CLB Biennial Convention

Seminars Available Online!

2010-07-27T14:35:00.002-05:00

Most of the seminars at this year's convention were captured in video or audio form. They are available below the videos of the worship services.

Visit Faith & Fellowship's Convention page > here

Download the Convention Minutes (Draft Version)

2010-07-13T16:37:00.003-05:00

You can download a draft version of the convention minutes. An final version will be available when it is approved by the Council of Directors.

Click Here > to download the convention minutes

Convention Media is Posted on faithandfellowship.org

2010-07-02T19:11:00.004-05:00

We have updated the Convention Page on Faith & Fellowship website (www.faithandfellowship.org) with the latest media available. We will continue to update it as we get more videos and audio in the near future. We are also creating a DVD with the worship services and bible hours for purchase. More on that coming soon.

Statement on Missional Theology Adopted

2010-06-30T16:33:00.002-05:00

The motion to "recommend to the 2010 Biennial Convention the adoption of the Statement on Missional Theology as edited, as a Recommended Resource and Teaching Guide for the Church of the Lutheran Brethren" passed unanimously. Several corrections and amendments will need to be made to the report.

A version with the amendments from the Convention will be posted online and made available in print soon.

The version that was brought to the Convention can be
downloaded here.

Ministry in a Post-Christian World

2010-06-25T19:14:00.003-05:00

Ministry in a Post-Christian World
by Dr. Eugene Boe
Academic Dean
Professor of Systematic and Historical Theology
Lutheran Brethren Seminary

2010 CLB Convention
June 21, 2010

This seminar was the opening session that was meant to lay the foundation for the rest of the seminars at this year's Convention of the Church of the Lutheran Brethren.

Watch other videos from the 2010 Convention

Election Results

2010-06-23T13:29:00.002-05:00

President
Rev. Joel Egge

Council of Directors

Canadian Region Layperson - Greg Butler
Central Region Layperson - LaWayne Rogness
Eastern Region Pastor - Ryan Nilsen
Eastern Region Layperson - David Jacobsen
Pacific Region Pastor - James Erickson
Pacific Region Layperson - Mike Berry
Western Region Layperson - Marvin Nelson

Worship Services are Online!

2010-06-22T08:29:00.004-05:00

The Worship Services and Morning Bible Hours are being uploaded as they are ready. Sunday Evening (President Joel Egge) and Monday Morning (Pastor Chris Priestaf) are online at the CLB Vimeo website. The others will be uploaded as they are ready.

We will be providing the MP3's (and some video) of the seminars in the next couple weeks, as well. We will obviously let you know when those are ready.

Follow and add your own twitter and Facebook updates about the convention at the Faith & Fellowship convention page.

Seminars - Part Three (Missions and Other)

2010-06-18T11:05:00.003-05:00

Telling His Story to Women—The new look of Women’s Ministries
Interested in a makeover? Join members of the Women’s Ministries team as they share how “His Story” is touching the lives of women in the church and community. Come and see the new look and wide ministry of the Women’s Ministries of the Church of the Lutheran Brethren. Experience the Good News in your own life, your church, and your community.

Telling His Story in a Multi-Cultural Neighborhood—How various congregations are reaching their neighbors
Pastor Jim Erickson, Calvary Community Church, Fullerton, CA leads a panel of people from various churches throughout the CLB who will share with you methods they have developed to reach those around them. The diversity in race and ethnicity is a gift from the Lord. Learn how different churches are serving and sharing Jesus with the diversity in their midst.

Telling the Nations—Adopting a People Group
Go ye therefore and make disciples of all nations. You’ve heard of adopting a son or daughter, but a people group? Yes, there are people groups across the globe who have yet to hear the story of Jesus. Come and find out about adopting one of these people groups. Pastor Dave Foss, Bethel LC, Fergus Falls MN will facilitate discussion with representatives from churches that have taken part in adoption, the process, and the inherent blessing the church receives for accepting such a call.

Telling His Story to Muslims…Is it really worth it?
We hear conflicting things about Islam that evokes various emotions and questions. A few of these include:

Do Muslims and Christians worship the same God?
How can I share the Gospel with Muslims?
Can a Muslim follow Jesus and remain a "Muslim"?

Dan Venberg, missionary to Chad, will provide a brief overview of the religion of Islam, contrasts between Christianity and Islam, and a discussion about why and how the Church should engage our Muslim neighbors with the Gospel in our communities and beyond.

