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Revive Retreat - A Catalyst for LCMC Congregational Renewal in Southeast Wisconsin

Across Southeast Wisconsin, congregations are witnessing a quiet but unmistakable movement of the Holy Spirit among Gen Z and Millennial adults. Over the past seven years, Trinity Lutheran Church in Genoa City, Wisconsin has hosted a regional formation experience known as the Revive Retreat—a ministry that integrates the strengths of Cursillo, Alpha, and Purpose Driven Life into a distinctly Lutheran, Christ-centered framework for ... [...]

July 29, 2026 By Brian Metke - St Mark Lutheran Church (Lindenhurst, IL) Read more...

When a Church Closes Well - The Faithful Ending of Lebanon Lutheran Church

For more than a century, Lebanon Lutheran Church stood on its corner in south Minneapolis as a witness to the gospel. Its building held generations of baptisms, confirmations, funerals, and potlucks. Its people carried deep roots: families who had worshiped there for decades, in some cases their entire lives. It was not just a church, it was a spiritual home layered with memory and meaning.  And yet, like many congregations, Lebanon ... [...]

June 24, 2026 By Christian Huntley - LCMC Read more...

Unleash Your Creativity - Enter Our 2026 Photo Contest

Where is God’s work being UNLEASHED in your congregation and community? The LCMC Photo Contest offers churches an opportunity to share inspiring images and stories that celebrate faith, ministry, service, and the life of the local church. From worship, fellowship, and celebrations to service projects, education, and everyday moments of faith in action, we want to see how God’s work is being unleashed in your congregation and ... [...]

June 16, 2026 By Kristy Thomas - LCMC Read more...

Rooted in Christ, Called to the Future

After 25 years in LCMC, what are your hopes for LCMC’s future?  I have been a part of LCMC for 23 years, and what a ride it has been!  LCMC, for me, was a safety net when my predecessor church body left me. That may still be true for some, but LCMC is so much more. Philippians 1:6 reminds us of God’s good work in us. God is not finished but will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. In my 43 years as a ... [...]

July 17, 2025 By David Gran - St Luke's Lutheran Church (Garfield, Minnesota) Read more...

Register Now - 25th Annual Gathering & Convention

Registration is officially open for our 25th Annual Gathering & Convention, and this year, we have so much to celebrate! In light of our twenty-fifth anniversary, we will be gathering together under the theme "Our Help and Hope". Taking inspiration from 1 Corinthians 3:10-13 and Psalm 127, we will discuss the theological and historical foundations on which LCMC was built, explore how and why some of our leaders are part of ... [...]

May 2, 2025 By Kristy Thomas - LCMC Read more...

No More Kayaking in Church!

Flood damage in Spencer, Iowa, lies between Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Hugo according to the Red Cross. More than 75 percent of homes are damaged by flood or sewer backup. Two LCMC congregations suffered serious damage to our buildings. At Faith Lutheran, we had knee-deep water and sewer back-up. Trinity Lutheran had ten feet of water in its basement and a week without electricity. Flood Day Saturday, June 22 My phone rang at 5:51 ... [...]

July 29, 2024 By Pastor Ben Unseth - Faith Lutheran Church, Spencer, IA Read more...

Successful Succession - Providing for Tomorrow’s Saints Today (Part 2)

Previously, Rev. Wendy Poch, pastor of Spirit of Hope Lutheran Church in Parker, Colorado, began a series on successful pastoral succession using the example of the succession experience at Spirit of Hope (SOH). In this article, as the founding and predecessor pastor of the congregation, I will share with you my perspective about the process. In 2019, God began working in the congregation to prepare it for a future leadership change. None ... [...]

May 27, 2024 By David Fisher - Retired LCMC Pastor Read more...

Confessions of a Church Planter

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 ... [...]

April 26, 2024 By Robert Knutson - Hebrews 10:24 Community Church Read more...

Rich Resources!

Economists frequently point to the availability and capitalization of natural resources when projecting a country’s long-term success. My state, Minnesota, is rich in farmland and iron ore. By shipping beyond its borders, these products enrich the lives of people across the world. LCMC is equally rich in resources. We have incredible teachers, preachers, and leaders, lay and ordained, who impact where they serve. These rich resources ... [...]

July 21, 2023 By Christian Huntley - LCMC Read more...

Life Together Groups

One of the greatest gifts God has given me in all my years of ministry in the Church has been to be on mission with those I love. I have been so blessed by multiple relationships with men and women who I can truly call safe-place people in my life. And having those relationships has given me a place to share the issues of life and ministry I’m facing and receive help to navigate those issues in healthier and more effective ways rather ... [...]

