Lutheran Church–Canada FY2026 Budget and Financial Update

CANADA – Lutheran Church–Canada (LCC)’s adopted budget for the 2026 fiscal year is available in the March/April issue of The Canadian Lutheran and can be accessed as a printable PDF, Here.

Overview

The last issue of The Canadian Lutheran highlighted strategic initiatives developed through the Purpose and Priorities Planning process with input from synodical leadership, church workers, and laity across the country. Each of these initiatives is focused on the support and expansion of LCC’s mission and ministry. In this final year of our Quadrennial Workplan, adopted at our last Synod Convention in 2022, we continue to work toward the Together One vision for “a unified, confessional body of believers, fulfilling the Great Commission.” 

The chart and table below show the actual FY2026 Budget, approved by LCC’s Board of Directors on March 29, 2025. The budget reflects our commitment to “serve, strengthen, and equip congregations for bold, faithful, Christ-centred witness.” FY2026 runs from February 1, 2025 to January 31, 2026. This budget covers all aspects of the work of Lutheran Church–Canada. The FY2026 LCC Budget has a total mission and ministry expenditure of $4.787 million dollars.

Expanding our Mission & Ministry

As a synod, we are blessed to walk together in sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ through the proclamation of the Word and the administration of the Sacraments. We also work together in acts of mercy, showing the love of Christ to those in need. This work is done across our country and around the world in every place God has called us to serve.

“Everything, therefore, in the Christian Church is ordered to the end that we shall daily obtain there nothing but the forgiveness of sin through the Word and signs [i.e. the Sacraments], to comfort and encourage our consciences as long as we live here.” — Large Catechism

Building on the opportunities God has placed before us, the vision of Together One focuses on three goals highlighted by our members as most important to the future of our synod. With a strong mandate to expand our outreach in Canada, these goals help to implement new initiatives while sustaining existing mission and ministry priorities.

• Disciple Making Culture: Serve, support, and equip congregations and partner ministries for mission and discipleship
• Mission Outreach: Pursue bold domestic and international outreach and ministry
• Equip Leaders: Recruit, educate, and support ecclesiastical, diaconal, and lay leaders for the Church

Two key outcomes of the 2022 Synodical Convention were the recognition of the need for a full-time Director of Domestic Missions and an Associate Director – Family Ministries. In response, a Director of Domestic Missions was called in 2024 to lead and coordinate mission efforts across Canada. Plans are in place to call an Associate Director – Family Ministries in 2025 to provide focused support for families, strengthening this vital aspect of congregational life.

These developments directly support the three primary goals of the Together One mission initiative, identified by our members as critical to the future of our synod:

• Providing resources, leadership, and support for healthy and sustainable Word and Sacrament ministry (Disciple Making Culture)
• To new Canadians, urban centres, and First Nations communities—expanding the proclamation of the Gospel into growing and underserved populations (Mission Outreach)
• Through care, continuing education, and practical tools for ministry (Equip Leaders)

With these new roles and other initiatives in place, we are actively working to support our congregations and extend our reach across Canada—for the glory of God and the proclamation of His saving name!

We are grateful for the financial support our congregations provide through remittances. Your partnership is crucial in carrying out the mission and ministry entrusted to us. We were blessed in FY2025 with the highest level of remittances over the past five years. We thank you for your stewardship and commitment in our walk together.

The impact your congregation can make

As we look ahead to the needs of this fiscal year and the work God has placed before us, the budgeted congregation remittances are $2.22 million. This represents about 45% of the total revenue needed. We invite each congregation to prayerfully consider how you can partner in this effort. One meaningful way to help is by designating 10% to 15% of the savings realized from the reduction in pension plan expenses toward an increase in your congregation remittance. By faithfully investing in our synod-wide ministry, you directly contribute to the sustainability and growth of the work we do together in His name.

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