Comments for Southeastern Minnesota Synod http://semnsynod.org Web site Mon, 23 Jan 2012 22:56:13 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 Comment on Shaping, Sharing, and Passing on Faith by Marilyn Sharpe http://semnsynod.org/shaping-sharing-and-passing-on-faith/#comment-505 Marilyn Sharpe Mon, 23 Jan 2012 22:56:13 +0000 http://semnsynod.org/?p=2980#comment-505 Awesome! What a beautifully faithful, simple, doable way to begin this wonderful e-news series on how all of us can do faith formation in everyday life. Thanks for this gift. Awesome! What a beautifully faithful, simple, doable way to begin this wonderful e-news series on how all of us can do faith formation in everyday life. Thanks for this gift.

]]> Comment on Supporting Evangelism: Congregational Communicators by Nathan Chesoli http://semnsynod.org/bridge0611/#comment-504 Nathan Chesoli Mon, 23 Jan 2012 12:12:45 +0000 http://semnsynod.org/?p=1542#comment-504 Praise God. Am a Pastor in Nairobi, Kenya and would like to be affliated with you. Our ministry is growing strong and we would like to request us to spiritually cover us. Thank you and God bless, Nathan Praise God. Am a Pastor in Nairobi, Kenya and would like to be affliated with you. Our ministry is growing strong and we would like to request us to spiritually cover us.
Thank you and God bless,
Nathan

]]> Comment on An Advent Message from Bishop Usgaard by synod http://semnsynod.org/advent-2011/#comment-431 synod Tue, 22 Nov 2011 16:00:10 +0000 http://semnsynod.org/?p=2578#comment-431 Please do! You are encouraged to reprint it. Please do! You are encouraged to reprint it.

]]> Comment on An Advent Message from Bishop Usgaard by Bob Kaul http://semnsynod.org/advent-2011/#comment-430 Bob Kaul Tue, 22 Nov 2011 15:40:42 +0000 http://semnsynod.org/?p=2578#comment-430 Thanks for your Advent message, Bp. Huck! I hope you won't mind if I reprint it in our December newsletter. Thanks for your Advent message, Bp. Huck! I hope you won’t mind if I reprint it in our December newsletter.

]]> Comment on Central Diocese Celebrates 100 Years, Join from Home by Abel Kingu http://semnsynod.org/central-diocese-celebrates-100-years-join-from-home/#comment-429 Abel Kingu Mon, 21 Nov 2011 11:20:13 +0000 http://semnsynod.org/?p=2352#comment-429 The diocese Has done much and still some more has to be done. To be honest, i feel bad and di-honored with way things are right now. The Church at Kiomboi, ,more than 10 years since when i left when i was a young boy has changed and things are getting worse. Look at the church at New Kiomboi and Singida Municipal. The diocese has slept for the pats couple of years in Terms of educating the people, Health and environment as well as Spiritually which in turn has left the church behind. The question is , do we need the Germans to come Continue with the good work? Or Are ready to prove Our failure? The diocese Has done much and still some more has to be done. To be honest, i feel bad and di-honored with way things are right now. The Church at Kiomboi, ,more than 10 years since when i left when i was a young boy has changed and things are getting worse. Look at the church at New Kiomboi and Singida Municipal.

The diocese has slept for the pats couple of years in Terms of educating the people, Health and environment as well as Spiritually which in turn has left the church behind.

The question is , do we need the Germans to come Continue with the good work? Or Are ready to prove Our failure?

]]> Comment on If You Give a Child a Bible by The Beginner Bible http://semnsynod.org/if-you-give-a-child-a-bible/#comment-422 The Beginner Bible Sat, 12 Nov 2011 07:55:42 +0000 http://semnsynod.org/?p=2513#comment-422 [...] If You Give a Child a Bible | Southeastern Minnesota Synod Children at Good Shepherd in Plainview receive a Beginner's Bible as a gift from the congregation when they begin Sunday school at age three. The Wednesday evening before Sunday school begins, children come in their . [...] [...] If You Give a Child a Bible | Southeastern Minnesota Synod Children at Good Shepherd in Plainview receive a Beginner's Bible as a gift from the congregation when they begin Sunday school at age three. The Wednesday evening before Sunday school begins, children come in their . [...]