Reaching Out To New Guests—How you can help First Time Guests become Regular Attenders and Members
What difference would it make in your church if more guests came back the following week and then decided to make your church their home? Church planter, Pastor Jeff Olsen, Grace Community, Wesley Chapel, FL will share with you some of the methods he's found to be successful over the years. He has put together a non-threatening strategy that helps guests to see their value and to experience the love of Jesus in a place they can call home.

Less income and Expanding Ministry—how congregations are telling God’s Story on a contracting budget
How does our ministry thrive when the income is barely keeping our church alive? In today’s economy, many churches are finding it hard to meet their budget. Can ministry expand when the income is less? Pastor Matt Lundgren, Yellowstone LBC, Billings, MT will lead us as we pray, discuss, question, and seek God's leading on how we can make the most of the ministry to which God has called us. Come prepared to share your story and hear encouragement from God's word to keep proclaiming the Good News to a world in need.

* The locations and times will be communicated at the convention.

Seminars - Part Two (Crossing the Generational Gap)

2010-06-18T10:10:00.004-05:00

Reaching across Generational Gulfs—Understanding and Reaching the “other generations” for Jesus
We all have people from different generations under one roof. How does the one texting on her iphone bridge the gap with the one who remembers using the switchboard to make a call? Join Pastor Rich Iverson, Hope LBC, Barnesville, MN as he shares some of the ways he fosters ministry across the generations. Enhance your ministry, in and outside of the church, with thoughtful and practical ways to communicate the Gospel to people of all ages.

Your Ministry & Social Networking—using the social network to tell God’s Story
Facebook? Twitter? Blog? Come and explore various ways to use these social networks in your church and ministry. Pastor Ryan Nilsen, Praise Christian Fellowship, Barkhamsted, CT leads a panel of pastors who will share with you practical, creative, and easy ways they have used the internet to enhance their ministry.

Leadership Training—Engaging and Training Congregational Leaders
We have the vehicle, now we need drivers! Is your congregation ready to go but in need of quality people to lead? Or, maybe you have a group of quality leaders and want to develop a good means of training and equipping them in the process of ministry. Pastor Steve Heppner, Elim LBC, Malta, MT will help representatives of congregations lay out a series of support events to keep people connected and encouraged in their leadership team.

Telling His Story through Confirmation—Confirm/This!
Confirmation curriculum will be introduced and Pastor Bruce Stumbo, Bethel LBC, Grand Forks, ND will present updates made to the original ConfirmIT! confirmation curriculum. He will introduce “ConfirmIT!2” and a new one-year pre-confirmation curriculum titled, “FaithIT!” based on the Faith Alive Student Bible from Concordia Publishing. It takes students into the basics of law/gospel theology and prepares participants for confirmation curriculum.

Seminars - Part One (Combined Session)

2010-06-18T10:05:00.003-05:00

The Seminars kick off with a "combined session" with Dr. Eugene Boe.

Ministry in a Post Christian World—A description of today’s mindset and what that means
Theologian Dr. Eugene Boe, LBS Academic Dean, shares the state of the North American mindset. How has the culture changed over the last couple decades and what does that mean for Christianity today? Based on extensive research, Dr. Boe will share findings and facts about the North American perspective and the context in which the current church is living. He will outline what that means for sharing the Good News of Jesus today.

Statement on Missional Theology Available

2010-05-18T14:08:00.003-05:00

Below you will be able to download a copy of the Report from the Study Committee on Missional Theology. The Report of the Study Committee on Missional Theology is being received by the Theological Council which will, through the Council of Directors, bring a recommendation to this year's Convention. This is an important subject worthy of your reading prior to the Convention and discussion during the hour it will be presented to the Church.

I, on behalf of the Church, thank the members of the Study Committee for their many hours of reading, deliberation, and writing. Presenting the summary backgrounds of many aspects of the missional theology conversation, they lead us to Biblical and confessional foundations for evaluation of that particular emphasis followed by affirmations and denials. This paper will be a teaching guide for mission that is domestic and international ministry and evangelism to those who do not yet confess Jesus Christ as Son of God and their Savior.

Anticipating your fellowship during the Convention, June 20-22nd,

Joel Egge, President

The Final Image - Telling His Story

2010-05-04T13:57:00.003-05:00

Click here to read about the image at the Faith & Fellowship Magazine website.

Pastors' In-Service Sessions (Part 2) | PM Session

2010-05-04T11:44:00.005-05:00

Saturday, June 19, 2010

PM Session:
1:30 to 3:30

Describing or Declaring the Law and Gospel, What is a Sermon? (working title)

Description:
Paul instructs, “Preach the Word.” God works through the foolishness of preaching.

