A Head for Finance...A Heart for MinistryCasey Carlson, Lutheran Church Extension Fund (LCEF) - Missouri District Vice President, worked in traditional banking for 15 years, honing his skills and expertise and serving in the private sector. He always felt inspired by the work of LCEF but didn’t necessarily believe he’d...
As a pastor, you have a lot of responsibility, including sermon preparation, funerals, marriage counseling and leadership—not to mention the financial management and security of the congregation. Although it probably isn’t the highest profile part of your job, keeping a church financially healthy is no easy task. It’s possible that...
The sight of RVs camped together might bring to mind fishing, camping or road trips. However, for Laborers For Christ, it’s not the call of the wild that brings the campers, but the desire to give back to LCMS entities through their work on construction projects. While there, the workers...
Rev. Samuel Powell, of Trinity Lutheran Church in Jefferson City, doesn’t think most pastors are overjoyed at the idea of starting a stewardship campaign. However, last year everyone agreed it was the right time. Rev. Powell reached out to Casey Carlson of the LCEF and Gene Wyssmann of the Missouri...
Last year the pastor of Hanover Lutheran Church, Rev. Tony Kobak, had a very good problem. He was considering removing the walls in the classrooms to create more space for everyone clamoring to attend an adult Sunday school and Monday night Bible classes. There simply were more people than would...
The Lutheran Church Extension Fund (LCEF) will soon be accepting applications for Kaleidoscope Grants for the third consecutive year. With funds between the amounts of $15,000 and $75,000, these grants are available to Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) K-8 elementary schools. LCEF Articles of Incorporation and Synod Bylaws prohibit LCEF from distributing...
What fortifies a parent’s resolve to take their kids to church before they can sit still? What empowers those same parents to take the lead on teaching the faith, to ensure their kids feel comfortable praying, reading scripture and asking questions? The answers will vary as greatly as every family...
When communities change, it can be hard to notice from the inside. For example, Kathryne Chapin asked members of Trinity Lutheran Church how many babies would likely be born in an upcoming year. The estimates were approximately 30 times smaller than the real number. Most members estimated (on average) that...
Most people don’t necessarily see a direct connection between a congregation’s business administration and the individuals worshiping on Sunday morning. However, when churches and other buildings receive repairs or updates, the impact can change lives. For example, it’s been almost six years since Joyce Hicks entered the fellowship hall of...