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Avoiding Friendly Fire
Fri, Jul 02, 2010
Sometimes the pastor becomes the object of our friendly fire. So what can we do to support our pastors and avoid the friendly fire?
Featured Convention Video
Dr. Eugene Boe's seminar at the Convention.
More videos and media from the convention here.
Share Your Story!
Sometimes we just need ideas. Perhaps in your congregation you have seen specific, unique acts of caring for the pastor and/or his family. Others could benefit by reading about it. Share your story by writing a paragraph and sending it to us. We will post them here online and some may appear in future print issues.
email: tmathiesen@clba.org
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- Sabbatical policy by Oak Ridge Church
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Videos
Links
Cover Stories
Sabbatical Plan
Fri, Jul 02, 2010
The Church of the Lutheran Brethren encourages congregations to grant their pastors a sabbatical after seven years of service. As one example, Rev. Aage Larsen, pastor of Oak Ridge Lutheran Brethren Church, is currently on a three month sabbatical.
Pastors Need Self-Care Too
Thu, Jul 01, 2010
Pastors need to be reassured that we understand at least some of the stress they are under and that it's safe for them to ask for help.
They're Coming Home...How Can We Help?
Tue, Apr 27, 2010
Having faced bravely the trauma of combat, returning wartime veterans now face the challenge of not allowing those experiences to scar them permanently. How can the Church help meet their needs? What are their needs?
A Chaplain Reflects on Ministry to Soldiers
Tue, Apr 27, 2010
Too many of these young (mostly male) sailors and marines had no solid, positive male role model in their lives. Coupled with the constant indoctrination of "What's in it for me?" that permeates our culture, young military members and spouses are disappointed, frustrated, and disillusioned about what they are doing and where they are going.
Healing for Returning Warriors
Tue, Apr 27, 2010
For some reason in this present day, we have been largely content to see our returning warriors' needs as primarily mental and emotional, and thus tried to help them in those areas. I am convinced that the Church has a profound role to play in the lives of our returning warriors.
Update from the Convention Committee | Watch the Video
Wed, Feb 24, 2010
This year, in June, the Church of the Lutheran Brethren will experience its first Biennial Convention. The committee has been meeting since September to brainstorm and plan for the first convention of its kind.
The Vision and Calling of the CLB Today
Tue, Feb 23, 2010
I am grateful that the Church of the Lutheran Brethren convention delegates stated our mission personally, that is, in language that speaks to us individually, to our congregations and to each cluster of churches.
The Convention Image
Tue, Feb 23, 2010
God's Story does not begin and end with the cross. It continues today and we, as his Church, are part of his story.
Reflecting on 2009
Wed, Dec 30, 2009
We usually discourage one another from looking back or dwelling too much upon things in the past. Our faith in God helps us keep our eyes on the finish line, but it can also be encouraging to look back and see how God has answered our prayers.
When Someone Comes Out of the Closet at Your House
Mon, Dec 28, 2009
Does the title make you uncomfortable? Many Christian families in our day have had to face the sudden shock that comes from the announcement that an adult son or daughter is gay.
Seminary J-Term: Schedule and Speakers
Mon, Dec 28, 2009
Lutheran Brethren Seminary's J-Term, beginning January 18th, explores the topic of homosexuality. Speakers include Dr. David Glesne, Dr. Mark Yarhouse, Rev. Dan Borsheim and Dr. Kirk Militzer.
Caught Between Two Worlds: Memories of Missionary Kids
Mon, Nov 30, 2009
It was breakfast time at Dan and Rachel's home when I arrived to ask about Christmas in Chad. I sipped tea while the kids wolfed down pancakes and warmed to the conversation. Because an early Minnesota snow had fallen that October morning, it seemed natural to me to talk about Christmas.
The Christmas King
Mon, Nov 30, 2009
We live in a culture that, on a yearly basis, tries to flatten the remembrance of Christ's birth to the horizontal world of gift giving. But St. Luke reminds us that Christmas first had a vertical dimension - God came down to us. This fact makes the horizontal world all the more meaningful.
