During my time as service coordinator, I have had numerous congregations who have been longtime members, as well as others who have recently joined LCMC, tell me that they “feel like they’ve come home.” We all know that moving into a house requires ongoing upkeep and maintenance, and this is also true for LCMC, which almost 1,000 congregations now call home ..read more

If you have an LCMC retirement account and have never accessed your account, you need to first register your account, which means setting up a user ID and password. (See: LCMC Quick Registration Instructions) If it has been over 3 months since your account was set up, your account access may need to be re-activated in order for you to register. Call the Participant Service Center at (800) 858-3829.  Here are some tips that may help ..read more

Registration is now open for our 24th Annual Gathering & Convention! The event, themed “Engaging Your Cultural Moment”, takes place September 29 - October 2 at St. Mark's Lutheran Church* in Marion IA. Together, we will explore how the cultural moments happening all around us can be seen not as something negative, but as potential opportunities for carrying out the Great Commission ..read more

Did you know that LCMC sponsors a retirement plan for pastors and staff? The plan includes housing allowance benefits in retirement for pastors! There are no fees for the church to adopt the plan and it is easy to set up.  You can find all the information about the plan at www.LCMC403b.com.  Here's how it works: The congregation adopts the plan by completing the Participation Agreement and Matrix ACH ..read more

A couple of months ago, I received a letter from LCMC Service Coordinator Mike Bradley requesting financial support. I confess, I did not receive it well. I lead a very small church plant and funding is an enormous challenge. I initially thought, “He doesn’t even know me… I should be writing HIM a letter, asking HIM for support!” I believe these thoughts may be common due to the autonomous nature of our ..read more

In February, I was invited to join the Texas District for their annual Winter Retreat. What I witnessed, and was welcomed into, was an atmosphere of relationship. As the participants gathered, old friends and longtime colleagues reunited, picking up where they left off the last time they gathered. I witnessed new people being welcomed in. New relationships were formed. This relational atmosphere created space for people to pray for one ..read more

Are you prepared for retirement?  Will you have enough to live on during retirement? In 2024 you may contribute up to $23,000 via payroll reduction! Your church may contribute to your account as well. Your contributions plus the church’s contributions cannot exceed $69,000. This is the IRS limit for 2024. If you haven’t started saving early, you still have time to increase your retirement savings.  Those over age ..read more

When a new pastor comes to a congregation, there is a honeymoon period that can last as long as two years, or as little as two weeks!  Those first months of a new call are critical to both the pastor and congregation building trust and healthy habits. New Call Workshop: Tips for Healthy Relationships and Conversations is being offered via Zoom on November 7, 2023 from 12:00 P.M. to 4:00 P.M. Central Time.   The new call ..read more

Our 23rd Annual Gathering & Convention kicks off TODAY at the St. Charles Convention Center in St. Charles, MO and runs through October 4.  We will be livestreaming the main session of the event from our website each day.  To tune in, go to https://www.lcmc.net/live.  A copy of the event schedule can be found here and here.  Please keep in mind that all times are listed in local time for St. Louis, MO and plan ..read more

So, you've heard about LeaderCare. You’re not sure what it is or if it is right for you yet. You may be wondering, “Why should I attend a LeaderCare event?” I’ve invited LCMC pastors to tell you in their words: “Dear Leader: As ministers of the Gospel we are blessed to be called to a life of emptying ourselves in order to spread the love of Jesus Christ. I would not trade it for the world, but as you ..read more