Articles About Resources

We're Unleashing a New Leadership Training Experience at Our 2026 Annual Gathering

Building a better tomorrow starts with the work we do today.  That’s why at our upcoming Annual Gathering & Convention, the LCMC Board of Trustees is introducing a new feature to help make the event more accessible, practical, and engaging for both current and future church leaders: breakout session tracks tailored to specific ministry interests. This year there are five different breakout tracks to choose from, each one ... [...]

May 27, 2026 By Kristy Thomas - LCMC Read more...

May is Mental Health Awareness Month

Struggles with mental health are far more common than many of us realize, and help is more accessible than we often think. In our churches and communities, there are people quietly carrying burdens like anxiety, depression, grief, or burnout. Some are unsure what they’re experiencing. Others recognize the struggle but feel stuck, uncertain, or even afraid to take the next step. The good news is th [...]

April 29, 2026 By Emily Ruppert, MA, LMHC Read more...

Introducing the TableCast

For the past eight months, Pastor Scott Hawkins and I have been thinking, dreaming, scheming, recording, editing, and releasing a new LCMC podcast called the TableCast. What started as a wild idea on an airplane has now become reality.  The TableCast is a conversation designed to explore the people and theology of LCMC. Both Scott and I see the podcast as a way to celebrate the beautiful variety within our association—whether ... [...]

February 24, 2026 By Christian Huntley - LCMC Read more...

Why Train Your Church Council?

Because Healthy Leadership Makes a Real Difference. Clarity Is Kindness  Imagine a basketball team where no one knows their position. Chaos, right? The same happens when church councils and pastors are not clear on roles. Training helps define who does what—and why. Councils govern; pastors shepherd. When those lanes are clear, everyone breathes easier.    “In my first call, my church council thought I was ... [...]

January 26, 2026 By Brodie Taphorn - LCMC Read more...

2025 Advent Devotional Now Available

To help guide this season of Advent, we’ve created a special Advent devotional for LCMC congregations. Color and printer friendly PDF versions are now available as a free resource for you to download and share with your congregation.  [...]

November 26, 2025 By LCMC Read more...

25th Annual Gathering & Convention - What to Know

It was a time for celebration as 780 people gathered together October 5-8 at Hosanna Church in Lakeville, MN for Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ’s 25th Annual Gathering & Convention and a celebration of the association’s silver anniversary.   “Our Help and Hope” was the theme of this year’s program, which was based on the hymn O God, Our Help in Ages Past, as well as 1 Corinthians ... [...]

October 17, 2025 By Kristy Thomas - LCMC Read more...

Mid-Year Update

Fifty-four days ago (but who is counting?) I began my new role as service coordinator of LCMC. It is an honor to be selected for this position by the Board of Trustees and I look forward to the work we will do together in the future. But before we look ahead, we thought we’d take a quick look back on 2025 so far.  In January, the Board of Trustees opened up the application process for a new service coordinator. Mike Bradley ... [...]

June 27, 2025 By Julie Smith - LCMC Staff 1 Comments Read more...

2025 Lenten Devotional Now Available

Our 2025 Lenten Devotional is now available for download as a resource to pastors, congregations, and indviduals.  A full color version and a printer friendly grayscale version are both included below.  Feel free to download and share them with your congregation, family, friends, etc.  Click on the images to download the PDF.  [...]

February 5, 2025 By Julie Smith - LCMC Staff Read more...

2024 Advent Devotional Now Available

A 2024 advent devotional is available at no cost as a resource for our pastors, leaders, and congregations to use during the holiday season.  A full color version and a printer friendly grayscale version are both included below.  Feel free to download and share them with your congregation, family, friends, etc. [...]

November 27, 2024 By Julie Smith - LCMC Staff Read more...

Growth and Continuing Education

With a new budget year and the turning of the calendar often comes planning for new goals and new learning. LCMC is fortunate to have great educational partners, district and association resources that support pastors and lay leaders. How are you going to grow in ministry this year? How are you supporting your staff, ministry volunteers, and councils grow? [...]

January 29, 2024 By Christian Huntley - LCMC Read more...

Rich Resources!

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 ... [...]

July 21, 2023 By Christian Huntley - LCMC Read more...

Online Event: Conflict Coaches Training

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 ... [...]

November 17, 2021 By Perry Fruhling - LCMC Read more...

Payroll Made Simple with MinistryWorks

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 ... [...]

November 16, 2021 By LCMC Read more...

New Resource Available

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. [...]

October 1, 2018 By LCMC Read more...

LCMC Announces Intentional Interim Ministry Training for 2018

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, ... [...]

March 22, 2018 By Perry Fruhling - LCMC Read more...

2019 Three Days of Prayer Dates Announced!

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 ... [...]

February 26, 2018 By Kristy Thomas - LCMC Read more...

Get Mobile Updates!

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 ... [...]

January 28, 2018 By Kristy Thomas - LCMC Read more...

Luther and Katy Presentation Well Received

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 ... [...]

October 20, 2017 By LCMC Read more...

Introducing the LCMC Store

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. [...]

March 23, 2017 By LCMC Read more...

Scholarship Opportunity for Seminary Students

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 ... [...]

February 16, 2016 By Pastor Elden Simonson - St. Paul Lutheran Church, Kodiak, AK Read more...

Advice Regarding Interim Pastors

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 ... [...]

January 20, 2016 By Steve Lien - LCMC Read more...

Our 4th Annual Three Days of Prayer Takes Place January 5-7, 2016

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 ... [...]

November 18, 2015 By Mark Vander Tuig - LCMC Read more...

Scholarship Opportunity for High School Seniors

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.  [...]

October 16, 2015 By Martha U. Nelson - LCMC Read more...

Plan Now: October is Pastor & Staff Appreciation Month!

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! [...]

June 23, 2015 By Steve Lien - LCMC Read more...

We've Launched CHURCHES CONNECT!

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 ... [...]

May 27, 2015 By Mark Vander Tuig - LCMC Read more...