]]> Comment on Book of Faith FAQ by Beth Lewis http://semnsynod.org/book-of-faith-faq/#comment-410 Beth Lewis Wed, 02 Nov 2011 21:57:16 +0000 http://semnsynod.org/?p=2515#comment-410 Thanks for this great description of the Book of Faith initiative! It is very exciting to hear about congregations or people in neighborhoods or coffee shops or even pubs finding that it is not just "ok" to talk about scripture together, but....it can even be fun! While you certainly are not required to use the resources we at Augsburg Fortress, the ELCA's ministry of publishing, have published in support of the Book of Faith initiative, I do hope you'll at least explore some of the many options. Here's a link to get you started: http://store.augsburgfortress.org/store/productfamily/130/Book-of-Faith-Studies?sb=rd And, if you have questions, please don't hesitate to email or call us! If you have stories about how you have successfully used our resources in your context, I'd love to hear them to share in my One Mission blog. www.augsburgfortress.org/blog Blessings, Beth Lewis, President & CEO Augsburg Fortress http://twitter.com/bethalewis ceo@augburgfortress.org Thanks for this great description of the Book of Faith initiative! It is very exciting to hear about congregations or people in neighborhoods or coffee shops or even pubs finding that it is not just “ok” to talk about scripture together, but….it can even be fun! While you certainly are not required to use the resources we at Augsburg Fortress, the ELCA’s ministry of publishing, have published in support of the Book of Faith initiative, I do hope you’ll at least explore some of the many options. Here’s a link to get you started: http://store.augsburgfortress.org/store/productfamily/130/Book-of-Faith-Studies?sb=rd And, if you have questions, please don’t hesitate to email or call us! If you have stories about how you have successfully used our resources in your context, I’d love to hear them to share in my One Mission blog. http://www.augsburgfortress.org/blog

Blessings,
Beth Lewis, President & CEO
Augsburg Fortress

http://twitter.com/bethalewis
ceo@augburgfortress.org

]]> Comment on Book of Faith FAQ by Book of Faith FAQ | Southeastern Minnesota Synod | Bible Study Lessons Aggregator http://semnsynod.org/book-of-faith-faq/#comment-405 Book of Faith FAQ | Southeastern Minnesota Synod | Bible Study Lessons Aggregator Mon, 31 Oct 2011 22:21:41 +0000 http://semnsynod.org/?p=2515#comment-405 [...] EXCERPTED RECOMMENDED ARTICLE FROM- http://semnsynod.org/book-of-faith-faq/ [...] [...] EXCERPTED RECOMMENDED ARTICLE FROM- http://semnsynod.org/book-of-faith-faq/ [...]

]]> Comment on Meet the Newest Member of the Synod Staff by Meet the Newest Member of the Synod Staff | Southeastern … » Bible Study Lessons for Kids http://semnsynod.org/meet-the-newest-member-of-the-synod-staff/#comment-310 Meet the Newest Member of the Synod Staff | Southeastern … » Bible Study Lessons for Kids Thu, 01 Sep 2011 18:59:22 +0000 http://semnsynod.org/?p=2131#comment-310 [...] Google Blog Bible Study Lessons for Kids]: Meet the Newest Member of the Synod Staff | Southeastern … [...] [...] Google Blog Bible Study Lessons for Kids]: Meet the Newest Member of the Synod Staff | Southeastern … [...]

]]> Comment on A Hymn for the Future – Shirley’s Farewell by Karen Ortloff http://semnsynod.org/a-hymn-for-the-future-shirley%e2%80%99s-farewell/#comment-276 Karen Ortloff Wed, 06 Jul 2011 00:09:34 +0000 http://semnsynod.org/?p=1888#comment-276 Hi Shirley, As I recognize your service to the office of Vice President of Synod coming to a close, I want you to know what an inspiration you have been to me as a new member of this synod and what articulate leadership you have demonstrated to those of us who have served with you. You are a true example of christian grace, enthusiasm, and commitment. I felt readily welcomed by you when I was new to the Synod Council four years ago. You treated everyone with deep respect. kept meetings task-focused, and were very knowledgeable of protocol and synod history. You have really been a good servant of the gospel as I have known you these few short years. I wish for you the very best in your future endeavors and hope we run into each other in service to the church or "on the street." Blessings in Christ, Karen Ortloff Hi Shirley,

As I recognize your service to the office of Vice President of Synod coming to a close, I want you to know what an inspiration you have been to me as a new member of this synod and what articulate leadership you have demonstrated to those of us who have served with you. You are a true example of christian grace, enthusiasm, and commitment. I felt readily welcomed by you when I was new to the Synod Council four years ago. You treated everyone with deep respect. kept meetings task-focused, and were very knowledgeable of protocol and synod history. You have really been a good servant of the gospel as I have known you these few short years. I wish for you the very best in your future endeavors and hope we run into each other in service to the church or “on the street.” Blessings in Christ, Karen Ortloff

