By   Thu, Jul 01, 2010

God has placed within our bodies an amazing and dynamic communication network made up of one hundred billion nerve cells, thirty billion alone in our two or three pound brains. With each nerve cell communicating with thousands of other nerve cells, they talk to each other with incredible speeds of 250 miles per hour. As neurons are stimulated, electrical signals whiz through these nerve cells and, incredibly, a handful of them contain enough electricity to light a light bulb. Then, between nerve cells are tiny gaps one millionth of an inch wide called synapses. We have trillions of these in just the top one-eighth inch layer of our brains through which up to seventy different chemicals called neurotransmitters pass from one cell to the next at dizzying speeds of 1/10,000 of a second. Incredibly, a speck of our brains the size of a grain of sand contains 100,000 neurons and one billion synapses. This very sophisticated complex internal communication system consists of delicately balanced electrical and chemical pathways as information is sent up to our brains and back down instructing our bodies how to manage thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.

We are created in God’s image. As Christians we are completely forgiven. While research points out the health, happiness, and longevity benefits of a strong faith, our humanity still comes with numerous imperfections. Our bodies, including our nervous systems, are both fantastic and problematic. Sometimes because of genetics and/or escalating stress, especially prolonged stress, malfunctions occur.

Many of us are acutely familiar with our physical reactions with too much stress. We may experience stomach ulcers, high blood pressure, back pain, skin problems, headaches, and heart problems. But we may not know very much about other equally damaging biological vulnerabilities resulting from ongoing stress. With prolonged and elevated stress we release stress hormones; ongoing depression is a typical reaction to overwhelming stress. These elevated stress hormones often create damage, for example, increased clotting in our blood leading to increased likelihood of heart attacks and increased bone density loss which may lead to osteoporosis. Nervous system illnesses such as depression and anxiety lead to increased difficulties in daily functioning and problems like these can be traced directly back to problems in our nerve cell functioning, especially with malfunctioning neurotransmitters trying to cross our microscopic synapses. With increased stress come sleep and appetite problems, concentration difficulties, increased irritability, mood problems, difficulty in solving problems, and difficulty maintaining close relationships. Medication is sometimes needed to manage these chemical imbalances; other helpful remedies are prayer, a caring listener, changing our habits of living, enjoying more sunshine, and increased physical activity, which all can have a major positive impact on our nervous system’s functioning.

“Pastor as Person in Ministry” is a course at Lutheran Brethren Seminary in Fergus Falls. In it we focus on helping our potential pastors become more aware of their need to care for themselves not only spiritually and physically, but mentally too. Pastors’ roles are full of blurred boundaries which often are aligned with increased stress. It is imperative these days more than ever for pastors to not only guard their boundaries but have specific personal steps for self care. It’s equally important for elder boards, other committees in our churches, and the rest of us parishioners to be sensitive to our pastors’ needs to take care of their health. 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.

It is of paramount importance that we be aware of our stressors and especially alert to ongoing intense stress, which can have such damaging results. As congregations, we need to be prayerful and mindful of this not only for ourselves and our families, but for our pastors too. Our pastors need to be given permission to talk to appropriate people in the church or outside of the church if they are struggling.

Why might pastors have more difficulty finding appropriate persons to confide in, or finding ways to get their needs met? First, most of us, probably more men than women, often struggle with being genuine and honest with how we are functioning. This is especially true when it comes to dealing with symptoms of stress, which many of us in our society inaccurately equate with weakness. Furthermore, the role of the pastor as a leader, shepherd, and counselor to us parishioners places them in increasingly difficult positions to ask for help. They are typically involved in very one-way type of relationships. Their role is to pastor the parishioners and meet their church members’ needs, not necessarily the other way around.

As a psychologist working with clients, I am supposed to avoid, as much as possible, dual relationships (professional and personal at the same time), for this has the potential to undermine my helping role. Pastors often experience more than dual relationships that are unavoidable in the church, yet more than ever they need to protect their boundaries, and therefore avoid sharing personal struggles with their parishioners. Many times pastors find themselves relating with their parishioners in multiple ways: sitting on a variety of church committees, preaching to them on Sundays, teaching them in Bible studies and Sunday school, counseling them in the church office, and socializing with them at various church functions. Situations where pastors are in multiple roles with many people in the church can become extremely complicated and can lead to pastors ignoring their own needs in an attempt to keep their roles clear.

As most pastors have close working relationships with their elders, the elders may be most aware of how our pastors are functioning spiritually, physically, and mentally. How can the elders help? 1) Become more aware of these issues. 2) Have clear communication with pastors regarding their well-being. 3) Assist pastors in setting clear boundaries when possible. 4) Do not be judgmental towards those who might be struggling. 5) Provide real safety for our pastors to share if ongoing stressors and their symptoms are becoming overwhelming and in need of special attention. 6) Be more aware of local resources that may help.

Self-care reminders are good for all of us, but let us especially remember this need for our pastors who function in often complex and multifaceted roles as our spiritual leaders, role models, teachers, cheer leaders, public relations experts, and servants. In addition to regular communication with God and gathering with fellow Christians, each of us needs to be aware of our stressors and the need to deal with them rather than avoid them. We should also be aware of our weaknesses and limitations, learn how our bodies react to stress and what our “red flags” look and feel like, eat healthy and get plenty of physical activity. Then finally, remember to ask others if help is needed. On occasion check with those closest to you on the status of their spiritual, physical, and mental health.


Nate Larsen is a professional counselor and an elder of Bethel Lutheran Brethren Church in Fergus Falls, MN.

