Robert Spencer, an expert in understanding Islamicjihad, will speak at the 2015 NALC Convocation.

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 J u l y 2 0 1 5

Robert Spencer, jihad expert, to speak at NALC ConvocationRobert Spencer, an expert in understanding Islamicjihad, will be a featured speaker for the 2015 NALCConvocation.

“Martyr: Life-giving Witness” is the theme for the2015 NALC Convocation Aug. 12-14 at the HyattRegency Hotel in the Dallas-Fort WorthInternational Airport. Given the threat that someIslamic radicals pose to Christians in many parts ofthe world, NALC leaders thought that an expert onthe subject would add to the NALC’s focus onChristian martyrdom during Lutheran week.

Spencer is the director of Jihad Watch, a programof the David Horowitz Freedom Center. He holds amaster’s degree from the University of NorthCarolina and has been studying Islamic theology,law, and history in depth since 1980.

Spencer is the author of 13 books, including twoNew York Times bestsellers, The Truth AboutMuhammad and The Politically Incorrect Guide toIslam (and the Crusades). His latest book is ArabWinter Comes to America: The Truth About the WarWe’re In. His next book, The Complete Infidel’sGuide to ISIS, will be released Aug. 24.

Spencer has led seminars on Islam and jihad forthe United States Central Command, the U.S.Army, the FBI, the Joint Terrorism Task Force, andthe U.S. intelligence community. He has alsospoken at numerous colleges and universities.

Spencer is the Vice President of the AmericanFreedom Defense Initiative and a weekly columnistfor PJ Media and FrontPage Magazine. In addition

to his books, he has written many hundreds ofarticles about jihad and Islamic terrorism.

Along with his current weekly columns, for nearly 10years Spencer wrote the weekly Jihad Watchcolumn at Human Events. He has completed aweekly Qur’an commentary at Jihad Watch,“Blogging the Qur’an,” which has been translatedinto several other languages.

He has served as a contributing writer to StevenEmerson’s Investigative Project on Terrorism. Hisarticles on Islam and other topics have appeared innumerous newspapers and journals. He has alsoappeared on many television and radio programs.

The Hyatt Regency Dallas-Fort Worth Airport will hostthe 2015 NALC Convocation Aug. 12-14.

NALC Convocation is Aug. 12-14 Martyrdom and faithful witness will provide acommon theme for the 2015 NALC Convocationand the Women of the NALC Annual Gathering andthe Carl E. Braaten and Robert D. Benne Lecturesin Theology that precede it.

The “Lutheran Week” events will be held Aug. 11-14 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in the Dallas-FortWorth International Airport.

“Martyr: Life-giving Witness” is the theme for the2015 NALC Convocation Aug. 12-14.

The Convocation will focus on the reality ofChristians suffering for the sake of Jesus and theGospel today, and the fact that this testimonyserves as a “life-giving witness,” causing others tohave their eyes opened, turning from darkness tolight and from the power of Satan to God.

The Convocation will begin at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday,Aug. 12, with special Mission Intensive sessionsincluding speakers to highlight the NALC’scommitment to its Mission-Driven core value and toequip congregations for mission.

Mission Districts will meet on Wednesday eveningas a part of the Mission-Driven focus. Convocation business sessions on Aug. 13-14 willinclude speakers on the theme as well as church

business including voting on proposed constitutionalamendments and election of bishop and membersof the Executive Council and Court of Adjudication.There will also be reports and updates about the lifeand ministry of the NALC and the North AmericanLutheran Seminary, as well as displays featuringNALC missions and ministries. Workshops on avariety of topics will be offered on Friday.

The Convocation is expected to conclude by 5 p.m.Friday.

The $225 Convocation registration fee includes sixmeals: dinner on Wednesday and Thursday; andbreakfast and lunch on Thursday and Friday.

The Women of the NALC Annual Gathering will take place Aug. 11-12 under the theme, “AGathering of Witnesses.” The women will meet 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.Wednesday. Tuesday dinner and Wednesdaybreakfast and lunch are included in the $75registration fee.

“Martyrdom and the Sufferings of the Righteous” isthe theme for the Carl E. Braaten and Robert D.Benne Lectures in Theology Aug. 11-12. Thetheological conference begins at 1 p.m. Tuesdayand concludes with lunch on Wednesday. Tuesdaydinner and Wednesday breakfast and lunch areincluded in the $150 registration fee.

A special room rate has been negotiated at thehotel. The rate is good for reservations made byJuly 21. Reservations may be made through a linkon the NALC website or by calling 888-421-1442.

You may register online for the Convocation andother Lutheran week events at www.thenalc.org.

N A L C N e w s 2 J u l y 2 0 1 5

Stephen LordRosemary Johnson Brian SuttonJohn Elling

Tom Hux Carl Rasmussen

Carolyn Nestingen

Paul Reiff

John Bradosky Marty Ramey

Eric Waters

Eight nominated for Executive CouncilFour pastors and four laypeople have beennominated to serve on theNALC Executive Council.

The NALC Convocationwill elect three membersof the NALC ExecutiveCouncil (two lay peopleand one pastor).

Rosemary Johnson ofHope Lutheran Church inLadysmith, Wis., andStephen Lord of BlackForest Lutheran Church inColorado Springs, Colo.,are nominated for a four-year term on the ExecutiveCouncil.

John Elling of HopeLutheran Church in Ladysmith, Wis. and BrianSutton of St John’s Evangelical LutheranChurch in Statesville, N.C. are nominated for atwo-year term on the Executive Council.

Four pastors are nominated for a four-yearterm designated for ordained ministers:

+ Pastor Tom Hux of Our Savior’s LutheranChurch in Salem, Ore.

+ Pastor Carl Rasmussen of First LutheranChurch in Kirkland, Ill.

+ Pastor Paul Reiff of Faith Lutheran Church inSturgeon Lake, Minn.

+ Pastor Eric Waters of Upper Arlington LutheranChurch in Columbus, Ohio.

