Lutheran Hour Ministry Policies
Privacy Policy
Lutheran Hour Ministries (LHM) is the sole owner of the information collected on this site. We will not sell or rent this information to others in ways different from what is disclosed in this statement. We are committed to maintaining the accuracy, confidentiality and security of your personal information.
We have adopted this policy in order to address specific privacy concerns, and it applies to how we collect, use and disclose personal information of individuals who visit our website.
By using our website and, if applicable, submitting your personal information, you agree to the terms of this Privacy Policy.
Privacy Policy Effective for United States
This Privacy Policy covers only those activities that are subject to the provisions of United States of America federal and state laws, as applicable. Consequently, the rights and obligations contained in this Privacy Policy may not be available to all individuals or in all jurisdictions. If you request that we share your personal information with one of our ministry partners in other countries through a project of our International Ministries, that partner will be responsible for your personal information and their use of your personal information will be subject to the applicable laws in that country.
What Information Do We Collect?
You can visit our website without telling us who you are or revealing personal information about yourself, including your e-mail address. Our web server and third-party analytics programs may collect anonymous information related to your visit to our website, which may include: IP address and domain used to access our website, your approximate geographical location, websites visited before or after your visit to an LHM site, device and browser information, the website you visited to access our website, the entry and exit pages on our site, as well as any additional pages viewed on our site. We use this information to monitor our website’s performance (such as number of visits, average time spent, page views, etc.) and for our own operational and advertising purposes, such as working to continually upgrade our website and delivering ads to you for programs in which you may have an interest.
This information may be captured using automated tracking technologies such as browser cookies , flash cookies, and web beacons, and may also be collected through the use of third party tracking services (such as Google Analytics and Facebook) and third-party cookies (such as the DoubleClick cookie) together to inform, optimize, and serve ads based on your past visits to our website.
In addition, we collect the personal information that you submit to our website, such as your name, address and any other information that you choose to provide. Collection may occur, for example, when you:
- Contact us through our website;
- Create an account (examples: e-mail subscriptions, sections and downloads which require a password, online shopping with LHM)
- Make a donation or purchase order, resulting in an appropriate receipt;
- Receive and review online information about our ministries;
- Apply for a position or to volunteer through our website;
- Request resources, book an event, or
- Correspond with an employee or representative of LHM.
Where you request information from us, we may use the e-mail address that you provide to send you information about our ministry and resources that may be of interest to you. If you have agreed to receive communications from us, such as by e-mail, you may ask us to remove you from the list at any time by using the Unsubscribe link on our subscription e-mails.
Personal Information About Users Under 18 Years of Age Not Collected
The Site is meant for adults and those who have reached the age of majority as defined by the laws of their domicile. This Site is not meant for individuals under the age of 18 or those defined by the laws of their domicile as minors. Nonetheless, this Privacy Policy is still designed to comply with the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (“COPPA”) to the extent COPPA applies. Accordingly, we do not knowingly collect or retain any personal information about users under the age of 13. If we obtain actual knowledge that we collected or retained personal information about a child under the age of 13, that information will be promptly deleted from our database, servers, and all other media. Since we do not collect information from users under 13 years old, no such information is disclosed to third-parties.
We note, however, that we will only knowingly receive, process, and store information on those who are under the age of 13 with parental consent. We take steps to maintain the privacy of that information. We do not share it with any third-parties who do not have a reasonable need for such information related to the provision of the Site Services. We aim to collect the minimum amount of information necessary to provide the Services to individuals under the age of 13. The following type of information may be kept: name, email address, age range, physical address, and phone number. Parents of children under the age of 13 have the right to review and ask for the deletion of the personal information kept on their child(ren). You can request access to this information by contacting us at the contact information listed on the bottom of this policy.
What about Online Advertising?
We promote and encourage support of our ministry activities and resources by occasionally using advertising space on third-party websites including Remarketing with Google Analytics and Facebook Pixel / Custom Audiences. When you visit some websites, we or a third party may place one or more types of cookies on your computer in order to recognize your computer. Because we advertise about our ministry activities on third-party websites, we are able to compile anonymous information over time about the types of pages, content, and ads you or others who use your computer visited or viewed. This anonymous information is used for many purposes. For example, it helps us try to ensure that you do not see the same advertisements repeatedly. We also use this anonymous information to help select and display targeted advertisements on third-party websites that encourage support of our ministry activities.