By   Fri, Jul 02, 2010

On June 27, 2005 I was out for a walk in Menomonie, Wisconsin. To say it was a glorious summer morning would be a cliché, but it actually was a glorious summer morning. Sunshine. Blue sky. Low humidity. Green everywhere. Warm but not hot. Birds singing. As I walked, my feet seemed to hardly touch the ground. Since I'm normally given to some depression, I began to wonder, "Why do I feel so free?" I felt like I was walking on air. It had to be more than the sunshine and blue sky.

I looked for the answer in my circumstances. Three weeks earlier I had completed sixteen years of ministry in a congregation. The day before I had preached what was then my last scheduled sermon. I had two nights left of leading a prayer retreat at Oak Ridge Lutheran Brethren Church. That's when it hit me, "I don't have to preach next Sunday!"

But, I thought, that couldn't be the real reason because I love preaching. I also don't love preaching because it is incredibly hard work and sometimes a difficult experience getting ready. But I really do love it. So what was giving me that feeling of freedom on that summer day? I felt this awareness just wash over me: "I'm no longer facing the spiritual oppression that goes along with being the person who is responsible for bringing the Word of God on Sunday morning." In that moment I became convinced that the person who is responsible for the Word faces opposition 24-7 from the Evil One.

Could I support that from Scripture? Well, what was it that Satan opposed in the Garden of Eden? The Word of God. "Did God really say...?" (Genesis 3:1).

When Satan attacked Jesus in the wilderness, what was our Lord's only defense? The Word of God. "It is written..." (Matthew 4:4).

What did the Apostle Paul tell the fledgling pastor Timothy to preach even when people turn their ears away from the truth? The Word of God. (See 2 Timothy 4:1-5.)

Now I'm not a person who looks for demons behind every bush. But I thought about all the junk that is constantly being thrown at pastors by the Evil One. There is pressure on their marriages, pressure on their kids, financial pressure, temptation, anxiety, fear that something won't go well, sleeplessness, physical sickness.

Sometimes the opposition comes through us in the congregations. Criticism. Gossip. Accusations. Indifference. The pastor becomes the object of our friendly fire.

All of this contributes to one key thing: distraction from the Word of God. Why? Because Satan is the thief who comes to kill, and steal, and destroy. And he knows that the Word of God preached rightly and well in our congregations will first bring us life, and will then lead us to bring this life to our communities through the message of the forgiveness of sins and of God's grace and mercy.

So what can we do to support our pastors and avoid the friendly fire?

1. Remember that the real conflict is not between people. "Our struggle is not against flesh and blood..." (Ephesians 6:12). Satan wants us to think that the pastor is the problem, and wants the pastor to think that the people are the problem – when the real opposition comes from him.
2. Remember that pastors are just forgiven sinners who have been called by God to the office of pastor. They are not perfect. In fact, because of their role and the opposition they face, they are more likely to show off their sin nature in conflict.
3. Someone has said that it takes thick skin to be a leader. Remember that most pastors by nature do not have a thick skin, but rather have the heart of a shepherd.
4. When pastors need correction (and what pastor doesn't?), the elders are responsible to "speak the truth in love" and to gently restore them when they are wrong. Pastors could save themselves a lot of grief if they established a planned semi-annual review of their ministry by the elders to regularly receive both correction and encouragement.
5. When you feel that you must offer corrective criticism, consider the following:
   • Ask the Lord for wisdom and discernment, and be certain that what you have to say really must be said.
   • Avoid giving your critique in that hour before or after a worship service. Those are times when a pastor is especially vulnerable both spiritually and emotionally.
   • Follow the proper channels. This means voicing your valid criticism in confidence to an elder and not over coffee with your friends.
6. Finally, and above all, pray. Pray for the pastor's sermon preparation and proclamation. Paul urged the Ephesians, "Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel" (Ephesians 6:19).

That's what we all want, isn't it. To hear again the wonder of the gospel, that Christ has given himself to the cross for me, for my neighbor, and, oh yes, even for my pastor.

Dr. David Veum is President of Lutheran Brethren Seminary in Fergus Falls, MN.

By   Fri, Jul 02, 2010

The Church of the Lutheran Brethren encourages congregations to grant their pastors a sabbatical after seven years of service. While a sabbatical is often thought of as a time for formal continuing education, it can have many uses, certainly including rest. As one example, Rev. Aage Larsen, pastor of Oak Ridge Lutheran Brethren Church in Menomonie, Wisconsin, is currently on a three month sabbatical. When he approached his congregation with the request, Pastor Larsen focused on relationship as the key idea in his sabbatical time. Portions of Larsen’s sabbatical proposal are excerpted here, with his permission.

Because God is in relation to himself through the triune Godhead, it stands to reason that ministry in his name is also relational in nature...

This work has consumed not only me, but my family as well as those servants who have come alongside us in this work. God in his grace has provided for us in each heartbreak and through every joy. But now, it seems, it is time to more intentionally turn attention outwardly and relationally toward the larger community God has placed us among here in north central Wisconsin. But to do that, my family, our congregation, and I require a brief season to disconnect in order to reconnect...

And it is during this period that each of us will be discovering something new about what it means to “relate to people.” Relating has to do with such things as listening, learning, understanding, caring, and communicating. To help us in this ministry of relating we will concurrently study Christ Have Mercy: How to Put Your Faith in Action, Harrison, Matthew C., Concordia Publishing (July 2008). In addition I will read a book suggested to me by our denominational president titled Relational Leadership: A Biblical Model for Leadership Service, Wright, Jr., Walter, Paternoster Press (2003) as well as Mission from the Cross, Schulz, Klaus Detlev, Concordia Publishing (August 2009)...

So during this sabbatical I will also consider ministry models that more intentionally address this love that not only gathers but sends relationally to our neighbors. To meet this goal I will read The Relational Way: From Small Group Structures to Holistic Life Connections, Boren, M. Scott, Touch Publications (March 2007). I will prepare a written paper that includes insights drawn from the resources mentioned above along with some rough vision sketches for us as leadership and congregation to begin making future relational ministry plans...

