Convention Workbook

While CEF has been in existence for more
than 100 years, and has partnered with some
80% of the Synod’s congregations, only about
5% of LCMS members have become
investors. At the present time, there are about
3,500 individuals in the Pacific Southwest
District who are investors. Without question,
we need to effectively tell our story using a
variety of approaches, but with a consistent
message. Investors in the Lutheran Church
Extension Fund receive interest on their
investments, but they also receive what we
refer to as the “Ministry Dividend”. LCEF is
fundamentally led by lay people who have a
heart for its mission. Approximately 70% of
our district congregations have an LCEF
representative, enlisted to be an advocate at
the local level, operating under the guidance
of our promotion coordinators. Nurturing
this network of representatives is an
important part of consistently getting that
message out, and the coordinators are
engaged in accomplishing that through these
activities:
Lutheran Church Extension Fund
• Personal training visits to
representatives
• Conducting local and regional
workshops
• Providing displays, materials, and
information on a monthly basis
• Making special presentations to
congregations
• Helping promote “LCEF Sunday” in
our congregations
• Helping representatives promote
investment activity
Demographic Studies
Demographic studies continue to be an
excellent tool for congregations, schools,
mission councils, circuits and even entire
regions of the District. LCEF contracts with
Mission Insight, a vendor of demographic
data and services for religious entities. Using
information from sources such as city, county,
state and government data, census data,
housing stats and credit card receipts, Mission
Insight continually compiles and updates their
data and systems. We are currently able to
provide this service at no cost to our
congregations and schools.
Another tool that has helped congregations
and schools and is tied into the demographics
study is the Neighbor-to-Neighbor mailing
list service.
School Marketing
LCEF has developed marketing materials and
strategies to help our schools in “branding”
their ministry to help communicate who they
are to their community. The material is
available only to LCMS schools, and is known
as Project School Zone. This information
can be accessed at the web site:
lcefmarketing.com.
Consecrated Stewards
In addition to the Holy Spirit’s blessing, the
effectiveness of Consecrated Stewards can be
attributed to three factors:
• It is founded on solid biblical
principles, reinforced in materials and
activities
• It is easy to implement and organize
• It provides a trained Guest Leader to
keep the process on track and
maintain focus
This affordable eight week stewardship
emphasis is founded on our Lutheran
understanding of biblical stewardship
principles. Since it is not tied to the church
budget, it can be used at any time during the
year, and it helps awaken the desire to
respond to the grace of God in Jesus Christ.
In our district, congregations have
experienced an increase in annual offering
commitments from 15% to 35%.
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