In studying Scripture, pastors need to address textual facts and questions. Pastors need to understand how theological tools (concepts) such as Law and Gospel assist in understanding and correctly applying the Scripture. These studies, perhaps by necessity, employ descriptive and explanatory speech.

Is preaching the same as explaining? How should a sermon address the congregation’s need of repentance of sin and receiving God’s grace?

Questions for this session might include:

“What is preaching?”
“What is the purpose in public worship or in soul care?”
“What is the relationship between declaring and describing God’s Word?”
“When is it important to describe the Law and Gospel?”
“Does a description of the Law and the Gospel have the same power as the proclamation of the Word of the Law and the Word of the Gospel?”

Presenter: Rev. Dale Hanson

- - - - - -

Registration form (PDF)> download
Registration form (Word)> download

Pastors' In-Service Sessions (Part 1) | AM Session

2010-05-04T11:38:00.006-05:00

Saturday, June 19, 2010

AM Sessions:
9:00 to 10:15 and 10:45 to 12:00 Noon

The Relationship of Autonomous Congregations within the CLB Synod (working title)

Description:
We confess, The Church of the Lutheran Brethren practices the congregational form of church government and the autonomy of the local congregation. The office of pastor and elder is to be filled by men only. The synodical administration has an advisory function as it relates to the congregation and an administrative function as it relates to the cooperative efforts of the congregations. –CLB Statement of Faith, paragraph J.

A persistent issue in our Church is how to understand and function in our synod which confesses the (visible) church is located in congregations of confessing Christian while these congregations are members of a synod. The Church of the Lutheran Brethren believes the congregations are gathered believers under Jesus Christ within the family of God (hence, the autonomy) but united by calling and promise in a synod which administers the cooperative ministries of the congregations.

The question to be addressed is, “What is the nature of this relationship and the extent of the authority given an individual congregation and given to the family of congregations, the synod?”
Asked in a different way, the question is, “Who is responsible for the mission the Lord Jesus has entrusted the to Lutheran Brethren congregations?”

Some specific questions that might be included are:

What responsibilities does a congregation have to the family (synod) of congregations? Do these responsibilities place limits on their autonomy?
Can CLB congregations adopt any internal structure they desire? (Note the SOF paragraph stating the autonomy of the congregation also restricts who can be a (congregational) pastor and elder.)
Can a CLB congregation expect other CLB congregations to participate in the cooperative efforts of the congregations?
What authority is given to congregational pastors and elders in the congregation and to what authority are pastors and elders accountable?

Presenters: Rev. GT Gunhus and Elder Ken Peeders

- - - - - -

Registration form (PDF)> download
Registration form (Word)> download

Tentative Schedule

2010-04-28T13:34:00.004-05:00

We have a tentative schedule for the convention.

Download it > here (PDF)

Women's Ministries Convention

2010-04-07T13:09:00.006-05:00

Are we authentic? Are we transparent? Can others around us see Jesus in us? We want to live out our faith but sometimes need help in fleshing out how to do it! The goal for our Women’s Ministry (WMCLB) Convention Day June 19, 2010 is to explore and learn from others together.

During the morning session we will spotlight several women who are living out their faith with visible results. Imagine a physician who establishes her own independent medical practice as a way to freely serve the Lord she loves without muzzling her witness. Meet “Dr. Sue.” How about a weekly dinner for fifteen young adults who are excited about Bible study and following Jesus? Could you do that? Lori Christopherson IS. Come hear her story, and more stories like these.
After lunch we will hear from our keynote speaker, Carol Anderson, founder of the non-profit “Connections for Women” which partners Christian women with needy women in her community.
Then we will join with others in “Ministry Huddles” to share and learn from each other how God can and is using us in our own localities.

How did Jesus live his life here on earth? He combined compassion for everyone around him with teaching targeted to his audience. His actions matched his words, and his love poured out in the ultimate sacrifice.

Let’s learn together how we can live “Inside Out – Living out the Life of Christ within”

Visit > Women's Ministries website for more information

Update: Morning Bible Teachers

2010-03-24T09:06:00.004-05:00

We announced in a previous post that the evening worship service speakers are scheduled to be President Joel Egge, Dr. Eugene Boe and Rev. Shawn Bowman.