The other relational focus during this sabbatical will be immediate and extended family. We have been separated from our extended family for ten years as we have followed the call to full time pastoral ministry through seminary training and church ministry. Vacations have helped to plug some of the holes, but we are seeing a need for an extended period of relational reconnection with family and friends back east... Opportunities to worship together as a family in our “home” churches will also bring a breath of fresh air to our experience of worship.

During this time my extended family in Norway happens to be organizing a broad, international family reunion based upon the 200th anniversary of Hans Lillejord’s birth in my place of birth, Beiarn, Norway… We plan to travel to Northern Norway for this three day event. Here we will not only have the occasion to rekindle as well as develop new family relationships, but I will also be able to research and understand my family’s past and present relationship to the ministry and tradition of the Lutheran Church. As a part of this reunion, the local Lutheran church will be hosting an international service that will include pastors from my family in Norway, the U.S., and Canada...

We will plan to extend our stay in Norway for a few more days to enjoy the scenery of the local fjords and mountains. These will also provide ideal backdrops for family and individual spiritual refreshment as we take time to encounter our loving, sending God through prayer and devotional readings within the framework of his magnificent creation. I believe this unique experience will make a lasting impression on our family that will strengthen our understanding and resolve of what it means to be in relational ministry together.

During our sabbatical the congregation will not be in a “let’s wait for the pastor to get back” mode. They will be continuing the work of ministry both in the gathering part of worship as well as the sending part of relating to people. This will help them learn to take greater ownership of this relational ministry. We will take time in prayer and in meetings to evaluate the things we have all learned through this experience and use it in planning our vision and mission over the short and long term. I anticipate this sabbatical experience to greatly benefit myself, my family, and my congregation by providing the necessary balance of rest, renewal, and equipping that will propel us forward in relational ministry in our church and community for years to come.

download Oak Ridge's sabbatical policy
(Largely borrowed from sabbatical policies used by Triumph Lutheran Brethren Church, Moorhead, MN and Hope Lutheran Brethren Church, Barnesville, MN.)

By Cheryl Olsen   Thu, Jul 01, 2010

Hebrews 11 lists many people whose faith ministered to and blessed generations of people. We asked women who have been active in women’s ministries to tell us about the women in their lives whom God has used to minister to them. Here are their “heroines of the faith” responses.

There have been many whom God has allowed me to receive as a mentor in my faith walk. First of all my mother, Miriam (Sunwall) Erickson, (pictured left) showered her children with much love, many prayers, many letters, and numerous examples of showing Jesus to others. She loved my dad and she loved her Lord and Savior. She could be found in the living room reading her Bible and praying, was a great cook, hostess, talented seamstress, hard worker, great Sunday School promoter and storyteller, with many other talents. We children had to go sixty miles and then several thousand miles away to school but we kept in close contact through letter writing and mostly praying for one another. I was blessed to have a wonderful mother here on earth for twenty-six years! Blessed be her memory!

Margarethe (Erickson) Swanson / Minneapolis, Minnesota

I appreciate Eileen Tjelta, Pastor Tjelta’s wife from Nampa, Idaho. I’ve never seen anyone who was a better complement to her husband and pastor as she. She sets the Gold Standard in my eyes. She is always thinking of ways to help with his ministry and in doing so sets an example for everyone. Always a woman of grace and peace, never seeking her own way, she walks calmly with the Lord.

Zoe Unfried / Portland, Oregon

My hooray is for a lady at our church named Kathy Lyons. She is always doing things and organizing help for those in need here at Community Church of Joy in Sammamish. If you’ve been sick or just had a baby or surgery, she will always make sure meals are coming on a regular basis. She has been a member for over twenty years and taught Sunday school for much of it. She shares her gifts freely, coming early every Sunday to make coffee. Her latest is an idea to provide homemade soup for the ladies’ evening Bible study. It has increased the number of women attending because they can come right after work, without worrying about having time for dinner. We can always count on her, but also need to look out she doesn’t overwork herself. She is a joy to all here.

Kaysi Baron / Sammamish, Washington

As the president of the Western District Women’s Ministry, Rachel Patterson (Grace LBC, Bottineau, North Dakota) always went above and beyond the call to get things done. She loved to do things for others, especially for the pastors’ wives. Addie Mathison, pastor’s wife from Maddock, North Dakota is also a blessing. Addie brings a smile to everyone’s face, especially when she sings “Ode to Lefse!”

Cheryl Unruh / Antler, North Dakota

I admire my mom, JoAnn (Aarhus) Gundersen, for her heart of service and her gift of encouragement. After nursing school she went to Africa for two years to care for the people there. Along with our dad, she raised us seven children, and now has eight grandchildren. We had such a fun childhood! When we were growing up, mom loved to have parties for no special reason, and she still does! Mom entertained people in our home from all over the world. She still loves to entertain and taught all of us children how to do the same. She has been on serving groups at church for years, and uses her nursing skills as a deaconess at Bethel in Fergus Falls, Minnesota.

Since my dad’s spinal cord injury almost nine years ago, many of us have seen firsthand in mom what it truly means to love one’s husband in the good times and bad, in sickness and in health, without complaining or bitterness. She trusts in the Lord’s daily promises and substance for strength, peace, and joy in all circumstances. She and dad pray for us children and our families and many, many others daily. She has such a gift of encouraging others and accepting them for who they are. I love you, mom! Thank you for living out such a wonderful example for what it is to be a woman after God’s own heart.