The 2015 Convocation will also elect the bishopand two members of the Court of Adjudication.

Bishop John Bradosky is currently the onlycandidate for bishop.

Nominations for Bishop may be made by anyConvocation delegate or by NALC congregations orthe NALC Executive Council until the first ballottakes place at the Convocation.

Carolyn Nestingen of Roseville, Minn., and PastorMarty Ramey of Dallas, N.C., will be elected to theCourt of Adjudication. They were the onlycandidates nominated by the June 28 deadline.Biographical information on the nominees isavailable online at thenalc.org/2015-convocation.

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Lensa Gudina Paul HinlickyMichael DeJonge

Judy Stack-NelsonRaymond Ibrahim Hans Wiersma

‘Martyrdom and the Suffering ofthe Righteous’ is theme of lectures “Martyrdom and the Sufferings of theRighteous” is the theme for the Carl E.Braaten and Robert D. Benne Lectures inTheology Aug. 11-12 at the Hyatt Regency inthe Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport.The annual theological conference is heldprior to the NALC Convocation.

Speakers for the conference and their topicsinclude:

+ “A Martyr for What Cause?Reconsidering ‘Bonhoeffer and theJews’” - Dr. Michael DeJonge, AssociateProfessor in Religious Studies at theUniversity of Southern Florida, earned hisPh.D. in Religion from Emory University. Heis the author of Bonhoeffer’s TheologicalFormation: Berlin, Barth, and ProtestantTheology and co-editor of The BonhoefferReader.

+ The Persecution of the Christians inEthiopia - Lensa Gudina, Managing Directorof the Gudina Tumsa Foundation in AddisAbaba, Ethiopia. She is the daughter of themartyred Rev. Gudina Tumsa.

+ “The Great Divide: Muslim and ChristianNotions on Martyrdom” - RaymondIbrahim, a widely published author, publicspeaker, and Middle East and Islamspecialist. His books include Crucified Again:Exposing Islam’s New War on Christians andThe Al Qaeda Reader.

+ “Theology of the Martyrs” - Dr. Paul R.Hinlicky, Tise Professor of Lutheran Studiesat Roanoke College, holds a Ph.D. fromUnion Theological Seminary. The author ofmore than seventy articles and many books,he taught theology for six years at JanComenius University in Bratislava, Slovakia.He is the former editor of Lutheran Forumand Pro Ecclesia theological journals.

+ Martydom and the New Testament - Dr. Judy Stack-Nelson holds a Ph.D. in New Testament from PrincetonTheological Seminary. She has taught at a number ofcolleges in Minnesota including St. Olaf College andAugsburg College and has also taught online courses forthose preparing for ministry through St. Paul LutheranSeminary and Fuller Seminary.

+ The Martyrs of the Reformation - Dr. Hans Wiersma,associate professor of religion at Augsburg College. He isa graduate of the University of California and has M.Div.and Ph.D. degrees from Luther Seminary.

The Braaten-Benne Lectures in Theology begin at 1 p.m.Tuesday and conclude with lunch on Wednesday.Tuesday dinner and Wednesday breakfast and lunch areincluded in the $150 registration fee.

For more information or to register go to www.thenalc.org.

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Bishop Paull Spring

Honoring Bishop Paull Springfor 50 years of faithful ministryBishop Paull Spring will behonored at the 2015 NALCConvocation on the occasionof the 50th anniversary of hisordination.

All NALC congregations,pastors, members andfriends are invited to send athank offering to the NorthAmerican Lutheran Seminaryas a way of honoring BishopSpring’s 50 years of faithfulministry.

Bishop Spring has been involved in the NorthAmerican Lutheran Church and the North AmericanLutheran Seminary from the beginning. He servedas the first bishop of the NALC and the first chair ofthe NALS Board of Regents.

The total of the gifts will be announced at the NALCConvocation Aug. 12-14. Bishop Spring will preachat the closing worship service and renew his vowsof ordination.

Paull Spring was ordained Oct. 17, 1965, at FirstEnglish Lutheran Church, Wheeling, W.Va. Heserved congregations in Smicksburg, Pa.; NewStanton, Pa., and Warren, Pa. He was electedbishop of the Northwestern Pennsylvania Synod ofthe ELCA in 1987. He served that synod until 2001.

Bishop Spring returned to service as parish pastorafter his time as bishop, serving Grace LutheranChurch in State College, Pa., and two years asinterim at St. James Lutheran Church, Huntingdon,Pa. It was also during this time that Bishop Springworked as a leader in movements to hold the ELCAto Biblical and Confessional teaching and truth,especially with regard to sexuality and marriage.

Bishop Spring was chair of the group known asSolid Rock Lutherans which successfully worked to

defeat liberalizing actions within the ELCA at its2005 Churchwide Assembly. Bishop Spring thenbecame chair of Lutheran CORE (Coalition forReform) working to defeat similar actions at theELCA’s 2007 and 2009 Churchwide Assemblies.

As chair of Lutheran CORE (renamed the Coalitionfor Renewal) after the 2009 ELCA ChurchwideAssembly, in response to calls for the formation of anew Lutheran church, Bishop Spring participated inwork to establish the North American LutheranChurch. He was elected the provisional bishop ofthe NALC in 2010 and guided the church throughits first year of ministry.

“Bishop Spring is always concerned about the well-being of the whole Body of Christ and willing tocommit significant time and energy to building upthe Body. Add his humility and humor to hisleadership skills and you have a unique and rareservant of the Church.” said Pastor Mark Chavez,NALC General Secretary, who also worked closelywith Bishop Spring as Director of Lutheran CORE.

