Emergency savings program available for rostered ministers

Through the ELCA’s Resourceful Servants initiative, eligible rostered ministers can build up their emergency savings reserves. A process of qualification and application must be completed by October 15, 2020. Learn more.

Contributions to a dedicated emergency savings account with the ELCA Federal Credit Union are matched dollar for dollar up to $50 per month, for a period of up to two years. At the end of two years, recipients’ emergency savings accounts will contain up to $2,400 ($1,200 in individual contributions and $1,200 in matching contributions). Matching funding is provided through generous donations from the Lilly Endowment, Inc., and the ELCA Mission Investment Fund.

ELCA rostered ministers serving a call or on leave from call who have less than six months’ income in emergency savings are eligible to apply. The churchwide organization has funding to match the contributions of 250 ELCA rostered ministers.

These programs partner with rostered ministers to encourage a habit of saving by providing matching funding to more rapidly grow savings and retirement accounts. The due date to complete the process of application is October 15, 2020.