Lisa (Gundersen) Salvesen / Cooperstown, North Dakota

One lady from our church was Stella Oyloe. She was the most awesome Bible teacher. She really knew her Bible and could just bring out so much insight from God in one verse. She was a real blessing to me. Another lady from our church was Luella Solheim, better known as “Grandma Lou” to all of the children. She wrote faithfully to Missionary Elayne Aune when she served in Africa. Elayne wrote the most wonderful letters and then Grandma Lou would bring them to our monthly WMF meetings and read them to us. She made her experiences in Africa just come alive for all of us and made us feel like we truly had a part in her ministry. I never have had the pleasure of meeting Elayne, but I certainly have been blessed by her writings. Grandma Lou had a gift of hospitality, a great sense of humor and was a great encourager to all of us younger moms. She raised seven wonderful children of her own and a majority of them are part of our church family.

Sue Patterson / West Union, Iowa

We thank God for Carolyn Thompson (pictured right) and her work with the church youth. She not only picks them up after school but also attends as many of their school/sporting events as she can fit into her schedule. This is in addition to her work with BSF (Bible Study Fellowship). We honor Joan Thompson for her years of cooking for the senior luncheons as well as for her gift of hospitality, opening her home to countless visitors from here and abroad. We appreciate Ruth Larsen (pictured left) and Karen Olsen for the ministry they provide on Wednesday evening – and this is before Ruth goes to choir practice and Karen to the ladies’ Bible Study she leads!

Tess Soholt and Erma L. Hammond / Minneapolis, Minnesota

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(The following were not included in the magazine version of this article)
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God allowed me to have numerous others who have had much influence in my life – Aunt Thelma Erickson, Aunt Alma Thompson, my many other aunts and cousins and friends, special friends- Marilyn Erickson (now my sister-in-law) and her mother, Mildred Trochmann, Margie Gundale, my mother-in-law-Alvina Swanson, Marcia Bridston, Ruth Larson, Penny (Sunwall) Eidem, Phrel Varberg, Marge Gudim, and so many others whom have blessed me by sharing their faith walk and teaching from God in their lives and then sharing that with me. I thank God for all He has given to me. I am richly blessed.

Margarethe (Erickson) Swanson / Minneapolis, Minnesota

I love the way Chris Lauer serves her church in Antler. She consistently does for others with love, a smile, and a hug too. Phyllis Thompson loves to encourage others. She makes a point to sit near the door as people leave church to shake their hand and share a kind word. Arlene Schelling, thank you for your many gifts but especially for your gift of hugs…they are the BEST!! Thank you, Mary Lou Martin for being a wonderful example of a Godly woman. Only God and I know how much you bless my heart.

Cheryl Unruh / Antler, North Dakota

Mother (JoAnn Gundersen) is fantastic! Without complaints, a smile and cheerfulness, she works diligently assisting my dad with activities of daily living. It may be helping dad prepare for a speaking engagement or assisting him onto his John Deere tractor, but no matter what it is, mother does this with great compassion. Her love for dad shown through her actions is a pure example of her love for Christ. Mother may not realize how impacting her role as wife to dad has been on us five daughters.

Julie Gundersen, Fergus Falls, Minnesota

Cheryl Olsen is information coordinator of Women’s Ministries of the CLB (www.wmclb.com).

By   Wed, Jun 30, 2010

This past year saw “Districts” changing to “Regions” and amending their constitutions to reflect the amendments to the CLB constitution that were adopted a year ago at the 2009 Annual Convention. The following are overviews of what took place at each regional meeting.

New beginnings are exciting. New beginnings speak of hope, and more. New beginnings come with an optimism that enables us to stretch beyond our perceived limitations, and gives us a chance to explore new parameters that would enhance and encourage mission and ministry.

A number of years ago a group of parishioners throughout our synod met to share ideas that would foster this. Out of the discussion came the recommendation that we need to flatten the structure of our synod. We need to bring the synod to the people. Through further discussion came the proposal to create the position of Regional Pastor. This RP will live in the area he is called to serve, and will be a facilitator for the local congregations. He is called to be a pastor to our pastors, and an encourager to our churches.

At our annual meeting this spring, the Church of the Lutheran Brethren of Canada accepted this position into our constitution. We as a body affirmed Pastor Art Hundeby as our new Regional Pastor, a task that Pastor Art, by God's grace, is well qualified to fill. I feel a sense of excitement as I consider what this office, along with the giftedness of Pastor Art, will bring to our churches. Pastor Hundeby will be filling this position beginning September 1, 2010.

We need to pray that God will lead and guide Pastor Art, and strengthen and uphold him through this office of service to the ministry of the church. In addition to prayer, we need to encourage him. This is a new venture, with brand new expectations. I am grateful to God for calling Pastor Art into this office, and we as a board of the CLBC look forward to working alongside him as God uses us to extend his awesome grace.

Pastor Jon Overland

We billed our February 20th district gathering The 25th (and Final) Annual Meeting of the CLB Pacific Southwest District. With no district officers to elect or budgets to set, the business worth mentioning (and I hope worth traveling all the way to Pasadena for) was foreseeing a constitution for the Pacific Region, now midway through the birth process, seeking to incorporate the best of our Southwest District constitution into that of the Northwest District, and to adjust them both to the new realities of the CLB synod (the role of the Regional Pastor, the move to a biennial convention, things like that). Three work groups pondered the two constitutions in parallel edition with the synodical constitution ready at hand, proposing modifications to the Northwest constitution for attention at their April annual meeting.

We hadn’t realized, when we asked our incoming Regional Pastor Stan Olsen to be our speaker, that we were also getting a marvelous resource person for our work sessions, especially in the uncharted waters of how the roles of Regional Pastor and Regional Chairman would inter-relate. What could have been little more than the last gasp of an expiring district was in fact a great time of fellowship (we always have that) and an anticipation of new working relationships and ministry opportunities in the Pacific Region.