]]> Comment on When to Teach and When to Toss by Ron Amundson http://semnsynod.org/when-to-teach-and-when-to-toss/#comment-56 Ron Amundson Sun, 15 May 2011 00:16:59 +0000 http://semnsynod.org/?p=1444#comment-56 I don't envy you ministers of word and sacrament. The language barriers are huge, and far too often the lack of precision with contemporary, non-churchianity language steps into errant theology. Ie, just ask about anyone to use an analogy to define the trinity without stepping into heresy land. You have my prayers, as such must be a most challenging path. I also wonder a bit... there are the unchurched, and there are the dechurched and often times outreach runs into cross purposes for the two groups. Churchianity language, customs etc can sometimes serve as a bridge to the de-churched, where as such often end up as near insurmountable barrier to the unchurched. I guess one has to go where one is called. Many blessings to you and your mission. I don’t envy you ministers of word and sacrament. The language barriers are huge, and far too often the lack of precision with contemporary, non-churchianity language steps into errant theology. Ie, just ask about anyone to use an analogy to define the trinity without stepping into heresy land. You have my prayers, as such must be a most challenging path.

I also wonder a bit… there are the unchurched, and there are the dechurched and often times outreach runs into cross purposes for the two groups. Churchianity language, customs etc can sometimes serve as a bridge to the de-churched, where as such often end up as near insurmountable barrier to the unchurched. I guess one has to go where one is called. Many blessings to you and your mission.

]]> Comment on When to Teach and When to Toss by Rev. Siri Strommen Campbell (PEW Partner) http://semnsynod.org/when-to-teach-and-when-to-toss/#comment-53 Rev. Siri Strommen Campbell (PEW Partner) Thu, 12 May 2011 14:44:11 +0000 http://semnsynod.org/?p=1444#comment-53 Absolutely! Entire paradigms and mindsets have to shift. How we think of education, who is educated and how is vital to the future our of church. My role is to offer Worship as a starting place for this dialogue. How do we change our mindset regarding what happens in Worship to include both that which we hold dear and yet get rid of unnecessary barriers of language, etc that just plain makes no sense to the "unchurched". What is sacred? What is the sacred cow? Absolutely! Entire paradigms and mindsets have to shift. How we think of education, who is educated and how is vital to the future our of church. My role is to offer Worship as a starting place for this dialogue. How do we change our mindset regarding what happens in Worship to include both that which we hold dear and yet get rid of unnecessary barriers of language, etc that just plain makes no sense to the “unchurched”.

What is sacred? What is the sacred cow?

]]> Comment on The Lighter Side of Lutherans, Celebrating Shirley by Renee Belina http://semnsynod.org/the-lighter-side-of-lutherans-celebrating-shirley/#comment-48 Renee Belina Tue, 10 May 2011 01:11:53 +0000 http://semnsynod.org/?p=1582#comment-48 Shirley has been a great role model for all of us Mission Interpreters who have been blessed with her passion and dedication to sharing all the good works of the ELCA. Congratulations and thank you for all your years of service as Synod Vice President, Shirley! Shirley has been a great role model for all of us Mission Interpreters who have been blessed with her passion and dedication to sharing all the good works of the ELCA. Congratulations and thank you for all your years of service as Synod Vice President, Shirley!

]]> Comment on When to Teach and When to Toss by Ron Amundson http://semnsynod.org/when-to-teach-and-when-to-toss/#comment-35 Ron Amundson Thu, 05 May 2011 23:00:45 +0000 http://semnsynod.org/?p=1444#comment-35 Contextualization / Translation is a big deal for sure, as is preparing the teacher, but the student must be ready, and I think this is where a larger disconnect may be. The ELCA and AF combined have a massive set of resources, for individual, classroom, and congregational study, and has had so for a kazillion years through the pre-merger bodies. Todays evidence nearly at every turn, is that Biblical literacy, to say nothing of Luther literacy is pretty abysmal in the body at large. Its as if large fractions of people believe that confirmation is the final step in Christian education.... That mindset has to be tossed... otherwise, the top down folks can go hog wild, and contextualize things to death, but it will end up for the most part just preaching to the choir. The question then becomes, how does one toss a mindset? Contextualization / Translation is a big deal for sure, as is preparing the teacher, but the student must be ready, and I think this is where a larger disconnect may be. The ELCA and AF combined have a massive set of resources, for individual, classroom, and congregational study, and has had so for a kazillion years through the pre-merger bodies. Todays evidence nearly at every turn, is that Biblical literacy, to say nothing of Luther literacy is pretty abysmal in the body at large. Its as if large fractions of people believe that confirmation is the final step in Christian education….

That mindset has to be tossed… otherwise, the top down folks can go hog wild, and contextualize things to death, but it will end up for the most part just preaching to the choir. The question then becomes, how does one toss a mindset?

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