| | | | | PUBLISHED BY THE MISSOURI DISTRICT OF THE LUTHERAN CHURCH—MISSOURI SYNOD
November 9, 2018 | | | | "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord,
"plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give
you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11 | | | | Lutheran Development Group Transforms Buildings into Homes We've all seen dilapidated buildings, with their broken windows and crumbling facades. For some, these structures are simply part of a backdrop. They're often referred to as "vacant properties," or "blight." However, many struggling people in cities across our country have another word for it. Home.
While there are some affordable housing options in St. Louis, the need far outweighs availability. Building by building, Lutheran Development Group (LDG) is creating a new choice for people stuck between unaffordable, luxurious renovations and scraping by in subpar living conditions. Chris Shearman, founder and Executive Director of LDG, acknowledges that even as more apartments open, there are many more people without access to safe housing. Chris has seen families living in homes with walls falling off or without floors. People without good credit or with an eviction history must often settle, often with hazardous spaces or uncaring landlords. The impact spreads from the tenants to the community, as buildings in disrepair contribute to blight and other neighborhood issues. SERIVCE OPPORTUNITY: If you'd like to help address this issue by rehabbing a building with Laborers for Christ, contact LCEF Ministry Support today at (314) 855-6444 or ministry.support@LCEF.org.
How Serving the Community Changed the Course of Chris Shearman's Career Not too long ago, Chris thought he wanted to go to law school. His wife, meanwhile, was opening a neighborhood café. After working for a for-profit developer downtown, he helped her manage her café and became more involved with neighborhood initiatives. | | | The Dual Nature of Life as a Pastor by Rev. Dr. Darrell Zimmerman, Chairman, Ministerial Health Committee
Explain this for me, if you can.
According to research from the Barna Group (Pastors: 2018) and others who dig deep into what's going on with clergy, pastors have one of the highest rates of satisfaction among all professions, but also report the greatest amount of stress related problems. Huh? If you have a job that causes so much anxiety, why do you love it so much? Explain that!
Pastors report levels of stress related illness at rates significantly higher than the national average. They also report mental health issues such as depression and anxiety, relational issues such as not enough time with spouse and children and financial stress way out of line with their level of education and hours of work, all directly related to their calling. So why do Pastors consistently say they love their work and find it so rewarding?
I'm sure you already know. Dr. Walther suggested that the angels, if capable of it, would be jealous of all who get to share the love of Jesus with those who don't know Him (see the 27th Evening Lecture).
The issue here is whether or not the Pastor is aware of the toll that the ministry lifestyle can take on his health, his family life, his emotions, his finances and even his spiritual life if he's not attentive to his own personal, human (very human) needs. Not long ago, a young pastor shared with me his crazy schedule and asked me if I thought he was trying to do too much.
I suggested he ask his wife. I sometimes wonder how that conversation went.
In the movie "A League of Their Own," manager Tom Hanks asked Geena Davis, the star catcher, why she was quitting the baseball team. She said, "It just got too hard." With his teeth clenched together, Hanks looked her in the eye and said in a low, but very stern voice, "It's supposed to be hard. If it wasn't hard anybody could do it. It's the hard that makes it great."
I often think that's a pretty good description of ministry.
Ballplayers learn how to take care of themselves so that they'll be at their best on the playing field. It works that way in ministry, too. It's hard, but it's great. We need you on the team and we want you at your best. Keep the satisfaction high, but work on lowering the stress. Remember that self-care is not selfish, it's just good stewardship.
God bless you in your continued service in the Lord's kingdom.
| | | Announcements & Other News | | | Limited Time: 40-Month Note at 4%!
To meet future loan demand and help support growing ministry opportunities, LCEF needs to raise an additional $100 million. You're invited to open a special, limited-time investment opportunity: LCEF's 40-month 40th anniversary note at 4%. Visit lcef.org/40month. Lutheran Church Extension Fund is a nonprofit religious organization; therefore, LCEF investments are not FDIC-insured bank deposit accounts. This is not an offer to sell investments, nor a solicitation to buy. LCEF will offer and sell its securities only in states where authorized. The offer is made solely by LCEF's Offering Circular. Investors should carefully read the Offering Circular, which more fully describes associated risks. Lutheran Church Extension Fund—Missouri Synod is registered and licensed through the Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System-NMLS#3444. LCEF StewardAccount® access features provided through UMB Bank n.a. The StewardAccount is not available to investors in South Carolina. | | | St. Louis Area Volunteers Needed for Laborers for Christ
On behalf of Lutheran Development Group, Laborers for Christ is looking for volunteers from local St. Louis churches to work on the 3500 block of Oregon. Workers will receive minimum wage and will work 40-hours a week on-site. The only required skills are a desire to serve and a willingness to work! If you're interested in being a part of Laborers for Christ, visit them online or call 314-885-6444. | | | | LWML Carnival Fantasy Cruise June 24-29, 2019
| | | Post the National LWML Convention in Mobile Alabama, the LWML is pleased to offer a cruise on the Carnival Fantasy for FUN from June 24- 29, 2019. Well-deserved rest and relaxation with proceeds which benefit the mission projects of the LWML. Would you like to take part in this fun getaway while benefiting LWML? McGehee Cruise & Vacation Inc. will assist with all reservations for the cruise. Registration is now open: Please click here for more information. | | | | | Get $20,000 to become a church worker in the LCMS! | | | Is God calling you into church work in the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod? Are you concerned about how you are going to pay for the hight cost of college?
At Concordia University Irvine we value the formation of future leaders for our church. Therefore we are pleased to announce that, starting with the 2018-2019 school year, we are offering qualified church work students a guaranteed total of $20,000 in institutional aid per year, plus a housing grant.
Ready to begin? To start the application process, go to www.cui.edu/app.
To learn more about the church vocations scholarship, who is qualified, and additional application requirements for church work programs, go to www.cui.edu/churchworkscholarship. | | | | |
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