One of the final official actions of the Pacific Southwest District was to establish a committee of two (President, Steve Lazicki and Secretary, Jim Erickson) to meet with members of the Pacific Northwest District Executive Board to compose a Pacific Region constitution. This was presented to the Pacific Northwest District meeting and was subsequently adopted by that meeting contingent on the constitution being approved/accepted by the CLB Council of Directors. This new constitution establishes that within the Pacific Region there will exist a Pacific Region North and a Pacific Region South, both with Executive Committees and distinct financial budgets within the unified Regional budget. It also establishes a Regional Executive Board composed of the Regional Pastor, the North and South Regional Chairmen, and one additional member from the executive committees of the Pacific North and Pacific South. It also allows a Pacific Region Biennial meeting to be composed of a Pacific North and Pacific South meeting or a combined meeting. The goal in composing this constitution was to allow some distinctiveness for Pacific North and South, while also maintaining an overarching unity for the whole Region.

Pastor Steve Lazicki & Pastor Stan Olsen

The Western Region meeting was held at the new church facilities of Living Word Fellowship in Dickinson, North Dakota. The primary focus of the business meeting was to deal with constitutional amendments to harmonize the Western Region constitution with the new CLB constitution particularly regarding changes from district to region and annual to biennial meetings. We also had a worship service in which the new Regional Pastor, Gary Witkop, gave the message. Presentations were also given from the LB Seminary, CLB main offices and Inspiration Point Bible Camp.

The main topic of discussion at the business session was how the constitutional changes for the CLB as a whole will affect the Western Region and its ministries. The changes will affect the way church plants are dealt with. In the Western Region a new church plant is just forming in Watford City, ND. Two men from the Watford City work were at the meeting and gave a presentation on the work there. They were Dan Bundy and Barry Schmal. The work in Watford City originated with the help of Lutheran Brethren Fellowship Church in Williston, ND. The new church in Watford City will be called Living Faith LBC.
Other business included a report from the church in Aurora, Colorado that was considering closing. (Living Word Church of Aurora did officially close a couple of months later.)

Pastor Gary Witkop

The annual meeting of the Central Region of the CLB, hosted by Community of Joy LBC in Eagan, Minnesota, was marked by adjustment and anticipation – adjusting to the constitutional changes of the CLB, and anticipating what living under our new constitution might look like. Much of the meeting was spent fine-tuning the amendments to our proposed constitution, which would bring us into harmony with the new constitution of the CLB.

As we worked together on this task there was a sense of unity and curiosity as to what these new changes would bring. We discussed what it might look like for churches in the Central Region to work together and how the Regional Pastor might serve to facilitate these relationships and to spread thoughts and ideas among the churches. In light of these changes, we also discussed and considered new ideas for the biennial meeting of the Central Region.

Our former District President, Rev. Aage Larsen of Menomonie, Wisconsin, was elected to the newly formed position of Regional Chairman. Rev. Adam Berge of Westby, WI was elected Secretary, and LaWayne Rogness of Fergus Falls, MN was elected as our Central Region nominee for Layperson representative on the CLB Council of Directors.

Pastor Adam Berge

The Eastern Region held its annual meeting on April 24th at Hillside LBC in Succasunna, New Jersey, chaired by Rev. Kevin Foss. Rev. Richard Bridston, the new Regional Pastor, talked about his position and shared an encouraging word from God’s Word. Much of our time was then spent finalizing our new constitution, which we were seeking to bring into alignment with the newly adopted synodical constitution. This was a long process, but one in which we were able to feel the weight of what it really means to be united together in ministry as a collection of congregations in the Eastern Region.

Pastor Roger Viksnes

By   Wed, Jun 30, 2010

Thank you to all who came to Fergus Falls, MN for the 2010 Biennial Convention, and to all who followed the updates online. We hope it was a good time of worship, fellowship and vision planning. We are providing the following resources and information to help you process and communicate what happened at this year’s Convention.

Please click here to be directed to the Faith & Fellowship Convention Page

Featured video from the CLB Biennial Convention

By   Wed, Jun 30, 2010

Bethany LB Church, Colfax, WI, ordained elder John Schneider and elder Mark Toycen on April 25, 2010. Bethany had no elders prior to the ceremony.

Front Row (L to R): elder John Schneider (Bethany), Pastor George Schweitzer (Bethany), elder Mark Toycen (Bethany)
Back Row (L to R): Pastor Aage Larsen (Oak Ridge), elder Brian Amundson (Bethesda), elder Dale Sandland (Bethesda), Pr. Rodney Venberg (Bethesda), elder David Holmstrom (Oak Ridge)

By   Fri, Jul 02, 2010

We are all creatures of habit, some more than others. We have our favorite times to read or view the news, and more importantly, our favorite times to eat. Serious joggers are very regimented as to when they run. If they miss the appointed time they feel like something has gone wrong that day. Their running patterns have become habits.

Should Christians allocate a specific time each day to pray and read the Bible? Should they be consistent so that it gets to be a habit, so that if they miss a day, they feel like the day is not complete.

Allocating a specific time each day to spend with God has become a habit for me. Granted, as a retiree, I have great flexibility in how I use my time. I remember the days when I was working full time, going to school at night, raising a family and working in the church. It was a struggle to allocate some quality quiet time to be with my Lord. I’m sure that joggers, if they are busy people, struggle with finding the time to run. But if they are serious about it, they will somehow work it into their schedules. Quite often you will find them out on the road early in the morning.

When I was starting to develop the habit of having devotions, some legalism crept into my thinking – “Oh no, now I have to fit my devotions in today.” But the more I practiced it, the more meaningful it became to me, which in turn made it more important for me to find the time. Now it’s not a matter of “I have to do it.” It’s a matter of “I want to do it.” It makes my day. If I miss it, which happens, it’s like I missed breakfast.

