A Message from the Pastor
I hope and pray that our church is an important part of your life. For many this is the place where you will live out your final years of this earthly life. You have been a faithful contributor to the ministries of our congregation, but your legacy doesn’t have to end. An Endowment Fund is Godpleasing. Its purpose is to further the mission of the church. Matthew 28:19a says, "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations."
An Endowment Fund helps Christ the King Lutheran Church accomplish that mission with sources of funding for special projects and designated programs. An Endowment Fund reminds us, God’s people, that wills, estate planning and special gifts are part of Christian stewardship and are God-given opportunities to put love into action for one’s family, as well as for the Lord. In fact, our best opportunity for good stewardship may not be our time on earth, but as we leave this earth to be with the Lord. The fund provides opportunities to open new horizons for the work of the Lord by assisting programs that enhance the ministry of our congregation for future generations.
There are numerous spiritual reasons to consider a donation to the Endowment/Gift Fund, but there are also many earthly/tax-benefit reasons that become apparent when speaking with an advisor with knowledge of the tax laws and what benefits there are to your family and your church.
Definitions of the Endowment Fund
An “endowment fund” is any dedicated fund which retains principal as a perpetual gift and may distribute growth. “Principal” is the original amount contributed to the fund by donors, plus additional contributions by donors. “Growth” is any interest, dividends, capital gains and appreciation in value that has been earned by a sub-account fund in the current year and past years. Donor contributions (principal) designated to an “Endowment Fund” sub-account shall be retained as “principal” of that sub-account and only the “growth” may be distributed.
How can I donate?
You may designate donations in many forms to the Endowment Fund: memorials, bequests, life insurance benefits, charitable remainder trusts or any other forms of transferring tangible assets. As always it is best to contact your financial advisor or attorney in setting up a proper will and designating bequests.
What areas of ministry at CTK can I support with my Endowment gift?
Some possibilities include the following:
- Annually provide Bibles to third grade Sunday school students or Confirmation class students in the church.
- Establish or support a food pantry for those in need.
- Sponsor new music for the choir, choir robes, new hymnals, special music, musical instruments, etc.
- Sponsor children and youth to attend camps and youth conferences.
- Continuing support for community drug and alcohol abuse programming and other teen issues.
- Maintenance & Upgrade of church buildings, equipment, and grounds.
- Toys, supplies for children’s program, nursery.
- Funds for special memorial garden, artwork, etc.
- Grants to worthy church-related or community charities.
- Area of greatest need to be determined by church endowment committee.
- Grants to local missions or ELCA missions
Personal Satisfaction
There is something wonderfully fulfilling about doing something good that lasts, something that really makes a difference. Other kinds of giving are important, but creating or adding to a fund that will benefit others for centuries is truly satisfying. If you would like to learn more about creating or supporting an endowment at Christ the King, please contact Pastor Kerry or the Church Office.