We use non-personally identifiable information from interest based advertising or audience data from third parties (such as age, gender, and interests) to get a broad understanding of the demographics of our website audience.
Third-party companies also may collect anonymous information about your activity on our websites and applications and on third-party websites and applications using online tracking technologies, such as cookies and web beacons. Tracking data collected by these third-party companies is used to decide which advertisements you see on third-party websites and applications, but does not identify you personally.
This data collection is through Google’s Display Advertising (e.g., Remarketing, Google Display Network Impression Reporting, the DoubleClick Campaign Manager integration, or Google Analytics Demographics and Interest Reporting). Third-party vendors, including Google, may show these ads on sites across the Internet.
Together with third-party vendors, including Google, we may use first-party cookies (such as the Google Analytics cookies) and third-party cookies (such as the DoubleClick cookie) together to report how our ad impressions, other uses of ad services, and interactions with these ad impressions and ad services are related to visits to our site.
You may choose not to receive targeted advertisements from many ad networks, data exchanges, marketing analytics and other service providers by visiting the Ad Preferences Manager.
Our web site may use SessionCam for analysis. SessionCam is a product that has been developed by SessionCam LTD. SessionCam may record mouse clicks, mouse movements, page scrolling and any text keyed into website forms. The information collected does not include bank details or any sensitive personal data. Data collected by SessionCam from Lutheran Hour Ministries websites is for Lutheran Hour Ministries internal use only. The information collected is used to improve our website usability and is stored and used for aggregated and statistical reporting.
Linking to Other Websites
Our website may contain links to other websites. To allow you to interact with third-party websites on which you may have accounts (such as social media websites) or join communities on such websites, we may provide links or embed third-party applications that allow you to login, post content, or join communities from our websites.
Please note that the third-party websites accessed through links on our site are subject to that site’s privacy policy and standards. Once you leave our site to visit a non-LHM site, we cannot assume any responsibility for the privacy practices, policies or actions of the third parties that operate these websites, or for how they collect, use or disclose your personal information. You should review the privacy policies of these websites before providing them with personal information.
Why Do We Collect and Use Personal Information?
The personal information collected through our website is used and disclosed for our ministry purposes. For example, we may collect, use and disclose your personal information to:
- Establish, maintain and manage our relationship with you and fulfill orders that have been requested;
- Be able to review the products and services that we provide to you so that we may work to improve our ministries;
- Be able to comply with your requests;
- Protect us against error, fraud, theft and damage to our property; and
- Enable us to comply with applicable law or regulatory process (for example, we may collect personal information to satisfy the obligations imposed on us by various regulators).
- Communicate with you about our ministry and resources which may be of interest to you.
We do not sell, rent or lease your personal information to other organizations. In order to fulfill the ministry and organizational purposes for which you provided us your personal information, it may be shared with our employees, other Lutheran organizations and any parties who require such information to assist us with establishing, maintaining and managing our relationship with you and providing ministry products and services. For example, LHM depends on certain information technology, data processing services, and consulting services to affiliated organizations and ministry partners (in the US or abroad) to provide ministry services. As a result, your personal information may transit through or be collected, used, processed, stored or disclosed under the control of LHM or one of our affiliated organizations or ministry partners. Where your personal information is provided to ministry partners or service providers, we use confidentiality agreements that restrict the use of your information to the purpose for which it is provided.
Please note that we may collect, use or disclose your publicly-available personal information without your knowledge or consent where we are permitted or required by applicable law or regulatory requirements to do so.
How Do We Protect Your Information?
LHM maintains safeguards that are appropriate to the sensitivity of the personal information in question. These safeguards are designed to prevent your personal information from loss and unauthorized access, copying, use, modification or disclosure.
LHM uses Internet Encryption Software, Secure Socket Layer (SSL) Protocol when collecting or transferring sensitive data such as credit card or banking information. Any information you enter is encrypted at your browser, sent over the public Internet in encrypted form, and then de-crypted at our server. Once we receive your credit card information, it is accessible only to a small number of trusted LHM employees who have been specially trained in processing this information. Credit card information is only stored on our servers, in encrypted form, for the length of time needed for a specific transaction. For example, credit card information for online purchases is passed directly to the credit card processing center immediately and is not stored on our servers at all; credit card information for one-time online donations is stored only as long as is needed for processing the gift; while credit card information for automated recurring donations is stored, in encrypted form, until the recurring gift schedule is cancelled or the credit card expires, whichever is sooner.