I cherish my one-on-one time with my Savior. It affords me the opportunity to tell Jesus how things are going. I thank him for his blessings and attempt to surrender my burdens to him (1 Peter 5:7). I then have the precious opportunity to intercede with him for my family and friends. I also read his Word and see what he wants to talk to me about that day. I can feel his clear presence in these sessions as we have a two-way conversation. It is by far the most important part of my day.

John Heie was Director of Business Operations at Caltech’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory and is now consulting in the area of strategic planning. He has written a book about leadership titled, Leading from the Heart: What Workers Say about Good Leaders  (www.johnheie.com). John grew up in 59th Street Lutheran Brethren Church, Brooklyn, NY.

By   Wed, Jun 30, 2010

Reverend Joseph A. “Joe” Rangen, age 92, died peacefully on Saturday, April 24th, 2010, at the Broen Memorial Home, surrounded by his family, where he had resided since March of 2008. On October 13, 1940, he married Estelle Alsida Stadem in Waterloo, Iowa. They were the parents of four children, Paul, Chloe, Janelle and Miriam “Mim”. Following graduation from seminary he began his ministry of planting new Lutheran Brethren churches and pastoring established churches. Rev. Rangen was very active in the Department of Home Mission of the Church of the Lutheran Brethren, in addition to serving as the first full-time director. He was president of the Board of Home Missions from 1968-1972 and 1978-1979. He was vice president of the board for 15 years and a board member for 30 years.

By   Fri, Jul 02, 2010

Communications Ministry has felt the need to refocus and rethink our service and responsibility to the Church of the Lutheran Brethren. We continue to watch congregations struggle with many different areas of ministry and wish that we could be there to assist and help in any way that we can. We asked ourselves what we needed in order to serve our churches in ways that would not only be effective, but also empower and enrich their ministry theologically, practically and relationally.

The position of Faith & Fellowship Manager (bookstore manager and graphic designer) has been closed and the new position of Church Resources Coordinator has been created, requiring a strong understanding of Lutheran Brethren theology and church culture. We would like to thank Carol Dumonceaux for her years of faithful service to the CLB and pray that God will bless her and her husband Dave as they look to the Lord for guidance and wisdom for their future.

The primary focus of the new position will be to help Communications Ministry in developing online and print resources for churches in the area of theological training, media (video and audio of seminars, documentaries, etc.) and practical networking opportunities (websites, social networking, forums and blogs).

Troy Tysdal filled this new postion on June 16th. Troy grew up in the Fergus Falls area, and graduated from Alexandria Technical College with a degree in Communication Art and Design in 1999.  After several years in management in the corporate world, Troy and his wife Katie felt the Lord leading them into the ministry. In 2010 Troy graduated with a Bachelor of Theology from the Lutheran Brethren Seminary.

Through life experience and education, Troy and Katie have become passionate about sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ. They are anxiously awaiting the arrival of their first child in September, and they are excited to begin the next chapter God has planned for their lives.

By   Wed, Jun 30, 2010

Pastoral Call:

• Adam Eklund  Associate Pastor, Hope LB Church, Barnesville, MN
• Jason Rogness  Senior Pastor, Community in Christ LB Church, Arvada, CO
• Elroy Erickson  Associate Pastor of Care, Triumph LB Church, Moorhead, MN
• Rod Spidahl  Senior Pastor, Our Redeemer’s LB Church, Minot, ND

Employed:

• Charles Strand  Administrator, Our Redeemer’s Christian School

By Cheryl Olsen   Fri, Jul 02, 2010

Monday, April 19, 2010

It’s Monday morning, and Regional Pastor Stan Olsen is driving past the Space Needle on his way to SeaTac airport. Monday! It used to be a traditional “pastor’s day off.” I remember awakening with a smile on my face Monday mornings when my husband and I were in parish ministry. After a busy Sunday, Monday was a day of relaxing, catching up, and maybe even a day-trip in the summertime!

However, this day, he’s driving to pick me up from the airport! I am returning from speaking at the Pacific Southwest Women’s Retreat in California. High above, minutes before landing, I am seeing the snow-rimmed old volcano of Crater Lake, Oregon, the half-blown away slopes of Mt. St. Helens, and the spectacular pure-white peak of Mt. Rainier. As we drive toward home, we can see the ice-cream-cone heights of Mt. Baker to the north. After living here several months, I still catch my breath as I round the bend in our neighborhood and see the gorgeous mountains in the distance! This is where God has called us to serve.

Returning home from the airport, Stan and I chat about things we’ve learned while apart during the past weekend. At the retreat, I was embraced by the love and acceptance of the women in the southern part of our region, encouraged by the active participation of women in their twenties, excited by attendance of women who have come for the first time, and totally blown away by the honesty and transparency of the sharing that occurred during our small group times. God blessed me, and I am humbled that, apparently, he also used me to bless them.

The previous day, Sunday, while I was still in California, Stan had enjoyed worshiping in our home church of Hope in Everett, Washington, for the first time in five weeks. For several prior weeks, he had preached or participated in services throughout the region.

Soon it is dinnertime. Tonight we are taking Pastor Dan and Judy Lazicki, who serve Grace LBC in Lynnwood, out for dinner. They have chosen a quiet neighborhood restaurant conducive to good conversation, with excellent Thai food. One of the primary goals for a Regional Pastor (RP) is to “come alongside the local pastor and support the local ministry.” All of the RPs and their wives met last February in a planning retreat. There we decided that one of our goals in the first six months of this position would be to meaningfully connect with at least 90% of the pastors in our districts. An extended lunch or dinner with each pastor, and wife if possible, would provide a good time to get to know each other, to form relationships, or deepen them if already begun. We have enjoyed these meals immensely! This relaxed atmosphere has provided camaraderie, laughter, learning about family, and joy in ministry, as well as angst, sorrows, and intimate sharing of matters for prayer in other cases.

