Lutheran Laymen's Movement for Stewardship, 1957 - 2005

“When the organization was formed in 1907 it was called the ‘Laymen’s Missionary Movement.’ It invited individuals to contribute a minimum of $100 per year toward the eradication of deficits in the benevolence programs of the church. It never tried to become a men’s brotherhood or social organization but focused on improving the giving methods of congregations. The narrower focus became clear when its name was changed to ‘Lutheran Laymen’s Movement for Stewardship.’

“The LLM reached its greatest strength and influence during the 1950s, when it was given responsibility for supporting and managing the stewardship programs of the United Lutheran Church in America. In addition to stewardship education it developed a fund-raising service that assisted hundreds of congregations in their building programs.

“Mergers in 1962 and 1988 that formed, respectively, the Lutheran Church in America and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, profoundly affected the work of LLM. Social changes prompted the inclusion of women in its membership and the eventual alteration of its name to ‘Lutheran Laity Movement.’ It now envisions a future in which it can continue to help congregations and institutions in fund-raising while stimulating creative ways to see all of life as an opportunity for faithful stewardship” (ELCA Presiding Bishop H. George Anderson’s May 1997 Preface to Avery’s Empowered Laity).

LLM was based out of the ELCA’s Chicago headquarters until it disbanded on May 31, 2003. The Stewardship of Life Institute continues to operate out of the United Lutheran Seminary-Gettysburg campus.

Featured in this collection are Walter Jensen and Larry Wingard.

Walter Jensen (b. 1917) became an LLM staff member in 1957, assisting executive director Henry Endress with administration and stewardship presentations (Avery 101-102). Jensen then succeeded Endress as executive director from 1963 to 1967. He remained active in the organization throughout his life, including serving as the Metro New York Synod Representative in the 1980s.

Larry Wingard appears to have succeeded Jensen in the role of Metro New York Synod Representative circa 1990. He assisted many Lutheran congregations and institutions with capital campaigns and was one of four stewardship specialists on the ELCA “Salt: Seasoning Faith and Generosity” team.

“The LLM reached its greatest strength and influence during the 1950s, when it was given responsibility for supporting and managing the stewardship programs of the United Lutheran Church in America. In addition to stewardship education it developed a fund-raising service that assisted hundreds of congregations in their building programs.

“Mergers in 1962 and 1988 that formed, respectively, the Lutheran Church in America and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, profoundly affected the work of LLM. Social changes prompted the inclusion of women in its membership and the eventual alteration of its name to ‘Lutheran Laity Movement.’ It now envisions a future in which it can continue to help congregations and institutions in fund-raising while stimulating creative ways to see all of life as an opportunity for faithful stewardship” (ELCA Presiding Bishop H. George Anderson’s May 1997 Preface to Avery’s Empowered Laity).

LLM was based out of the ELCA’s Chicago headquarters until it disbanded on May 31, 2003. The Stewardship of Life Institute continues to operate out of the United Lutheran Seminary-Gettysburg campus.

Walter Jensen (b. 1917) became an LLM staff member in 1957, assisting executive director Henry Endress with administration and stewardship presentations (Avery 101-102). Jensen then succeeded Endress as executive director from 1963 to 1967. He remained active in the organization throughout his life, including serving as the Metro New York Synod Representative in the 1980s.

Larry Wingard appears to have succeeded Jensen in the role of Metro New York Synod Representative circa 1990. He assisted many Lutheran congregations and institutions with capital campaigns and was one of four stewardship specialists on the ELCA “Salt: Seasoning Faith and Generosity” team.