tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79633377516312134672024-03-13T21:33:05.423-05:00The ABC3s of MiscellanyA blog containing miscellaneous information of general interest on a variety of subjectsAbc3http://www.blogger.com/profile/02889402271240357059noreply@blogger.comBlogger561125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7963337751631213467.post-74344590322025014492015-03-18T10:14:00.001-05:002015-03-18T10:14:11.729-05:00Remembering the Dead and the Service of Praise and Thanksgiving for Ronald Feuerhahn<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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The Service of Praise and Thanksgiving for Ronald Raymond Feuerhahn was held on 17 March 2015 at the Chapel of St. Timothy and St. Titus at Concordia Seminary, where Dr. Feuerhahn served for 22 years. The press announcement about his funeral can be found <a data-mce-href="http://www.csl.edu/2015/03/emeritus-professor-ronald-r-feuerhahn-enters-rest/" href="http://www.csl.edu/2015/03/emeritus-professor-ronald-r-feuerhahn-enters-rest/" style="color: #0071bb; margin: 0px; outline-style: none; padding: 0px;">here on Concordia Seminary's website</a>. Several years ago, the students of Dr. Feuerhahn prepared a <em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Festschrift</em> for him titled, <em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Lord Jesus Christ, Will You Not Stay?</em> (This book is available as an<a data-mce-href="http://www.cph.org/p-12915-lord-jesus-christ-will-you-not-stay-epub-edition.aspx" href="http://www.cph.org/p-12915-lord-jesus-christ-will-you-not-stay-epub-edition.aspx" style="color: #0071bb; margin: 0px; outline-style: none; padding: 0px;"> ePub</a> and on <a data-mce-href="http://www.amazon.com/Lord-Jesus-Christ-Will-Stay-ebook/dp/B0032C99BE" href="http://www.amazon.com/Lord-Jesus-Christ-Will-Stay-ebook/dp/B0032C99BE" style="color: #0071bb; margin: 0px; outline-style: none; padding: 0px;">Kindle from CPH</a>.) Of course, the death of every saint is precious in the eyes of the Lord, but when a teacher of the church enters his eternal rest the effect is felt on a broader scale. A teacher of the church affects his students, his follower teachers, the pastors of the church, and indirectly all the congregation members who had pastors taught by him. Because of this effect, the Scriptures urge the church to take caution in appointing teachers of the church ("Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness." James 3:1).</div>
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Unlike the Roman Catholic church, Lutherans do not pray to the dead. However, there is a proper remembrance of those who died in the faith, a thanksgiving for the work that the Lord has done in their lives, and even an imitation of how those in the faith who died lived their lives. Children commonly do this by imitating their parents, just as students do their teachers. Hermann Sasse, in <em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Letters to Lutheran Pastors, Volume III</em> (<a data-mce-href="http://www.cph.org/p-26413-letters-to-lutheran-pastors-volume-3.aspx" href="http://www.cph.org/p-26413-letters-to-lutheran-pastors-volume-3.aspx" style="color: #0071bb; margin: 0px; outline-style: none; padding: 0px;">available from CPH in hardcover</a> and <a data-mce-href="http://www.amazon.com/Letters-Lutheran-Pastors-III-3-ebook/dp/B00QJMJ7NE/ref=sr_1_3?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1426691392&sr=1-3&keywords=letters+to+lutheran+pastors" href="http://www.amazon.com/Letters-Lutheran-Pastors-III-3-ebook/dp/B00QJMJ7NE/ref=sr_1_3?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1426691392&sr=1-3&keywords=letters+to+lutheran+pastors" style="color: #0071bb; margin: 0px; outline-style: none; padding: 0px;">on Kindle</a>) wrote about remembering the dead. In his essay "The Remembrance of the Dead in the Liturgy," Section 8, Sasse writes:</div>
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"Let me say a word about that which is specifically important for our death-filled century. The remembrance of the dead needs to be revived in the church. It is one of the bases of the powerful attraction of Catholicism in our day that it has preserved this remembrance, while Protestantism, including Lutheranism, has lost it. Therefore, despite all assurances to the contrary, Protestantism has to a greater or lesser extent become a this-side-of-eternity religion. It was the task of the Reformation to dissolve the symbiosis which in Catholicism brought about a point of contact between the Christian faith and pagan presuppositions about the hereafter. The result of this paganism in the church's faith and practice has been all too evident; it is no accident that the Reformation began precisely on an All Saints' Eve (October 31, 1517) with a protest against he fearful commerce which was designed to accomplish the salvation of souls."</div>
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Dr. Sasse goes on to point out how Dr. Martin Luther's liturgical reforms of the church refocused the church on the purpose of Holy Communion, "forgiven sinners who in the reception of the Lord's true body and blood are made one with all members of the church, all the saints in heaven and on earth, as the Body of Christ."</div>
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On Sunday morning, in the Proper Preface in the Communion liturgy, the pastor says, "...therefore with angels and archangels and all the company of heaven we laud and magnify your glorious name ever more saying:" Then the congregation sings the Sanctus, "Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord of Sabaoth..." Although dead separates us from the saints in heaven, we are untied together in the body of Christ. Sasse concludes his letter, "It is my hope that the considerations of this letter, for which you waited so long, and longer than you should have, will contribute to the clarification of our thoughts about one of the most difficult theological questions and help us rightly to exercise the church's ministry of consolation in a cheerless world."</div>
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<p style=" margin: 12px auto 6px auto; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -x-system-font: none; display: block;"> <a title="View Feuerhahn Funeral Bullet 17 March 2015 on Scribd" href="https://www.scribd.com/doc/259154927/Feuerhahn-Funeral-Bullet-17-March-2015" style="text-decoration: underline;" >Feuerhahn Funeral Bullet 17 March 2015</a> by <a title="View brandy99's profile on Scribd" href="https://www.scribd.com/brandy99" style="text-decoration: underline;" >brandy99</a></p><iframe class="scribd_iframe_embed" src="https://www.scribd.com/embeds/259154927/content?start_page=1&view_mode=scroll&access_key=key-zzRFcvQCgvtukmru1Q3m&show_recommendations=true" data-auto-height="false" data-aspect-ratio="0.7722602739726028" scrolling="no" id="doc_4976" width="100%" height="600" frameborder="0"></iframe>Abc3http://www.blogger.com/profile/02889402271240357059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7963337751631213467.post-42011316434243207382015-02-06T21:07:00.000-06:002015-02-06T21:07:36.470-06:00New Opportunities — Lutheran Bible Translators<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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7 February 2015<br />
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There is tremendous new opportunity for Lutheran Bible Translators in Tanzania and Ethiopia. Dr Mike Rodewald, executive director and Rev. Rich Rudowske, Director of International Programs are spending two weeks connecting with leaders of the two largest Lutheran church bodies in Africa. Lutheran Bible Translators, a recognized service organization of the LCMS, was founded 50 years ago through the vision of a Lutheran missionary who had to leave Nigeria for the health of his family. In the last fifty years, LBT missionaries and partners have translated 40 NT and/or complete Bibles reaching an estimated seven million people with God's Word through their own language.<br />
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Dr. Jim Kaiser, LBT translation consultant arrived in Ethiopia three weeks ago to serve as consultant to five translation projects being accomplished by the EECMY and other partners in southwest Ethiopia. EECMY leaders have formed a translation board to advise and lead the church's efforts in translation.<br />
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Dr. Albert Collver of the LCMS Office of International Mission (OIM), Dr. Mike Rodewald and Rev. Rich Rudowske of LBT, discuss areas of cooperation and networking strategy as both organizations seek to work in Ethiopia with the EECMY for the purpose of proclaiming the Gospel. They are looking at a Ge'ez document titled, "Aleqa Meseret Sebhat LeAb" which teaches the doctrine of justification by faith and helped lay the foundation of the EECMY at the beginning of the 20th century. It will soon be translated into Amharic and English. The LCMS mission department and Lutheran Bible Translators (LBT) have had a long standing relationship where LCMS rostered workers are called by the Synod and seconded to LBT. Future opportunities in Ethiopia and elsewhere offer new avenues for cooperation.<br />
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The Ge'ez document "Aleqa Meseret Sebhat LeAb." Ethiopia has a history of Lutheran Bible translation efforts going back to the 17th century. Dr. Peter Heyling (1607-1652) in 1647 translated the Gospel of St. John from Ge'ez (pictured above) into Amharic which was the language of the people. In 1652, Dr. Heyling departed Ethiopia and while traveling was captured in Turkey. Faced with the choice of conversion to Islam or death, Peter Heyling did not deny Christ and was martyred for his faith. There is apparently a direct line from Peter Heyling to the founders of the EECMY. Peter Heyling's translation efforts in the 17th century helped give birth to the worlds largest Lutheran church in the 21st century with 7.2 million members.</div>
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To find out more about Lutheran Bible Translators, please visit <a href="http://lbt.org/"><strong>lbt.org</strong></a>.</div>
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Abc3http://www.blogger.com/profile/02889402271240357059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7963337751631213467.post-34986402766722816932015-02-06T01:34:00.001-06:002015-02-06T01:34:36.553-06:00Dr. Baue's Doctrine / Confession Class at MYS<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Dr. Fred Baue Lecturing on the Lutheran Confessions</div>
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6 February 2015</div>