Unfortunately, no data transmission over the Internet can be guaranteed to be 100% secure. As a result, while we strive to protect your personal information, we cannot guarantee the security of any information you transmit to us, and you do so at your own risk. Once this website receives your transmission, we make every reasonable effort to ensure its security on our systems. The security of your personal information is important to us. Please advise us immediately of any incident involving the loss of or unauthorized access to or disclosure of personal information that is in our custody or control.
Updating Your Personal Information
It is important that the information contained in our records is both accurate and current. If your personal information (e-mail, name, address) changes, please keep us informed of such changes. We will replace or append your accounts with the updated information.
Inquiries or Concerns?
If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or concerns about how we manage your personal information, please contact us in writing or by e-mail.
Revisions to this Privacy Policy
LHM reserves the right to make changes to this Privacy Policy at any time and requests that you review this policy for updates.
Whistleblower Policy
General:
Lutheran Hour Ministries (LHM) Board Policy Manual’s Governing Principles and Integrity and LHM’s Employee Handbook require directors, officers, volunteers and employees to observe high standards of business and personal ethics in the conduct of their duties and responsibilities. LHM is committed to a safe and ethical work environment. As employees and representatives of LHM, we strive to practice honesty and integrity in fulfilling our responsibilities and comply with all applicable laws and regulations. LHM’s Whistleblower policy acts to protect employees who report suspected wrongdoing within the company. This policy is not intended to restrict communications or actions protected or required by state or federal law.
Responsibilities:
It is the responsibility of all directors, officers, volunteers and employees to comply with applicable law and LHM’s policies, and to report violations or suspected violations in accordance with this Whistleblower Policy. Unless expressly prohibited by law, it is the responsibility of all directors, officers, volunteers and employees to fully cooperate with an investigation.
Reporting Violations:
The Code of Ethics addresses LHM’s open door policy and suggests that employees share their questions, concerns, suggestions or complaints with someone who can address them properly. In most cases, an employee’s supervisor is in the best position to address an area of concern. However, if you are not comfortable speaking with your direct supervisor or you are not satisfied with your supervisor’s response, you should speak with the Chief Human Resources Officer. Supervisors and managers are required to report suspected violations of the Code of Ethics to the Chief Human Resources Officer, who should then discuss the matter with LHM’s outside legal counsel, Jim Dankenbring (jdankenbring@spencerfane.com), Attorney at Law. If any claims involve the Chief Human Resources Officer, such claims shall be reported to the Chief Executive Officer. These parties have specific and exclusive responsibility to direct the investigation of all reported violations. Reporting violations to the above-mentioned parties constitute protected activity for which retaliation is strictly prohibited.
Acting in Good Faith:
Anyone filing a complaint concerning a violation or suspected violation of the Code of Ethics should be acting in reasonable good faith on the belief that the reported conduct violated the Code of Ethics. Any allegations that prove not to be substantiated and which prove to have been made maliciously or knowingly to be false will be viewed as a serious disciplinary offense and may result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination.
Confidentiality:
Violations or suspected violations may be submitted on a confidential basis or may be submitted anonymously. Reports of violations or suspected violations will be kept confidential to the extent possible, consistent with the need to conduct an adequate investigation.
Handling of Reported Violations:
Jim Dankenbring, Attorney, the Chief Human Resources Officer, or the Chief Executive Officer, depending on the focus of the violation, will notify the sender and acknowledge receipt of the reported violation or suspected violation within five business days. All reports will be promptly investigated and appropriate corrective action will be taken if warranted by the investigation.
No Retaliation:
No director, officer, volunteer or employee who, in good faith, reports a violation of the Code of Ethics or participates in an official investigation shall suffer harassment, retaliation or adverse employment consequence. An employee who retaliates against someone who has reported a violation in good faith is subject to discipline, up to and including termination of employment. This Whistleblower Policy is intended to encourage and enable employees and others to raise serious concerns within LHM prior to seeking resolution outside LHM. Applicable law may also mandate additional protections, which will be afforded as may be applicable.
