Resourceful Servants

The ELCA encourages habits that strengthen and sustain individual and congregational financial wellness and growth.

The ELCA seeks to be “a thriving church spreading the gospel and deepening faith for all people” through a focus on church leadership and congregational vitality.

Supporting these emphases, the Resourceful Servants Initiative promotes the financial wellness of ELCA congregations, rostered ministers and seminarians.

We believe the focus on financial wellness will help reduce some of the life strains on those who lead faith communities now and in the future, guiding these leaders and their communities toward greater health and vitality and enabling them to more effectively carry out the Great Commission—making disciples of Jesus Christ.

Program Partners

The Resourceful Servants Initiative is a partnership between the ELCA churchwide organization, the Mission Investment Fund of the ELCA, the ELCA Federal Credit Union, the ELCA Foundation, Portico Benefit Services, and Lutheran Social Service (LSS) Financial Counseling. The ELCA Mission Investment Fund is the church’s lending ministry, and Portico provides benefits and services to enhance the wellness of ELCA rostered ministers and lay employees.

This initiative would not be possible without the help of these program partners. Please visit the sites below to learn more about the good work each of these institutions is doing.

Lilly Endowment National Initiative to Address Economic Challenges

The Lilly Endowment Inc. has given over $40 million through the National Initiative to Address Economic Challenges Facing Pastoral Leaders, which supports religious organizations across the country as they address the financial and economic struggles that often impair the ability of pastors to lead congregations effectively. The grants are part of the Lilly Endowment’s commitment to supporting the pastoral leadership development of clergy serving in congregations across the United States. As part of this initiative, the ELCA has received $2.5 million in grant funding.

The ELCA is one of 45 organizations taking part in the Lilly initiative representing a variety of Christian traditions. The denominations include Baptist, Catholic, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Church of God (Anderson), Episcopal, Independent Christian Churches/Churches of Christ, Lutheran, Mennonite, Methodist, Presbyterian, Reformed and Wesleyan churches, as well as non-denominational, and historic African American Christian communities. Each program is customized to the needs of pastoral leaders in each religious tradition.

Synod Programs

As part of the National Initiative to Address Economic Challenges Facing Pastoral Leaders, the Lilly Endowment provided grant funding to four ELCA synods, in addition to the churchwide organization. For more information on individual programs, visit the sites below.