Have you asked yourself the question: “What is the work of the ELS Giving Counselor and how does he serve us in the Evangelical Lutheran Synod”?

The work of the Giving Counselor for our Evangelical Lutheran Synod is part of the Lord’s overall kingdom work to assist the ELS members to grow in the grace of giving to the Lord.

How is this accomplished?

It starts with a love for the Gospel. Jesus’ love motivates us to love Him in response to His undeserved love for us. Having bore our sins in His own body and dying on the cross, our Lord’s resurrection reveals to us that our redemption is sure. The greatest joy of His salvation lies in knowing that, because He lives, we will live also. Through the blessed means of grace God the Holy Spirit gives us a new spiritual life and the faith to believe on Jesus, with the result that we have life, eternal life, in His name.

Having been redeemed and freed from sin’s debt, we are now free to praise the God of our salvation through faithful acts of service.

Our Lord gave us a simple command. “Go and make disciples of all the nations…” (Matthew 28:18). Our faith in Jesus naturally carries out Christ’s command to proclaim the Gospel to our friends, family and neighbors at home. We also find it helpful to join together as congregations and a synod to call others to do this precious mission work and to support those missionaries as they spread the Gospel on our behalf.

Our Lord gives us a most wonderful opportunity to serve Him by using the time and talents that He gives us. In addition, our acts of service to our Lord also include the use of our earthly treasures.

The Giving Counselor’s task is to assist the individual ELS Christian to use his treasure by helping them to make planned gifts that are current and/or deferred. The ultimate purpose of the Giving Counselor’s work is to glorify God through helping others to faithfully use their material blessings to glorify Christ and His kingdom.

How does the Giving Counselor carry out this task?

As he serves God’s people, the Giving Counselor is called to preach in the synod’s congregations. He will make presentations, conduct seminars and hold group meetings at which he sets forth biblical stewardship principles and the Gospel’s motivation for giving.

These meetings occur at invitation of the congregations made through their pastors and/or their officers. The giving counselor will not only share information about how to make current and deferred gifts, but also he will provide an array of opportunities for giving. People who attend such a meeting are encouraged to set up personal meetings with the counselor so that a plan for giving can be tailor made for them as individuals and families.

These meetings may involve setting up a will, reviewing an existing will, or drawing up an estate plans. The counselor will also assist people to make gifts where most appropriate. In many cases the gift can continue to support the giver until they no longer have need for earthly support. The funds can then go directly to support the ministry of the Gospel that they had chosen.

Please do not hesitate to call Pastor Basel if you would like to have him preach, and/or share the Biblical message of the grace of giving to the glory of God in your congregation. If you would like a personal visit you may call to make an appointment.

You can reach the giving counselor by writing to:

ELS Estate Planning Office

6 Browns Ct.

Mankato, MN

507.344.7311

email: elsgivingcounselor@blc.edu

Pastor Basel was installed into the position of Giving Counselor on February 13, 2007 at Trinity Chapel on the campus of Bethany Lutheran College. He and his wife Lisa reside in the city of Mankato, Minnesota.

Pastor Basel served his vicarage under Rev. Alf Merseth in the Northwood/Lake Mills parish in Northern Iowa and was placed as a candidate at the Scarville/Center Parish in Scarville, Iowa where he was ordained on July 9, 1989. He also served at Peace Evangelical Lutheran Church in Deshler, Ohio (an independent congregation in fellowship with the ELS) from 1992 until 1999. He then served at Mt. Olive Lutheran Church and School in Mankato, Minnesota until accepting the call as our Synod’s Giving Counselor. He also serves on the ELS Home Mission Board.