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"Our churches are falsely accused of abolishing the Mass. The Mass is held among us and celebrated with the highest reverence, " comes from the Augsburg Confession, Article XXIV, said Dr. Fred Baue to his class on the Lutheran Confessions. "What is the mass?," asked Dr. Baue, "The word is associated with the Roman Catholic church, but it simply means the chief Sunday service where the Lord's Supper is celebrated." Lutherans were falsely accused of abolishing the chief worship service in Martin Luther's day. "Today, we need to consider if the charge of abolishing the mass, or the chief worship of Christ applies to us today, particularly here in Ethiopia. You as leaders of the church need to evaluate this for yourselves." What ensued was an engaging lecture with excellent dialog in the class of about 36 people.</div>
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Part of the lecture was a demonstration and practicum on how to not "abolish the mass" included singing the opening versicles of Matins. The EECMY does not have Matins or Vespers as part of its liturgical tradition. The missionaries 90 some years ago translated the Divine Service with Holy Communion and a Service of the Word from German and Scandinavian languages into Amharic and Oromo, but they did not translate Matins or Vespers. When LCMS people began teaching on the campus of Mekane Yesus Seminary, they would hold a Matins service from time to time in the chapel. After seeing the service from the <em>Lutheran Service Book</em> a few times, the leadership asked if assistance could be given to put Matins into Amharic. The next EECMY hymnal revision may contain the order of Matins and Vespers. Dr. Baue is involved in bringing these services into Amharic by helping to put it in an Ethiopian context.<br />
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Dr. Baue's demonstration of the opening versicles of Matins, prompted a discussion on "contextualization" and a discussion about how to properly contextualize worship both in the 21st century and in Ethiopia. Dr. Baue explained that the music and the instruments need to be contextualized for a given people and location, but the basic forms and content should remain consistent. This brought about a discussion on Lutheran doctrine. One of the students raised his hand and said, "Lutheran doctrine is nothing other than Biblical doctrine. The teachings of the Lutheran church come directly from the Bible." Dr. Baue then asked, "What is pure doctrine?" as he began to draw on the chalk board.</div>
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The quality of the artwork aside, Dr. Baue illustrated "pure doctrine" with a glass of milk. He quoted 1 Peter 2:2, "long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation." Christian teaching is spiritual milk by which we grow up to salvation. He asked how many flies would have to be in the glass of milk before you refused to drink the glass of milk? Nearly the entire class said, "No flies!" Dr. Baue explained that reason, philosophy, culture, even contextualization that take us away from the cross of Jesus are flies in the milk. He said the reason we study the Augsburg Confession is to help us keep flies out of the milk. The class remained engaged in the lecture to the point of nearly forgetting to take a coffee break. At the end appreciation was expressed for the lecture. Dr. Baue will remain teaching for several months.</div>
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For the past two years, the LCMS has been actively assisting in the masters level theology program at Mekane Yesus Seminary (MYS). Support for the program includes scholarships, curriculum assistance, and instructors. Presently, there are about 65 students enrolled in the masters program. The master degree students are or will become Synod leaders and instructors at Bible schools and regional seminaries. Those who teach at the MYS seminary frequently study abroad, increasingly at LCMS seminaries. Funding for the MA student scholarships, for the instructors who teach at the Mekane Yesus Seminary (MYS), and scholarships to study at LCMS seminaries is provided by the Global Seminary Initiative (GSI). To see the opportunities the Global Seminary Initiative is meeting please visit:<a href="http://www.lcms.org/makeagift/gsi"> http://www.lcms.org/makeagift/gsi</a></div>
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Abc3http://www.blogger.com/profile/02889402271240357059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7963337751631213467.post-55495685554897255032015-02-05T00:41:00.001-06:002015-02-05T00:41:45.681-06:00Opportunities in Africa (Ethiopia) for Theological Education (GSI)<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_WBkcFRhPDs" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
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Opportunities in Africa (Ethiopia in this case) abound for theological education. Opportunities exist both for a person who wants to travel overseas to teach a class and for students who are taught at a local insinuation or who receive a scholarship to study at Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, or Concordia Seminary, Saint Louis. </div>
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The video highlights how the Global Seminary Initiative (GSI) is helping connect qualified volunteers with teaching opportunities overseas and students with opportunities to study locally or possibility at an LCMS seminary. Two students are interviewed: a future deaconess who has been accepted to Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne and a PhD student who has been accepted for study at Concordia Seminary in Saint Louis. Two instructors are interviewed about their experience at Mekane Yesus Seminary. Finally, Rev. Shauen Trump, Area Director for East Africa, speaks about how theological education is the single largest request he receives in Africa.</div>
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For more information about the Global Seminary Initiative please visit: <a data-mce-href="http://www.lcms.org/makeagift/gsi" href="http://www.lcms.org/makeagift/gsi" style="color: #0071bb; margin: 0px; outline-style: none; padding: 0px;">http://www.lcms.org/makeagift/gsi</a></div>
</div>Abc3http://www.blogger.com/profile/02889402271240357059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7963337751631213467.post-84954240359211101582015-02-03T03:28:00.003-06:002015-02-03T03:28:49.438-06:00Lutheran Confessions at the Mekane Yesus Seminary<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Dr. Fred Baue mentors a student at MYS in the Lutheran Confessions</div>
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3 February 2015
After arriving at the Bole International Airport in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, we went to the Mekane Yesus Seminary (MYS). Once on campus, we went to the Lutheran Confessions class taught by Dr. Fred Baue. This is Dr. Baue's second time teaching at the MYS seminary. His first teaching stint lasted six months. This time Dr. Baue will remain for four months teaching the Lutheran Confessions and English. He also will be composing some liturgical music. <a href="http://www.lcms.org/makeagift/gsi">The Global Seminary Initiative (GSI)</a> helps send professors to teach at seminaries around the world. It also helps provide books for the class room.<br />
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CPH Readers Edition of the Book of Concord</div>
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The Lutheran Confessions class makes use of Concordia Publishing House's <a href="http://www.cph.org/p-2939-concordia-the-lutheran-confessions-pocket-edition.aspx">Readers Edition — Pocket Edition of the Book of Concord</a>. The EECMY church subscribes to the unaltered Augsburg Confession and Luther's catechisms. Until recently, the church body did not have the entire Book of Concord in Amharic. At the MYS seminary, in the Lutheran Confessions class, Dr. Baue uses the entire Book of Concord<br />
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Rev. Shauen Trump, Beza Tefera, Gideon, Daniel Brege sit in the Dean of Theology Office</div>
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Dr. Daniel Brege came to Ethiopia for the first time to teach the Psalms at MYS. Today will be the first day he teaches. Prior to his teaching, we met in the Dean of Theology Office to print copies of his syllabus and assign the class room. Rev. Shauen Trump, East Africa Area Facilitator or the Office of International Mission, helps oversee the LCMS' work in Ethiopia. <br />
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Beza Tefera and Gideon at the MYS Cafe -- Ethiopian Coffee </div>
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After meeting with people we took a coffee break at the MYS Cafe. Coffee is a must in Ethiopia and facilitates discussion and friendship. Over coffee we planned the rest of our day.<br />
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Dr. Albert Collver at MYS Campus wearing LCMS U Shirt in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.</div>
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<a href="http://www.lcms.org/lcmsu">LCMS U</a> has managed to reach Ethiopia — at least the LCMS U shirt has made it to Ethiopia. Looking to a very good visit in Ethiopia this week.</div>
Abc3http://www.blogger.com/profile/02889402271240357059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7963337751631213467.post-30833497338143813792015-01-31T10:19:00.001-06:002015-01-31T10:19:32.326-06:00BIM Honors Missionary for 28 Years of Service in Africa<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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President Matthew Harrison and Dr. David Erber, OIM Area Director for West Africa</div>
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31 January 2015</div>
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The Board for International Mission (BIM) honored Rev. Dr. David Erber, OIM Area Director for West Africa, for the 28th anniversary of his arrival in Nigeria. Dr. Erber was in Saint Louis first for the Office of International Mission Regional Directors' meeting, the ALMA conference, and the BIM meeting, where he spoke how the Gospel of Jesus was being shared in Africa by the LCMS. Yesterday, while attending the ALMA meeting, Dr. Erber mentioned that his wife sent him an email, "Happy Anniversary." Everyone, of course, assumed he spoke of his wedding anniversary to his wife, Joyce. David explained, "Not my wedding anniversary, but my 28th anniversary from when I deployed to Nigeria as a missionary." The BIM wanted to honor Dr. Erber for his service.</div>
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President Matthew Harrison, Dr. David Erber, Rev. Bernie Seter, Chairman of the BIM</div>
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The BIM heard that Dr. Erber wished he could own a copy of the <em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.cph.org/t-book-subscriptions-concordia-commentary.aspx" href="http://www.cph.org/t-book-subscriptions-concordia-commentary.aspx" style="color: #0071bb; margin: 0px; outline-style: none; padding: 0px;">Concordia Commentary Series</a></em>. With the help of Dr. Bruce Kintz and Concordia Publishing House, the BIM was able to present Dr. Erber with the entire Concordia Commentary Series. Congratulations to Dr. Erber and his wife Joyce for their many years of faithful service in the mission field!</div>
