Grants
New Church Worker Grants
The new church worker grant is available for ordained and commissioned workers who were members of an Indiana District congregation while attending a synodical university and are now called to a congregation, school or RSO of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. The grant is awarded to individuals following initial placement and may be received for a total of three years. Applicants must apply each year and they must apply for the grant within 7 years of graduation.
The amount of the grant given is based on the number of years they attended a synodical university, not to exceed 7 years for ordained workers and 4 years for commissioned workers. The number of years does not include full year internships or vicarages. Applications are due yearly on December 31. Grants will be disbursed to all eligible individuals in April.
New Church Workers Grant Policy
Download the New Church Worker Grant Application here.
Contact Indiana District LCMS (education@in.lcms.org) for more information.
Ministry Support Grant
This grant is given with the intention of assisting District congregations with new ministry and outreach initiatives in the areas of workers, equipment and facilities. Grants are awarded on an annual basis and are renewable for up to 3 years.
Download the Ministry Support Grant guidelines and instructions here.
Contact Rev. Geoff Robinson (geoff.robinson@in.lcms.org) for more information.
Soldiers of the Cross – Covid Grant (specific offshoot of Soldiers of the Cross)
The Covid-19 pandemic brought both trying times and financial hardships. With a firm understanding of these hardships, the LCMS and LCEF partnered to help church workers during this time of need. This program, while specific to Covid-19, is administered through the Soldiers of the Cross program. Please see the application link below and if you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact the District Finance Office.
Download SOC Covid Grant Initiative Form here.
Campus Ministry Assistance
The purpose of this Indiana District Campus Ministry Worker Assistance Fund is to receive gifts and bequests and to use such gifts and bequests for the financial assistance of professional Church workers of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (pastors, vicars, DCE’s or other rostered workers of the Synod) serving within the Indiana District in campus ministry. This assistance will be supplied in the form of grants given for student loan debt reduction and/or for continuing education, conferences and training focused on campus ministry.
Find complete Campus Ministry Worker Assistance Fund information here.
For Campus Ministry Worker Assistance Fund application here.
New Ministry Initiative Grant
The New Ministry Initiative Matching Grant is given with the intention of assisting Indiana District congregations, Indiana RSOs and Indiana District circuits with new outreach efforts in their communities.
Applications need to be received by the Indiana District Outreach Office by December 1, March 1 or August 1 for consideration. Grant applicants will be screened by the Council for Congregational Outreach. Final approval of the grant will be vested in the Indiana District Board of Directors.
Download the New Ministry Initiative Grant guidelines and instructions here.
Contact Rev. Geoff Robinson (geoff.robinson@in.lcms.org) for more information.
Congregations in Need
The COVID-19 pandemic brought with it many challenges. In the midst of these challenges, the Indiana District Board of Directors sought a way to help those District congregations in need of funds to help stem the financial tide that afflicted so many. Below is a fillable Congregations in Need application. Please contact the President’s Office or the Finance Office for further information about this initiative.