NALC News - Emmanuel Lutheran Church · Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus, preached for the opening...

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Delegates and guests at the 2017 NALC Convocation take part in the Festival Eucharist commemorating the 500th anniversary of the Reformation. NALC News N o r t h A m e r i c a n L u t h e r a n C h u r c h A u g u s t 2 0 1 7 2017 NALC Convocation focuses on Discipleship and Reformation More than 650 NALC members and guests gathered Aug. 9-11 for the 2017 NALC Convocation at the Sheraton Music City Hotel in Nashville, Tenn., around the theme, “Holding Fast: Being Reformed.” The 500th anniversary of the Reformation provided a focus for the Convocation. The leaders of the largest Lutheran churches in the world were featured speakers for the worship services. The Rev. Dr. Fredrick Onael Shoo, Presiding Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania, was the preacher for the Festival Eucharist observing the Reformation anniversary. The Rev. Yonas Yigezu, President of the Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus, preached for the opening worship of the Convocation’s Mission Festival. The EECMY is the largest Lutheran church in the world with 9 million members. The ELCT is the second largest, with 6.5 million members. The Rev. Dr. James Nestingen and the Rev. Dr. Nathan Yoder delivered keynote Bible study addresses on Reformation themes. The Rev. Dr. Jared Wicks addressed Martin Luther from a Roman Catholic perspective, and Carmen Fowler LaBerge addressed the Lutheran Reformation from a Reformed perspective. The NALC’s focus on discipleship featured prominently in the Convocation. Bishop John Bradosky provided a keynote address and Bible Continued on Page 2

Transcript of NALC News - Emmanuel Lutheran Church · Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus, preached for the opening...

Page 1: NALC News - Emmanuel Lutheran Church · Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus, preached for the opening worship of the Convocation’s Mission Festival. The EECMY is the largest Lutheran

Delegates and guests at the 2017 NALC Convocation take part in the Festival Eucharistcommemorating the 500th anniversary of the Reformation.

NALC NewsN o r t h A m e r i c a n L u t h e r a n C h u r c h A u g u s t 2 0 1 7

2017 NALC Convocation focuseson Discipleship and ReformationMore than 650 NALCmembers and guestsgathered Aug. 9-11for the 2017 NALCConvocation at theSheraton Music CityHotel in Nashville,Tenn., around thetheme, “HoldingFast: BeingReformed.”

The 500thanniversary of theReformationprovided a focus forthe Convocation.The leaders of thelargest Lutheranchurches in theworld were featuredspeakers for theworship services.

The Rev. Dr. Fredrick Onael Shoo, PresidingBishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church inTanzania, was the preacher for the FestivalEucharist observing the Reformation anniversary.

The Rev. Yonas Yigezu, President of the EthiopianEvangelical Church Mekane Yesus, preached forthe opening worship of the Convocation’s MissionFestival.

The EECMY is the largest Lutheran church in theworld with 9 million members. The ELCT is thesecond largest, with 6.5 million members.

The Rev. Dr. James Nestingen and the Rev. Dr.Nathan Yoder delivered keynote Bible studyaddresses on Reformation themes.

The Rev. Dr. Jared Wicks addressed Martin Lutherfrom a Roman Catholic perspective, and CarmenFowler LaBerge addressed the LutheranReformation from a Reformed perspective.

The NALC’s focus on discipleship featuredprominently in the Convocation. Bishop JohnBradosky provided a keynote address and Bible

Continued on Page 2

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The Rev. Dr. Fredrick Onael Shoo, Presiding Bishop ofthe Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania, was thepreacher for the Festival Eucharist observing the 500thanniversary of the Reformation.

The Rev. Yonas Yigezu, President of the EthiopianEvangelical Church Mekane Yesus, preached for theopening worship of the Mission Festival.

Continued from Page 1

study on discipleship for the Mission Festival.Discipleship was also a focus of his report to theConvocation and of other speakers and workshops.

The Convocation opened with the NALC MissionFestival. Keynote addresses were given by BishopBradosky; the Rev. Dr. Gemechis Buba, Assistantto the Bishop for Missions; and the Rev. Dr. JosephParsalaw, a professor from the EvangelicalLutheran Church in Tanzania.