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Abc3http://www.blogger.com/profile/02889402271240357059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7963337751631213467.post-22162580739448292382015-01-30T06:44:00.003-06:002015-01-30T06:44:49.767-06:00Latvia Guest in Regional Directors Meeting at CPH<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Pictured (left to right): Rev. Tony Booker — Eurasia Regional Director, Deaconess Grace Rao — Director of Deaconess Ministry, Rev. Andris Kraulins — Board Member from the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Latvia, and Rev. Dr. Albert B. Collver — Director of Church Relations / Regional Operations.</div>
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During the Regional Directors' meeting held at Concordia Publishing House, Rev. Andris Kraulins visited from Latvia and met with the regional directors, in particular Rev. Tony Booker, Eurasia Regional Director.</div>
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Rev. Andris Kraulins a board member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Latvia, an LCMS partner church, and dean (circuit counselor) of the district of Jurmala visiting LCMS international center, St. Louis, January 25-27. Rev. Kraulins, who studied theology at Luther Academy, gave a presentation at IC, discussed the conservative church of Latvia in times of challenge. The presentation was informative and interesting and the audience received it well. At IC he was able to meet and have a brief talk with Rev. Bart Day, interim chief missions officer, Rev. Dr. Ray Hartwig, secretary of the synod, Rev. Larry Vogel of CTCR, associated executive director of CTCR. Later he was interviewed by KFUO, followed by a visit to CPH, where he was invited by Rev. Dr. Albert Collver, director of church relations, and assistant to the president to meet all the regional directors of office of international mission. Here too, Rev. Kraulins talked about the Latvian church its structure and the challenges. Also, he brought the greetings from Archbishop, and the congregation at large.</div>
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Prior to his visit, he was at CTSFW who participated at the Lenten workshop, and the exegetical symposia, Jan. 18-21. At the seminary he had an opportunity to meet Rev. Dr. Timothy Quill, Rev. Dr. Masaki and Rev. Dr. Detlev Shulz. Subsequently, he was invited by ONM to attend the Life Ministry Conference and participated in March for Life at Washington DC, Jan.21-24.</div>
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Rev. Kraulins is here to strengthen the church partnership and is interested in building the theological educational needs for pastors, and diaconal workers. LCMS welcomes Rev. Kraulins and looks forward to support and assist our Latvian partner church to reach out in mercy and compassion to those in need, motivated by Christ and His Gospel according to the Lutheran confession of the faith.</div>
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On Wednesday 28 January, the Regional Directors' meeting concluded with budget and strategic planning. After the conclusion of the Regional Directors' meeting, the RDs along with OIM staff attended the ALMA Conference on Thursday and Friday.</div>
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Abc3http://www.blogger.com/profile/02889402271240357059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7963337751631213467.post-40503469271264292262015-01-28T06:41:00.000-06:002015-01-28T06:41:00.093-06:00CPH Missionary Gift Registry Video<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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ntroducing the Concordia Publishing House Missionary Gift Registry, featuring Dr. Bruce Kintz - President and CEO of CPH, Rev. Theodore Krey - Regional Director of Latin America, Rev. Tony Booker - Regional Director of Eurasia, and Dr. Detlev Schultz - Dean of Graduate School and Director of Missiology Program at Concordia Theological Seminary Fort Wayne.</div>
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The <a data-mce-href="https://www.cph.org/t-international-missions.aspx" href="https://www.cph.org/t-international-missions.aspx" style="color: #0071bb; margin: 0px; outline-style: none; padding: 0px;">CPH Missionary Gift Registry</a> connects you with mission opportunities where CPH Products can assist LCMS Missionaries on the field. <a data-mce-href="https://www.cph.org/t-international-missions.aspx" href="https://www.cph.org/t-international-missions.aspx" style="color: #0071bb; margin: 0px; outline-style: none; padding: 0px;">Check out CPH's Missionary Gift Registry</a>.</div>
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Abc3http://www.blogger.com/profile/02889402271240357059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7963337751631213467.post-69806740881073125972015-01-26T15:06:00.000-06:002015-01-26T15:06:12.894-06:00The Biblical and Theological Foundations for Mission — Regional Directors’ Meeting<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Rev. Dr. Klaus Detlev Schultz Teaching "Biblical and Theological Foundations for Mission"</div>
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Saint Louis, MO: Concordia Publishing House</div>
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January 26-28, 2015</div>
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The Regional Directors, representing Africa, Asia, Europe, and Latin America, gathered at <a data-mce-href="http://www.cph.org" href="http://www.cph.org/" style="color: #0071bb; margin: 0px; outline-style: none; padding: 0px;">Concordia Publishing House's</a> Gerber Room for continuing education on missiology with <a data-mce-href="http://www.ctsfw.edu/page.aspx?pid=382" href="http://www.ctsfw.edu/page.aspx?pid=382" style="color: #0071bb; margin: 0px; outline-style: none; padding: 0px;">Rev. Dr. Klaus Detlev Schultz</a>, Professor of Pastoral Ministry and Missions from Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne. Dr. Schultz serves as the Dean of the Graduate School and Director of the Ph.D. in Missiology program at the Fort Wayne Seminary. The Office of International Mission (OIM) and Concordia Theological Seminary have formed a partnership to provide advanced missiology training to LCMS missionaries. The initial pilot program began with the Regional Directors, even allowing them to take the classes for credit toward the <a data-mce-href="http://www.ctsfw.edu/page.aspx?pid=508" href="http://www.ctsfw.edu/page.aspx?pid=508" style="color: #0071bb; margin: 0px; outline-style: none; padding: 0px;">Ph.D. in missiology</a>. After the completion of the pilot project, LCMS missionaries will be able to take seven classes toward a "certificate in missiology." Dr. Lawrence Rast, President of Concordia Theological Seminary, noted, "The partnership between the Office of International Mission (OIM) and Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, has been a model of collaboration for missionary training. OIM has significant human resources and missionary experience. CTSFW's expertise in missiology is undergirded by one of the premier Ph.D. programs in missiology in the world. Together, they are able to resource the church and its mission in ways beyond what either could do on its own."</div>
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At CPH, the Regional Directors are taking Module 2: Biblical and Theological Foundations for Mission. This particular course explores the historical genius and the theological discussion on the concept of <i style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">missio Dei</i>, the Lutheran contribution to that concept, the overall missiological direction of theology, and the relationship of church / congregation and mission." A significant portion of the class focused on the relationship between church and congregations (modalities) and mission societies (sodalities). The class also examined and critiqued Alan Hirsch's apostolicity model (that apostolic leadership needs to be revived today in the church) from Ephesians 4:3. A portion of the class also discussed the relatively recent use of the term "missional" and how Lutheran theologians can contribute to the discussion. Dr. Schultz said of the class, "Coming together around the table as theologians and as missionaries, and then interacting with one another on theology and field experiences is how we can best further our mission for the future. We cannot forego reflection on mission just as much as we cannot abstain from practicing it."<br />
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Rev. Theodore Krey, Regional Director for Latin America, remarked, "Dr. Schultz's engaging lectures are challenging OIM's Regional directors to think through missiology and its centrality in the theology of the church. The goal of missions is through the Lord's Word to incorporate people into the body of Christ, which is to bring people into a worshiping community where they can receive the Lord's saving gifts." President Matthew Harrison joined the class for a time to see how the missionaries were receiving continuing education. President Harrison said to the Regional Directors, "I am proud of the work you are doing. Now is a unique moment in time for mission."</div>
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Dr. Bruce Kintz, President of Concordia Publishing House, also joined the sessions. He attended the first missiology class that Dr. Schultz taught in the Dominican Republic in October 2014. Dr. Kintz said, "I have heard many times how CPH resources remain long after LCMS missionaries move on to a new area. Getting to know the missionaries in the field has helped CPH create the resources missionaries need." Over the past year, the collaboration between OIM and CPH has increased dramatically. Kintz said, "Having been to one Regional Directors' meeting in the Dominican Republic, I felt compelled to invite the Regional Directors to CPH for their next meeting. They will be able to see first hand our materials, to see how our associates work together to create them and gain valuable input into the creation of additional resources."</div>
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In addition to the missiological continuing education, the Regional Directors will work on OIM's strategic plan and budgeting for the next year. The week concludes with the Regional Directors attending the ALMA meeting and the BIM meeting on Friday and Saturday.</div>
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(The Course Syllabus)</div>
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<a href="https://www.scribd.com/doc/253800016/Module-2-Biblical-Theological-Foundations" style="text-decoration: underline;" title="View Module 2 Biblical Theological Foundations on Scribd">Module 2 Biblical Theological Foundations</a></div>
