“Fan into Flame” Fund Raising Off to a Good Start

By James C. Rogers

Remember that test question we all had in school that listed several things and asked which one did not belong? Let’s try one. Which of the following does not belong with the others? Ebenezer, Forward in Remembrance, Alive in Christ, and Fan into Flame.

If you answered “Fan into Flame,” you are correct. Let me explain.

Ebenezer, Forward in Remembrance, and Alive in Christ were successful national financial campaigns of the LCMS in the mid-1960s, early 1980s, and mid-1980s respectively. Congregations and individuals sent generous offerings to the national headquarters and trusted synod leaders to use the money wisely.

Fan into Flame is Different.

First of all, Fan into Flame is totally about missions and outreach. With a goal of $100 million, it supports the Ablaze! vision of LCMS World Mission and its partners to share the Gospel with 100 million unreached or uncommitted people by the year 2017.

Secondly, Fan into Flame is following the Acts 1:8 model of Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the ends of the earth. Fifteen percent of the resources will go directly to congregations, 15percent will go to districts, 20percent will support missions across North America, and 50 percent will support international missions.

Thirdly, Fan into Flame is flexible in that financial gifts can be given for the support of specific outreach ministries around the world.

The News is Good

This author recently sat down with Jeff Craig-Meyer, the Associate Executive Director, Development Services of the synod’s Board for Mission Services; and with John O’Gorman, the Executive Director of Fan into Flame. The news is good! To date, $30 million has been pledged and $14 million has actually been received. This happening without many districts and congregations yet participating in the campaign, but planning to do so soon. Both Jeff and John are confident that the $100 million goal will be reached by and celebrated at the 2010 LCMS convention.

“It is heartening to see countless smaller congregations across the Synod that are warmly embracing the challenge as they set financial goals and very often exceed them” said Jeff. John added, “Larger congregations are also doing exciting things. One congregation in South Wisconsin has received over $1,000,000 in Fan into Flame pledges from her members.”

Money Already Being Put to Work

Perhaps the most exciting news is that almost three million Fan into Flame dollars have already been distributed!

Here is another question for you. What do the following all have in common: Supporting the construction of a new seminary in Ghana, helping the Lutheran Church in Sri Lanka develop 15 mission stations in the country’s tea plantations, planting two Hispanic ministry sites in Kansas, planting a church in Minnesota that will connect with a women’s shelter, establishing a web-based video outreach that will share God’s Word in sign language, and restoring the large St. Michael Lutheran Church in St. Petersburg, Russia? You guessed it! All this and much more is already happening with Fan into Flame offerings.

Is your congregation involved with the Fan into Flame campaign? Whether a congregation gets involved in a big, formal way or whether it gets involved in a smaller informal way, it is important for every congregation to give its members the opportunity to support missions – in Jerusalem, in Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.

Rev. James C. Rogers is Pastor of Lord of Life Lutheran Church, Chesterfield MO.