Lutheran Hour Ministries Text Messaging Policy, Terms, and Conditions
Introduction
Lutheran Hour Ministries (LHM) is committed to protecting your personal information and providing a safe, respectful communication experience, consistent with applicable law. This Text Messaging Policy outlines how we collect, use, and store the information you provide when you engage with us via SMS or other text-based communication channels using cellular or “smart” phones.
Consent to Text Communications
By opting “in” to receive text messages from LHM, you consent to receive communications regarding our ministry activities, resources, events, opportunities, and other communications that we may deem of interest to you. You may opt-out at any time by replying “STOP” to any text message or contacting us directly, using the contact information at the bottom of this Policy.
What Information Do We Collect?
When you opt in to receive text messages, we may collect:
- Your phone number
- Your name (if provided)
- Your cellular network provider (if available)
- Any additional information voluntarily shared through text responses, including any applicable metadata
We do not knowingly collect or retain personal information from individuals under the age of 13 without parental consent, in compliance with applicable laws such as the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Rule (COPPA).
How We Use Your Information
We use the information collected through text messaging to:
- Provide updates, event reminders, requests for support, and resources about our ministry.
- Respond to your inquiries or requests made via text.
- Send marketing messages and other relevant information.
We will not knowingly sell, rent, or lease your phone number or other personal information to third-parties.
How to Manage Your Preferences
- Opt-out: You can stop receiving text messages at any time by replying “STOP” to any LHM text message. You agree and acknowledge that it may take us a limited period of time to process your request (where you may receive other messages), but we will use commercially reasonable efforts to remove your phone number from receiving future text messages, other than a confirmation text that you have opted-out.
- Help: If you need assistance, reply “HELP” or contact us by phone at 1-800-876-9880 or by email at lh_min@www.lhm.org. We aim to respond to your inquiries within two (2) business days.
- Updating Information: If your phone number changes, please contact us so we may update your records. By providing us with your new phone number, you consent to receiving text messages on your new phone number and we will take commercially reasonable steps to deactivate text messages going to your old phone number.
Data Security
We implement reasonable safeguards to help protect the information you provide via text messaging. However, no system can guarantee absolute security. If you believe your information has been compromised, please contact us immediately. Additionally, please do not send any confidential information via text message as text message communication may be monitored or seen by third-parties.
Revisions to this Policy
This Text Messaging Policy is intended to comply with applicable law. It may be updated from time to time, which will become binding on you upon publication to the extent allowed by applicable law. Please review it periodically to stay informed of any changes. The date on the top of the Policy will reflect the last updated version.
Contact Us
For questions about this Text Messaging Policy or our use of text messaging, please call our toll-free number at 1-800-876-9880 9880 or by email at lh_min@www.lhm.org.
See below our SMS Terms and Conditions. To the extent not inconsistent with this Policy, our Privacy Policy shall also apply to our handling of your personal data.
Text Messaging Terms and Conditions
By opting into receiving text messages on your cellular and/or “smart” phone from Lutheran Hour Ministries (LHM), the following Terms and Conditions apply. You are not obligated to opt in. By voluntarily opting in, you: (i) consent to receiving autodialed marketing calls, (ii) consent to receiving autodialed marketing text messages from LHM, at the phone number that you provide. You further acknowledge and agree that your information may be processed in accordance with, and you are bound by, LHM’s Privacy Policy (which you can view here or by clicking the “Privacy Policy” hyperlink at the bottom of this page). Your consent to receive marketing calls and text messages is optional and is not a condition of receiving any products or services from LHM.
Standard carrier message and data rates may apply, which will be your sole responsibility. Please feel welcome to consult your mobile service carrier’s pricing plan before opting in.
You agree that neither LHM nor any third-parties, including but not limited to cell phone carriers, are liable for any delayed or undelivered messages.
How to opt out: You can opt out from future messages at any time by texting “STOP” to 28409 from your cellular or mobile device. You agree that if you request to opt out from future messages, we may send you a one-time opt-out confirmation text message, and further agree that it may take a reasonable amount of time to process your request where you could receive additional messages while your opt-out request is pending.