Church leaders from around the world took part in a panel discussion on congregational life in theircountries during the Mission Festival andworkshops addressed a variety of topics.

Mission Districts gathered separately onWednesday evening for a Bible study ondiscipleship by Bishop Bradosky and for businessmeetings.

The Convocation is the annual gathering andbusiness meeting of the NALC. The Convocationelected members of the Executive Council andCourt of Adjudication. The Convocation alsoapproved 2018 budgets and adopted a resolutionencouraging congregations to increase financial forthe NALC.

Several speakers representing a variety of NALCtask forces, ministry partners, and other churchbodies addressed the Convocation.

The Convocation was preceded by the NALC YouthLeaders Symposium, Women of the NALC AnnualGathering, and the Carl E. Braaten and Robert D.Benne Lectures in Theology.

Reports to the Convocation from committees andstaff, as well as all documents pertaining to theConvocation, are available on the NALC website atwww.thenalc.org/2017-lutheran-week-documents.Videos from the Convocation and the Braaten-Benne Lectures will be posted online soon.

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Mark Braaten Brian Sutton

Julie Eskeland Lyle HollanderJeffray Greene

Braaten and Sutton electedto NALC Executive CouncilGreene and Hollander elected to Court of Adjudication

Pastor Mark Braaten of Our Saviour’s LutheranChurch in Tyler, Texas, and Brian E. Sutton of St.John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Statesville,N.C., were reelected to four-year terms on theExecutive Council of the North American LutheranChurch by the 2017 NALC Convocation.

Both men were completing four-year terms on theExecutive Council, which functions as the board ofdirectors for the NALC. Three pastors and three laypeople were nominated for the positions.

Brian Sutton is a retired corporate Supply Chainand Technology Manager. He has degrees inbusiness administration from Montreat College inMontreat, N.C. He serves as chair of the ExecutiveCouncil’s Task Force on Structure.

Pastor Braaten servesas pastor of OurSaviour’s LutheranChurch in Tyler, Texas.He has degrees fromAugsburg College andLuther Seminary. Hewas the Dean of theNorth Texas MissionDistrict from 2010 until2017. He also serveson the Board ofDirectors for SolaPublishing and servedon the Lutheran CORESteering Committee.

Pastor Jeffray S. Greene of Word of God LutheranChurch in Peachtree City, Ga., and Lyle Hollanderof St. John Lutheran Church in Boyden, Iowa, wereelected to four-year terms on the NALC Court ofAdjudication. The Court handles disciplinarymatters and questions regarding the interpretationof the NALC’s governing documents.

The Convocation also ratified the election of JulieEskeland of Bethlehem Lutheran Church of Dalum(Drumheller), Alberta, to the NALC-Canada SectionGoverning Board. She was elected by the CanadaMission District. The Canada Section GoverningBoard enables and oversees the operation of theNALC in Canada.

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Pastor Alden Towberman, of St. Mark Lutheran Churchin Butler, Pa., one of the task force members, was one ofmany delegates joining in discussion of proposal.

Pastor Carl Rasmussen of First Lutheran Church inKirkland, Ill., a member of the Executive Council andchair of the task force studying the bishop electionprocess, presented proposed amendments to the NALCConstitution to Convocation delegates.

Convocation votes to keep currentprocess for electing NALC BishopThe process to elect the Bishop of the NorthAmerican Lutheran Church will remain the same.

Delegates to the 2017 NALC Convocation did notapprove proposed constitutional amendments thatwould have made changes to the election process.Delegates voted 179-172 against the proposedamendments. A two-thirds majority was necessaryfor approval.

A task force that studied the NALC’s procedure forelecting a bishop released a report and sevenrecommendations regarding changes in NALCelection procedures. Three of the sevenrecommendations required amendments to theNALC Constitution.

The part of the proposal that would have removedlanguage in the Constitution that allows delegatesto nominate a candidate for Bishop from the floor ofthe Convocation brought the most debate amongdelegates.

