Paying It Forward – Part One

by David Mickley

“It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Acts 20:35

Recently Good Shepherd received $410,000 in the form of a bequest from the estate of Howard and Gloria Gerlach – members of Good Shepherd who have now passed. Our church council has seen fit to use this gift as a way to plan for the future of our congregation in a way we have never been able to do before.

An account has been opened with The ELCA Endowment Fund. This will give us the opportunity for growth of principle & future income to help fund our mission. We have been blessed with a very exciting opportunity that would not be possible if the Gerlach’s had not planned ahead to “pay it forward”.

We are our children’s and grandchildren’s forebears. As stewards of the blessing that God has bestowed upon us we have an obligation to make wise and thoughtful plans for our assets and to consider our responsibilities as forebears. This is where planned giving comes in.

Planned giving is a ministry to the people of this congregation to guide and educate them in ways of giving so they become free to give of their accumulated assets. Such giving will support the ministry of the church and the important work of other charities.

It is a known fact that less than half of Americans have a valid will when they die. Of Lutherans who have valid wills, few remember their church as beneficiaries of their estate. Most people with valid wills consider only their immediate families, academic institutions, or regional or national charitable institutions. A far greater number of people could consider and would consider remembering their churches in their wills, if only they are asked. Consider yourself asked. Our children’s futures are calling. More information will follow next month…