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"Here's My Buck" for Youth Ministry
updated 02/28/09
 
Keeping LCMS Youth Ministry Alive and Well
     
BOTTOM LINE
 

LCMS Youth Ministry is very under-funded. If there were more funds, we would be able to provide more resources to your workers and youth. In 2002, the synodical support from Sunday morning offerings was about 12.5 cents per youth. In 2005, it was down to 10 cents per youth.

   
     
WHAT'S THE GENERAL IDEA?
  The idea of "Here's My Buck" is to promote LCMS Youth Ministry by asking each LCMS church member to donate one dollar. It's easy for someone to give a dollar and those dollars add up.
 
     
WHERE DID THE IDEA COME FROM...
  "Here's My Buck" is the brainchild of Stephen Kreher, LYF representative from the Central Illinois District. He was listening to his local Christian radio station which was sponsoring a "Here's My Ten" fundraiser. The idea was that if every family that listened to WBGL gave ten dollars, the station would be able to update their radio system and antennas. Their fundraiser was a success. Couldn't LYF do the same thing ... only we'd ask for a dollar per member. Nationwide, that would add up.
 
     
CHECK THIS OUT...
   Nationwide, the LCMS has 2.5 million members. The average weekly attendance is 37%. 37% of LCMS members giving just $1 would realize
 
 
$925,000
for LCMS Youth Ministry !?!
(Okay. Maybe that's overly optimistic. But it's not impossible!)
     
IN MARCH 2005
   ...the Council of LYF Representatives, youth from the 35 LCMS districts, heard Stephen's proposal and how it worked at St. John's. A resolution to present "Here's My Buck" to LCMS congregations passed with a huge majority.
 
     
WHAT HAPPENS WITH CONTRIBUTIONS
  Here's what happens with "Here's My Buck" contributions. A congregation submits a check to:
 
 
"Lutheran Youth Fellowship"
Youth Ministry Office
1333 South Kirkwood Road
St. Louis, MO 63122
     
THE ENDOWMENT
  That contribution is deposited in the LYF "endowment." The interest from the "endowment" is used every year for the development of leadership resources and training which are presented across the synod every year by LYF Representatives. In putting the "Here's My Buck" gifts in the "endowment," the dollars not only give once but continue to give every year through the interest generated.
 
     
Will you help keep LCMS Youth Ministry Alive and Well?
"Here's My Buck" is a great way to do it!
     
HOW TO GET STARTED
  
  • Select a time frame for your "Here's My Buck" campaign. We suggest Youth Ministry Month--JUNE. But select a time that works well for your congregation.
  • Prepare campaign materials - letters, posters, offering envelopes, brochures, contribution boxes and make sure they are ready the first Sunday of your campaign.
  • Run the campaign. Make sure there's something in the church bulletin every week. Make sure the collection station is obvious.
  • Have members of your youth group stand in the narthex of the church with offering baskets to receive people's $$$ at the end of the services. Perhaps there are other events where you could receive gifts.
  • Talk to people. Let them know what you are doing and why.
  • When your campaign is completed, send the offering to:
   
 
 
 
 
 
     
"Lutheran Youth Fellowship"
Youth Ministry Office
1333 South Kirkwood Road
St. Louis, MO 63122
 
Your gift will be acknowledged by LCMS Youth Ministry Office.
 
THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
     
     
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