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Abc3http://www.blogger.com/profile/02889402271240357059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7963337751631213467.post-71092211271893744532015-01-24T12:10:00.001-06:002015-01-24T12:10:43.449-06:00History of the Old Latin School<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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The Old Latin School, known officially as the Wittenberg Gymnasium of 1828, was build in the church yard of St. Mary's in Wittenberg, where Martin Luther preached over 1,000 sermons. The first two floors of the school were built in 1564. The second two floors were built in 1828, hence the official name "Wittenberg Gymnasium of 1828." When the school originally was built it served to train young men who would later attend the University of Wittenberg and other universities to become pastors, doctors, lawyers and so forth. In its 450 year history, the building has been used for a variety of purposes and visited by historically famous people. The building even served as a make shift hospital when Napoleon rolled through Wittenberg. A detailed history (in German) can be read below.<br />
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Pictured above: St. Mary's City Church, where Dr. Martin Luther preached. Circled is the Old Latin School. The location right next to the church where Martin Luther preached the Reformation Gospel to the world is a powerful reminder for the purpose of the school. The Old Latin School existed to facilitated the Gospel to the world. Today, the opportunity for the Old Latin School exists again. The renovations to the building are nearly completed. It will be dedicated in May 2015. The building will serve as a preaching station, a conference center where theological education will take place. The Old Latin School provides an opportunity to be a witness to the world regarding Confessional Lutheranism, especially during the 2017 Reformation celebration.
Interested individuals and groups will be able to stay at the Old Latin School. You can learn more by visiting The Old Latin School Website (<a href="http://oldlatinschool.org/" title="http://oldlatinschool.org">http://oldlatinschool.org</a>).
To see some of the fascinating history of the Old Latin School, take a look at the book below.<br />
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Abc3http://www.blogger.com/profile/02889402271240357059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7963337751631213467.post-21909957258117501852015-01-23T06:37:00.001-06:002015-01-23T06:42:05.899-06:00Ethiopia — New Work in An Ancient Land<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="color: #4e4e4e; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Calibri, 'Myriad Pro', Myriad, 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">(Originally from: </span><span style="color: #4e4e4e; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Calibri, 'Myriad Pro', Myriad, 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"></span><a data-mce-href="http://blogs.lcms.org/2015/new-work-in-an-ancient-land" href="http://blogs.lcms.org/2015/new-work-in-an-ancient-land" style="color: #0071bb; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Calibri, 'Myriad Pro', Myriad, 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline-style: none; padding: 0px;" title="http://blogs.lcms.org/2015/new-work-in-an-ancient-land">http://blogs.lcms.org/2015/new-work-in-an-ancient-land</a><span style="color: #4e4e4e; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Calibri, 'Myriad Pro', Myriad, 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">)</span><br />
Ethiopia is a country with an ancient history and rich culture dating back to the Old Testament period. Some Bible versions translate Cush in Ezek. 29:10 as “Ethiopia,” and the Oromo, the largest of Ethiopia’s many tribes, is known as “Southern Cushite.”<br />
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Christianity has been in Ethiopia for nearly 2,000 years. It became the state religion in 330 A.D. when Archbishop Athanasius of Alexandria sent a bishop to Ethiopia, resulting in the birth of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, and it remains the predominant religion to this day.</div>
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Lutherans are relative latecomers to this African nation—and the LCMS later still.</div>
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Lutheran contact with Ethiopia began in the 17th century with the arrival of Dr. Peter Heyling, a young missionary from Lübeck, Germany. Heyling practiced medicine while teaching Lutheran theology to the Ethiopian clergy. Echoing Luther’s work, he translated the Gospel of John and the liturgy into Amharic, the language of the people.</div>
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When Islam demanded his conversion, Heyling refused and was martyred. His teachings, however, survived in the Ethiopian desert for nearly 200 years. Once discovered, they laid a foundation for the work of Lutheran missionaries who came to Ethiopia in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.</div>
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The missionaries — who were sent by Lutheran mission societies in Sweden, Germany, Norway, Finland, Denmark and the United States — planted a patchwork of independent churches that merged over 50 years ago to form the Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus (EECMY).</div>
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Mekane Yesus means “the dwelling place of Jesus.” It aptly describes this rapidly growing church body that is focused on ministering to the whole person with Christ’s gifts in Word and Sacrament.</div>
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The LCMS began regular contact with the EECMY in 2000, though informal connections occurred through individual students and professors of the EECMY in the 1970s, 80s and 90s.</div>
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The EECMY, with its zeal for missions and revitalization of congregations, has grown significantly from a church of 20,000 members in 1959. Its membership will soon surpass 7 million.</div>
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Such rapid growth creates a tremendous need for pastors and provides a challenge for this young church body with a goal of training 10,000 pastors and evangelists in five years.</div>
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Because the LCMS has an international reputation for excellence in theological education and pastoral formation, the EECMY has asked the Missouri Synod to assist in helping train future professors who will teach at its central seminary, five regional seminaries and 40 Bible schools.</div>
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The Rev. Dr. Berhanu Ofgaa, the EECMY general secretary, says that the EECMY needs a strong Lutheran identity to remain faithful in light of the many challenges the church faces — challenges ranging from Islam to Pentecostalism to liberalism. This is a conviction shared by EECMY President Rev. Dr. Wakseyoum Idosa.</div>
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In November, an LCMS delegation led by the Rev. Dr. Albert B. Collver III, LCMS Director of Church Relations and Regional Operations, met with EECMY leaders to discuss and sign a revised working–partnership agreement. The agreement includes provision for theological education and support for Mekane Yesus Seminary in Addis Ababa.</div>
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“Though differences remain,” said Collver, “the EECMY has a great respect for the LCMS’ commitment to the Holy Scriptures as the inerrant Word of God and to the Lutheran Confessions. At the same time, the LCMS can learn from the EECMY’s zeal for mission and revitalization of congregations.”</div>
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“The EECMY has a strong desire for confessional Lutheran Theology taught to the highest standards,” said the Rev. Dr. Jeffrey Kloha, provost at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. “By strengthening their graduate programs, pastors and professors of the EECMY will be built up in the Scriptures and Confessions … We are pleased to have several pastors from the EECMY already studying for advanced degrees here through the Global Seminary Initiative. They will return to Ethiopia to strengthen theological education there for the next generation.”</div>
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The Rev. Dr. Lawrence Rast Jr., president of Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Ind., expanded on this, stating: “Students from the EECMY have benefited from educational opportunities at Concordia Theological Seminary (CTS) in Fort Wayne for more than a decade now. At the same time, faculty from CTS have built deep and lasting relationships with Mekane Yesus Seminary in Addis Ababa. Through this mutual interaction, we see God at work building and strengthening His church for a robust future.”</div>
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“There are great opportunities ahead for the LCMS and the EECMY as this relationship develops,” Collver said. “Thanks be to God for opening this door. LCMS ministry leaders look forward to continuing this work together.”</div>
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<em style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The Rev. Dr. Albert B. Collver III, LCMS director of Church Relations and Regional Operations, and Deaconess Pamela J. Nielsen is associate executive director for LCMS Communications, contributed to this story.</em></div>
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<a href="https://www.scribd.com/doc/253500810/New-Work-in-an-Ancient-Land" style="text-decoration: underline;" title="View New Work in an Ancient Land on Scribd">New Work in an Ancient Land</a> by <a href="https://www.scribd.com/brandy99" style="text-decoration: underline;" title="View brandy99's profile on Scribd">brandy99</a></div>
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Abc3http://www.blogger.com/profile/02889402271240357059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7963337751631213467.post-57651774933777215102015-01-21T12:54:00.001-06:002015-01-21T13:05:21.612-06:00« WORKING AGREEMENT SIGNED BETWEEN ILK AND LCMS ILC Executive meets inEngland, plans for 2015 World Conference<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Pictured, from left: President Gijsbertus van Hattem (Belgium); President Egon Kopereck (Brazil); Archbishop Christian Ekong (Nigeria); ILC Executive Secretary Dr. Albert Collver (USA); Chairman Jon Ehlers (Great Britain); Bishop Hans-Jörg Voigt (Germany); President Antonio Reyes (Philippines).</div>
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By Mathew Block</div>
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Originally Posted on <a href="http://www.ilc-online.org/2015/01/21/ilc-executive-meets-in-england-plans-for-2015-world-conference">http://www.ilc-online.org/2015/01/21/ilc-executive-meets-in-england-plans-for-2015-world-conference</a>/</div>