“Bishop Spring is a faithful pastor, a true pastor toother pastors and a preeminent theologian for theChurch. He is responsible for encouraging many toconsider Word and Sacrament ministry. As abishop he lovingly cared for pastors serving in thechurch under his oversight. His leadership, wisdomand experience guided the church with faithfulBiblical preaching and teaching as well as sounddoctrine. He continues to serve the church with thesame love and integrity,” Bishop John Bradoskysaid. “Given his commitment to theologicaleducation and his care for pastoral formation, it isfitting for us to honor Bishop Paull Spring with athank-offering to the North American LutheranSeminary!”

Thank-offering gifts may be sent to the NALC; 2299 Palmer Drive, Suite 220; New Brighton, MN55112-2202. Please write, “Bishop Spring thank-offering” on the memo line.

N A L C N e w s 5 J u l y 2 0 1 5

NALC Convocation attendees invitedto provide disaster support for TexasThose who are attending the NALC Convocationand Women of the NALC Annual Gathering inTexas are encouraged to provide disaster relief forthose in need in Texas.

Texas has been named a FEMA National DisasterArea by President Barak Obama. Although thefederal government will assist in many areas, weshould ask ourselves, “What can we do to help?”

First and most important are the power of prayerand Christian spiritual care. Then come the tangibleneeds.

What better way to support the State of Texas, siteof the 2015 NALC Convocation and WNALCAnnual Gathering, than to ask our congregations todonate Bibles or gift cards (valued at $10 or morefrom stores like Walmart or Home Depot). The gifts

will aid individuals and families in the Texascounties of Cooke, Gaines, Grimes, Harris, Hays,Navarro, and Van Zandt.

A member of the congregation could bring theBibles and/or gift cards to the NALC Convocation orthe WNALC Annual Gathering. The NALC DisasterTask Force will ensure that they are delivered to theareas that have the greatest need.

Please bring Bibles and gift cards for $10 or moreto assist in this worthy cause. Simply drop them offat the NALC Disaster Response table in theConvocation exhibit area, and greet Mary Bates,Task Force Chair, and David McGettigan, DisasterResponse Coordinator.

What a blessing your help will be for the manyfamilies in these disaster-stricken areas.

Convocation to consider constitutionalamendments regarding change in NALC relationship with Lutheran COREThe 2015 NALC Convocation will consider severalamendments to the NALC Constitution when itmeets Aug. 12-14.

The proposed constitutional amendments are allrelated to a change in relationship betweenLutheran CORE and the NALC.

The amendments remove references to LutheranCORE in constitutional language about theCommission on Theology and Doctrine. Thecommission had been a joint commission for theNALC and Lutheran CORE.

The “Vision and Plan” for Lutheran CORE and theNALC, as announced in 2010, was for Lutheran

CORE to continue as “an association of confessingLutherans spanning denominational bodies” and fora close ongoing relationship between LutheranCORE and the NALC. The NALC was to continueas a member of Lutheran CORE.

Lutheran CORE leaders have decided it is nownecessary for them to focus on providing “shelter”and “voice” for confessing Lutherans remaining inthe Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Thatfocus requires an end to the formal relationshipbetween Lutheran CORE and the NALC.

The details of the proposed amendments areavailable online at thenalc.org/2015-convocation.

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Marriage Law and the Protection ofCongregations’ Religious LibertyDear friends in Christ,

Grace and peace to you from God our Father andour Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who declares, “allauthority in heaven and on earth has been given tome” (Matthew 28:18).

Contrary to Jesus’ authority and teaching aboutmarriage that affirms the Father’s intention increation, the decision by a majority of the justices ofthe United States Supreme Court to legalizesame-sex marriage in all 50 states is tragic, but notsurprising. Many Americans live with the arroganceand delusion that contemporary wisdom makes ourunderstanding superior to the revealed truth ofGod’s Word. In this context the high court’s rulingredefines relationships and marriage as a rightpreserved as a matter of human “dignity.” Suchdignity is based on an individual determination offulfillment and morality without regard to externaltruth or teachings that preserve the greater good ofall society. The Supreme Court has foolishlyendorsed this idolatry. The Supreme Court may have the power to dictatewhat state governments must claim to be marriage,but it most certainly does not have the power tochange what God has revealed to be true marriage,an integral part of His plan for human life which isinherent in the order of the world He has created.

God alone knows the long-term consequences ofthe decision for our nation. Now Christians whouphold the orthodox Christian faith and confess thatGod alone defines marriage must be bold toconfess the truth of God’s Word without regard tothe consequences. The North American LutheranChurch will not shrink from the challenge and theopportunity this decision provides. Both ourmessage and our life become even moredistinguishable from the confused and misguidedstate of our cultural context. To that end we will beproviding resources to equip all our congregationsand pastors to confront an idolatrous culture andgovernment.

Our first response must be one of prayer andcareful deliberation. There is no need to panicabout each congregation’s right to continue topractice Christian marriage. NALC congregationsand pastors can legally continue to teach, preachand practice our confession:

We believe and confess that the marriage of maleand female is an institution created and blessed byGod. From marriage, God forms families to serve asthe building blocks of all human civilization andcommunity. We teach and practice that sexualactivity belongs exclusively within the biblicalboundaries of a faithful marriage between one manand one woman. (Common Confession 6, Marriageand Family)

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A few of our leaders with knowledge of the law andthe rights of churches to exercise religious libertyhave prepared a helpful guide, “Marriage Law andthe Protection of Congregations’ Religious Liberty.”We encourage you to carefully read it and thenreview your governing documents and policies toensure that you are consistently in line with ourconfession of the Christian faith.

The guide is self-explanatory and should besufficient for congregations charting their waythrough the turbulent waters in the wake of theSupreme Court's decision. However, if you needhelp, NALC members with legal backgrounds havevolunteered to assist our congregations with theseimportant matters.

Let us pray all the more fervently that our Lord willshield and protect families, and especially children,from the destructive impact of redefining marriageto be whatever sinful human beings desire. Let usnot forget that we are bound to follow the One whopossesses even greater authority, the authority ofour Lord Jesus Christ. One day every knee willbend and every tongue confess that He alone isLord. For us, there is no other option except anobedient response to His Word and His authority.