Amendments also proposed changing the datewhen biographical information on the candidates forall offices must be made available to members ofthe NALC from 90 days to 60 days prior to theConvocation.

The next bishop’s election is scheduled to takeplace at the 2019 NALC Convocation.

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Ryan Schwarz, NALC treasurer, addresses the 2017NALC Convocation.

Convocation approves 2018 budgetsCongregations encouraged to increase benevolence giving to NALC

The 2017 NALC Convocation approved a $2.1 millionoperating budget for the North American LutheranChurch for 2018.

Budgets were also approved for NALC designatedfunds: $543,000 for the Theological Education Fund(which includes the North American Lutheran Seminary);$165,500 for the Great Commission Fund; and $64,000for the Disaster Response Fund.

As a way of expanding the NALC’s service to itscongregations, the 2017 and 2018 budgets plan tospend a portion of the church’s reserve funds —budgeting expenses greater than anticipated income.

The 2018 general budget includes one additional staffmember focused on domestic missions and a cost-of-living increase for all staff.

“As the NALC completes its seventh year of existence,our church body remains on solid financial footing,although operating with significant annual deficits atpresent,” Ryan Schwarz, NALC treasurer, reported tothe Convocation.

“Last year at this time, the NALC was also experiencingsubstantial deficits. However, a surge of giving towardthe end of 2016, including three very significant one-timegifts, eliminated those deficits and enabled the NALC tofinish the year with a surplus. Once again, we have seenGod’s faithfulness in providing the substantial resourcesnecessary for ministry,” he said.

Convocation delegates approved a resolutionencouraging “all congregations to prayerfully considerincreasing their benevolence giving for the NALC by atleast 1 percent of their congregational budget annually.”

The resolution also asks the NALC’s Stewardship TaskForce “to continue to provide resources, information,and other forms of support that will assist congregationsto attain the above goals.”

In addition to benevolence giving through the NALC, congregations are encouraged to support at least onedomestic and one global mission. The NALCencourages congregations to support local and global

mission directly — giving to projects,missionaries, and ministries rather thanchanneling that giving through the NALCoffices. However, the NALC also needs regularsupport from congregations for its general anddesignated funds.

The NALC Constitution asks the ExecutiveCouncil to report to the annual Convocation thepercentage of congregational giving required tofund the general budget. The council againreported that 5-8 percent of congregationalincome would be necessary to fund thebudget.

A range of financial information is available onthe NALC website, including the treasurer’spresentation at the Convocation, the 2018budgets, the 2016 audited financial statements,and disclosure of compensation information for the NALC’s executive staff.

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Bishop John Bradosky and Mary Bates, NALC Disaster Response Coordinator, joinWomen of the NALC leaders and others who helped stuff the truck for NALCDisaster Response.

Stuff the Truck for Disaster Response Stuff the Truck for NALCDisaster Response was a greatsuccess. So many supplieswere brought for NALC DisasterResponse that a larger truckneeded to be obtained.

The Women of the NALCencouraged those attending the2017 NALC Convocation andother Lutheran Week events tobring tangible gifts to help “stuffthe truck.”

Donated supplies included 400quilts, 366 health kits, 112school kits, 70 flood buckets,and 225 Bibles.

With current disaster responsesupplies depleted, tangibledonations of quilts, floodbuckets, health kits, school kits,layettes, Bibles, and gift cardsfrom Lowe’s, Home Depot,Target and Walmart were urgently needed.

“Through the amazing love and support of ourcongregations, it was necessary to call for a 16-footbox truck when my pickup truck started overflowingwith the Bibles and the many items families needafter they lose everything. Thank you NALCcongregations,” said Mary Bates, NALC DisasterResponse Coordinator.

“When disasters strike, the NALC Disaster TaskForce is able to support our local congregations toreach out and respond in their communities.Through the donations management, the disastervolunteer teams, and the spiritual Christian careprovided, NALC members touch the lives ofthousands of people who need the love of Jesus,”she said.

Moments of Mission calendars and notecardsThose who attend the 2017 NALC Convocation hadthe opportunity to purchase “Moments of Mission”artwork — as well as calendars and notecardsbased on the artwork — to support the NALC’sGreat Commission Society.

