Benefits for Open Arms Members

There are many benefits for a ministry from membership in the Open Arms Institute. These continue to increase in number and improve in quality and usefulness. They are available to a member in good standing.

General Benefits Overview

  1. The exclusive right to establish and operate a Lutheran childcare ministry under the name Open Arms;
  2. Together we promote the image of quality Christian childcare for which Open Arms has become known;
  3. Together we discover and share new ways to enhance our service to the Lord and His Church;
  4. We seek to protect the trademark and logo of Open Arms childcare for our exclusive use;
  5. We provice advocacy with the major entities involved in church planting with childcare ministry;

Hands-On Materials and Services

  1. Consulting Services as follows:
    • A first on-site consultation at cost, usually in the preliminary stages to help a ministry evaluate the potential for a successful church planting with childcare and to become acquainted with the Open Arms Institute and its services. Cost includes travel, lodging, and meals, and task-related incidentals.
    • Additional on-site consultations by formal agreement, at cost plus a modest consultant’s fee of $250 per actual 8-hour day on task, to assist with any stage of the developing ministry such as evaluation and interpretation of a Market Research study, review of building plans, interviewing of prospective staff, etc.
    • Limited informal phone consultations at no cost.
    • Extended phone consultationswith an assigned consultant, under formal agreement, billed at the rate of $40 per hour, in lieu of daily consultant’s fee .
  2. A Business Plan template consisting of both the textual material and a self-calculating spreadsheet for projecting the financial viability of a proposed new ministry; required by the Lutheran Church Extension Fund for consideration of a loan.
  3. A discount of $500 on the cost of a Market Research Study by the recommended provider.
  4. A Director’s Guide offering practical guidance for the successful operation of an Open Arms center, including a variety of forms for use by administrators.
  5. A Financial Procedures Manual providing methods and procedures for ensuring the security and accuracy of the financial operation of an Open Arms center, and for proper reporting of finances.
  6. A Personnel Manual to help deal with the growing technicalities in the area of employment.
  7. A complete Staff Handbook, adaptable to a given ministry
  8. A complete Parent Handbook adaptable to a given ministry.
  9. A 30 second TV advertising spot for Open Arms childcare, usable by any center with slight modification.
  10. Networking with other centers and their staffs.
  11. Occasional newsletters, bulletins, and specialized conferences for members.

Click on one of the following for more detail:

pdf Terms of Membership & Application
word Terms of Membership & Application