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Christians in North America until recent decades have enjoyed a consensus in society that their message, and the source of that message, the Bible, is true. As a result, there was little attention given to the reasons that support the Christian truth claims. Today, however, pluralism and a truly global marketplace of ideas have challenged the basic tenets of the Christian faith. Today its truth claims must be defended. Many Christians, however, no longer know how or have never learned, and thus find their attempts at communicating their faith both ineffective and frustrating. Learn about FaithSearch Discovery, which was designed to help Christians defend the faith in a culture where some assert the teachings of the Bible and of Jesus Christ are mere legends. Learn how your church and your community can benefit from this international ministry. Dr. Bierle holds M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in the life sciences and an M.A. in New Testament Studies. An academic dean and college professor for nearly 25 years, he is skilled at communicating complex subjects in a clear, original, and fascinating way.
Learn about the pan-Lutheran theological education project that uses on-line technology to offer a scripturally-grounded, solidly Lutheran, pastoral preparation program; continuing education events for current Lutheran clergy; Lutheran lay education classes delivered on-line and in real-time to congregations and to individuals; graduate theological education to future Lutheran teachers; and an ongoing research and publications agenda. Hear the latest developments in the growth of the Institute, including the Fall 2008 course offerings and plans to offer the Master of Arts and Master of Sacred Theology degrees. Learn more about what is envisioned for it and how you can support the effort.
This workshop will provide an overview of the reform efforts of various groups, including the WordAlone Network, churches and individuals who work together in Lutheran CORE, the coalition for reform. There are now nine organized reform groups that belong to the coalition, along with a growing number of churches and individuals. The alphabet soup of the movements’ names and acronyms can be confusing, but you can learn why there are so many and why it is helping with the overall reform efforts. You will also learn how you and your church can work more effectively to help the ELCA be more faithfully grounded in the Scriptures and the Lutheran confessions. This workshop is helpful especially for those who are new to the reform movements.
This workshop is an opportunity to engage in an extended discussion with Pastor Jepsen about his keynote presentation, “Equipping the Saints for Ministry.” He earned an M.A. degree in biblical studies writing research papers on Paul’s eschatology and the Eucharistic Words of Jesus. He later did M. Th. work (unfinished) under the tutelage of the late Gerhard Forde. The title of his thesis was: "A Presentation and Comparison of 'the Primacy of the Word' as It Appears in the Theologies of Martin Luther and Karl Barth." He also did graduate work in pastoral counseling and earned certification as a Pastoral Counselor. He is a gifted teacher and author of numerous studies and essays for adult education, some of which he has made available to WordAlone readers.
Since authority to complete the new ELCA hymnal, Evangelical Lutheran Worship (ELW), was granted by the 2005 Churchwide Assembly before the final content was available, the responsibility for judging the ELW is local. In Reclaiming the Lutheran Liturgical Heritage, which Dr. Olson wrote for use in congregations' adult forums, he argues that the ELW is consistent with the ecumenical liturgical movement, but it is not Lutheran. To illustrate his thesis, his book follows Martin Luther’s reform, how it fares in today’s liturgical climate, and why the Lutheran Church should reclaim its confessional liturgical heritage. Intended for laity and clergy alike, it also explores the influences that have shaped earlier hymnals like the Service Book and Hymnal and the Lutheran Book of Worship.
Learn about the LALM - www.lalm-elcm.org - an independent Evangelical Lutheran mission focused on proclaiming the Gospel to the people of Mexico. It was the parent, and now partner, of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Mexico (ELCM). This partnership seeks to equip Mexican people to fulfill Christ's Great Commission. The Mexican Pastors of the ELCM serve 26 locations within a 180-mile radius of Monterrey, in Northeastern Mexico. ELCM also supports a Bible School. Many volunteer opportunities exist for service to the Mission both in Laredo, TX, and in Mexico for youth and adult groups. The LALM Director is Rev. Richard Erickson, an ELCA Pastor, and he is headquartered in Laredo, Texas.
Your congregation has proven capacities that God gives and uses, through the power of the Holy Spirit, to accomplish God’s preferred future for your congregation. This session will preview the process Church Innovations uses to train leaders in listening deeply to the Holy Spirit and one another resulting in expanded lay leadership, wider congregational exposure to missional questions, a God-centered vision for leading by listening, and increased capacity for dealing with significant change and/or a tough issue. Since 2000 Rev. Mueller Nowell has been appointed by his denomination, the United Methodist Church, to serve as a consultant/facilitator to help congregations of all denominations with visioning and revitalization.
Would you like your congregation to learn how to have healthy, faithful, and difficult conversations? In this session, Church Innovations will preview the process they use to train leaders in a set of habits for faith-based conversations that move congregations from fear and avoidance to discernment, decision and action. Ms. Taylor Ellison, Ph.D., is as an accomplished consultant, trainer, curriculum designer, and speaker with 35 years of teaching experience. She earned her Ph. D. in Adult Education Curriculum and Instructional Systems Design.
How do you "defend the faith" when people tell you Jesus wasn't who you thought he was? Books, articles, films, and television programs present a Jesus we don't recognize, a Jesus who was "subversive," a mystic, a failed messiah, a reformer who had nothing in mind about himself that Paul developed later, a cynic philosopher, a gnostic teacher... It's not the first time something like this has happened. Let's find some answers together.
Group insurance benefits are offered to WordAlone and LCMC member churches and their employees. Four medical plans are available, and a comprehensive dental plan and life and long-term disability insurance. More than 25 congregations nationwide currently participate in the program. The plans are discussed and how pricing is determined as a large group. A complete pension plan is also offered, with a wide range of choices for investment funds.
This is the annual Lutheran CORE gathering and it is open to visitors and observers. Lutheran CORE members are those who subscribe to the seven-point Common Confession – www.commonconfession.net. Hear reports about the coalition for reform within the ELCA and learn about its goals and priorities. Find out how you can work with this coalition to be effective in bringing about change at synod and churchwide assemblies, and take responsibility for leadership within the ELCA.
This is the annual gathering for Lutheran Churches of the Common Confession (LC3) (LC3 Website) and it is open to visitors and observers. LC3 members are those churches that subscribe to the seven-point Common Confession – www.commonconfession.net. Hear a report about this association of confessing churches within the ELCA, and the proposal to work more closely with Lutheran CORE. LC3 has drawn together churches outside and inside the WordAlone Network to focus on renewal, reform and mission.