Pastor Phillip Gagnon of St. Albert Lutheran Churchin St. Albert, Alberta, completed 12 “Moments ofMission” watercolor paintings as an effort to supportthe NALC’s mission work.

Notecards and 2018 calendars still are available forpurchase. Sets of 12 notecards are $6, andcalendars are $10 (not including postage).

Contact the NALC Administrative Office at 651-633-6004 or [email protected] to obtain anexact price for your order including postage.

All funds raised from the sale of the notecards andcalendars will go to the Great Commission Society.

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Bishop John Bradosky presided at the Festival Eucharist observing the500th anniversary of the Reformation.

Pastor Myles Hixson of St. John LutheranChurch in Roanoke, Va., served aschaplain for the Convocation.

Bishop Bradosky presided at the installation of newly-elected NALC andWomen of the NALC leaders.

Representatives of NALC Ministry Partners and Recognized Ministrieswere introduced.

The Rev. Dr. Gemechis Buba, Assistant tothe Bishop for Missions, delivered akeynote address at the Mission Festival.

2017 NALC

Convocation

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Bishop John Bradosky presided at meetings of theConvocation. He also delivered a keynote address andprepared a Bible study on discipleship for the MissionFestival.

Pastor Mark ChavezNALC General Secretary

Original artwork by Pastor Phillip Gagnon was auctioned insupport of the Great Commission Society. Notecards andcalendars of his paintings were sold.

The Rev. Dr. Amy SchifrinPresident

North American Lutheran Seminary

Pastor David WendelAssistant to the Bishop for Ministry

and Ecumenism

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International church leaders joined in a panel discussion of congregationallife and discipleship during the Mission Festival. They are, from left, NALCBishop John Bradosky; the Rev. Dr. Berhanu Ofgaa, General Secretary of theEthiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus; the Rev. Dr. Fredrick OnaelShoo, Presiding Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania; theRev. Rolf Kjøde, Norway; and the Rev. Martin Fromm, Germany.

The Rev. Dr. Joseph Parsalaw, ViceChancellor for the Tumaini UniversityMakumira, the main university of theEvangelical Lutheran Church inTanzania, addressed the MissionFestival on “The Shape ofCongregational Life in Tanzania:Blessings and Challenges.”

The Rev. Dr. Nathan Howard Yoder of St Martin’s Lutheran Church in Maiden, N.C., delivered a keynoteBible study on Reformation themes.

Carmen Fowler LaBerge, president of the Presbyterian Lay Committee,addressed the Lutheran Reformationfrom a Reformed perspective. She alsofocused on the need for reformationtoday. She is a writer, speaker andhost of the daily Christian talk radioshow “The Reconnect.”

The Rev. Dr. James Nestingen, arenowned Luther scholar, delivered a keynote Bible study address onReformation themes.

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Father Erich RuttenRoman Catholic Church

Pastor Eric Riesen of TrinityLutheran Church in Ashland, Ohio,explained the work of the NALC’sLife-to-life Discipleship Task Force.

Father Jared Wicks of the PontificalCollege Josephinum offered“Reflections on Martin Luther from aRoman Catholic Perspective.”

Archbishop Foley BeachAnglican Church in North America

Pastor Steve King of Sola Publishingexplained the NALC’s “HolyFamilies” online resource forbuilding faith in families.

Pastor Larry VogelLutheran Church—Missouri Synod

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Anniversaries recognized at Convocation

OrdinationAnniversaries

60 yearsPastor William Haggis

55 yearsPastor Philip D. AndersonPastor Marvin HilemanPastor K. Glen JohnsonPastor Melvin KornfeldPastor Paul V. Martinson

50 yearsPastor M. David HanesPastor Patrick N. KellyPastor Sanford C. MitchellPastor Richard A. Solberg

45 yearsPastor Robert K. HerndonPastor Timothy L. KnauffPastor Ronald A. OrovitzPastor James R. ShearsPastor Warren Louis SmithPastor William G. Wallace