We have also met with smaller groups of pastors, sometimes including wives, who have informally met together on a regular basis. What a blessing these smaller “cluster” groups are in support for each other! But we also value time spent individually with each couple. This evening ends with dessert back at the Lazicki home, more warm fellowship, and a precious time of prayer together.

Tuesday

8:30 a.m.: My husband begins his day at work. Unlike Minnesota, where a trip to his former office often necessitated shoveling a path through the snow, and scraping frost off car windows before driving to the synod headquarters, his office is now the living room. A cell phone rather than a landline makes him accessible whether he’s on the road or at home. His laptop computer travels with him for leadership training in churches, and has a built-in camera for video conferences over “skype,” a free internet service, so that it’s possible to even see the people he’s talking to. (continued after photo)

The Regional Pastors
from left to right: Joel and MaryBeth Nordtvedt; Gary and Debra Witkop; President Joel and Barb Egge; Rick and Marcia Bridston; Stan and Cheryl Olsen (not pictured: Art and Connie Hundeby)

On alternate Tuesdays he has an extended conference call with the other RPs and CLB President Egge. They begin by sharing personal concerns before a time of prayer together. Four pastors, Rick Bridston – Eastern, Joel Nordtvedt – Central, Gary Witkop – Western, and Stan Olsen – Pacific, make up the Regional Pastor team in the United States. Pastor Art Hundeby will join them in September as the Canadian RP. These five work together with President Egge as a joint team to bring the resources of the synod closer to local congregations, and to bring concerns of local pastors and churches in a more meaningful and timely way to the synod and Council of Directors.

Their bi-weekly agenda includes sharing the success stories of God working in tangible ways through the pastors and congregations they have visited. They also wrestle through ways to deal with congregations in crisis or conflict, and pray for wisdom to handle each situation with God’s help, and the help of his people. There is teamwork now in pastoral placement. When a pastor in one region is sensing God is calling him to make a move, his Regional Pastor is his advocate, knowing his strengths and gifting. This makes it easier for the group to have a better grasp of where a “good fit” might be when there are open churches looking for a pastor.

Tuesday afternoon we leave for an early dinner together with Pastor Roger and Sue Olson. Former missionaries to Japan, these two are involved in a thriving Japanese ministry at Rock of Ages in Seattle. Though the culture in Japan is very resistant to the Gospel, numbers of Japanese coming to the U.S. have come to faith in Jesus here! They have been baptized, and take his story with them when they leave. It is exciting to hear about how God is blessing this ministry! Not everyone who comes to learn how to cook American meals (or a number of other activities) will become a Christian. But they are accepted, welcomed, and they find a place of belonging. This model might work in English-speaking congregations, too!

Wednesday

Stan processes e-mails and follows up conversations with pastors, making plans to visit the Arizona churches, while I attend a morning Women’s Bible study by Beth Moore, “When Godly People do Ungodly Things.” It is a needed challenge for each of us to be accountable to God, and a call for extending grace and forgiveness to each other. That evening, we both attend the Wednesday evening Bible study, following a meal that Hope people take turns cooking before the midweek kids’ programs. It’s a great family atmosphere. We enjoy Pastor Marty Valder’s weekly 90-minute whirlwind tour of all four of the pericope texts for the upcoming Sunday. It feeds our spirits, and also helps us develop relationships with the church family.

Thursday + Friday

Thursday and Friday are days of connections. Making connections is another goal for the Regional Pastors; supporting existing connections and developing new ones where needed, to be of aid to churches. Stan meets with the Pacific Northwest Bible Camp Committee as they continue to plan for the huge family camp that encompasses all of the PNW District the last week of June. Simultaneous programs for youth, for children, and for adults run all day, with a combined service each evening. This year, a young adults’ track is being added. Next, more phone calls and e-mails, plus final preparations for the PNW District Meeting scheduled for Saturday.

Saturday + Sunday

Saturday dawns early for everyone going to Olympia for the annual PNW District Meeting. Larry Fransson, the District President will chair the meeting as in the past. Stan has met with him on an ongoing basis as they work on this last District meeting before the PNW and PSW officially become one Region. In February when we attended the Pacific Southwest District Meeting in California, they voted to send two representatives north to work on a combined constitution. This was done, and today, a new constitution and budget is adopted. Though quality work is done, and representation is fair at 35 delegates, a future goal is to involve many more people.

In March, we had attended the Cannon Beach Leadership Conference. Each year, church leaders from PNW congregations come together at this spectacular Oregon beach setting for fellowship and teaching. That weekend gathering of around 100 people was another evidence of Regions desiring training that is accessible to more people. This year we all appreciated the transparent and powerful teaching of Lutheran Brethren Seminary President David Veum. It is this type of gathering that we hope will characterize our Biennial Regional Conventions in 2011: a time to share what God is doing in our local congregations, and a time of quality teaching and preaching, in a place accessible, affordable to many, without necessitating vacation time for travel.

On Sunday, we enjoy worshiping as part of God’s family at Hope, thankful for his work throughout our Region, eagerly waiting to see what he’ll do in the future!

Cheryl Olsen is Information Coordinator for Women’s Ministries of the CLB. She lives with her husband Stan in Everett, WA.

By   Thu, Jul 01, 2010

A new mission-learning experience for young adults was initiated two years ago by Ebenezer Lutheran Brethren Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Kairos is for young adults who live in or are moving into the Twin Cities and want to live in an intentional discipleship community in mission.

