here is what they are sending out (and it provides good answers to ‘what about my next filing?)Office of the General Assembly (OGA) has been receiving inquiries and questions regarding the November 21, 2013 decision of a federal district court ... [...]
Earlier this month I sent out an invitation to the 11 Seminaries with whom we have a working relationship. I invited them to join in a conversation with members of the LCMC Ministry Board, along with Rev. Dr. Paul Spaulding, our Coordinator for Pastoral Certification and Rev. Dan Clites, our Coordinator for New Ministry Development. The agenda for the meeting was very simple: Here’s what is happening.Here’s where ... [...]
The first of the 12th Annual Gathering videos from Denver have been posted online at our website, and can be found on our Video & Presentations page. To view additional videos from this and other events, please keep checking back regularly, as new presentation materials are added as they become available. Please Note: Due to various technical difficulties... [...]
For those interested in snagging some sweet new LCMC apparel for the holidays (or anytime), an array of surplus, logo-embroidered clothing items from October's Annual Gathering is up for grabs in a colorful assortment of styles and sizes. Supplies are first come, first serve, and limited to availability. For more information, please contact our administrative assistant, Cathy Nichol, via email at ... [...]