SERVICES

Congregations and organizations of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod may use the Laborers For Christ program to help them build their facilities needed for ministry. Two major construction areas exist. They are:

• Congregational: Helping congregations build churches, classrooms, schools, parish halls, and parsonages, including remodeling projects.
• Organizational: Helping organizations such as Lutheran Social Services or Lutheran Outdoor Ministries build retirement centers or camp facilities. Other projects include college buildings, district offices, etc.

Organizations seeking to build their own facilities using the Laborers For Christ program get a team of qualified, committed Christians who:

1. Help navigate the complexities of the building process and set an achievable project timeline.
2. Work with the architect to identify potential cost savings.
3. Complete materials procurement, subcontractor bids, budget reconciliation and costs, sub contracts, and final lender documents.
4. Manage the building project, scheduling materials, deliveries, subcontractors, laborers, and volunteers; and direct daily activity.
5. Help complete hands-on construction of facilities while involving themselves in the life and ministry of the organizations for which they work.

Using Laborers For Christ on a building project typically cuts costs 10% to 30%!

This money-saving benefit becomes secondary, however, once the Laborers become involved with the congregation on a personal level. Laborers enjoy attending worship services, Bible studies, and volunteering their time with the organizations for which they work side-by-side with congregational volunteers.

1. Your organization contacts the LFC office in St. Louis, Missouri.

2. An LFC regional Consultant presents your organization an overview of the building process and the LFC program. The consultant follows up regularly to answer any questions and to help you understand how you can build with LFC’s help.
3. Your organization submits an application for participation in the LFC program.
4. Once approved, a preconstruction coordinator from LFC is employed by your organization (at minimum wage) to help get plans finalized and pull together all the pieces needed to start construction.
5. Your organization employs (at minimum wage) a project manager from the LFC project managers’ roster. Shortly before construction is ready to begin, the project manager comes on site to prepare for the arrival of Laborers.
6. Laborers (both men and women) from the LFC roster who have signed up for your project are employed by you (at minimum wage) and arrive to begin construction.
7. Important to the success of the project are your own organization volunteers. Volunteers increase the potential for cost savings and present a Christian witness as LFC and volunteers work alongside one another, building God’s Kingdom.

Laborers For Christ is funded by both gifts and fees.

Support comes from many sources, including the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, congregations that have been helped by Laborers For Christ, members of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, Laborers and former Laborers. The Laborers For Christ program may also be remembered through memorial gifts.

Your organization should expect to pay minimum wage to your project managers and your Laborers; and a minimum fee of $2.00 per project square foot to participate in the LFC program.

(Organizations that participate in the LFC program typically save 10% to 30% on their building projects.)

The Laborers of Laborers For Christ are Christian men and women who do physical labor for Christ, working for congregations and other church-related organizations of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod to build churches, schools, parish halls, retirement homes, camp facilities, etc.

The Laborers of Laborers For Christ come from all walks of life. They have typically been retired people, but recently, Laborers For Christ began reaching out to LCMS colleges and seminaries, inviting their students to participate in the Laborers For Christ experience through its NAILS program. On the job site, those with experience help those with less experience. Christian principles are applied on the construction site, and each worker does what he or she can. While some work on one or two projects a year, others choose to work all year.

Most Laborers of retirement age have a recreational vehicle (RV) that they move to the work site for the duration of the project. If the Laborer does not have an RV, the participating organization may be able to help him or her locate housing. Housing that is provided by the organization is needed especially when college and seminary students are involved.

Laborers who are employed by a congregation attend worship services and take part in activities just as they would in their home congregations. As called and committed servants of Christ, they help further His Kingdom through their labor, their daily witness, and by displaying the joy that worshiping together brings. They are further strengthened in His Word through daily group devotions.

Interested in becoming a Laborer? Click here if you are a college or seminary student. Others click here.