+ Rev. Larry Strenge Director for Evangelical Mission, SW MN Synod, ELCA Last week a retired pastor called me seeking advice on how to give a gift to our synod. His desire was to support rural congregations, so I told him about ways that could be done through our Funding Initiative and Advent Appeal. He […]
Stewardship Toolkit for September
THEME: Living our Baptism: Stewardship of Our Work Life Introduction by: Rev. Larry Strenge, Director for Evangelical Mission, SW MN Synod, ELCA Toolkit by: Rev. Robert Blezard. Reprinted by permission. Pastor Blezard serves as an assistant to the bishop of the Lower Susquehanna Synod and works as content editor for www.stewardshipoflife.org. I am always pleased to […]
Building an Endowment Fund
It was a joy to be on hand Thursday, May 24, 2018 at Paynesville Lutheran Church as Jim Schade (pictured) joined with Amy Bigot, our Synod’s Planned Giving coordinator and 15 other leaders to offer advice and tell stories on why and how to build an endowment ministry. “Why isn’t the Church in the […]
Stewardship ‘Toolkit’ for May 2018
Good, thoughtful, consistent communication, education and action will help develop a healthy culture of stewardship and generosity in your congregation. This kit is designed to help get you there! Pr. Larry Strenge, Director for Evangelical Mission, wants to share this great resource by Rev. Rob Blezard, Assistant to the Bishop in the Lower Susquehanna Synod. […]
Stewardship snippets for congregation
Rev. Rob Blezard is the Assistant to the Bishop of our ELCA’s Lower Susquehanna Synod (Pennsylvania). Rob has created these “Stewardship Snippets” for congregations to use in bulletin as they practice making stewardship a topic of everyday faith practice. Let me know if you like these resources. I’ll try to make them available as an […]
2018: Your Year of Gratitude
I really appreciated colleague, Rob Blezard, who shared this article on “Gratitude” As he says below, “Gratitude holds the key to thankfulness, happiness and contentment.” As you finish 2017 and look ahead to 2018 I hope you know how I appreciate Rob, but also you, as someone who lives “gratitude.” Rev. Larry Strenge, Director for […]
MAX Your Gift!
The synod invites you to think about, pray about, and consider contributing financially the the Embrace God’s Mission + Equip God’s People Funding Initiative in a way that fits your capacity and passion. MAX = Give directly to the SW MN Synod’s Funding Initiative for minimal processing fees. GIVE NOW! Two of our synod deans gave […]
How Mission Support Works
+ Stories of Faith in Action, ELCA As Lutherans, we believe that Christ has freed us from sin and death, even from ourselves, so that we can love and serve our neighbors. One way we put our faith in action is by making a financial gift – an offering – to our congregation. Did you […]
Stories of Faith in Action
Stories of Faith in Action is a free, annual publication highlighting how God is changing lives through the ministries funded by your congregation’s unrestricted offering of Mission Support, which is shared with your synod and the ELCA churchwide organization. Together, we serve God’s people across the United States and around the world through our 9,300 congregations, […]
Giving Gifts of Grain – Generosity Strategy
If you have not lifted up this strategy to your farmers you will want to. There are significant tax advantages for receiving gifts of grain. Here is a link that explains the rules that must be followed from the Indiana School of Philanthropy.