40 yearsPastor Bassam AbdallahPastor Gary CoblePastor Raymond Dean ForsythePastor Victor F. KolchPastor Edward George MitchlerPastor Gene R. PetersonPastor Michael PozzutoPastor Leon A. RawlPastor Warren ReichertPastor George L. RhynePastor Jack L. Richards

35 yearsPastor Charles M. AmdahlPastor Gary D. BlobaumPastor Gail BurwaPastor Alan J. FordPastor Paul A. GruetterPastor Carl M. Haynes

Pastor David L. HefnerPastor Kenneth D. HohagPastor Timothy D. HubertPastor Scott JurgensPastor Darryl LandsverkPastor Donald C. LindnerPastor Richard D. MarkPastor W. Cary MoormanPastor Daryl OlsonPastor Carl W. SchwinckPastor George Zornow

30 yearsPastor Paul F. BreddinPastor Mark C. ChavezPastor Randall Mark ConleyPastor Tesfaye DinegdiePastor J. George GilbertPastor Timothy B. GraffPastor Rebecca M. M. HeberPastor Larry D. HoodPastor Carl A. JohnsonPastor Kenneth C. KimballPastor Timothy W. MuehlbradPastor Ralph W. Reitmeyer Jr.Pastor Richard Allen Riley Jr.Pastor Robert M. StevensPastor Kim E. Thacker

25 yearsPastor W. Bennett HarrisPastor Douglas E. HefnerPastor Jay JohnsonPastor Peter LurveyPastor Paul J. MattsonPastor Dani Jo NinkePastor Douglas J. SchoellesPastor Richard R. VoneshPastor Solveig A. H. Zamzow

20 yearsPastor Sandra Lee BowenPastor Jeffery CarpenterPastor Braxton EastPastor Julie M. FiskePastor Phil GagnonPastor Bjorn LervikPastor Frederick Luther MorckPastor Jeffrey TeeplesPastor Claude Villemaire

CongregationalAnniversaries

250 yearsSt. John’s Evangelical Lutheran ChurchFredericksburg, Pa.

200 yearsSalem Evangelical Lutheran ChurchWest Alexandria, Ohio

150 yearsSt. John’s Lutheran ChurchMontpelier, Ohio

St. James Lutheran ChurchNewton, N.C.

125 yearsTrinity Lutheran ChurchSpencer, Iowa

St. Matthew Lutheran Church of Sandy HillBrenham, Texas

Evangelical Lutheran ChurchMankato, Kansas

Zion Lutheran ChurchSkanee, Mich.

100 yearsSt. John Lutheran ChurchColumbus, Ohio

Zion Lutheran ChurchReadlyn, Iowa

Hayti Lutheran ChurchHayti, S.D.

St. Paul Lutheran ChurchRosenberg, Texas

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Bishop’s report to the ConvocationDear Disciples of Christ Jesus,

Grace, mercy and peace to you from God our Father and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

What follows are excerpts from my oral report atour Convocation in Nashville. I realize many couldnot be there and some have asked for a writtencopy of what I said. Honoring their requests — andmy promise — I am providing it as a part of ournewsletter.

Many of you have heard me say in other settingsthat discipleship in a Lutheran setting consists of aculture defined by:

1. Catechesis — Teaching the faith — so thatthose who begin to believe in Jesus are maturing intheir faith and being fully equipped to share theirfaith by teaching others.

2. Vocation — Living the faith — understandingthat in every facet of our lives we are called tofollow Christ and serve him as we care for others. Regardless of our station or career path in life, weare first and foremost disciples of Jesus Christ. We must ask: “How am I following Christ in myrelationship with my spouse? How am I servingChrist as a parent, a friend, a neighbor? How am Iserving Christ in my career, at work? How is myidentity centered in Christ?”

3. Ecclesiology — Engaging in Christiancommunity where love includes expectations ofmutual responsibility and accountability. This is the nature of the Body of Christ — completeinterdependence of all the parts intimatelyconnected to the head, Jesus Christ.

Where do we find a structure that includes theaccountability that discipleship demands? The truthis that you have to desire it and seek it.