Yours in Christ,

The Rev. John F. BradoskyBishop

The Rev. Mark C. ChavezGeneral Secretary

Marriage Law and the Protection ofCongregations’ Religious Liberty

Guidance to Pastors and Congregationsin the United States from the NALC

In light of the recent decision by the U.S. SupremeCourt in Obergefell v. Hodges, NALC pastors andcongregations may be concerned about potentialimplications for their ministries. While that concern

is very understandable, we urge NALC membersnot to panic. From a legal point of view, it is unlikelythat church bodies, congregations, or pastors willbe compelled to violate their religious beliefs byparticipation in the formalizing of same-sex unions.At least for the foreseeable future, the religiousliberty provisions in the United States Constitutionwill almost certainly continue to protect churchbodies, congregations, and pastors who align theirpractices on marriage with their confessions offaith.1

This is not to minimize the challenges that theObergefell decision may create, both for laypeopleliving out their faith in the world and forcongregations operating schools or communityservice organizations (more on that below). We alsorecognize the possibility of other legal challenges tocongregations whose teaching on marriage isconsistent with the historic Christian consensus,such as challenges to the ability of pastors to signstate marriage certificates, or, more speculatively,challenges to the tax exempt status ofcongregations. These are possibilities that cannotbe ruled out. However, as to the fundamentalquestion of whether government actors in theUnited States might compel church bodies,congregations, and pastors to participate informalizing same-sex unions, that is a very remotepossibility today.

Still, some understandably ask whether theircongregations can or should do anything specific tostrengthen the protection of their religious liberty asit relates to marriage. The answer is “yes!”Congregations can and should take steps to protecttheir religious liberty by doing what they ought to doin any event: state clearly what they believe andconfess, adopt congregational policies consistentwith their stated beliefs, and follow those policiesconsistently. The following is some initial specificguidance for congregations in this regard.

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1 Indeed, this same U.S. Supreme Court, just three years ago, ruledunanimously that churches have complete freedom in hiring clergyand other religious education personnel, regardless of secularemployment laws. (Hosanna-Tabor Evangelical Lutheran Church &School v. EEOC, 2012).

N A L C N e w s 8 J u l y 2 0 1 5

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State What You Believe And Confess — Congregations should have a broad statement offaith that lays the foundation and evidences thesincerity of their religious convictions. With respectto marriage specifically, the 2005 CommonConfession, which is endorsed in the NALC’sConfession of Faith, affirms that we “believe andconfess that the marriage of male and female is aninstitution created and blessed by God. . . . Weteach and practice that sexual activity belongsexclusively within the Biblical boundaries of afaithful marriage between one man and onewoman.” Many NALC congregations have endorsedthe Common Confession in their governingdocuments or in some other manner. Othercongregations should consider endorsing theCommon Confession or some other statement onmarriage.

Adopt Congregational Policies Consistent WithStated Beliefs — Congregations obviously shouldact in accord with what they say they believe aboutmarriage. The best way to do this is by enactingpolicies regarding the congregation’s practices.These policies should cover:

1. Congregational Practice — A congregationshould have a policy governing the circumstancesunder which it will host a wedding or wedding-related event. This policy, among other things,should make clear that the congregation will onlyrecognize, participate in, solemnize, and hostweddings between one man and one woman.

2. The Use Of Facilities — Congregations oftenpermit outside groups to use their facilities. Such acongregation should adopt a policy defining thebounds of acceptable third-party use of churchproperty. To avoid confusion over its beliefsregarding marriage, a congregation should includea prohibition on third-party use of church facilitiesfor weddings, for the formalizing or blessing ofsexual relationships, and for receptions orcelebrations of weddings or other unions. Thisprohibition should apply to all weddings and unions,or at least to all unions that fall outside of Christianmarriage as the congregation understands it. Inaddition, congregations should consider restrictingthe use of their facilities to those that are consistentwith the church’s biblical beliefs.

3. Pastoral Acts Outside The Congregation — Acongregation (with its pastors’ involvement) shouldadopt a policy that ensures that pastors, whenundertaking pastoral acts outside the congregation(e.g., presiding at a family wedding out of town),conform their behavior to the congregation’s beliefs.

Follow Those Policies Consistently — Acongregation should follow its policies consistently.Ensuring consistent practice requires adoptingprocesses through which someone or some groupis responsible for approving each church-hostedwedding, third-party use of congregational facilities,and pastoral act outside the congregation. Beingconsistent and deliberate about following yourpolicies will help ensure that your church is viewedas taking seriously its stated beliefs.

* * * * * * *

As mentioned above, the Obergefell decision maycreate special issues and considerations forcongregations that operate schools or othercommunity service ministries. We will developadditional guidance for these and other situations,and will share that guidance with the NALC whenready. We also believe that some guidance tocongregations regarding congregationalmembership policies and practices may beappropriate, and we will work toward providing suchguidance. Finally, we would note that our NALCbrothers and sisters in Canada have been living forsome time now under legal rulings similar to theObergefell decision, and consequently there is likelyto be much that we can learn from them.

We know there is great unease about the culturalshifts that appear to be occurring. But in thesetimes, we must remember that God’s people canand will have a profound impact through theirfaithful witness to Christ’s love and truth. Even whilewe love those who look to persecute us, we can stilltake steps to protect the faith that we attempt to liveeach and every day. It is our hope that, in doing so,light and hope will shine even in times of spiritualdarkness.

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Are We Ashamed of our Faithor Bold Witnesses?

One of the daily lectionary readings this week wasfrom Matthew 9, including verses 37-38 whereJesus says to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful,but the laborers are few; pray therefore the Lord ofthe harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”

Many NALC folks have asked me about the recentLutheran Church—Missouri Synod InternationalConference on Confessional Leadership in the 21stCentury, in Wittenberg, Germany. As is often thecase with several days of lectures and discussion,it’s difficult to remember all that was said in such away that it can be shared.