March 28, 2023 By Mike Bradley - LCMC Read more...

Water 4 Kids

LCMC congregations are often geographically distant from one another, which can leave pastors and their congregations feeling isolated and remote from the mutual support they need. Seeking to overcome that sense of remoteness, a group of pastors in central Nebraska and northern Kansas have been making monthly meetings a priority in our busy schedules, and our commitment to each other has led to an incredible mission outreach by our ... [...]

September 8, 2022 By Leah Fintel Krotz - St. Paul Lutheran Church (Blue Hill, NE) Read more...

A Gathering of Worship & Prayer

I love slowing down and resting in God’s presence, at times alone and at other times in the presence of others. One of the ways I experience this is in moments of worship and prayer with the community of sisters and brothers in Christ. Therefore, I am excited to announce that we will have an opportunity to do just that at our upcoming Annual Gathering & Convention. On Tuesday, October 4, we will gather at 7:00 P.M. at Hosanna ... [...]

June 28, 2022 By Mike Bradley - LCMC Read more...

Retired Pastors and Spouses Retreat

Hosanna! Lutheran Church will be hosting a new retreat for retired pastors and spouses from August 29-31 at Okoboji Lutheran Bible Camp in Milford, IA. This event will give you an opportunity to connect with other retired pastors, be inspired, and hear helpful financial information…all at a cost you can’t refuse, even if you no longer have a church paying your way! [...]

April 22, 2022 By John Nelson - Hosanna! Lutheran Church Read more...

Prayer: Keep it Simple. Keep it Real. Keep it Up.

“To be human is to pray,” says Pete Greig, founder of the global 24/7 prayer movement. He continues, “Prayer is the least weird, most natural, necessary, and wonderful invitation. But no one finds it easy. I guess we all need a little help.” We all need a little help because, knowing that prayer is central to our life with God, we are prone to turn prayer into a mandatory performance. So, we try hard to do it right, ... [...]

December 21, 2021 By Graeme Sellers - Pastor, Wonderful Mercy Church (Gilbert, AZ) Read more...

The Joy of an Overseas Mission Trip

If you have never gone on an overseas mission trip, you do not realize all that you have missed out on. A short-term focus, typically 10-14 days, and being part of Christ’s outreach abroad, is life changing. It was for me, decades ago. In choosing to go on a mission trip, a variety of reasons have been shared over the years, including these three: To help people, especially those living in incredibly impoverished areas of the ... [...]

March 3, 2021 By Jim Blessman, MD - Blessman International Read more...

LCMC Lutheran Men to Reorganize Funding Program

The purpose of LCMC-Lutheran Men is to worship God by helping congregations through the money we collect from the men of our congregations plus grants provided by congregations. After much discussion, our board has decided to reorganize our funding program.  Currently, we have two funds, the Loan Fund and the Gift Fund. The Loan Fund is designed to provide a no interest loan to small/mission congregations that can be used for building ... [...]

January 29, 2021 By Chuck Hunsaker - President, LCMC – Lutheran Men Read more...

Three Days of Prayer Recap - Congregations Begin New Year with Time of Prayer

January 5-7 marked Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ’s ninth annual Three Days of Prayer event, bringing pastors and congregation members of the association together to kick off 2021 with an intentional time of prayer.   In light of the circumstances brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, it is no surprise that fewer congregations than usual opted to host in person events.  According to the results of our ... [...]

January 26, 2021 By Kristy Thomas - LCMC Read more...

Update on Youth Events Around the Association

Ministry for children, youth and young adults is an essential element in the future development of our association and in the work of sharing the Gospel in the United States and around the world. With that in mind, we are so thankful for the adults throughout LCMC who are coming alongside of parents and giving of their time to share God’s love with children, teens, and young adults. As we begin to make plans for a national youth ... [...]

November 24, 2020 By Mike Bradley - LCMC Read more...

LCMC Conflict Coaches To Be Available

LCMC Conflict Coaches Training has been taking place in August and September.  LCMC Coordinator for Pastoral Ministry Perry Fruhling, continues to work with potential coaches who are preparing to be available to congregations throughout the association.  The training has consisted of understanding conflict from a systems perspective, learning to identify sources of anxiety in congregational conflict, and developing skills in the ... [...]

August 24, 2020 By Perry Fruhling - LCMC Read more...

COVID-19 Response

Since the COVID-19 pandemic descended upon our nation, everyone and everything has been affected, including our congregations. People have become quite creative in their response. Even though we were required to avoid meeting in public, the church did not stop being the church. Here is how some of our congregations responded to the lockdown and “sheltering in place”! [...]

July 1, 2020 By Mark Vander Tuig - LCMC Read more...

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