Lutherans Gain From Investments

Ask and ye shall receive.

That is a lesson the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America has learned--a lesson that could prove valuable to the 5.2-million-member denomination, which has run up sizable deficits each fiscal year since its founding in 1988.

In August, 1990, 13 congregations had to put their building plans on hold because the church’s property and building loan fund had simply run out of available cash.

But now, a year later, no one has to wait. All of the local churches needing money can obtain it, according to an announcement from church headquarters in Chicago.

The reason: Denominational officials invited church members and organizations with money to invest to purchase mission investment certificates. Those certificates stock the loan fund.

The result: Mission investment totals grew from $20 million in January, 1990, to $43 million at the end of 1990 to $62.7 million as of Sept. 1.

Spearheading the effort is the Rev. Arnold O. Pierson, vice president of marketing for the loan fund.

He targeted seven geographical areas for a pilot program last summer, leading to visits to 18 synods with the message that individual Lutherans and church institutions can gain attractive interest income on investments while at the same time assisting struggling congregations.