May 2012 - North American Lutheran Church

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Mark Chavez elected president of Association for Church Renewal Pastor Mark Chavez, NALC General Secretary, was elected president and board chair of the Association for Church Renewal (ACR) at the group’s March 12-13 meeting in Washington, D.C. Mark Chavez Pastor Chavez has had a long involvement with the ACR during his service as Director of Lutheran CORE and as vice president of the WordAlone Network. He has continued as a representative of the NALC. The ACR includes leaders of movements like Lutheran CORE from across the historic mainline Protestant church bodies. Founded in 1996 and led for many years by the Rev. Jim Heidinger of the United Methodist Good News Movement, the ACR has labored to encourage and strengthen participating renewal movements in the mainline denominations. The group offers a newsletter and its gatherings as resources for renewal to its member denominations. “Ever since I’ve known Mark Chavez, we have shared a bond of spirit and calling for the Church of Jesus Christ. He has the wisdom, experience, and connections to lead the Association for Church Renewal in its next steps forward. The Spirit of God is on him,” said the Rev. Bob Thompson, president of Faithful and Welcoming Churches (which works in the United Church of Christ) and previous ACR Board Chair. The ACR approved a constituency policy, which clarifies that “any individual working to achieve the revitalization of a historic mainline denomination and/or foster the planting, growth and vitality of a denomination that is a Biblically orthodox off-shoot of such, is welcome to participate in ACR.” Other Lutheran participants in the meeting were Bishop John Bradosky of the NALC; Pastor Steve Shipman, Director of Lutheran CORE; and Pastor Richard Mathisen, a retired ELCA pastor who is a member of Lutheran CORE. Pastor Mathisen was elected Secretary. “We in Lutheran CORE value the Association for Church Renewal’s work, for it reminds us that we are not alone in the ministry of church renewal. We are also grateful for the relationship Mark is able to provide both in the NALC and to Lutheran CORE. We look forward to his leadership in ACR,” said Pastor Shipman, Director of Lutheran CORE. A dynamic keynote presentation was given by noted Christian apologist Alex McFarland on the church’s need for an ability to articulate the faith to an increasingly skeptical and unbelieving world. A former president of Southern Evangelical Seminary, he has debated well-known skeptics such as Michael Shermer and the late Christopher Hitchens. Book from 2011 Theological Conference No Other Name: Salvation in Christ Alone is a new book featuring the papers presented at the 2011 Theological Conference sponsored by Lutheran CORE and the North American Lutheran Church last August in Hilliard, Ohio. Seeking New Directions for Lutheranism: Biblical, Theological, and Churchly Perspectives, the book containing the papers from the 2010 Theological Conference, is also available. Both books were edited by the Rev. Dr. Carl E. Braaten. The books may be ordered from the American Lutheran Publicity Bureau online at alpb.org or by phone at 607-746-7511. N A L C N e w s 8 M a y 2 0 1 2
Washington church celebrates 100 years Port Madison Lutheran Church on Bainbridge Island, Wash., will celebrate the 100th anniversary of its church building on Sunday, May 20. NALC Bishop John Bradosky will preach and preside at the 11 a.m. centennial celebration worship service. But another special guest may attract more attention than the bishop — a woman who was baptized at the sanctuary’s dedication service 100 years ago. Minnie Sorenson O’Brien, one of two children baptized at Port Madison’s dedication worship service on May 19, 1912, will be present for the celebration. Mrs. O’Brien was the third child born to Andrew Sorensen, a fisherman, and his wife Inga. Born and raised on Bainbridge Island, she remembers living next door to her aunt and uncle in a home that was hauled across land by horse and sled to its location. She celebrated her 100th birthday in March. She plans to come with her daughter, Joanne, who was also baptized at Port Madison Lutheran Church. Port Madison Lutheran Church on Bainbridge Island, Wash. Several people whose families were early members of the congregation, which traces its roots to Norwegian immigrants, will also be present. A centennial concert featuring “The Four Seasons” String Quartet and a catered reception will also be a part of the centennial celebration. “We who are stewards of Port Madison Lutheran Church 100 years after the first families built and dedicated this sanctuary are called to continue God’s work of proclaiming the Gospel,” said Pastor Lori Hoyum. “And just as He has been faithful to this congregation for the last 100 years He will be faithful in strengthening us for service in the future.” You can learn more about Port Madision Lutheran Church at portmadisonlutheranchurch.org. New York church recovers from flood damage St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Middleburgh, N.Y., will rededicate its building on Sunday, June 3. Flooding caused by Hurricane Irene last August sent over four feet of water through St. Mark’s sanctuary and ministry center. The congregation has been able to rebuild and to resume full use of the building, thanks to thousands of hours of volunteer labor and many generous donations. They have also been able to continue and even expand their many community ministries. Pastor David Wendel, NALC Ministry Coordinator, and Pastor Michael Tamorria, the congregation’s interim pastor, will lead the service. St. Mark’s invites all who shared in the rebuilding through their gifts, labor, or prayers to join them for the celebration. N A L C N e w s 9 M a y 2 0 1 2
Page 1 and 2: NALC News N o r t h A m e r i c a n
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Page 5 and 6: 24 new missionaries were commission
Page 7: Ministry Coordinator’s Corner One
Page 11 and 12: Ordination in South Dakota Dale Ham
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Page 15 and 16: Continued from page 14 of Christian
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Page 19 and 20: The Nature and Structure of Leaders
Page 21 and 22: Continued from Page 20 Matthew 23:3
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May 2012 - North American Lutheran Church

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