For support: Please call our toll-free number at 1-800-876-9880, submit the form at https://www.lhm.org/contact/, or text HELP to 28409 on your device.
This text messaging program may not be available on all wireless carriers. The program is currently available for AT&T, Verizon Wireless, Sprint, MetroPCS®, and T-Mobile®. LHM may add or remove any wireless carrier from this program without notice.
Message frequency may vary.
To the extent applicable law requires any additional terms on you related to your use of LHM’s text messages services, such terms shall allow apply to you. These Terms and Conditions may be updated from time to time. Your continued use of the text messaging services constitutes your continued consent to these Terms and Conditions.
See above to view our Texting Policy.
Disclaimer
Lutheran Hour Ministries’ User Agreement:
General Rules and Information:
More information about Lutheran Hour Ministries can be found here.
The site (the “Site”) is owned and operated by Lutheran Hour Ministries for your personal non-commercial use only. Lutheran Hour Ministries’ offices are located in the State of Missouri, USA. You may not use the Site until you have read and agree to abide by the terms of this user agreement (“Agreement”). Certain areas of the Site may be governed by additional, more specific agreements to which you must agree before using those areas of the Site. The specific agreements and this general agreement shall apply equally. In the event of any irreconcilable inconsistency between a provision of a specific agreement and this Agreement, the specific agreement’s provision shall apply. If you are not at least 18 years old you may not use the Site without adult supervision. You warrant that you are at least 18 years old. If you have comments regarding the Site or this Agreement, you may send them by e-mail to lh_min@www.lhm.org.
For more information, please read our Privacy Policy.
Information, text, graphics, software, and other content that make up this Web site (“Content”) reside on a computer operated by Lutheran Hour Ministries or its representative. Anyone accessing this Web site consents to monitoring of this access and use by system or security personnel.
Lutheran Hour Ministries is not responsible for or liable for any damage, including damage caused by viruses, to your computer, computer system, or other property, during or on account of access or use of the Site or any sites to which the Site provides hyperlinks (“links”). The Site includes links to other Internet sites, both related and unrelated to the Site, that may be of interest to users. The presence of a link to a third party site does not constitute or imply Lutheran Hour Ministries’ endorsement, sponsorship, or recommendation of the third party or of the information or products contained on the site. Lutheran Hour Ministries does not monitor or control any linked sites and is not responsible for their content or availability.
You must send any official correspondence via postal mail to:
Lutheran Hour Ministries
660 Mason Ridge Center Drive
St. Louis, MO 63141
Your Acceptance of this Agreement:
By entering the Site you accept and are bound by this Agreement without limitation, qualification or change. You represent that you have read and agree to abide by all the terms and conditions of this Agreement at all times while using the Site. You may not use the Site in any way that involves failure to abide by any term or condition of this Agreement.
Use of Intellectual Property:
The Site and all of its contents, including but not limited to articles, other text, photographs, images, illustrations, graphics, video material, audio material, and other software (collectively “Intellectual Property”) are protected by copyright, trademark and other laws of the United States, as well as international conventions and the laws of other countries. The Intellectual Property is owned or controlled by Lutheran Hour Ministries or the party credited as the provider of Intellectual Property. Additionally, the Site itself is protected by copyright as a collective work and or compilation. You may not, and agree that you will not, copy, download, distribute, publish, enter into a database, display, perform, modify, create derivative works, transmit, post, decompile, reverse engineer, disassemble or in any way exploit any of the Intellectual Property, or the Site itself, in whole or part, except as expressly provided in this section of the Agreement. You may browse the Site and download one copy of occasional materials appearing on the Site that are of personal interest to you for personal, educational or non-commercial use. You must keep intact all copyright, trademark, and other notices contained in this one personal copy. Unless otherwise noted, you may not distribute, or otherwise make available to others, this one personal copy. You may not save or archive a significant portion of the material appearing on this Site. Third party names and marks used in this Web site are the property of their respective owners.
General Limitation of Liability; Disclaimer of Warranties:
Your use and browsing of this Site is at your own risk.