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ENGLAND – The Executive Committee of the International Lutheran Council (ILC) met January 15-16, 2015 at the St. Cuthman’s Retreat Centre in Coolham, West Sussex, just south of London, England. ILC Chairman Hans-Jörg Voigt, Bishop of the Independent Evangelical Lutheran Church in Germany, presided over the sessions.</div>
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The committee’s primary task was to make preparations for the ILC’s 25th World Conference, set for September 2015, in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Bishops and presidents of all 34 full and associate member churches are being invited. The chosen overarching theological theme for the gathering is Bringing the Reformation to the World. In addition, delegates to the conference will choose a chairman and other executive officers for the coming three-year term.</div>
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Chairman Voigt expressed his joy over the fact that five Lutheran church bodies from various continents have made inquiries about taking up membership in the ILC. The Executive Committee also spent time examining the financial status of this global organization, which needs to be further developed.</div>
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Rev. Dr. Lawrence Rast, President of Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Indiana (USA), facilitated intensive planning sessions for the Executive Committee as they strategized for the future and analyzed both strengths and weaknesses of the Council’s existing form and function.</div>
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Summing up at the close of the meetings, Chairman Voigt commented, “At various times in history, the Church has been especially strong when in the midst of its limitations it focused on the primary thing—that is, the proclamation of the Gospel.” Bringing the Gospel to people is the Church’s main responsibility, he added.</div>
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Abc3http://www.blogger.com/profile/02889402271240357059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7963337751631213467.post-56726145879900916732015-01-19T08:33:00.000-06:002015-01-19T08:33:04.602-06:00WORKING AGREEMENT SIGNED BETWEEN ILK AND LCMS<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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19 January 2015<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />For Immediate Release</div>
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<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />Representatives from the Istanbul Lutheran Church (ILK) and The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS) met in Istanbul on 17-19 January 2015 to discuss the creation of a working agreement between the church bodies.</div>
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<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />Representing the ILK, Leading Pastor, Rev. Ville Typpö, together with Rev. Mikko Tiira, met with church leaders from the LCMS, including Rev. Tony Booker, LCMS Eurasia Regional Director, Rev. Dr. Albert B. Collver, Director of Church Relations / Regional Operations, Rev. Dr. Joel Lehenbauer, Executive Director of the Commission on Theology and Church Relations, and Rev. Dr. Lawrence Rast, President of Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne and Chairman of the Commission on Theology and Church Relations.</div>
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<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />The agreement states that the goal is “to work together to make Christ known primarily among the Turkish speaking people and to strengthen the Lutheran witness by word and deed in the church and community.” The two churches also agreed to respect each other’s founding documents and conscience, to have regular contact between leaders, to share plans with one another, and to share theological and education resources.</div>
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<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />Leading Pastor Ville Typpö rejoices in the agreement, stating, “It was the intention of Martin Luther himself to send able men among Turkish speaking people to witness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It was not possible during his times, but is possible in our times. Now we, as churches sharing the same confession and the same goal, are invited to take steps toward working together for this purpose.”</div>
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<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />Dr. Albert Collver expressed, “We are very glad to be able to sign this working agreement with the ILK. Their commitment to the Holy Scriptures and the Lutheran Confessions, along with their experience in both Turkish culture and language, are invaluable to carry forth a witness in the region.”</div>
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<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />The two churches intend to hold additional conversations towards future work.</div>
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<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">About the Istanbul Lutheran Church</strong></div>
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<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />Istanbul Lutheran Church (ILK) is a Turkish speaking Confessional Lutheran Church officially established in 2004, nowadays consisting of four congregations located in Turkey and Bulgaria. The ILK carries the tradition of the first Lutheran congregation established in Constantinople at 1709. Learn more at <a data-mce-href="http://www.luteryenkilisesi.org" href="http://www.luteryenkilisesi.org/" style="color: #0071bb; margin: 0px; outline-style: none; padding: 0px;">http://www.luteryenkilisesi.org</a>.</div>
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<strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">About The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod</strong></div>
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The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod is a biblical, confessional, witness-oriented Christian denomination with 2.2 million members — 600,000 households — in 6,200 congregations. Through acts of witness and mercy, the church makes known the love of Jesus Christ worldwide. Learn more at <a data-mce-href="http://lcms.org" href="http://lcms.org/" style="color: #0071bb; margin: 0px; outline-style: none; padding: 0px;">lcms.org</a>.</div>
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Abc3http://www.blogger.com/profile/02889402271240357059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7963337751631213467.post-37336279868294472102015-01-13T02:36:00.002-06:002015-01-13T02:43:16.462-06:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Bishop Hans-Jörg Voigt of the Independent Evangelical Lutheran Church (SELK) speaks about the Old Latin School recently being renovated and finished for its dedication on 3 May 2015 in Wittenberg Germany. The Old Latin School was built in 1564 across from St. Mary's ( Stadt- und Pfarrkirche St. Marien zu Wittenberg) where Dr. Martin Luther preached the majority of his sermons during this tenure in Wittenberg. Throughout its life the Old Latin School prepare young men for further study, was seen by Peter the Great, and served as a hospital when Napoleon marched through. More recently, under the communist it served as a printing office and a garment factory until it laid vacant for 40 plus years. Under the International Lutheran Society of Wittenberg (ILSW), a partnership of the Missouri Synod, Concordia Publishing House (CPH), and our partner church the Independent Evangelical Lutheran Church (SELK).
The Old Latin School will serve as a Gospel outreach to the Wittenberg Community, with the establishment of an Independent Evangelical Lutheran Church (SELK) congregation inside the building. It also will serve as a conference center with boarding for classes on Lutheran studies and confessional studies, as well as a place for tour groups from around the world to stay when they visit Luther sites and learn more about the Reformation.
After many years the Old Latin School is almost completely renovated. Below are some photos showing the progress. Additional information can be found at the <a href="http://thewittenbergproject.org/">Wittenberg Project Site</a>.
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Location of the Old Latin School is adjacent to St. Mary's where Martin Luther preached the Reformation Gospel.<br />
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Bishop Voigt and Dr. Collver standing on Jüdenstraße outside of the Old Latin School.
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The Plaque on the outside of the Old Latin School.<br />
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This is the renovated space inside the Old Latin School where the chapel and SELK congregation will meet on Sunday mornings.<br />
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This space is where the bookstore will be located in the Old Latin School. CPH is providing the initial supply of books.<br />
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Office space on the upper level in the Old Latin School.<br />
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View from the Office Window.<br />
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A portion of the Old Latin School Director's Apartment<br />
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The outer door from the inside.<br />
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Above the door on the outside.<br />
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The Old Latin School from Jüdenstraße.<br />
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The Old Latin School at night with St. Mary's in the background.<br />
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The Old Latin school at night from the St. Mary's Entrance.<br />
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-- Rev. Albert B. Collver, Ph.D., Director of Church Relations / Regional Operations</div>
Abc3http://www.blogger.com/profile/02889402271240357059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7963337751631213467.post-36586222711123513922015-01-11T18:59:00.001-06:002015-01-11T19:04:25.723-06:00Persian (Iranian) Lutheran Congregation in Berlin<a href="http://wmltblog.org/files/2015/01/IMG_7805.jpg"><img src="http://wmltblog.org/files/2015/01/IMG_7805.jpg" alt="IMG_7805.JPG" class="alignnone size-full" /></a>
On Sunday, 11 January 2015, The Baptism of the Lord, we visited Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in Berlin, Germany. Trinity is a SELK congregation (in altar and pulpit fellowship with the Missouri Synod) and a "satellite" congregation of St. Mary's in the Zehlendorf district of Berlin. Pastor Gottfried Martens serves as the senior pastor. The majority of the people who attended Trinity were Persians who had come to Germany from Iran. Most of the attendees were formerly Muslim. The worship attendance was approximately 300.
