The LCMS Foundation was created in 1958 by the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod to provide Christian estate planning services to LCMS members and help ministries invest or endow the gifts members leave them in their wills or estate plans.
“There are so many things I wish I could share with my children, but whenever we are together, it seems we are always racing off to a soccer game or dance recital. We never really get to talk.” This was the sentiment that Rachel was expressing to her sister as the two were enjoying an unseasonably warm November day on the screened porch. Rachel’s husband passed away suddenly about two years ago, and since then, these two sisters have spent more time together.
“I know what you mean,” said Karen. “But that changed for me a few years ago when Bill and I put our estate plan together. We worked with an LCMS Foundation Gift Planning Counselor, and she kept insisting that we create a statement of faith to share with our family and friends. She called it a Family Blessing. The counselor also urged us to meet formally with our kids to share the details of our estate plan with them. It was then that Bill and I both read our Family Blessings to the kids out loud. By the end, we were all shedding some tears and hugging. It was the first time in a long time that we had deep conversations about our confidence in Jesus rather than just talking about attending Sunday service. It was great.”
Rachel responded, “You know, since Fred died, I have been needing to review my estate plan. Maybe I’ll give the counselor a call and see if she can help me do the same thing.”
Your estate plan is not just about money and laws. It is about relationships and sharing Jesus. To get started on your journey and kindle those conversations with the people you love most, contact Tony Hunt, CFRE, at 260-222-1291 or email tony.hunt@lfnd.org.