Lutheran Church Extension Fund (LCEF) has served as the financial extension of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) since 1978, offering funding and resources in support of the church. Our investors make it possible for us to provide customized loans and support services to new and growing ministries as well as loans for rostered church workers who dedicate their lives to sharing the Gospel.
LCEF empowers LCMS ministries with every dollar invested. We provide customized loans and support services to new and growing ministries as well as rostered church workers who dedicate their lives to sharing the Gospel. We also offer investments for everyone from babies to grandparents. When you invest with LCEF, you’re not only supporting LCMS ministries, you’re also partnering with a financial institution that shares your Lutheran beliefs.
To find out more about how you can partner with LCEF, contact us in the District office or visit lcef.org.
Sabbatical Scholarships
Coming out of the pandemic, many church workers continue to be physically, mentally, emotionally, and even spiritually exhausted. A ministry sabbatical could be a key to ministry longevity for weary church workers. LCEF’s Grace Place Wellness is not only encouraging ministries to consider a ministry sabbatical but has started a scholarship fund to assist church workers with planning a sabbatical.
What is a ministry sabbatical?
A ministry sabbatical is an intentional time for a church worker to rest and be renewed for ministry. This serves both the church worker and the ministry he or she serves. It is not a vacation, nor does it replace a vacation but has a specific focus for renewing a church worker and helping revitalize a ministry. A properly planned ministry sabbatical normally requires anywhere from 16-24 months to plan. It is recommended that church workers develop a planning team of lay leaders. With this planning team, we encourage the development of a unified and shared theme, which not only provides ownership for the ministry, but also enables the ministry to participate in the sabbatical experience. Church workers often return from a sabbatical energized and even more productive.
How do you apply?
LCEF recognizes the toll ministry can have on a church worker, and we care. We are grateful for our church workers. This is why LCEF is providing four ministry sabbatical scholarships of $5000 to help church workers taking their first ministry sabbatical. Applications are available here.
Applicants will have until October 31, 2024 to work with their team to come up with a preliminary plan and other documents outlined in the application. Four applications will be selected by LCEF and the funds will be sent to the church worker’s ministry. For more information about planning a ministry sabbatical, please check out the Grace Place Wellness Ministry Sabbatical guide.
Take Heart Scholarship
The Take Heart Scholarship is developed for high school seniors who will soon be entering higher education. Students who have an LCEF Young Investors Steward Account have the opportunity of financial support through the Take Heart Scholarship. Three awards of $3,000, $1,000 and $500 will be granted. The application window closes on May 1, 2024 and winners will be announced on May 31, 2024. Read more about it at www.lcef.org/scholarship.
The Grace Place Podcast
Church workers are dedicated to their vocation of ministering to God's people and sharing the good news of Jesus Christ and the forgiveness of sins. Along the way, how do you remain well while growing in your call? How do you avoid common pitfalls to wellness, learn skills to maintain or increase a healthy lifestyle, and increase your effectiveness as a minister? The Grace Place Wellness Podcast, presented by LCEF, helps church workers find relief from the pressures of ministry.
The Grace Place Wellness Podcast - Lutheran Church Extension Fund (lcef.org)
See how Victory Lutheran Church in Eden Prairie, MN fought for their land with the help of LCEF!
“The mission of Lutheran Church Extension Fund is to support The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod by ensuring that financial resources and related services are available now and in the future.”
LCEF links
Interest Time - LCEF’s official quarterly magazine
LCMS Rostered Church Workers (RCW) Loans
The Rosters Church Worker Mortgage Loan Program offers adjustable and fixed rate options and is available for the purchase or refinance of a home. Applicants must be active or emeritus status and meet specific underwriting guidelines. They offer a competitive interest rate, minimum down payment of 5%, and no private mortgage insurance (PMI). For more information click on the link or contact Kai Larson.
Our team is here to serve you:
Kai Larson
District Vice President, Minnesota South & Minnesota North
952-223-2163
Kai.Larson@lcef.org | LCEF website page
National LCEF Office
800-843-5233
Fax: 314-996-1131
10733 Sunset Office Dr, Ste 300
St. Louis, MO 63127-1020
“It is a blessing for me to serve you, our churches, schools, and RSOs of the LCMS. Together, we are partners in ministry for His glory.
“My wife, Kimberly, and I are members at Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church in Plymouth. We have one daughter, Paige. I have a Bachelor of Science degree from Minnesota State University Moorhead, and I worked in the financial services industry for 18 years prior to joining LCEF in 2017. I enjoy following sports, football, basketball, and baseball.
“I look forward to getting to know you and your ministry better!”