Christ Lutheran Church of Juniata, NE

Christ Lutheran Church and School Endowment Fund

Statement of Purpose

1. The endowment fund is to be a resource that “stores up in the time of plenty” (Prov.6:8) to enhance and extend the mission and ministry of Christ Lutheran Church and School and to provide for continued growth.
2. The endowment fund will provide a place for gifts and bequests to be “stored” in a way that will make them a blessing to the congregation and avoid hindering the regular giving of the members or tempt them to become lax in their stewardship.
3. The endowment fund will give donors a tool for estate planning and an opportunity to know how their gifts will be used but will also provide flexibility in their use.

Mission Statement

Christ Lutheran Church and School has been called to the mission of training children and adults in God’s Word so that they may be equipped to serve him in time and eternity.  Using the wisdom of God’s Word in Prov.6:8 concerning the ant that “it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest”, we seek to be wise stewards of God’s gifts so that special and future needs of the mission might be met.

Operations

1. The endowment fund will invest in low risk investments using the services of the Lutheran Church Extension Fund, Thrivant for Lutherans LCMS Foundation, or such organizations that will uphold Christian values in their investments. The board will review these investments annually.
2. Gifts with restrictions may be approved and accepted by the board only if deemed to be in line with the purpose of the fund. Gifts that are not in line with the purpose of the fund will be redirected to other congregational or Synodical programs. 

 Fund Distribution

1. The endowment fund will provide an ongoing resource as, generally only the interest is to be used.  The principle may be used at the direction of the donor at the inception of the gift, or upon recommendation of the Endowment Fund board and approval by a majority of all active voting members at a properly called meeting of the Voters Assembly. 
2. Request for funds are to be made to the Endowment Fund Board prior to their regular annual meeting.
3. These requests are reviewed by the board who will make their recommendations to the Voters in a meeting called solely for the purpose of disbursing these funds.
4. Scripture says “On the first day of every week each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income, saving it up so that when I come no collection will have to be made.” (I Cor. 16:2). Therefore, the endowment fund will provide a scriptural model for the members of the congregation by tithing on the original gift, unless directed otherwise by the donor, as well as the interest income, to projects outside of the congregation. The congregation will meet annually to distribute the tithe as suggested by members of the congregation. 

For more information on how you can contribute to the christ lutheran church and school endowment fund, please fill out the information below. You may also contact the church office at 402-744-4971.