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There are a growing number of Iranians coming to Germany, both due to the brain drain of professionals from Iran and due to persecution. Germany has the largest population of Iranians (around 150,000) in Western Europe. Pastor Gottfried Matins, in a <em>Christianity Today</em> article, noted the irony of Persians converting from Islam to Christianity in Eastern Europe, which is one of the most atheistic and godless regions of the Western world.
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The service follows the regular order of service found in the SELK (Independent Evangelical Lutheran Church) hymnal; however, the congregation provides two supplements, 1. A German-English supplement and 2. A German-Farsi (Persian) supplement to assist congregation member and visitor alike.
The service began with a "Service of Corporate Confession and Absolution." The Lutheran Service Book (LSB) has a similar service. At Trinity in Berlin, the Service of Confession begins 30 minutes before the main service. After a corporate confession of sins ("I, a poor, miserable sinner confess to all my sins ..."), the penitent are invited to come forward and kneel at the communion rail to receive absolution (forgiveness of sins). Although fewer people attended the Confession service than the main service, it was still well attended with perhaps half the number of the divine service. After hearing the pastor speak, "Dir sind deine Sünden vergeben (Your sins are forgiven)" 200 hundred or so times to each individual who came forward, it is hard to walk away unclear what Jesus has done for you. The effect of hearing your sins are forgiven must be even more profound for a person coming from a Muslim background which does not teach forgives or grace.
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The German-Farsi supplement has the Lord's Prayer in Farsi (Persian) with how to pronounce the words on the left. During the service, the Lord's Prayer was said in Farsi. Now if an English speaking person looks at the Lord's Prayer in Farsi (Persian), he can recognize a few of the words (pedare, name, et al). For instance, the familial words in English such as "father," "mother," "daughter," and "brother," all originally came from Persian. Likewise, the English word "name," originally came from Persian. As an Indo-European language, Persian (Farsi) influenced the development of several European languages including English. Another Persian word every English speaker would recognize is "paradise."
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A number of the Persian attendees were catechumens (those who had not been baptized but were receiving instruction in the Christian faith). Those awaiting baptism received a blessing at the communion rail commending them to the day of their baptism. No doubt those who have completed the Christian instruction will be baptized at the Easter Vigil service. Pastor Martins has people study the Scriptures, the Creeds, the Small Catechism of Martin Luther, and the liturgy before baptism.
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The Jesus of the Bible not the Jesus found in the Qu'ran must be preached. Faith comes by hearing the Word of God, through the preaching and the teaching of Jesus. Pastor Martins preached on the baptism of Jesus, especially relevant for those Persian catechumens who will receive Holy Baptism in a few months.
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Pictured: Rev. Dr. Jon Vieker, Rev. David Bueltmann, Deaconess Pamela Nielsen, Rev. Dr. Gottfried Martins, Rev. Dr. Albert Collver, Rev. Dr. Joel Lehenbauer, Rev. David Mahsman, Mr. Rick Steenboch.
After the service, the congregation invited us to eat lunch with them before we departed for Wittenberg.
To read more please see:
<a href="http://www.ilc-online.org/2014/02/04/germanys-independent-evangelical-lutheran-church-welcomes-iranian-converts/">Germany’s Independent Evangelical Lutheran Church welcomes Iranian converts</a>
<a href="http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2012/july-august/the-other-iranian-revolution.html?paging=off">From Christianity Today -- "The Other Iranian Revolution"</a>
-- Rev. Albert B. Collver, Ph.D.,
Director of Church Relations / Regional Operations
Abc3http://www.blogger.com/profile/02889402271240357059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7963337751631213467.post-43833484345488656902015-01-05T14:42:00.002-06:002015-01-05T14:42:47.137-06:00WHY I APPRECIATE THE LCMS OFFICE OF INTERNATIONAL MISSION<a href="http://wmltblog.org/files/2015/01/IMG_7327.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-4569" src="http://wmltblog.org/files/2015/01/IMG_7327-300x225.jpg" alt="IMG_7327" width="300" height="225" /></a>
On December 13-18, 2014 I was privileged to visit the Czech Republic along with the Rev. Dr. Albert Collver III (Director of Church Relations & Regional Operations), Pastor Tony Booker (Regional Director of LCMS Eurasia), Pastor James Krikava (Associate Regional Director of LCMS Eurasia), Deaconess Grace Rao (Director of LCMS Deaconess Ministry), Deaconess Dorothy Krans (Director of Recognized Service Organizations), and Mrs. Kay Kreklau (President, LWML International).
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Though we spent a half day in Prague at the beginning and end of the trip, which included the Divine Service at St. Michael’s church with Pastor Tony Booker preaching and presiding, most of the time was spent in the northeastern city of Český Těšín, on the Polish border. In fact, several of us stayed in a small hotel just across the Olse River in Poland, in the sister city of Cieszyn.
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The purposes of the trip were twofold: to continue talks between the LCMS and the <em>Silesian Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession (SECAC)</em> and to lead a two day conference on the theology of mercy, both for the benefit of SECAC and its partner organization for mercy work, the <em>Silesian Diakonia. </em>My participation in the trip was an outgrowth of our congregation’s support of Missionary Jim Krikava who is one of five network supported missionaries (NSMs) that our congregation has adopted over the last 15 years. (From our side of things, we have known this as the <em>Together in Mission </em>program.) I was largely an observer at the talks with SECAC and at the Mercy conference, but also participated in many informal conversations. I had prepared a presentation on “Preaching Mercy,” but didn’t end up giving the talk due to conference schedule adjustments.
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The <em>Silesian Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession</em> is the largest (non-union) Lutheran Church in the Czech Republic. While its formal incorporation dates from the early 20<sup>th</sup> century, her roots go back to the time of the Reformation through Kaspar Schwenkfeld and the local political support of Waclaw III Adam. Though the LCMS is not presently in altar and pulpit fellowship with this church body, the Synod did sign a working agreement with the SECAC on November 13, 2010. The SECAC is comprised of about 35 pastors and 21 congregations located in the northeastern Czech Republic in part of a larger region historically known as Silesia. Until World War I Silesia was the name for the territory located both in this northeastern part of the Czech Republic as well as in southwestern Poland. It was a very Lutheran area! In fact, still today, the overwhelming percentage of Lutherans in both Poland and the Czech Republic still live in this area formerly known as Silesia.
The <em>Silesian Diakonia</em> is an amazing organization for mercy work, which is closely affiliated with the SECAC and provides a full array of social services throughout Silesia. These services consist of 102 programs in 60 centers provided by 600 full time employees, 100 part time employees, and 115 volunteers. Orphanages, homeless shelters, and sheltered workshops are just a few examples of the types of services they provide for the benefit of 8,000 needy people. In Europe it is common to have such `diakonias’ or social service organizations that are affiliated with various church bodies (many of them Lutheran). These diakonias receive much of their funding from the government.
It was both surprising to me as well as horizon expanding to observe the depth of theological education of many of the pastors in SECAC. Almost all had four year university Bachelor degrees plus a seminary education. Some received their university education at the respected 14<sup>th</sup> century Charles University, in Prague. Several have studied at U.S. Lutheran seminaries. But it was also very interesting to note the differences between their theology and that which we confess as LCMS Lutherans. There is definitely still much work to be done if we are to grow together into the fullness of our Lutheran identity. These conversations, with Dr. Collver and Missionaries Booker and Krikava doing the talking for the LCMS, impressed on me the importance of confessing and taking seriously, not only the authority of Scripture, but also our subscription to the Lutheran Confessions, in matters related to international missions. On a side note, it was very impressive to witness the fluency in Czech, German, and Russian from Eurasia Regional and Associate Regional Directors Booker and Krikava! We’d have been lost without it… literally!