The convention also has morning Bible hours, and the teachers for those sessions are going to be Rev. Adam Berge and Rev. Chris Priestaf. Rev. Berge serves Bethesda Lutheran Brethren Church in Westby, WI. Rev. Priestaf serves Mount Bethel Lutheran Brethren Church in Mount Bethel, PA.

These five messages will be drawn from the Gospel of John. Several seminars during the rest of the convention are being arranged to focus on telling His story to the people in our time.

Biennial Convention Promotional Video

2010-02-25T10:18:00.003-06:00

Promoting the 2010 Biennial Convention of the Lutheran Brethren.
Download this video for your church > HERE
(see the "About this video" section)

The convention image, in development

2010-02-25T10:07:00.007-06:00

From the "Convention Image" article in Faith & Fellowship (March/April 2010)

The real inspiration for telling God's Story to those around us is that it is our privilege to be part of God's overall mission that began in the Old Testament and continues today. What an honor! God not only desires a personal relationship with each one of us but he also wants to use us to accomplish his mission! That is when the idea of a timeline with several images highlighting events along the way came to me.

Starting on the left we see "the tree" (the Fall). The timeline continues through the Ten Commandments (the law) and the cross (the gospel). Following the cross, we see a flame (the Holy Spirit) and then a man and a woman, who represent all of us today as God's Church. The timeline, as we all know, starts with creation and ends with the end times, which will be fleshed out later as we develop the image further.

Read the full article from Faith & Fellowship here

Telling His Story: The Good News for All Generations

2010-01-27T14:10:00.004-06:00

Well, the convention planning committee has been at work for a couple months already. We have decided on a theme and are now working on a list of possible speakers and seminar topics. I would like to share with you the vision of our first biennial convention (we have held annual conventions in the past).

The theme is going to be "Telling His Story: The Good News for All Generations." We plan to organize the worship services and Bible hours around the Gospel of John, focusing on the unexpected, unique and unlimited qualities of God. Now our focus is going to be on the Seminars. What seminar topics fit this theme and what are our churches facing in their day-to-day ministry to their communities? We are also in the process of creating an image that will communicate the theme and focus of the convention.

The speakers for the evening sessions will be President Joel Egge (Sunday), Dr. Eugene Boe (Monday) and Pastor Shawn Bowman (Tuesday). The planning committee is still in the process of finding speakers for the morning Bible Hours.

The seminars are also still in the process of being planned as the committee sets the schedule for the convention and chooses the topics that they feel would most benefit the ministries our churches.

We will continue to communicate our progress as we move forward. Please feel free to leave any comments that you have about what you hope to see, experience and learn at our very first biennial convention!

2009 Convention Worship Service Videos!

2009-09-14T16:18:00.006-05:00

The Worship Service videos are available for viewing online!

"We Look to the Lord" President Joel Egge on Vimeo.

You can view all the other
worship services here >

The DVD of all six sermons is also available for purchase.
Call 800-332-9232 to order your copy.
$9.99 (includes shipping)

Worship Service MP3's!!!

2009-07-29T11:14:00.020-05:00

For the latest issue of Faith & Fellowship Magazine, we asked each of the speakers at the annual convention to write about their personal journey of preparing their sermon. We were delighted to have all of the speakers respond with a paragraph or two! Their journeys are incredibly moving and give even more depth to the already inspiring sermons. God was truly with us all during this annual convention and we are glad to be able to provide the mp3's for you to download and listen to online. The videos will be available online very soon.

The DVD of all six sermons is also available for purchase.
Call 800-332-9232 to order your copy.
$9.99 (includes shipping)

President Joel Egge
"We Look to the Lord"

Excerpt from Faith & Fellowship:
"A powerful contrast in the text captured me; the disciples’ weakness contrasted with Jesus’ authority. Then the question dawned on me, How did/does the Holy Spirit lead the readers to this powerful finish? With that question in mind, I read the entire Gospel several times."

download mp3 >>>

Missionary Paul Szobody
"He Himself is the Resource"

Excerpt from Faith & Fellowship:

"More than once I had a keen sense (and I remarked so to my wife): this is from the Lord. I'm not sure I've ever ministered before where I had a deeper sense that I was touching the core of human existence as we know it to be, as well as the mystery of the faith in God incarnate among us."

download mp3 >>>

Pastor Brad Hoganson
"He is With Us Now"

Excerpt from Faith & Fellowship:
"My thoughts were, 'If I really believe that Jesus is with me here and now, shouldn’t that change everything?' I should be less fearful. I should be more motivated. I should worship more and doubt less. I’m so much like the disciples…a worship-doubter. Yet it was to that band of worship-doubters that Jesus gave His promise 'I am with you.' Gospel."

