Good, Better, Best: Raising the Bar for the Business of Ministry

Synopsis: Nearly every ministry of LCMS (congregation, school, RSO) is also a business. Often, ministry leaders are not cross trained to also be business leaders. This deficit is too often revealed when some untended business detail creates a situation that damages your ability to do your ministry work. Thankfully, LCEF has built a consultancy of accomplished business professionals. We are your trusted ministry partner​,​ here to help you better understand the workings of your ministry as a business. 

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I was shocked when a potential major donor told me he doesn’t trust an organization run by pastors or teachers. It had nothing to do with the integrity of pastors or teachers or DCEs. Rather, his experience had taught him that, while a pastor is faithful, theologically knowledgeable, prayerful and even wise, he wasn’t trained to run a business. This particular donor had seen well-meaning ministry leaders consistently make poor business decisions that would put the ministry at risk. 

Though a bit offended at the time, since I was a DCE leading the startup of a new Lutheran school, it activated my radar. Over the many years since that conversation, I have witnessed time and again, ministry leaders who are ​trained ​pastors and teachers doing great damage to donor confidence and organizational health by making poor business decisions. Thankfully, ​​The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod​ (LCMS)​ is blessed with expertise to help all our ministry leaders become more adept business leaders, as well. That expertise can be found at Lutheran Church Extension Fund (LCEF) and is lesser known but equally as important as what we do for ministries through lending and investments.  

The consultancy work of LCEF includes guidance across an entire spectrum of disciplines. Our Ministry Solutions team helps develop strategic plans, guide capital campaigns, mentor donor relations talent, bring missional clarity and implement a coherent board governance model. Our Real Estate Solutions team helps assess capital needs, estimate the cost of deferred maintenance, provide oversight for construction projects, conducts market analysis and feasibility studies for school expansions and startups. Our National Lending team estimates your ministry’s debt capacity, provides templates for budgeting and expense projections and points to best practices in financial management. These consultative services from a trusted ministry partner provide you the simplicity of a single source to strengthen your business leadership.  

Over the course of 2026, we will be sharing more about the resources available to you and the collaborations LCEF has put together for the benefit of all the congregations, RSOs, and agencies of the LCMS. As we begin another year, LCEF is committed to helping all congregations and ministries of the LCMS continuously improve their business acumen. When you’re looking to sharpen the professional disciplines of your ministry, consider LCEF your partner for success.  

Contact me today at Tim.Kurth@lcef.org, and let’s explore how, together​ in faith​, we can make 2026 your best year ever!