What did make such a memorable impression,however, were the presentations by speakers incountries and regions where there are large Muslimpopulations, with equal or smaller Christianpopulations. Their experience is really a call and achallenge to those of us in North America (and theglobal north) who generally prefer to keep ourChristian faith to ourselves, afraid we will be seenas Bible-thumping Christians at best and fanatics atworst. So, many of us Lutherans rarely speak aboutJesus, faith, the Word of God, or our church!

The Rev. Ville Typpö, pastor of Istanbul LutheranChurch in Turkey, spoke about this saying, “InFinland, no one wants to talk about your religion.It’s not something to talk about. In Turkey andMuslim countries, it’s the first thing they will talkabout — what is your religion — and they expectyou to be prepared to defend your faith. They willdefend Islam and if you won’t talk about and defendyour Christian faith, it means (to them) that you’reashamed of your faith.”

Bishop Amos Bolay, of the Lutheran Church inLiberia added to that, saying, “Muslims are alwaysready to be visible and show their faith.” He relateda time when there was a wedding, and an out-of-town Muslim family member stayed in his home. He said the man made his Christian home amosque — laying out his prayer rug on the front

porch and praying visibly toward Mecca! BishopAmos said, “We Christians want to go pray in ourcloset so that no one will see.” He concluded, “If ahouse was burning, you would pound on the door tosave the people inside. Christians won’t do that forpeople who don’t know Jesus.”

I hope we in the North American Lutheran Churchhear in these testimonies the challenge of thesebrothers in other parts of the world, but even more,the clear call of our Lord Jesus who does indeedsend us out of our churches and homes, into theharvest to be light and salt, “letting our light soshine before others that they see our good worksand give glory to our Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:13-16, the Sermon on the Mount)

After World War II, our families were growing asbabies were being born and our churches werebooming. We built bigger and bigger churchfacilities, with sanctuaries that would seat 700-800,with classrooms for every age and group. Peoplewere so happy the war was over, they flocked tochurches. In such a time, we were lulled intothinking it would always be that way, so we becamethe institutionalized Church, with membership in theorganization being the important thing, following theminimal rules and regulations for membership.

In the institutional Church, there was/is little roomfor discipleship, witnessing, sharing the Word ofGod with those neighbors whose homes are

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Ministry Matters

Pastor David WendelAssistant to the Bishopfor Ministry and Ecumenism

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burning — those who don’t know the Triune God,the Son Jesus Christ, or the saving Word. Webecame, for all intents and purposes,“organizational functionaries” — members of anorganization that would continue on forever as itwas in the 1950’s post-World War II era.

Oh, how Satan deceived us and led us into alaziness and lukewarm-ness that caused us to betotally unprepared to face the decline, oppositionand, yes, persecution that the Body of Christ wouldexperience in the 21st century!

The tragic reality of Lutheranism in North America isthat many “members” of Lutheran congregationswould prefer to simply hold on to the institutionalorganization, hoping things will turn around and ourchurch buildings will once again be full, our pastorsinspiring and charismatic, children and youth upearly on Sunday mornings excited about going toworship!

When we see decline in our congregations it is alltoo common to blame the pastor, the liturgy, the“boring” Lutheran hymns, seeking all kinds of“saviors” — whether a new pastor, a new programor identity, a different style of worship — findingfinally that there is only one Savior and one hope ofresurrection. Our only hope is the saving death andresurrection of Jesus Christ!

The only turn-around possible for decliningcongregations is to move away from our institutionalmentality, to focus on the risen presence of theWord of God incarnate — Jesus Christ who is givento us in Word and Sacrament for forgiveness, lifeand salvation! And then for us to embrace, anew,the life of discipleship.

As members of the living Body of Christ that is theChurch, we wish to respond to our incorporationinto that Body by going out into the harvest to savethose who are living in darkness and fear — to goout to bring the Light of Christ, inviting others tohear the Word, to be baptized into His death andresurrection, to become part of the Church, which isthe Body of Christ. Renewal comes in the Body ofChrist through the Holy Spirit at work in us, throughthe Word of God — not through programs or peopleor pastors.

Bishop Emmanuel Makala of the EvangelicalLutheran Church in Tanzania shared at theconference that the rapid growth of the Body ofChrist in his country and in many places in Africahappened “because of the joy of Baptism — as St.Luke records it, ‘that we rejoice that our names arewritten in heaven!’” (Luke 10:20)

In our day it is not outside the realm of possibilitythat some of us will have the opportunity to witnessto our faith in Jesus Christ, not simply to ourneighbors, friends or family members. We may wellbe the ones who are being held hostage byterrorists, being asked at risk of life itself, “Are you aChristian — are you a disciple of Jesus?”

If you won’t talk

about and defend

your Christian faith,

it means (to them)

that you’re ashamed

of your faith.

At the upcoming Braaten-Benne Lectures inTheology and NALC Convocation, we will ponderthese realities of our time, and we pray that we willcome to better understand martyrdom as “life-givingwitness” — Jesus’ and ours! We hope to see you atthe Lutheran Week activities Aug. 11-14 at theHyatt-Regency Hotel in the Dallas-Fort WorthInternational Airport. More information is in thisnewsletter and can be found on the NALC website.

Let us be empowered and prepared by the HolySpirit working through the Word to not be ashamedor afraid to confess the faith that is in us — that weare always living in the joy of our Baptism intoChrist — that we are always living the joy thatcomes from our names being written in heaven!

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Three congregations worship at St. Matthew’s Evangelical LutheranChurch in the Kansas City suburb of Riverside, Mo. They celebrated a jointworship service for Easter. The pastors of the three congregations are, fromleft, Pastor Phillip Istaro, Micronesian Church; Pastor Bud Elliott, St.Matthew’s; and Pastor Faisa Atomsa, Ebenezer.

Ebenezer Oromo Evangelical ChurchKansas City, Mo.

