SERVICES

St. John Lutheran Church in Charter Oak, Iowa, currently has education space in an old school building that needs either major repairs or razing. The congregation wanted to explore their options, so they turned to LCEF’s Architectural Advisory Committee (AAC). Architect Gary Landhauser walked St. John’s through the feasibility of education space that might also incorporate their needs for main-level fellowship and a carport. Members of AAC help congregations make decisions that meld theology and space. These experts see potential where others do not, and opportunity for expression among wood and wiring.

This summer Laborers For Christ assisted the congregation at Messiah Lutheran Church, in Mandan, N.D., add over 6,100 square feet to its fellowship hall, shown here in the early stages of completion. Messiah serves over 300 members and is affiliated with Martin Luther School in Bismarck. Fellowship and spiritual support are important aspects to life on the project, and congregations gain more than just ministry space when Laborers participate in church activities. LCEF also assisted the congregation with a loan.

Grace Lutheran, in Canastota, N.Y., relocated and built new facilities twice the size of its former facilities, with the congregation doing much of the work itself. As a result of the move and merging of two congregations, membership has grown and there is wonderful spirit of anticipation and expectation about how God is working through them. The church welcomed about 200 people to the August dedication. The congregation used LCEF’s help with a demographic study, an architectural consultation, and loan.

Two Lutheran churches in North Dakota are working together after seeing the results of a demographics study. "Trinity and St. John represent a classic partnership of an open-field congregation and a small-town church," District Vice President Bill Sharpe said.

"A couple of things stood out for me: one was the average income of members and the other was the neutral perception of Lutherans in our area, when so many of them ARE Lutheran," said Pastor Dean Hartley of St. John Lutheran Church.

Working together, the churches can accomplish ministry goals and develop an awareness of stewardship to include all things, not just the financial part of stewardship but to extend to the care of church property, possessions, and providing access for all people.

Don Amt likes figuring out the "puzzles" LCMS organizations face when repairing or constructing a building. He sees potential where others do not. Amt is a member of the Architectural Advisory Committee, a unique ministry of Lutheran Church Extension Fund (LCEF) that brings together volunteer Lutheran architects and liturgical advisors.

The most common puzzle to be solved: finding a balance between functionality and costs. That's where the members of the Advisory Committee can make the most impact.