Martin Luther found this accountability to be essential in his own life and ministry. Luther relied on Johann von Staupitz, who had a direct influenceupon Luther’s spiritual and theological development.

Luther later attributed much to his former monasticsuperior. It was Staupitz who heard Luther’sconfessions, served as his spiritual advisor duringthe spiritual struggles of his early career, andeventually directed him to channel his intellect intohis teaching at Wittenberg.

It was also Staupitz who would impress uponLuther an Augustinian understanding of sin andgrace. It was Staupitz who chose Luther to lecturein his place, encouraging him to earn his doctoratein theology and to become a professor. Staupitzmade sure that Luther succeeded him as professorof Bible at Wittenberg.

Staupitz was at Luther’s side when he facedCardinal Cajetan over the issue of indulgences. Staupitz absolved him of his monastic vows, freeinghim to pursue his theological reforms.

Luther believed his explanations of the 95 Theseswere congruent with the teaching of his mentorStaupitz. Because of his relationship with Luther,the Roman Catholic Church was suspicious ofStaupitz. Even 35 years after his death (1559) hisbooks were banned because of his association withLuther.

Let me ask you: “Who is your Staupitz? Who isyour confessor, your mentor? Who is encouragingyou, pushing you, staying in touch with you? Who isthere to support you in the difficult moments, to beby your side in the midst of controversy? Whospeaks both Law and Gospel into your life? Who isinvesting themselves in your life?”

Continued on Page 13

From the Bishop

Bishop John Bradosky

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Continued from Page 12

This is the nature of living out an incarnationaltheology.

You may not like the terms “coach,” “spiritualfather,” “confessor” or “mentor,” but we all need thisconnection. “Who is your Staupitz?” is a first-levelquestion of “What does this mean?”

If we go deeper, we must also ask, “To whom am Ibeing a Staupitz or how can I be equipped to be aStaupitz for others?” This is what it means topursue discipleship.

Frankly, I am weary of trying to describe it, explainit, and justify it. I simply want you to experience it.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer writes, “The only properresponse to this word which Jesus brings with himfrom eternity is simply to do it.” (Now you knowwhere Nike got its motto!)

I prepared a form that you can use to engageanother person in the process of discipleship. (Theform is available on the NALC website with otherdocuments from the Convocation.)

The first part of the process is getting to know theother person and deepening the relationshipthrough sharing information that exposes more ofyour life while learning more about theirs.

The second part of the process is focused onhearing from Jesus, learning from Jesus, and beingguided by Jesus through his holy Word. Before youbegin, pray that the Holy Spirit will be your teacher.Listen for the voice of Jesus as you read andmeditate on his Word. Let him do the talking andthe teaching. Then read the selected passage ofScripture to each other.

The third part of the process is focused onreflecting or meditating on the meaning and powerof the Word in your life. I suggest using the processLuther offered to his barber when he asked Lutherhow he should read the Scriptures. Others havesummarized this method with the acrostic TRIP — Thanks, Repent, Intercess, Plan.

Take turns reading the Scripture to each otherbefore you answer each prompt.

T — Thanks — Share one thing in this text forwhich you are thankful (write it down and share it).

R — Repent — Share one thing in this text forwhich you need to repent and seek forgiveness.

I — Intercess — Share one thing this text remindsyou to pray for.

P — Plan — Share one thing that needs to changein your life as a result of meditating on this text. The final part of this process is one ofencouragement to engage in mutually accountableand responsible relationships, by asking helpfulquestions designed to encourage and support oneanother.

+ What is the first step you need to take to makethis change?

+ When will you start?

+ How can I support you?

After having the conversation, pray for each other.Agree to contact the other person by phone andcheck on their progress. Decide on a time and whowill initiate the call and add those details to yourcalendar.

Could you imagine a congregation in which every oneis connected just this way — reading and reflectingon the Scriptures together, praying for one another,developing relationships that are mutually responsibleand accountable? Do you think it would help youto grow spiritually and strengthen your sense ofChristian community where you are? That is thenature of life to life discipleship! This is the mutualconsolation of the brethren.