Faisa Atomsa is the pastor of theEbenezer Oromo Evangelical Churchof Kansas City, Mo.

Originally from Mendi, a small townlocated in the Western part ofEthiopia, he grew up in a Christianfamily and was part of the EthiopianEvangelical Church Mekane Yesus.

From being a child in the churchchoir at a young age to his time as arefugee in Kenya, he felt a call toministry. God had placed a burden inhis heart for the lost and the desire toreach out and tell others aboutChrist.

In 2004, he was blessed with theopportunity to come to the UnitedStates and, after several years,started to attend Bible College. In 2008, he beganworking with the Oromo community in Kansas City.

The Oromo are a people from Ethiopia and thecountry’s largest ethnic group. This particularcommunity speaks their native language, AfaanOromoo. The need to have a place for the Oromopeople to worship in their native language inKansas City led to the formation of an Oromo-speaking church.

The congregation began meeting in 2008 at anELCA church. In 2013, Pastor Atomsa wasordained in the NALC. The journey continued in2014 when Pastor Atomsa and some of the churchmembers decided to leave the ELCA church andcompletely start over.

Starting over was a difficult thing to do, as thecongregation was forced to leave everything

behind. Some members also stayedbehind to continue worship with theold church. Ebenezer OromoEvangelical Church needed a newbeginning and did so by starting ahouse church. They met weekly inmembers’ apartments.

After several months of prayer andmeeting together in apartments, theywere welcomed into St. Matthew’sEvangelical Lutheran Church (NALC)in Riverside, Mo.

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St. Matthew’s graciously allowed the use of theirchurch building for Ebenezer’s worship services,which was incredibly valuable as the growingOromo congregation needed a larger worshipspace. Ebenezer began meeting at St. Matthew’s inJune of 2014. In the fall of 2014 Ebenezer OromoEvangelical Church was officially welcomed into theNALC as a mission congregation.

Ebenezer Oromo Evangelical Church is a livelycongregation full of young families, most of whomhave come to the United States in the last 10 years.Many members have young children or are juststarting families. The members hold a range ofjobs, from working as housekeepers to taxi drivers.Some are pursuing their education while workingand helping support their families back home inEthiopia. Some of the members came from MekaneYesus congregations in Ethiopia while others camefrom different backgrounds, but all share a commonlove for Jesus Christ.

The congregation has a very deep love of Jesusand loves to worship. Ebenezer is passionate aboutthe Gospel and what God wants them to do here inthe midst of their community.

Currently, Ebenezer meets on Sunday afternoonsfor worship. In addition, they have Saturdaymorning prayer programs and Wednesday eveningBible studies. On Sunday mornings there is SundaySchool for the children. There is also a smallworship team that sings traditional Oromo songsduring worship.

The Oromo culture is community based and that iswhy, after every church service, there is a time offellowship where everyone eats “dabo,” a traditionalbread made by the women in the congregation, anddrinks coffee.

This congregation is growing deeply in faith andlearning how to reach out more to those in thecommunity. They want to reach out not only tothose in the Oromo community but also to be a lightand example to all in the Kansas City area.

Pastor Atomsa and Ebenezer Oromo are gratefulfor all the support they have received from theNALC, the Great Plains Mission District and St.

Matthew’s. Many at Ebenezer have very few familymembers here in the United States. The supportreceived from the NALC through words ofencouragement, advice, and donations has beenincredibly meaningful and helped them to realizethat they have many brothers and sisters here withthem and supporting them. Their prayer is that Godwill bless all in the NALC and that you will reach outto those in your community wherever you are.

If you are interested in knowing more aboutEbenezer’s mission or joining with them inrelationship and partnership, please visit theNALC’s Great Commission Society website anddownload the adoption paperwork today atwww.thenalc/great-commission-society.

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Drops From the Well“Those who drink of the water that I will give them will never be thirsty.”

A great gift of our Lord is the chance to drink deepfrom His living water. Reading the Word of God ona consistent basis is at the heart of our faithfulobedience as followers of Jesus. We read His Wordto know Him better. And yet, for so many, this is achallenging task. Daily readings get lost in theshuffle of life.

The online NALC Discipleship Moments this lastmonth have been less about teaching ondiscipleship and more about being a disciple (www.thenalc.org/discipleship-moment). We havetried to help you peek behind the curtain to see howthe staff of the NALC are following Jesus in theirdaily life and devotion.

Will you join them? Will you take a step deeper intothe Living Waters of Jesus? We are continuing tocreate resources to empower people to engage withthe Word of God and take steps into deeper faith.“Drops from the Well” is one such resource.

Utilizing the lectionary Scripture readings fromSunday morning, Drops from the Well can bedelivered to your phone (U.S. numbers only) via atext message or to your email inbox.

More than a verse-a-day, Drops from the Wellfocuses on sending out one key point or Gospelkernel with the hopes that you read and reflect onthat drop each day of the week. Every morning atthe breakfast table, pray this “drop” together as afamily. Every night around the dinner table, use the“drop” as the lens through which you recap yourday. You can share highs and lows around thisverse, talk about a mistake you made and the waythe Living Water, even in this little “drop,” helpedyou through.

To receive a “Drop” from the Well of LivingWater every Sunday night:

+ Sign up for a weekly email athttp://2hoots.com/users/add/59. (Be sure to checkthe box for “Weekly Sunday Message.”)

+ Text the word “Drops” to 614-328-5636.

There is a reason this resource is called Drops fromthe Well. This “drop” is not meant to replacereflective devotional reading of Scripture. Rather, itcan provide a simple way for people to enter intothe Fount of Living Water in a new way.

Do you remember singing that wonderful VBS song,“Deep and Wide,” as a kid? For too long we havebeen stuck on the second verse: “hmmm and wide.hmmm and wide…” We have forgotten to go deep— in our relationships, in our reading of Scripture.Perhaps checking in with those we live with arounda “Drop from the Well” can help us take a stepdeeper into the Living Waters of Jesus Christ.

