Why the Fund Was Created
The Mission Endowment Fund of Bethlehem Lutheran Church exists to further the work of God by supporting and expanding the mission and ministry of Bethlehem Lutheran Church. The fund exists to receive gifts from members, invest and manage those gifts, and disperse a portion of those gifts in support of the fund’s purpose.
The Purpose for the Fund
The objective purpose of our Mission Endowment Fund is to complement and enhance the mission of Bethlehem Lutheran Church through grants that enhance the ongoing ministry of the congregation or develop new ministry and vision. Gifts may be made to the general fund, or to a fund with a specific purpose; and may be made during a member’s lifetime or through a will. Grants from the fund support a variety of programs, including:
- scholarships
- human needs
- global outreach
- mission development
- music
Current Funds
General Endowment Fund
An undesignated category in which the earnings are available for distribution at the discretion of the endowment committee consistent with the mission and objectives set forth in the bylaws.
Scholarship Fund
Scholarships for college and seminary students, and/or for continuing education for members of the congregation.
MIssion Fund
Gifts to be distributed in support of mission work defined by geography. It may be by community, state, nation or world. It may be by nature of service (e.g., care of missionaries, education in other cultures, social/ economic projects, etc.).
Special Ministries Fund
Gifts intended to create or support programs that are complementary to, but separate from, the ongoing programs of the church supported through the annual budget.
Special ministries may be defined by a specific program or by category of programs (e.g., youth, hunger, music, Christian education, etc.).