Growing Financial Viability FAQs
What is the Lilly Foundation Inc.?
The Lilly Endowment supports the causes of community development, education and religion. It affords special emphasis to projects that benefit young people and that strengthen financial self-sufficiency in the charitable sector.
Lilly funds significant programs throughout the United States, especially in the field of religion, though they maintain a special commitment to their founders’ hometown, Indianapolis, and home state, Indiana. https://lillyendowment.org/
Why do we need to assist rostered leaders with their student debt and financial management?
Seminary expenses over the last number of years have increased dramatically. A Masters of Divinity degree has traditionally been a four-year master’s program. Many pastors, especially first call pastors, are called to congregations that cannot meet synod compensation guidelines. As a result, pastors carry a great deal of debt with a position that does not pay very well. This provides financial stress on the pastors and effects their ability to pastor as effectively as they might otherwise.
What kind of training is the Executive Leadership Skill workshop?
California Lutheran University offers a week of continuing education for pastors and church leaders in which faculty from the School of Management will explore and discuss how concepts from management and finance can be applied to the complex environment of congregational life and ministry.
What is Stewardship for All Seasons?
The objective of Stewardship for all Seasons is to guide rostered ministers and congregational leaders to learn tried and true principles of fundraising and effective methodologies to carry out fruitful, broad-range stewardship programs that enliven a culture of generosity.
What are holy innovations?
Holy innovations are ministries which are looking at new ways to do ministry and serve God’s people. These includes ministries like:
Emmanuel Sudanese Lutheran Fellowship is a community that provides worship in both English and Dinka languages.
Grants are provided to support these and other ministries which are “out of the box.”
Why is the Grand Canyon Synod doing an appeal now?
The Lilly Foundation studies and supports community development issues, especially with respect to religious entities. In 2015 it completed a study that showed the severe financial difficulties faced by many ordained clergy and their lack of financial expertise. The Foundation subsequently made matching grant money available to study and relieve these conditions. Matching funds must be in place by the end of 2023. Although the pandemic delayed the start of the campaign, many individuals and congregations have come through the pandemic in strong financial condition. Combined with the urgency of the needs that are being addressed, this is a great time to conduct an appeal.
Growing Future Ministries FAQs
What is campus ministry and why is it important?
Campus ministry provides a Lutheran presence on college campuses. A high percentage of pastors and lay leaders have participated in campus ministry. Approximately one-third of those participating in campus ministry have never been part of a Lutheran church. Campus ministry provides an invaluable opportunity to reach young people who are yearning for connection and meaning.
What will the money be used for at the University of Arizona campus ministry?
The University of Arizon Campus Ministry needs new and larger facilities to continue its ministry to college students. The funds will enable Campus Ministry to secure these facilities to continue and expand its ministry to students in Tucson.
What will the money be used for in the Las Vegas area?
The money will be used to explore and, if warranted, launch a campus ministry in the Las Vegas area with a bilingual pastor. This effort will be coordinated with Grand Canyon Synod Lutheran congregations in the Las Vegas area.
What are emerging ministries and how will the money be used?
With demographics changing and people in our synod becoming younger and more diverse, we must shape our ministries to be meaningful to this wider audience. Emerging ministries involve efforts to meet these changing needs. Funds raised for emerging ministries will provide additional seed money to support these ministries as they grow and prosper, especially as we emerge from the pandemic.
What are new ministry collaborations?
Many congregations work with other congregations or organizations in order to perform ministry. For example, two congregations may decide to pool their resources for youth ministry which, for various reasons, neither can adequately perform alone. The funds raised for this activity will be used to provide grants to help plan and get these efforts off the ground.
Growing Fervent Voices FAQs
What are Lutheran Advocacy Ministry in Arizona (LAMA) and Lutheran Engagement and Advocacy in Nevada (LEAN)?
LAMA and LEAN are ministries of the Grand Canyon and Sierra Pacific synods, respectively (a portion of Nevada is included in the Grand Canyon Synod). They are intended to lend a Lutheran perspective to discussions of justice, peace and similar issues in the public arena. A director is responsible for the daily advocacy activities and reports directly to the bishop. A policy committee, a group of volunteers from throughout the synod, establishes the substantive policy areas of focus each year and assists the director in carrying out activities.
Why is the synod involved in advocacy?
Advocacy on behalf of, and with, those who may not be heard is a deep part of our Lutheran heritage. When we are baptized, one of the five promises that we make as we embark upon our faith journey is that we will work, with God’s help, to achieve justice and peace throughout the world. Martin Luther advocated to the rulers in Saxony to provide, outside the church, for education, food distribution, and health care for those who had no personal means to obtain them. Through advocacy, we stand with others whose voices might not otherwise be heard in the decision-making process.
What sorts of things are done through advocacy?
There are two main functions performed through advocacy. One is educational in nature. LAMA and LEAN provide sessions to train individuals about the legislative process, and how they may effectively contact their representatives in government on an issue of interest. They may also provide factual information on substantive issues, such as hunger, housing, or refugee resettlement.
The second is to urge support for positions that are consistent with Lutheran teachings, Social Statements, and other official documents. For example, while we may differ as to specific policy solutions on a given issue, one of the positions we share is that all people should be treated fairly and with respect. Through LAMA and LEAN the synod can voice that position when it is relevant and necessary to do so.
How can I learn more?
You can learn more at the LAMA webpage at lamaz.org and the LEAN webpage at leanforjustice.org. On the webpages, you can sign up for periodic updates, find out when educational events are offered, and learn more about advocacy through both the synods and ELCA church wide.