So, how do you tap into Drops from the Well?

+ Delivered to your phone or email inbox, you cannow share a “drop” of Scripture around thebreakfast table as a launch pad into your day.

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Discipleship Moments“Discipleship Moment” videos from Bishop JohnBradosky and other executive staff members willbe published regularly to the NALC’s website.

The Discipleship Moments are available online atwww.thenalc.org/discipleship-moment.

The videos are also available in the NALC’sFacebook group.

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+ Use this “drop,” which may have been the focusof the sermon you just heard on Sunday morning,to ask questions about worship and the sermon andto live into applying the “drop” to your day.

+ Use this “drop” in Lectio Divina. The steps are: 1.Lectio - reading; 2. Meditatio - reflection; 3. Oratio -response; 4. Contemplatio - rest.

For more information go towww.ignatianspirituality.com/ignatian-prayer/the-what-how-why-of-prayer/praying-with-scripture orvoxveniae.com/lectio-divina/#.VYhKAWAscaj.

+ Or Luther’s version oratio (prayer), meditatio -(meditation); tentatio (test). For more information,visit gnesiolutheran.com/oratio-meditatio-tentatio.

+ Use this “drop” as the second step in Faith5.Those steps are: 1. Share; 2. Read; 3. Talk; 4.Pray; 5. Bless.

For more information on the Faith5, go towww.faith5.org.

+ With children, develop simple signs to help themremember the “drop” and stain it on their hearts.

+ Use the “drop” with 3DM’s Circle. Go to3dmovements.com for more information.

+ Turn the “drop” into your prayer.

+ Write the “drop” on a note card and keep it in yourpocket so that when you touch it, the “drop” isbrought to the forefront of your mind.

+ Sent the alarm on your phone to ring at 4:14 p.m.Eastern time each day (a reference to the generaltheme verse of John 4:14). When the alarm goesoff, read the week’s “drop” again, as the entireNALC gathers to read Scripture and pray togetherat the same time every day.

Is God Calling You to go to India?Last February, a delegation from the NALC traveledto various parts of India for 10 days to officiallyinaugurate the NALC’s partnership with UEM andIndia Transformed. The delegation, includingBishop John Bradosky, Dr. Gemechis Buba andother key leaders and volunteers, was blessed tovisit several schools, the Talitha Cumi women’sministry, and UEM offices.

The focal point of this trip was the trainingconference “Stay Faithful, Be Fruitful.” Close to200 evangelists, pastors, and other ministryworkers gathered together for worship, teaching,and Bible study. Another primary purpose of thisjourney was to visit the NALC global workers thatare sent by World Mission Prayer League (for moreinformation, please visit: www.wmpl.org).

This October, Pastor Mike Malinsky will be leadinga different type of trip to India in conjunction withthe NALC. This will feature a combination of sportscamps, eyeglass clinics and medical exams for thestudents, and fun times with the children’s homekids, as well as working with UEM leadership.

Please prayerfully consider taking part in this short-term mission Oct. 4-14. For more information,please contact Pastor Malinsky directly atmmalinsky73@gmail.com.

Please continue to lift up our brothers and sisters inprayer. What these global workers and colleaguesat UEM face every day is a deep struggle in themidst of terrible physical and spiritual poverty. It is agreat joy to see the Gospel so powerfully at work.

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Pastor Henry Graf

Annual Gathering for NALC womenThe Women of the NALC Annual Gathering will take place Aug. 11-12 under the theme, “AGathering of Witnesses.”

The women will meet 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday and8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday.

Tuesday’s theme is “A Gathering of Witnesses:Secure in Christ’s Love, Christians Tried and True.”Keynote speaker is Pastor Donald G. Miles,president of India Transformed, a ministryin partnership with an Indian ministry to plantchurches and care for abandoned children.

Other speakers on Tuesday are Ida Martinson ofChina Service Ventures, on “The Costs and Joys of

Witnessing in China,” and Carnen Hale of ElamMinistries on “The Bold & Courageous Church inIran.”

Wednesday morning’s theme is “A Gathering ofWitnesses: Commissioned by the Lord, Laborers inthe Harvest.” Keynote speaker will be NALC BishopJohn Bradosky.

Those at the Annual Gathering will also elect fivemembers of The Women’s Council.

Tuesday dinner and Wednesday breakfast andlunch are included in the $75 registration fee. Youmay register for the Women’s Gathering and otherLutheran week events at www.thenalc.org.

NALC Mission Festival is Nov. 5-7“Mission Possible” is the theme of the NALC’s 2015Mission Festival Nov. 5-7 at Upper ArlingtonLutheran Church in Hilliard, Ohio, with the maintheme focusing on the relationship betweendiscipleship and mission.

Keynote speakers for the festival include BishopJohn Bradosky; Pastor Gemechis Buba, Assistantto the Bishop for Missions, and Pastor Henry Graf.

Pastor Graf is the pastor ofPromise Ministries in FortWayne, Ind. He is thecoauthor of More Than aStory. He is passionateabout what it means to be afollower of Jesus. Followinghis most recent book tour,his congregation has beengracious in sharing his timewith the larger body ofChrist, including YouthEncounter events across thecountry, connections withthe Danish Lutheran Church and, most recently,taking the stage at TEDx Fort Wayne.

The Mission Festival brings together Mission-Drivenleaders for inspirational and motivating speakers,practical training for discipleship and mission, andbreakout sessions led by experts in their fields —grounded in Bible study, worship and prayer.

The NALC’s annual Mission Festival is a trainingresource for Mission Districts and congregations.

Early-bird registration for the Mission Festival is nowopen at $75 per person. The rate increases to $100per person on Sept. 1. For more information or toregister go to: thenalc.org/mission-festival-2015.

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Bill Kristijanto, one of the musicians from Bread ofStone which led music for Impact.