The story begins a few decades ago when Ebenezer purchased two homes directly next to the church facility. The original intention was that these homes would be used for ministry purposes. As the vision of using the homes for ministry quickly faded, the houses became rental properties, and Ebenezer became a landlord. That was until two years ago when the church launched the Kairos community. Now the two homes are occupied by young adult missionaries, living in intentional Christian community.

What does “kairos” mean? The community takes its name from the Greek word which refers to “a fullness of time.” In Jesus’ ministry, his first spoken words were, “The time has come” (Mark 1:15). The word Jesus uses for time here is kairos. He was declaring that his kingdom was at hand. The world would never be the same.

Our prayer at Ebenezer is that all involved in Kairos would never be the same, either, as their lives are touched and transformed into mission leaders prepared to serve and lead local churches into local mission. Kairos, then, is a fitting name for this mission community of worshiping missionary disciples. It is Ebenezer’s goal that the members of the Kairos community be on the cutting edge of missionary work, not only for Ebenezer, but also for the entire Church of the Lutheran Brethren. This is in line with the final words of the CLB vision statement, “And we sense God convicting us to more intentionally reach out to people who live in our midst in North America.” We sense this conviction in Minneapolis and are dedicated to raising up a new type of missionary that is contextually relevant in the 21st century.

This goal is being realized through the following program structure of Kairos:

1. Huddle: The huddle is a three-hour event twice a month. All in the community come together for a time of prayer, Scripture reflection, and missionary training. The main goal of these huddles is to support one another in our ministry to our community. Some huddles are spent planning mission engagements; others are heavier on prayer and Bible study.
2. Theological Weekends: It is a priority for us to bring solid theological and missiological training to the community. Two weekends each year we gather for intense training. This is strengthened by our pastors, as well as a relationship with LB seminary.
3. One-on-Ones: The leadership of Kairos community consists of three members of Ebenezer’s ministry team. The goal is that each month each member of the community has a one-on-one meeting with one of these ministers. The goal of this meeting is to encourage personal growth and to provide support for their ministry.
4. House Meeting: Those who live in the Kairos community houses meet weekly for prayer and housekeeping issues. This is an important meeting because it encourages conflict resolution and problem-solving skills within the houses. Note: Not all Kairos community members will live in one of the Kairos houses. Because there is only room for seven members in our houses (three in the men’s house, and four in the women’s), there may be a waiting list to get into the houses. But in the meantime the Kairos leadership is committed to finding extra housing with church members in our community.
5. Experiment: We feel that Kairos serves as a missionary lab – a place where the community members can test new outreach techniques. Over the past two years we’ve run numerous experiments, some with success, others with none. The goal is learning how to best serve as God’s sent person, here and now!

Kairos is always seeking new members. The Kairos community has been gaining momentum this year. We are now interested in opening our community up to other young adults from Lutheran Brethren churches. There are currently spots open in our houses for incoming members. It’s been our observation that the ideal people who will excel in Kairos community are those who have a living and active relationship with God, a heart for Christ-like missions in all contexts, are not yet married, follow a lifestyle covenant, and are willing to give ten hours a week to the Kairos program.

Next Step: If you are interested in the Kairos community or know a young adult who is a potential Kairos community member, please call Matt Oxendale (612-296-6686) or Todd Mathison (612-600-1424) for more information.

Todd Mathison and Matt Oxendale serve as lead pastor and lay youth pastor, respectively, at Ebenezer LBC in Minneapolis, MN.

By Randy Mortenson   Wed, Jun 30, 2010

I have a cardboard box at home that has these words printed in large, all-capital letters on the side: STOP! THINK. LIFT. I cannot recall what the box originally held. It’s not a huge box. But its contents must have been heavy. The three commands, I assume, are there to get a person’s attention before he attempts to lift the box.

STOP! Okay, that’s pretty self-explanatory.

THINK about what it is you’re about to do. (Lift a heavy box.)

LIFT carefully using your legs so that you save your arms and back.

Later, I reflected on those three words as I was reading Psalm 46, which is one of my favorite Psalms. (My three-year-old son Trevor has multiple “favorites” of things. For instance, on any given day his favorite color might be green, blue and orange.) Psalm 46 puts into distinct contrast the refuge and strength we find in God with the violence, chaos, noise and destruction that we face in this world. The tenth verse is very well known, although without the preceding verses relating cataclysmic ruin, the tenth verse is often read more in the quiet, pastoral vein of Psalm 23 than as the jolting voice of contrast that it is.

The tenth verse begins, “Be still, and know that I am God...”

Can you see how that command resonates with what is printed on the cardboard box? Here’s how it struck me.

STOP!
“Be still.”

THINK
“And know.”

LIFT
“That I am God.” (Lift your eyes and thoughts heavenward to God.)

As a pastor I spend a fair amount of time in God’s Word. The problem is I find that most of my time reading and studying the Bible winds up being for sermon preparation or for a Bible study or some other potential “teaching moment.” In other words, I find myself reading the Word professionally more than personally. Even when I’m reading for my personal devotions, I have a hard time turning off my “this-would-be- good-for-my-sermon” detector. So what I need to do oftentimes in the midst of my reading is what that cardboard box and Psalm 46:10 tells me to do.

I need to stop, and physically look up from my reading.

I need to think about Who’s speaking through the words in the text. To pay attention to them not for my sermon but simply for what they’re saying.

And I need to lift my eyes and heart to the speaker himself. He is my refuge and strength in the midst of each moment. Even in those seemingly quiet moments when I’m thinking about how I might best feed the flock next Sunday, while my own soul hungers for Bread.

Psalm 46:11 – “The Lord Almighty is with us;” – even me – “the God of Jacob is our fortress.” – and he’s mine, too. Amen.

Randy Mortenson serves as pastor of Ebenezer LBC, Mayville, ND.