Letter of Intent: Making a Faith Statement

A final gift in a Will can be done with a faith statement called a “Letter of Intent.”  Your Will presents a tremendous opportunity to make a faith statement which can accompany your final gift to St. Andrew’s and other charities.  Of course, there are as many ways to word this “Letter of Intent” as there are givers.  It starts with writing your intentions and sharing your thoughts with your heirs, if that is your choice.

Whatever you decision, this is the final legal document you will prepare for your family and the world.  It should reflect your values and your view of stewardship, as well as your priorities for helping with the ministries of St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church and the needs of the world.

Two examples of the “Letter of Intent:”

Example #1

“In making this Will, each of my children and heirs knows how important family is to me.  No amount left in this Will can ever equal the love I have for each of you.”

“But this is also a time to share a part of my blessings with God.  I entered this world with nothing and I leave with nothing.  I have tried to be a good steward of what God has given me.  And with the joy of a cheerful giver, I want to leave a part of what has been given me to the work of the Lord with the following gifts:”

_____percent of my estate to the St. Andrew’s Foundation to extend the ministries of St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church.

_____percent of my estate to ________college/university/
seminary with the interest used for scholarships for students.

_____percent of my estate to worldwide ministry__________.

“In making these gifts to the work of the Lord, I wish this to be a statement of faith asking my heirs to become cheerful givers of the talents and possessions given them so that generation after generation our family will be good stewards of what we have been given.”
 
Example #2

“I believe each Christian should give part of his or her estate as a “final tithe” to the work of Jesus Christ.  Therefore, I am making the following designations recognizing that all I have been given is from God and I want to share these blessings for God’s work.”

“From my net estate after all expenses, taxes and other listed gifts, I hereby give _____ percent of my estate as a “final tithe” to be divided as follows:”

_____percent of my estate to the Foundation of St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church, Mahtomedi, MN.

_____percent of my estate to __________college/university/seminary with the interest used for scholarships for students.

_____percent of my estate to the worldwide ministry of__________.

“At the same time I leave to my family the rest of my estate as described in this Will.”

 Of course, there are other ways in which to leave a planned gift beside the Will.  Examples include:

• Beneficiary Designation/Pay on Death Certificate
• Charitable Gift Annuity
• Charitable Remainder Trust
• Insurance Policy
• Retirement Plan/IRA
• Current Gift to the Foundation

You may consider writing a “Letter of Intent” to accompany any one of these types of planned gifts.

After signing your letter of intent you may attach a quote from the Bible.  Two examples from my own letter of intent are:

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.”  Ephesians 2:8-9

“Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me.’” –John 14:6

St. Andrew’s Foundation is offering a unique opportunity to the members of our congregation.  As Executive Director of the Foundation, I am meeting with our members to help them create their personal legacies.  I will meet with each person to provide confidential coaching through the completion of their “Letter of Intent.”