Vicarage Placement Fund: Helping Congregations; Supporting Vicars

NATIONAL – Is your congregation considering hosting a vicar in the coming year? Have you ever considered whether your congregation provides the kind of training the next vicar needs? Vicars do need mentors. Congregations need well-trained pastors. Lutheran Church–Canada is committed to both.

Supporting Congregations in Formation and Ministry

Vicarage placements continue to play a vital role in the formation of future pastors and in supporting congregational ministry across Lutheran Church–Canada. Through well-structured vicarage placements, vicars are formed into capable, well-trained pastors, equipped to lead Christ’s Church.

Many congregations are able to provide the training and mentorship vicars need but may not have the financial capacity to cover all associated costs. Traditionally, congregations requesting a vicar have been responsible for providing vicarage housing, moving costs, travel expenses and a monthly salary. What if Lutheran Church–Canada covered the salary?

Recognizing the commitment host congregations make, LCC has decided to partner more intentionally with congregations that provide vicars training, by introducing an important update to the Vicarage Placement Fund beginning in 2026.

NEW FOR 2026: Vicarage Placement Fund Update

Beginning in 2026, the LCC Vicarage Placement Fund will provide funding to the host congregation to:

• Cover the full twelve-month salary for vicars
• Pay the employer portion of CPP and EI

The host congregation will now only cover vicarage housing, the moving costs, and travel expenses. These changes are intended to reduce the financial burden on host congregations and encourage continued participation in vicarage formation.

For full details, please refer to the updated Vicarage Agreement (2026).

Lutheran Church–Canada encourages congregations to begin planning now and to take note of important updates to the vicarage placement process for 2026.

Candidate and Vicar Applications Due February 23, 2026

All requests from congregations for Candidates and Vicars must be submitted to their Regional Pastor by February 23, 2026. Timely submission ensures that placements can be processed efficiently and with appropriate pastoral support.

Request forms are available on the LCC website under Resources > Congregational Resources. Congregations are asked to carefully review the subtitles on each form to confirm they are using the correct documentation for either calling a candidate or requesting a vicar.

To assist with clarity and processing, congregations are strongly encouraged to use the fillable online forms. Scanned or handwritten forms can be difficult to read and may result in delays.

Contact your Regional Pastor with any questions or for further assistance as you discern your next steps in calling or hosting.

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Supporting Lutheran Church–Canada provides opportunities like the Vicarage Placement Fund. LCC supports the wider synod. Thank you for supporting LCC!

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