LCMS Foundation

Yeah, first of all, there are some tremendous resources out there.

I think, you know, there's even things within the LCMS Foundation, the Lizden Church Extension Fund, you know, which are all partners of ours that we support each other in that work.

but leading people down that path, um, you know, again, it can be, it can be hard for folks.

Um, but it, and also you're right.

Concordia is so blessed that we have Craig Skirts is a gentleman who's a playing gift counselor.

And we like to say that we split Craig three ways.

We have a partnership with the LCMS Foundation.

and then the Nebraska LCMS district here with President Stowe's leadership where it works really well because Craig can sit down and meet with folks in a very genuine, like if there's ever a time where someone's distraught, I tell Craig all the time, I was like, you're a plain gift counselor, but you can just be a counselor, period.

poor things.

I think the main reason of a synod is to, one, remain clear on our confession and to have accountability for leaders when they're stepping outside of the confession and to provide infrastructure support like LCEF and the LCMS Foundation and all the things that Synod Inc. can offer to the wider church, a national brand.

I think there's validity to that.

It's helpful.

Today we get the joy and honor of hanging out with a guy that I've known and cared for and respected, have spent some time with him at conferences.

The leader of the LCMS Foundation is in the house, Dave Fiedler, been in the president's role for 13 years.

And prior to that, he was saying he worked in the International Center of the LCMS and kind of HR and Tell that story, Dave, of like, you go from, well, first up, Dave, how you doing, man? You loving life? You doing all

right? Yeah, it's a great day and thrilled to be with you both and with the listeners.

It's going to be great.

So tell the story about how you kind of, how surprised you were when you moved into the role some 13 years ago.

So yeah, I'm in charge of the LCMS Foundation, which is a financial organization and fairly sophisticated.

But prior to that, I had been at the International Center, as you mentioned, Tim, in a couple of different roles and human resources and even a fundraiser before that.

Just like this.

So, um, whether it's us, whether it's a LCMS foundation, another foundation, let me, let me get on a soapbox here for a second.

I live in a world, and you live in a world in which, um, trust has to happen, and I don't know if you have, um, read Malcolm Gladwell's book, Talking to Strangers.

Uh-huh.

Sure.

Let's, let's get after it.

Reach out to the LCMS Foundation, Legacy Deo, whoever.

Um, and pastors, model, model the behavior.