In the Smalcald Articles IV we read, “Let us returnto the Gospel, which offers counsel and helpagainst sin in more than one way … finally throughthe mutual conversation and consolation of thebrethren. Matthew 18:20, “Where two or three aregathered together in my name there I am in themidst of them.”

So may it be among us!

It is good to be with you following Christ Jesus.

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Dr. David YeagoLife-Giving Flesh:

Cyril of Alexandria on Incarnation and Redemption

Dr. Don CollettChrist in the Psalms

Dr. Gordon IsaacLuther on Prayer, Meditation,

and Spiritual Trial

Dr. David J. LuyA Wondrous Strife:

Luther’s Baroque Soteriology

“Savior and Lord: Lectures on theWork of Christ” was the theme ofthe 2017 Carl E. Braaten andRobert D. Benne Lectures inTheology, Aug. 8-9 in Nashville,Tenn.

The speakers for the annualtheological conference whichprecedes the NALC Convocationwere Dr. Don Collett, Dr. GordonIsaac, Dr. Paul Hinlicky, Dr.David Luy, and Dr. David Yeago.

Video recordings of the lectureswill be available on the NALCwebsite. Like previous Braaten-Benne Lectures, the 2017lectures will be published in abook available from the AmericanLutheran Publicity Bureau,www.alpb.org.

Dr. Paul HinlickyThe Liberating Sacrifice:

Dalferth, Augustine and Lutheron the Saving Significance

of Messiah’s Cross

Braaten-Benne Lectures in Theology

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Gary Pecuch of faithwebbing.com speaks during theNALC Youth Ministry Symposium.

Nearly 60 people attended the NALC Youth Ministy Symposium.

Ventures in Youth Ministry Symposium

The NALC, through the faithwebbing.com folks — Gary and Laurie Pecuch — facilitated a “Ventures in Youth Ministry Symposium” Aug. 8-9 in Nashville, Tenn., during Lutheran Week.

Nearly 60 youth ministry enthusiasts gathered for a day-and-a-half of presentation, discussion, connecting, and sharing of best practices. When asked if a similar event should take place on a regular basis the participants, through surveys, gave a resounding “Yes.”

An outgrowth of the symposium is a newly-created Facebook page. Search for "NALC Youth Leaders" and request to join. Let the networking begin!

Fall Webinars: The faithwebbing.com school year webinars start on Tuesday, Sept. 12. The webinars will be held at 2 p.m. (ET) on the second Tuesday of each month.

Just as in the past, the webinars will be subdivided into bite-sized viewing videos and posted on thefaithwebbing.com website. This year the webinars will continue to walk through the Outcome-based YouthMinistry Faith Skills list.

Gary and Laurie Pecuchhave served in youthministry for more than 35years at St. John’sLutheran Church in GroveCity, Ohio. They serve theNALC as youth ministrycoaches and provide avariety of resources forNALC congregations freeof charge through theirwebsite. Visit faithwebbing.com orcontact them [email protected].

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2299 Palmer Drive, Suite 220New Brighton, MN 55112-2202

Christ Centered + Mission Driven + Traditionally Grounded + Congregationally Focused

NALC Contact InformationNALC Ministry Office Bishop 3500 Mill Run Drive Bishop John BradoskyHilliard, OH 43026-7770 [email protected] General [email protected] Pastor Mark Chavez

[email protected] Administrative Office2299 Palmer Drive, Suite 220 MissionsNew Brighton, MN 55112-2202 Pastor Gemechis Buba651-633-6004 [email protected]@thenalc.org

Ministry and EcumenismNorth American Lutheran Seminary Pastor David WendelThe Rev. Dr. Amy Schifrin [email protected] 11th StreetAmbridge, PA 15003-2302 Communications724-385-8000 Pastor Mark [email protected] [email protected]

Please send donations to the office in New Brighton, Minn.

NALC NewsPublished by

North AmericanLutheran Church

3500 Mill Run DriveHilliard, OH 43026-7770

Phone: 614-777-5709

www.thenalc.org

Pastor David J. Baer, [email protected]

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