The Northern Lights Region of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) understands our call as a Region to care for our clergy. The pastoral calling is one of great joy and fulfillment however, it can also be a challenging and difficult journey. The Lane-Salmon and Clergy Scholarship Funds allows the NLR to assist clergy during times of crisis and to help strengthen clergy by providing limited funds for continuing education.
The clergy assistance grants are made possible by gifts initiated in honor of Rev. Dr. Donald Salmon and gifts given by Bob Lane. The Lane-Salmon Fund is a legacy of the Northwest Region. The Clergy Scholarship Fund is made possible by the former Montana Region who established the fund and generously ensured the principle would be carried forward by the Northern Lights Region.
It is the policy of the Northern Lights Region to request that all services of ordination and installations take an offering to benefit the Lane-Salmon and Clergy Scholarship Funds. Also, during October, the Celebration of Ministry Month, a region-wide appeal to add to the funds is made. This allows the Region to continue the essential ministry of supporting pastors during times of need and while they pursue education. Gifts received are divided equally between the Lane-Salmon and Clergy Scholarship Funds.
More about Bob Lane and Donald Salmon
Bob Lane
Born in Yakima and grew up under the mentorship of Orval D. Peterson at First Christian Church Bob graduated from Northwest Christian College (1956) and Drake Divinity School (1960). He served churches in Iowa and Bremerton Westpark, Opportunity and interims at Everett and Queen Anne.
Owned and successfully operated the Lane Mortgage Company until worsening Parkinson’s forced him to close the business. In the successful period of his business he was inspired to provide for the needs of clergy and he and his wife Pam founded the Lane Fund and funded it for many years.
This Fund bought fuel in the winter when there was no money to fill the tank, treatment for a blind minister, food, rent when a minister was behind because of a meager salary, and counseling.
Even near the end of his life he would briefly attend Turner Lectures to visit with friends and colleagues. He died January 2007 after a brief hospitalization related to his chronic illness.
Donald Salmon
Born in Buffalo, NY and educated at Bethany College (1927) and Yale Divinity School (1930). He was honored with Doctor of Divinity degree by Bethany College. After serving student churches in West Virginia and Connecticut Don served full-time pastorates at Bellaire, Ohio, Eureka, Illinois and Seattle First Christian Church.
While in Illinois Dr. Salmon was a Trustee of Eureka College and served on the faculty. He served as President of the Illinois State Convention. He was a member of the state Christian Education Commission.
One of his passions was evangelism. He served on the Commission on Evangelism of the Seattle Council of Churches, and the National Council of Churches.
When he concluded his ministry in Seattle he served seven years as Executive Secretary of Commission on Evangelism of the Christian Church.
Upon retiring in 1967 he served as interim minister for churches in Washington, New Mexico, Arizona and Vancouver BC. He died in June, 1976.