Christmas and Culture: Seeing the Giver Behind the Gifts
Mon, Nov 30, 2009
Our stores set up Christmas displays even before Halloween in hopes of encouraging a head start on Christmas shopping. We have Christmas specials on television. We have Christmas outfits and Christmas pictures, Christmas decorations and Christmas dishes, Christmas music and Christmas traditions and, of course, everyone's favorite: Christmas gifts! So as Christians, how do we handle our culture's obsession with Christmas? Do we embrace this Culture of Christmas? Do we hide from it? Do we fight it? What is the appropriate response?
Two Words that Don't Go Together
Mon, Nov 02, 2009
A year or so ago, I was seeking input from Seminary professor Dr. Eugene Boe on some loose ends on the final editing of the Commentary on the Statement of Faith of the Church of the Lutheran Brethren. When we’d covered most of my questions on that project, I ventured one more question on an entirely different topic. It was a question I thought he might answer “yes” or “no,” or perhaps in a couple of minutes give a slightly more detailed answer. Instead, I received much, much more. My question: “Does the Church of the Lutheran Brethren have a theology of stewardship?”
Connecting the Dots
Sun, Nov 01, 2009
How did your mom keep you quiet in church when you were young? My personal favorites were those funky and mysterious pencil-shading pictures, the ones where shading over the blank area magically revealed a picture of Jesus. Another favorite was connect-the-dots. Yep, there was nothing more satisfying than seeing those dots connect up to show a jagged picture of David and Goliath. Today I still love to play connect the dots. But now it is much trickier. The dots I try to connect are the ways that the Lord brings people and experiences together to reveal a picture of his bride, the Church.
An Exercise in Growing Stewards
Sun, Nov 01, 2009
At Oak Hill Lutheran Brethren Church in Bloomington, Minnesota, the mission of our stewardship ministry is to “Grow Stewards in our Congregation.” As the makeup of our church body trends younger, we feel it is God’s calling for us to show our people that stewardship is an action of the heart, not one of the wallet. It’s our commitment to grow generous givers as a faith response to God, and therefore we want to recognize generous gifts of time and talents, as well as treasure.
Art as Worship
Thu, Aug 27, 2009
It's something that plays with each of our five senses, communicating an idea, question, or statement, and sometimes something that can't be explained. God works through art in so many ways, such as outreach, praise and worship, personal devotions and even as a Sunday morning sermon! We wanted to give artists a chance to talk about how they see God working through their art and how He has blessed them through their talent.
Mission and Art
Thu, Aug 27, 2009
It is universally recognized that music has the power to stir us to our depths. King Saul called upon David to play the harp when he was tormented by a spirit. The prophetess Miriam sang songs of deliverance after Israel crossed the Red Sea in safety. The arts assist us in the work of teaching and proclamation, in fellowship and in the worship of God's community.
He Didn't Throw the Clay Away
Thu, Aug 27, 2009
Ren Fuglestad is a potter, and has been giving the message, titled "He Didn't Throw The Clay Away", since April 2007. It's message is about being Christ-centered and about responding to the touch of the Holy Spirit within us as well as the Christian community outside of us-and so much more.
Sermon Journeys
Wed, Aug 26, 2009
To introduce you to the speakers and a bit of the motivation behind their message, we asked each preacher to share a bit about their preparation. They give even more depth to each sermon, knowing how God prepared each of them. We encourage you to obtain copies of the sermons after reading these introductions, written by the preachers themselves. For now, enjoy these journeys! Audio and video of the sermons are available after each "sermon journey."
A(n) (un)Convention(al) Experience
Wed, Aug 26, 2009
...what I wanted, honestly, was a week away from people, not three days of intense socializing and engaging in what was sure to be a long and in-depth discussion over the proposed changes to the synod's structure. But then God entered in...on the very next song.
Enduring Faith: Women's Ministries Convention
Wed, Aug 26, 2009
We planned for 150, but by God's grace 185 ate a delicious catered lunch, and 200 attended the morning business session, listened to Keynote speaker, Teresa Szobody, and attended practical and inspiring workshops in the afternoon.