Besides the faithful and bold confession of the faith that was made by our representatives, I was also struck by the patience, respect, trust, goodwill, charity, and desire for cooperation in externals that was evident from all who spoke. I came to realize what a slow process such efforts at recovering a full and shared Lutheran identity can be, and how much it is aided by the values just mentioned. It also occurred to me that there are many similarities between the dynamics of `church talks’ such as these, and the kind of dialogue envisioned in the LCMS through the <em>Koinonia Project. </em>In the near future I hope to say more about this.
There is so much more that could be said about our interaction with these Lutherans of the Czech Republic, not the least of which is to reflect further on the Mercy conference and the things learned from our time with the <em>Silesian Diakonia.</em> But that will have to wait for another time.
I’d like to close by saying how much greater of an appreciation I gained for the dedicated hard work of the LCMS Office of International Mission (OIM). From the things I learned about funding and budgeting issues, to aspects of the strategic plan, to the uniqueness of each Lutheran church body in the world, to the OIM’s critical relationship with LCMS diaconal work and our Recognized Service Organizations, the LCMS Office of International Mission works hard to advance the mission of our Triune God to all nations in a way that is fully integrated with everything else that our Synod does. My hope is that more and more congregations and individuals will read and take to heart the wealth of information regarding international missions that is already communicated through the <em>Lutheran Witness, </em>the <em>Reporter, </em>and the LCMS website with its various blogs<em>. </em>(Pastors can play a key role in publicizing this information!) And as this knowledge increases, my prayer is that we as individuals, congregations, districts, and the Synod will, by God’s grace, work increasingly closer together, in a mutually supportive and cooperative way, to advance the one mission of the Triune God—that <em>all would be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth. </em>
Pastor Peter K. Lange, Senior Pastor
St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church
Topeka, KansasAbc3http://www.blogger.com/profile/02889402271240357059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7963337751631213467.post-80379675867690298762014-12-30T12:07:00.001-06:002014-12-30T13:27:38.922-06:00Mission Emphasis for January 2015<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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The Christmas and Epiphany seasons in the church year are excellent times to remember the Synod's efforts to share the Incarnation, Nativity, Epiphany, Baptism, Death, Resurrection, Ascension of Jesus (see "The Litany" from <em>LSB</em> pg. 288) with the entire world. The 140 Synod International Missionaries (career and GEO missionaries) share the Gospel with those who haven't heard it before and work to strengthen Lutheran churches where they serve. Please remember them in your prayers.<br />
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January 2015 marks the Synod's <a href="http://www.lcms.org/themes/january">Mission Emphasis</a>. The link to the Synod's emphasis on International Mission includes link to <a href="https://www.lcms.org/Document.fdoc?src=lcm&id=3177">bulletin inserts</a> and other resources (including <a href="http://prayercards.lcms.org/">prayer cards for LCMS missionaries</a>) that can be used by Districts or congregations to increase awareness of international mission work and to support the Synod's missionaries and mission efforts around the world.
The LCMS Reporter Insert for the month of January also features international mission work, as does the upcoming January <a href="http://blogs.lcms.org/category/lutherans-engage">Engage</a> magazine.<br />
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With the Lord's help, the coming year looks very exciting for International Mission. Pray that the Lord of the Harvest send labors into his field.<br />
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Rev. Albert B. Collver, Ph.D.<br />
Director of Church Relations / Regional Operations</div>
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Abc3http://www.blogger.com/profile/02889402271240357059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7963337751631213467.post-9511544318936323942014-12-27T09:29:00.000-06:002014-12-30T12:17:13.182-06:00A Christmas Song -- John Collver 1828<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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The Collver (Colver / Culver) family who came over with the Massachusetts Bay Colony in the 17th century always had a religious streak. The first Collvers came over with the Puritans but either always were or quickly became Quaker like when they joined the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rogerenes" target="_blank">Rogerenes</a>. First settling Groton / Mystic Connecticut and later moving to Schooley's Mountain in New Jersey due to religious persecution by the Puritans, a group of the Collvers became "late loyalists" moving to Simcoe, Canada, to live under the rule of the British Crown. In Canada, the Collvers left behind their Quaker / Rogerene religiosity in favor of Presbyterianism. </div>
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John Collver (b. 1768 - b. 1834), my 5th great grand uncle, wrote a hymnbook, which contains the "Christmas Song," featured in the video. The video features stanzas: 1, 2, 3, and 5. "A Christmas Song" was sung to an 18th century <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fuguing_tune" target="_blank">fuguing tune</a>, "<a href="http://www.ccel.org/cceh/0005/000561c.pdf" target="_blank">Lenox</a>" by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lewis_Edson" target="_blank">Lewis Edson</a>.<br />
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A Christmas Song by John Collver, circa 1828.</div>
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(Stanzas sung in the Youtube video)</div>
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1. This is the glorious day,</div>
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When Jesus came on earth</div>
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To take our sins away;</div>
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Come, view his humble birth:</div>
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He's of an humble virgin born,</div>
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Made in the lowly human form.</div>
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2. Come, view the infant God,</div>
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With all his holy charms,</div>
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In union with our blood,</div>
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In the fond virgin's arms:</div>
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He is th' eternal darling son;</div>
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By him creation was begun.</div>
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3. Give glory to his name, </div>
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To him all pow'r was given;</div>
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Made in the human from,</div>
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Th' eternal heir of heaven:</div>
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To him your christmas offerings bring,</div>
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He is the universal King.</div>
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5. Come, all ye saints above,</div>
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And angels round the King,</div>
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Send down your notes of love,</div>
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And help his praise to sing:</div>
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Join in the joyful jubilee,</div>
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His love remains for ever free.</div>
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Short biographic information about John Collver from <a href="https://sites.google.com/site/longpointsettlers/owen-chapter-1-1" target="_blank"><i>The Long Point Settlers</i>, "THE DOUBLE CULVER QUARTETTE."</a><br />
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"John Culver, third brother in the quartette, was born in New Jersey, in 1768, and was twenty-six years old when he built his log-cabin in the Townsend wilderness. He came a little in advance of his father and brothers, and was the first Culver to effect a settlement in Norfolk. They left New Jersey in early 1793,[11] but the season was spent somewhere about the Grand River, and they did not reach Norfolk before February or March, 1794. The ground was covered with snow, and after crossing the Grand River they had to chop their way through the brush entangled forest. When they reached a certain spot on which is now Lot 1, 11th concession, Townsend, they pitched their tent. The snow was cleared away from the prostate trunk of a huge tree, and a temporary shelter constructed with pine boughs and cow-hides. What a mighty transformation has been effected in Norfolk since Miriam Culver and her three babies cuddled together on a bed of pine boughs by the side of that log a hundred and three years ago! And what were the thoughts of the brave young pioneer as he guarded that rudely constructed couch all through the "silly watches" of that first night? In our imagination we can see the leaping flames and the radiating shadows. It is midnight, and stretching away in every direction is a vast, unbroken and densely wooded forest. Old Townsend's first permanent settler stands with his back to the crackling flames, and, with folded arms, peers into the outlying darkness.[12] Hark! What demonical, blood-curdling sound was that? He listens. It grows louder. On a bed of pine-boughs, by the side of a fallen tree, lies old Townsend's first pioneer mother. She has had a hard day's tramp through the forest, and has fallen into a deep sleep with her babies nestled snuggly in her arms. She is oblivious to her surroundings, and hears not the discordant howls of the blood-thirsty wolves. She is dreaming of her happy, far-away New Jersey home and the dear friends left behind. But the vigilant sentry disturbs not her slumbers. He heaps on more wood and sends the sparkling flames still higher, for well he knows that this is a certain means of warding off attacks of wild beasts.<br />
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John Culver was truely a pioneer of pioneers. He was a preacher, but never assumed the duties of the regular pastor. He was a poet, and in 1828 he wrote a volume of hymns which was published as the “Upper Canada Hymn Book.” He was somewhat eccentric in character, and towards the close of his life he became enamored with the doctrines of Universalism. He had five sons—Michael, Gabriel, Darius, John Mark and Hiram; and seven daughters—Rhoda, Sarah, Mary, Elizabeth, Miriam, Dorcas and Susanna. He died in 1834 in his 67th year, and his wife died in 1852, in her 80th year."<br />
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Collver, John. The Upper Canada Hymn Book, for All Christian Denominations With Other Pious Poems, on Various Subjects. St. Catharines [Ont.]: Printed at the Journal Office, for the author, 1828.</div>
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-- Rev. Albert B. Collver, Ph.D., 27 December 2014.</div>
Abc3http://www.blogger.com/profile/02889402271240357059noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7963337751631213467.post-84803415685709786582014-12-20T13:09:00.002-06:002014-12-20T13:09:27.603-06:00CPH Missionary Gift Registry<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Concordia Publishing House (CPH) in cooperation with the Office of International Mission (OIM) has launched a <a href="https://www.cph.org/t-international-missions.aspx">Missionary Gift Registry</a> to benefit the work of sharing the Gospel overseas. In a joint meeting between the LCMS Regional Directors and Dr. Bruce Kintz of CPH, the Regional Directors asked if CPH could find a way to help missionaries get CPH materials onto the mission field, where emerging churches could make use of the material. CPH created a webpage that contains a list of materials LCMS missionaries would like to sue on the mission field with partner churches, emerging churches, and converts to the Christian faith. The web address is <a href="https://www.cph.org/t-international-missions.aspx">https://www.cph.org/t-international-missions.aspx</a>
Each quarter the regional directors will update the list and provide CPH with a list of needed resources. CPH also is working with LCMS missionaries to identify resources to translate into other languages. Please take a look at the CPH site created to help our LCMS missionaries.
