August 2007

 

Instructions for Completing the Forms to Request a Mission and Ministry Grant Form

 

Review documents included with this packet.

 

Planning Narrative (Part I)

The Southeastern District requests that your congregation submit as a part of the application a Planning Narrative so the District can better understand your mission and ministry work.  This form will provide information about your mission and ministry goals and activities and will serve as the basis or rationale for receiving a grant in 2008.  If you have a recent planning document which answers the questions on the form, it may be sent to complement the planning narrative form.  It is important that all sections be completed (or updated from a planning narrative you submitted last year).  Information from the Planning Narrative may be used in publications as the SED tells the story of mission and ministry needs within the Southeastern District.

 

Financial and Statistical Information for Requesting a Mission and Ministry Grant (Part II)

This 4-page document will provide the SED with necessary information on your congregation's history, information for the current year, and projections for next year and future expectations related to budget, membership and worship attendance.

 

To complete the document you should work through the costs of any programs and activities that will be part of your ministry during the coming years.  Project other costs such as salary, debt retirement, and utilities.  Develop an understanding as to the financial support that your membership will be able to provide toward your ministry.  Round off figures to the nearest whole dollar.  Use a computer or print clearly using a black ink pen as pencil does not make legible photocopies.  To receive this document electronically in Excel format, email your request to clong@se.lcms.org or check it out on the website at www.se.lcms.org. The following may be helpful in completing Part II:

 

á        Cooperative Efforts include any budgeted expenditure of congregational funds by which the congregation enables the churchÕs mission beyond the local congregation.  Examples of ÒCooperative EffortsÓ would be:  ÒMission Partnership SupportÓ, gifts/pledges for mission through District and Synod, institutions of healing and health, local social service agencies, etc.  Do not include any anticipated disbursement made through the congregationÕs treasury to an organization for which you are making an appeal for special funds, since in that instance you are using non-budget income for a non-budgeted disbursement.

 

á        Local Ministry includes any budgeted expenditure of funds for any program or materials by which the congregation pursues the functions of the congregation in accordance with the Great Commission: witness, worship, service, nurture, fellowship, and stewardship.  Please note on line B.5. Education, do not include pre-school or day school amounts.  Attach separate budget document for school.

 

á        Personnel include any budgeted expenditure of congregational funds for any person actively engaged in the congregation's mission and ministry.

 

á        Building includes any budget expenditures of congregational funds for the provision and care of a building for the congregationÕs mission and ministry. 

 

Note:  If your congregation is engaged in a building program, please attach a complete summary of building expenses and income.  Do not include building project costs within the operating budget.  Debt repayment is included once the project is completed and the loan has been amortized.

 

á        Administration includes any budgeted expenditure of congregational funds for any service or supplies that aid the functioning of the congregation and the church office.

 

á        The Summary Page budget information should correspond to the budgeted information from pages 1 and 2. 

 

á        The Current Resources and Liabilities Summary on page 4 should list all actual assets in accounts and outstanding liabilities.

 

 

Mailing Instructions

Make a copy for your congregationÕs records.

Return the original* of your Mission and Ministry Application and other supporting documents to the SED office, attention Sally Hiller

no later than September 25 using the following address:

 

Southeastern District, LCMS

6315 Grovedale Drive

Alexandria, VA  22310-2501

 

*The SED will make copies from your original for forwarding to your regional facilitator, circuit counselor and mission and ministry representative.