National Youth Gathering

Chicago - June 25-28

Photos by David Budnick, a youth from St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Winnipeg. You can view more of David’s excellent

photography at davidbudnick.smugmug.com.

Pastor Bill Yonker

Nancy Kinyanzwa Jepkoech Happy Fun Time

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Continuity Challenge for Congregations The clergy shortage is upon us. Congregationalvacancy lists grow longer. The Boomer pastors areretiring in droves.

And the next generation of pastors?

As I’ve mentioned in previous columns, only half asmany Millennials attend church compared toBoomers back in the 1980s. So don’t hold yourbreath waiting for significant numbers of youngerseminary graduates to become available for call.

What’s needed for long-term ministry continuity isan entirely different congregational leadershipparadigm. Otherwise, far too many congregationswill end up closing their doors due to the lack ofpastoral candidates available for full-time calls.

Seminaries are desperately trying to adjust. Theemergence of more online courses is one way theyare adapting to a decreasing number of potentialresidential, on-campus students. However, thismight be a case of too little too late.

A traditional seminary education as the norm isincreasingly becoming a thing of the past. By oneestimate, 50 percent of Protestant seminaries willbe closing within the next decade. Probably anexaggerated prediction, but still a hint of how rapidlythings are changing.

How can your congregation adapt to this new realitywhen it comes to the limited supply of seminary-trained, full-time pastors?

1. Retired part-time clergy are still available in manyparts of the country. Lots of Boomer pastors areretiring, and some are not adjusting all that well totheir new life-stage. Some of them would love anopportunity to be involved in ministry on a part-timebasis.

2. Perhaps a trusted, gifted member of yourcongregation would consider seminary studies. These could begin online. This person might onlyhave to do one year of full-time residential study.The rest could happen with distance learning. Check with the North American Lutheran Seminary,

the NALC office, St. Paul Lutheran Seminary, or theInstitute of Lutheran Theology for some options. Orconsider Fuller Seminary, which is extremelyinnovative regarding online study options and nowhas seven satellite campuses in the United States.

3. Develop a long-term strategy for recruiting andsustaining lay leadership for most of your ongoingministries. This could include both compensated(typically part-time) staff, and volunteers. Note:Even a small stipend paid for a key ministryleadership responsibility can serve to legitimize thatleader in the eyes of your congregation. It alsobrings an added level of accountability to thatposition. Examples of positions that can be wellserved by lay leaders include worship musicleadership, small groups coordinator, communityservice director, children’s ministry, youth ministry,and seniors ministry director.

Don’t make the mistake of assuming that thedeveloping clergy shortage signals the death knellfor vibrant and effective congregational ministry. The fact is, very few Lutheran congregations haverealized their full potential when it comes facilitatinglay leadership. And these lay ministry opportunitieswill more often than not prove to be a blessing tothose who step forward.

The late Erma Bombeck, a well-known columnist,once said, “When I stand before God at the end ofmy life, I would hope that I would not have a singlebit of talent left and could say, ‘I used everythingYou gave me.’” In far too many of ourcongregations gifted lay people are denied theopportunity to fully utilize their God-given gifts andtalents.

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In Pursuit of theGreat Commission

Pastor Don Brandt

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Playmobil’s Martin Luther has become the company’sfastest-selling toy ever.

Martin Luther toy is fastest selling everA little plastic Martin Luther may be just as popularin Europe in 2015 as the Reformer was 500 yearsago.

A little thee-inch plastic Martin Luther toy hasbecome the fastest-selling Playmobil figure of alltime.

The German toy manufacturer announced inFebruary that the first edition of 34,000 pieces soldout in less than 72 hours, forcing the company tourgently request its factory to produce more of the“little Luthers.”

Dressed in his 16th century academic robes andsporting a neat brown bob, little floppy cap, bigbrown eyes, and c-clamp hands, Martin Lutherstands ready as he holds his tiny quill pen and acopy of his New Testament in German.

The Little Luther was produced as a part ofGermany’s celebration of the 500th anniversary ofthe Reformation in 2017 at the request of churchand tourism officials.

Luther is revered in Germany not only as theReformer of the church but also as the father of theGerman language.

The only other German figure that matches Luther’sstrong sales is the German painter and artistAlbrecht Dürer whose toy sold 80,000 pieces

over three years. Dürer was a contemporary andsupporter of Luther.

Concordia Publishing House is among those sellingthe Luther toy in North America. You can order himfor $9.99 from cph.org.

Little Luther is ready to help children and adultscelebrate the 500th anniversary of the ProtestantReformation.

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Bottom line is that a significant percentage ofcongregations will not have much choice in thismatter. This is urgent. It’s time to prepare for afuture when the availability of full-time, seminary-trained pastors will be something we will not be ableto take for granted. It’s time — even if it is partlymotivated by necessity — to fully embrace thepriesthood of all believers.

The Biblical vision for this is perhaps bestexpressed in 1 Peter 2:4-5, 9: “As you come to him,

the living Stone—rejected by men but chosen byGod and precious to him—you also, like livingstones, are being built into a spiritual house to be aholy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrificesacceptable to God through Jesus Christ…You are achosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, apeople belonging to God, that you may declare thepraises of him who called you out of darkness intohis wonderful light.”

Pastor Don Brandt serves Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Salem, Ore. You may contact him atdonb@oursaviorssalem.org.

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Pastor Mark ChavezNALC Administrative Office mchavez@thenalc.org2299 Palmer Drive, Suite 220 New Brighton, MN 55112-2202 Missions888-551-7254 or 651-633-6004 Pastor Gemechis Bubanalc.mnoffice@thenalc.org gbuba@thenalc.org

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NALC NewsPublished monthly by

North AmericanLutheran Church

3500 Mill Run DriveHilliard, OH 43026-7770

Phone: 614-777-5709

www.thenalc.org

Pastor David J. Baer, editornews@thenalc.org

Please copy and sharethis newsletter widely.

N A L C N e w s 20 J u l y 2 0 1 5