New giving counselors
Filed Under: Christian Giving, counselors, MCG
Two men have accepted calls to be giving counselors for WELS Ministry of Christian Giving. Rev. Steven Staude, formerly pastor Christ, West Salem, Wis., began serving Dec. 1 and Mr. Carl Leibner, formerly an agent for Thrivent Financial, will begin serving Jan. 15. These men will take on the duties left by one full-time vacancy and four giving counselors who have semi-retired since last summer.
The calls are part of a new program developed by Christian Giving. For every two counselors that go into semi-retirement, the Conference of Presidents has approved one full-time counselor to be called. Rev. Dave Liggett, director, says this allows Christian Giving to continue the same level of service to congregations without increases to the budget. He says another advantage of the semi-retirement program is getting to keep well-trained and skilled people on staff. "It would be a shame to have these men go into full retirement with all their knowledge of this work," he says. "People have become accustomed to working with them and know them very well."
Liggett says the new counselors are also very skilled. "The main thing Pastor Staude will bring to this ministry is a willingness to make as many calls as possible," says Liggett. "Steve knows how to do that very well." Liebner is a leader in his church in Maitland, Fla., and Liggett says he is well-known in his district. "Our fellow Christians in the South Atlantic District are very familiar with Carl and I'm confident they are going to enjoy working with him," he says.
Counselors work with WELS donors on direct, immediate gifts; estate planning; and expectancy gifts and bequests. Learn more about giving counselors or gift planning online.
