Why your congregation needs a gift policy

by Allen Schellenberg

Over the next ten to fifteen years, because of our aging population, congregations can anticipate a significant increase in the number of memorial gifts and the usually larger estate gifts. In fact, recent reports by Lutheran Foundation indicate that over $10 million has been pledged by individuals to Lutheran Church-Canada congregations—and those are only the gifts of which we are aware.

This morning I learned of the passing of another member of our congregation, the fourth in the past two months. Earlier in the year, a pastor from the Central District shared with me that within the previous year, there were over 50 funerals within the Regina Circuit alone!  Statistics such as these may explain why the Foundation has, in recent months, received several requests for our “Gift Acceptance Policy” or guidance in writing one.

Until now few congregations have considered the necessity of creating a policy for accepting such gifts, much less a policy for their use. Yet, many of us have heard stories of congregations who have experienced a significant period of discord upon receiving an unexpected, large, monetary gift from a deceased congregational member. Due to our sinful nature, too often there are differing and often unyielding opinions on how these types of gifts should be used.

For this reason, congregations are encouraged to create a “Gift Acceptance and Use Policy” now, in anticipation of receiving such gifts. Strategic, clear thinking in advance will allow the policy for the use of such gifts to be “mission-driven” rather than “money-driven,” and proactive rather than reactive. With planning and forethought, these gifts can be a blessing to the congregation and more specifically, the congregation’s ministry.

These extraordinary gifts—gifts beyond the congregation’s regular Sunday offering—can and should be used to transfer the blessings God has bestowed upon your congregation, allowing you to develop community-based mission-driven programs, or to support ministries well beyond your own congregation’s doors. It is well to remember during the development of such a policy that stewardship without mission is unnecessary and mission without stewardship is impossible!

The Foundation has developed a comprehensive “Congregational Gift Acceptance and Use Policy” and encourages congregations to adapt and adopt it for their own use. Due to the complexity of some areas of the policy, a “Commentary” companion document is also available, that provides additional information, rationale, and guidance for each section, attempting to address issues in a plain and practical manner, particularly in areas of the policy requiring congregational input. The districts have reviewed the policy and, in full support of its use, have placed it and the commentary on their respective web sites so congregations may have ready access. It is also available on the Foundation’s website.

As we think about the purpose of every congregation, we realize that all the blessings God has entrusted to a congregation should be used for His purposes. As members of Lutheran Church–Canada, you know that transferring those blessings is not about building bigger barns, but building more ways to share God’s love. For this reason, the policy encourages congregations to focus not just on their own needs, but those of the community they serve and the wider church. If congregations develop such a policy, it is hoped more of our membership will consider gifts within their estate, knowing in advance how their gift will be used to support the spread of the saving gospel of Jesus Christ, in their community and around the world.

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Allen Schellenberg is Executive Director of Lutheran Foundation Canada.

For further information on the Gift Acceptance and Use Policy, contact your District’s Lutheran Foundation Canada Gift Coordinator:

• ABC District – Allen Schellenberg. Call 1-877-711-4438 or email allen.schellenberg@lutheranfoundation.ca.
• Central District – David Friesen. Call 1-800-588-4226 ext 2225 or email dfriesen@lutheranfoundation.ca.
• East District – Alfred Feth. Call 1-800-465-8179 or email edgiftcoord@lutheranfoundation.ca.

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