RESOURCES MINISTRY AND COMMITTEES

"The Resource Ministry shall assist the congregation in its stewardship of all that God has entrusted to it, including financial resources, facilities, and property. It shall likewise encourage members in their personal stewardship of time, talent, and treasure. Members serving in this area of ministry shall work closely with those working in other areas of ministry to ensure needed support is provided in a timely manner consistent with the goals of the congregation’s overall ministry."

Communications

Ensures all communication generated in the name of Richland Lutheran Church is timely, accurate, and reflective of the church’s mission to help build strong, effective Christian lives with the resources of God’s grace by:

  • Providing the congregation with information about fellow members, church activities, and newsworthy events in the wider church
  • Providing the community and visitors with information about the congregation and its activities

Subscribe to the RLC Grapevine - an electronic news-sharing information system.

A grant from the RLC Foundation has made it possible for the Communications Committee to begin a radio ad campaign.  Listen to the ads!

Lay Ministry

Identifies members’ gifts and interests, and facilitates their involvement in various ministries by:

  • Devising strategies for identifying members’ gifts and interests
  • Creating and implement information retention and distribution systems

Property

Safeguards the belongings of RLC, providing for timely repair, maintenance, and replacement of church property by:

  • Ensuring routine maintenance tasks are performed using the established planned maintenance plan
  • Conducting an annual inventory of all church properties and equipment, noting general condition and approximate value
  • Periodically reviewing facility and equipment practices regarding the use of church property and recommend changes
  • Identifying storage needs of all user groups, and devise a fair system for assigning and ensuring appropriate utilization of space

Finance

Provides the Congregation Council with financially-sound recommendations for safeguarding and maximizing congregational assets by:

  • Recommending prudent investment and financial development strategies
  • Providing leadership, expertise, and recommendations for funding capital improvements
  • Obtaining legal and tax counsel as required
  • Annually review of insurance policies, ensuring adequate protection of church assets and bonding of directors and officers

Safety

Minimizes legal exposure for the congregation by identifying potential risk areas, as they relate to the facility and users, and taking steps to eliminate, reduce, or transfer that risk where appropriate by:

  • Identifying potential areas of risk and implementing a comprehensive plan for achieving ministry goals
  • Identifying and promoting correction of any potential safety risk present in the congregation’s facilities, procedures, or programming
  • Monitoring congregational policies and recommending any changes necessary to ensure that the congregation adheres to safety standards of local, state, and federal agencies
  • Providing leadership in creating a culture of safety through role modeling safe practices

Retreat Center

It was on a retreat that a young man first heard the call to become a pastor. That young man is now our Lead Pastor, Bill Martens.

Approximately 50 youth regularly participate in high school activities. Most of those students became members of Richland Lutheran Church as a result of the retreat-based confirmation ministry. Instead of viewing confirmation as “graduation” from church, youth are remaining involved, still growing in their faith.

One couple makes the annual retreat a priority: “It isn’t easy to make it happen with three very busy kids at home, but attending the annual marriage retreat is a must-attend activity for us. Focusing on each other for one weekend a year, makes the rest of the year easier.”

It is for these kinds of reasons that Richland Lutheran Church has been working toward eventually owning its own retreat center. The dream that one day Richland Lutheran Church will be able to expand the retreat-based portions of its ministries and help other congregations do the same persists in the hearts of our members.

Stewardship

Designs and implements a year-round approach to stewardship, intended to result in spiritual growth of congregational members responding to God’s generosity with their gifts to His ministry.  The theme for 2008 is "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."