Some free services limited to family-network members

A number of resources and free products offered by LCMS District and Congregational Services (DCS) — Family Ministry became available April 1 only to members of the Lutheran Family Ministry Network (LFMN).

Rev. Jeffery Schubert, director of the family-ministry office, describes the LFMN as "an organization of Lutheran family-ministry practitioners who are convinced that ministry to the home is essential for the continued health of our churches, schools and our Synod itself."

He said that the free "members-only" benefits include:

* access to resources on the Family Ministry Web site (now available only to members of the network);

* networking opportunities such as video conferencing, electronic chat rooms, national conferences and a directory of LFMN members;

* an electronic bulletin to keep members informed about family-ministry research, products, statistics, trends and news;

* mailings with free family resources;

* registration costs for Marriage Enrichment Experience (MEE) retreats;

* training costs for the "Prepare — ENRICH" program for engaged and married couples;

* on-site consultation and strategic-planning services;

* keynote speeches, workshops and seminars; and

* discounts on resources and offers from a variety of organizations and vendors.

LFMN members receive a credentials packet that includes a certificate and card with a membership number that gives them access to the Web resources.

Schubert said that the only costs involved when LFMN members arrange on-site consultations and MEE retreats are travel and room-and-board expenses for the facilitator. He indicated that those who are not LFMN members would pay additional fees for on-site retreats and would be assessed per-participant registration fees for Marriage Enrichment Experience retreats.

"Network members are already finding that their annual $325 membership fee is a bargain for the services and resources they receive," Schubert said. "And they are helping to support family ministry in the Synod."

Rev. James Rodriguez Jr., assistant pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church, Seymour, Ind., was the first LFMN member to take up the network's offer of registration-free Marriage Enrichment Experiences.

"As I read about what it offered, I realized the network would be in line with the things I need to be doing," said Rodriguez, who is planning the MEE weekend for July 17-18, with Schubert and his wife, Judy, as facilitators.

Schubert said that almost 50 family-ministry practitioners have joined the LFMN, which was organized earlier this year.

For an application or for more information, contact Schubert or Susan Musler at DCS — Family Ministry, 1333 S. Kirkwood Road, St. Louis, MO 63122-7295; (800) 248-1830, Ext. 1716; or go to the Web site: www.lcms.org/family