Hats Off
Wed, Aug 26, 2009
One refreshing meal that the Lord served me was proclaimed through the mouth of his servant, Pastor Tony Karlik. This message was what I needed to hear that morning. It was almost as if Jesus were speaking directly to me: "Ron, you have been wearing your pastor's hat and it needs to go. Take it off and let me minister to you!"
Shaped by Christ's Words and Wounds
Tue, Aug 25, 2009
Although its history dates back to 1903, since 1970 your seminary has graduated over 250 people in certificate, diploma and degree programs. These graduates have gone out into congregations and ministries in North America, Taiwan, Japan, Cameroon and Chad in Africa.
Why Seminary?
Tue, Aug 25, 2009
With all of (my) experience I began to think that I didn't really need a seminary education. I suggested that idea to Rev. Edwin Overland, my father-in-law. He answered concisely, "Pastors need lots of seminary education." End of discussion.
Calling Your Next Pastor
Tue, Aug 25, 2009
"Dorothy, I'm thinking about leaving the church and going to seminary. What do you think?" After all of the many hours I had spent visiting her, I was sure that she would give me the answer I wanted to hear. But instead of telling me not to leave, she summoned her strength, sat bolt upright, and said with powerful conviction, "Dave, go. Otherwise you'll always have it hanging over your head."
New Life @ The Well
Sun, Aug 16, 2009
A week before Thanksgiving I received a phone call from another pastor in town wondering if our churches would like the opportunity to host a "Below-Twenty-Five Ministry" on behalf of the community churches. The idea was to provide temporary shelter to the homeless when the temperature hits below twenty-five degrees (not a frequent thing here but it does happen several times a year).
Why Are We Here?
Sun, Aug 16, 2009
The focus can easily become a bottom line of "paying the pastor's salary and keeping the lights on." Of course these are important things for every church to do, but when they become our focus and purpose, we've shifted away from one of the primary purposes of our church.
What is e3?
Sat, Aug 15, 2009
I have been on three previous e3 Church Planting mission trips with Noel and Trisch Johnson; Kenya 2004 (with Pastor Dave Overland), Uganda 2005 (with Matthew Rogness), and Panama 2006. These three trips were well planned in partnership with experienced e3 in-country church leaders and involved as many as four local churches desiring to plant churches in a new area.
CLB in Cameroon
Sat, Aug 15, 2009
Our relationship to the Church of the Lutheran Brethren of Cameroon is one of sister Church to sister Church. We are fully independent of each other. Where we share vision we seek to partner together. For instance, we have a shared vision of reaching unreached Muslims for Jesus Christ.
Cameroon: A Diary
Sat, Aug 15, 2009
Day One: Arriving at the Welcome Center in Chad Pastor Randy Paulson asked “What does God think when He looks down on this city?” I knew the answer, but I couldn’t respond; I was too choked up. After a few moments of silence Pastor Randy answered, “He sees a city with people that He loves.”
From Caution to Community
Fri, Aug 14, 2009
The more we continued going, the more we got to know the people, character and values of the church, and the more connected we felt. It was amazing how quickly we trusted people and how God spoke to us in the simplicity. One of the distinct things I remember about the values of the church was that they were not just given lip service.
Authentic Expressions (Perspectives from Journeys Church)
Fri, Aug 14, 2009
When Jesus was asked in Mark 12:28-31 what the most important commandment was, He gave a surprising answer. It had nothing to do with rules, regulations, or religiosity; it was all about relationships. He summed up all the God-given commandments by saying to love God and love your neighbor as yourself.
Inside Out
Fri, Aug 14, 2009
In Scripture, it does not take long to see that God's sovereignty is always preferable to humanity's best understanding. People who walk by faith in Christ are asked to do things that they do not fully understand and are never given all of the specific details. The Apostle Paul wrote that "we live by faith, not by sight" (2 Corinthians 5:7).