download mp3 >>>

Pastor Bob Heggestad
"He is With Us In Mission"

Excerpt from Faith & Fellowship:
"As I initially began my sermon preparation I was focusing on the 'you' of 'God is with you in mission.' Who is the you? Me? My church? My synod? And - who am I? Who are we?"

download mp3 >>>

Pastor Rick Bridston
"He is Our Unity"

Excerpt from Faith & Fellowship:
"By Monday night I still had only a few thoughts and fragmentary notes. (This is not my usual way of preparing sermons, but I was stuck!) I did not finish writing out my notes until 6pm the night of the service. By then we knew the results of the vote, and I kept asking the Lord to keep me from saying anything that would be more divisive. The Lord opened up the text beautifully."

download mp3 >>>

Pastor Tony Karlik
"He is With Us Always"

Excerpt from Faith & Fellowship:
"Having sat through only two messages, and both had touched on what I hoped to share, I just wanted to throw in the towel. On Tuesday evening I took all my notes and all my fears and laid them all before the Lord. I asked for wisdom and guidance as I made some revisions but most of all I asked for the ability to trust Him with what needed to be shared."

download mp3 >>>

Annual Convention Worship Service Photos

2009-07-21T13:11:00.008-05:00

Here are some photographs from our Annual Convention worship services.

President Joel Egge Sunday Evening
"We Look to the Lord"

Missionary Paul Szobody Monday Morning
"He Himself is the Resource"

Pastor Brad Hoganson Monday Evening
"He is With Us Now"

Pastor Bob Heggestad Tuesday Evening
"He is With Us in Mission"

Pastor Rick Bridston Tuesday Evening
"He is Our Unity"

Pastor Tony Karlik Wednesday Morning
"He is With Us Always"

Surely I will be with you always, to the very end of the age.
Matthew 28:20

CLB Constitution and By-Laws

2009-07-01T16:09:00.008-05:00

The Church of the Lutheran Brethren Annual Convention adopted the proposed constitutional amendment. Here is a copy of the constitution and by-laws with those changes.

> Download a copy of the Constitution & By-Laws >

Pastors' In-Service MP3's

2009-06-25T08:38:00.018-05:00

Here are the seminars from the Pastors' In-Service which took place on the Saturday before the Annual Convention.

Greg Anderson's seminar The Timothy Project: Principles for Effective Youth Ministry is only meant as a taste of the full seminar which is available for your church through North American Mission (NAM). The NAM office will work with your church to make it affordable. It is important to NAM that you use the full seminar for training your staff, so if you are interested, please contact NAM to find out how you can get the full seminar for your church staff, and if you wish, for the surrounding churches in your community, as well.
Ph# (218) 739-3336 / email: lbhm@clba.org

Missionary Paul Szobody's seminar focused on the importance of the Psalms and the impact that they have on our worship. The way we worship directly affects our faith. In turn, our faith is reflected in our worship. How do we worship? This seminar helps us understand that the Psalms are an important part of our worship.

Professor Mark Erickson's seminar enlightens us on the importance of textual criticism and how it can "build up our trust and increase our appreciation for God's work of preserving His Word" (from the handout). There are supporting documents that you can download as well that will be helpful as you listen to the seminar.

Greg Anderson, Executive Director of Inspiration Point
The Timothy Project: Principles for Effective Youth Ministry
Part One

Click to Download MP3 >>>

Part Two

Click to Download MP3 >>>

Missionary Paul Szobody
When David No Longer Comes to Church

Click to Download MP3 >>>
From the handout
What happens when David no longer comes to church?
1. You lose the shaping power of worship
2. You lose the pressure-relieving power of worship
3. You lose the enculturation power of worship

Professor Mark Erickson
The Good News and "Bad" News in New Testament Textual Criticism

Click to Download MP3 >>>

Supporting Document:
Download Seminar Handout (PDF version)
Download Seminar Handout (Word version)

From the handout
My Goals:
1. To inform ministers of the gospel what NT Textual Criticism is, and why and how it is done.
2. To inform ministers of the gospel about the Good News in NT Textual Criticism.
3. To inform ministers of the gospel about the "bad" news in NT Textual Criticism.
4. To help ministers of the gospel discuss these issues in and informed and reasonable way so that they will have the opportunity to understand them and respond appropriately.
5. To offer a selected bibliography for the continued study of NT Textual Criticism.