All opinions expressed by third parties are the opinions of that party and do not necessarily reflect the views or doctrine of Lutheran Hour Ministries. Although Lutheran Hour Ministries strives to enforce strict controls on this site, the world wide web is by nature a freewheeling place and Lutheran Hour Ministries can not guarantee the accuracy, currency, quality or orthodoxy of any information found on this site. Thus, the site, and all its contents, are provided to you “as is,” without any warranty of any kind, either express or implied, including, but not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, or non-infringement of the rights of third parties. Lutheran Hour Ministries, its subsidiary and parent companies, affiliates and any others involved in creating the site and its contents are not liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, special consequential or punitive damages resulting from any circumstance involving the site, including but not limited to Lutheran Hour Ministries’ negligence, your access to and use of the site, the unavailability of the site, errors or inaccuracies contained on the site, or the defamatory, offensive or illegal conduct of any user of the site, even if you have advised Lutheran Hour Ministries in advance of the possibility of such damage.
Donor Accountability
Thank you for your support of Lutheran Hour Ministries (International Lutheran Laymen’s League) as we work together to share the Gospel around the world! This page is provided for our contributors and volunteers for accountability.
IRS Verification of 501(c)(3) Status
IRS Exemption Requirements – 501(c)(3) Organizations
IRS Tax Identification/Employer Identification Number (EIN): 43-0653365
Federal Form 990 or Form 990N
As a church-affiliated organization and an auxiliary of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, we are exempt from filing a Federal Form 990. More information on the exemption can by found on irs.gov.
Annual Report and Financials for Lutheran Hour Ministries
An annual ministry impact report is available by visiting www.lhm.org/report.
2024 Audited Financials
2023 Audited Financials
2022 Audited Financials
2021 Audited Financials
2020 Audited Financials
2019 Audited Financials
2018 Audited Financials
2017 Audited Financials
2016 Audited Financials
2015 Audited Financials
Organization Policies and Donor Rights
Privacy Policy
Donor Bill of Rights
Code of Ethics
Gift Acceptance Policies
Uniform Disclosure Statement
Organizational Leadership and Boards
Lutheran Hour Ministries Leadership Team
Lutheran Hour Ministries Board of Directors
LHM Foundation Board of Trustees
External Giving and Non-Profit Resources
Ministry Updates and Publications
The Donor Bill of Rights from the Association of Fundraising Professionals
Philanthropy is based on voluntary action for the common good. It is a tradition of giving and sharing that is primary to the quality of life. To ensure that philanthropy merits the respect and trust of the general public, and that donors and prospective donors can have full confidence in the nonprofit organizations and causes they are asked to support, we declare that all donors have these rights:
- To be informed of the organization’s mission, of the way the organization intends to use donated resources, and of its capacity to use donations effectively for their intended purposes.
- To be informed of the identity of those serving on the organization’s governing board, and to expect the board to exercise prudent judgment in its stewardship responsibilities.
- To have access to the organization’s most recent financial statements.
- To be assured their gifts will be used for the purposes for which they were given.
- To receive appropriate acknowledgement and recognition.
- To be assured that information about their donation is handled with respect and with confidentiality to the extent provided by law.
- To expect that all relationships with individuals representing organizations of interest to the donor will be professional in nature.
- To be informed whether those seeking donations are volunteers, employees of the organization or hired solicitors.
- To have the opportunity for their names to be deleted from mailing lists that an organization may intend to share.
- To feel free to ask questions when making a donation and to receive prompt, truthful and forthright answers.
Code of Ethics
The Lutheran Hour Ministries Foundation adopts this Code of Ethics to guide the conduct of the Board of Trustees, employees and volunteer leaders.
In our various capacities as volunteers, employees or elected leaders, we work together to serve our Lord in an effort to Bring Christ to the Nations and the Nations to the Church.
These roles demand a high standard of integrity, trust and stewardship. The Board of Trustees, employees and volunteer leaders will strive to be aware of the consequences of their actions.
Our service must reflect compliance with the law and the highest standards of professional knowledge, conduct, care and respect for each individual served.
There will be times when the choice of conduct is not clear. When faced by an unclear choice, ask yourself this question: “If my actions were to be published, would foundation supporters agree that the best interests of all were served?” If the choice is still not clear, ask for guidance from your supervisor, other foundation officers or pastoral advisors.
Responsibilities shall be conducted in a manner consistent with Scriptures and the Lutheran Confessions.