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The CPH website helpfully shows the regions of the world where the LCMS works and provides the name of the regional director.
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This is part of the Latin America list of needed resources. As the image shows, a number of resources have been identified with the quantity required and the amount fulfilled.
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Eurasia is looking to get LSB hymnals for the Old Latin School in Wittenberg.
Thanks CPH for working with the Office of International Mission on this. It is a great way to collaborate.
-- Rev. Albert B. Collver, Ph.D, Director of Church Relations / Regional Operations</div>
Abc3http://www.blogger.com/profile/02889402271240357059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7963337751631213467.post-51391247106293558562014-12-19T10:40:00.001-06:002014-12-19T10:40:29.023-06:00Visit to the Silesian Lutherans (Bohemia)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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On Sunday, December 14th, a group from the Missouri Synod arrived in Prague for a week long conference with the Silesian Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession (SECAC). In 2010, the LCMS and the SECAC, who are not in altar and pulpit fellowship, signed a working agreement describing how the two churches will work in the area of human care (particularly in the area of people with disabilities through <a href="http://www.slezskadiakonie.cz/en" target="_blank">Slezská diakonie</a>) and in the realm of theological education and conferences. (Read more about that at <a href="http://abc3miscellany.blogspot.com/2010/11/working-agreement-with-silesian.html">http://abc3miscellany.blogspot.com/2010/11/working-agreement-with-silesian.html</a>)<br />
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<span style="color: #4e4e4e; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Calibri, 'Myriad Pro', Myriad, 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;">The Slezská diakonie requested that the Missouri Synod present on the topic of the theology of mercy, so that the church can remain closely connected to human care work. Dr. Collver presented on the Biblical view of mercy, both to the Slezská diakonie and to a pastors' conference at </span><span style="color: #4e4e4e; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Calibri, 'Myriad Pro', Myriad, 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;">the Silesian Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession (SECAC).</span><br />
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<span style="color: #4e4e4e; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Calibri, 'Myriad Pro', Myriad, 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;">Pastor James Krikava, Eurasia missionary to Czech Republic and associate Eurasia regional director, presented to the </span><span style="color: #4e4e4e; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Calibri, 'Myriad Pro', Myriad, 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;">pastors' conference at the Silesian Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession (SECAC) in Czech. His paper addressed the topic of mercy in pastoral care through confession and absolution.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #4e4e4e; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Calibri, 'Myriad Pro', Myriad, 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;"><br /></span><span style="color: #4e4e4e; font-family: Segoe UI, Calibri, Myriad Pro, Myriad, Trebuchet MS, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 19.5px;">Above is a short video (15 seconds) of Rev. James Krikava presenting at the SECAC pastors' conference in Czech. The LCMS believes it is very important for her missionaries to know the local language. Rev. Krikava, born and raised in the United States, learned Czech at home from his parents and attained fluency during his 15 years of experience as a missionary to the Czech Republic. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #4e4e4e; font-family: Segoe UI, Calibri, Myriad Pro, Myriad, Trebuchet MS, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 19.5px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #4e4e4e; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Calibri, 'Myriad Pro', Myriad, 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;">Rev. Peter Lang, 1st Vice-President of the Kansas District and Pastor at St. John's in Topeka, KS, was part of the LCMS delegation to Silesia. Pastor Lang's congregation has supported the international mission work of the LCMS for the past 15 years, primarily through the Network Supported Missionary (NSM) model. In the video below, Pastor Lang describes how his congregation provides support for Rev. James Krikava in the Czech Republic.</span><br />
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If there is interest to support the work of Rev. James Krikava in the Czech republic please visit: <a href="http://lcms.org/krikava" target="_blank">http://lcms.org/krikava</a><br />
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<span style="color: #4e4e4e; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Calibri, 'Myriad Pro', Myriad, 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;">Kay Kreklau, President of from the </span><a data-mce-href="http://www.lwml.org" href="http://www.lwml.org/" style="color: #0071bb; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Calibri, 'Myriad Pro', Myriad, 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px; margin: 0px; outline-style: none; padding: 0px;">Lutheran Women's Missionary League (LWML)</a><span style="color: #4e4e4e; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Calibri, 'Myriad Pro', Myriad, 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;">, came to the Czech Republic and Poland as part of the LCMS delegation. Kay Kreklau was particularly interested in how the LWML can work more closely with the Office of International Mission (OIM) to better support LCMS missionaries and their work.</span><br />
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Abc3http://www.blogger.com/profile/02889402271240357059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7963337751631213467.post-31948157984875918472014-12-17T23:53:00.001-06:002014-12-18T00:05:58.972-06:00Krikava Doing Mission Work in Czech Republic<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Pastor James Krikava, associate Eurasia Regional Director, speaks about doing mission work in the Czech Republic. He and Rev. Tony Book, Eurasia Regional Director, are based out of Prague working to strengthen Lutheran identity through out Central Europe, as well as working with established and emerging LCMS partners throughout Europe.</div>
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Pastor Peter Lange, 1st VP of the Kansas District and pastor at St. John's Topeka, KS, speaks about his congregation's partnership with the Office of International Mission for the past 15 years and most recently through its support of Pastor James Krikava as a Network Supported Missionary (NSM) in the Czech Republic.</div>
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To support Rev. James Krikava's work in the Czech Republic (as Pastor Lange and St John's have) please visit <a href="http://www.lcms.org/krikava">http://www.lcms.org/krikava</a></div>
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Part of the video was shot in the Jesus Church (Kościół Jezusowy) in Polsky Tesin. The Jesus Church holds between 6,000 and 7,000 people. The church was constructed between 1709-1750. It is the largest Lutheran church in the region.</div>
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Altar area of the Jesus Church</div>
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Looking toward the nave of the Jesus Church.</div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Entrance to the Jesus Church</span></div>
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Abc3http://www.blogger.com/profile/02889402271240357059noreply@blogger.com0Václav Havel Airport Prague Prague 650.106688 14.263778tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7963337751631213467.post-19626121732731494702014-08-19T06:07:00.001-05:002014-08-19T06:07:05.434-05:00Norway’s Defender of Life Børre Knudsen Dead at 76Norway’s Defender of Life Børre Knudsen Dead at 76<br /> <br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/40218397@N00/14781751040/'><img src='https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3854/14781751040_9d5e579df0_o.jpg' border='0' width='284' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />(August 18) Norwegian Bishop Børre Knudsen died quietly in his home near Tromsø Sunday morning, surrounded by his family. Norway’s most prominent pro-Life leader had suffered worsening Parkinson’s Disease in recent years. His passing sparked a wave of praise from Christian and even secular publications across Norway. An editorial in the Christian daily Dagen entitled “Heartfelt Thanks, Borre Knudsen” described him as “a unique person. His warm heart, his gentle zeal and his steadfastness stand as strong testimony to a life of selfless service for the Life that God created.”<br /> <br />“When the history of our times is written,” Dagen continues, “Borre Knudsen will be one future generations will hear about. Knudsen’s struggle is not driven by opposition to women's rights or the preservation of traditional gender roles, but by a strong commitment to protect life itself.”<br /> <br />Vårt Land writes, “Borre Knudsen will go down in history as one of the most important churchly personalities of our time, but both he and his family had to pay a high price because he stood out front in the abortion battle.”<br /> <br />Bishop Knudsen was known throughout Norway and beyond for his gentle demeanor but uncompromising struggle against legalized abortion, beginning when the Norwegian law was adopted in 1978. Protesting the law, he refused to carry out government duties assigned to state church pastors, such as keeping official records, and refused his salary, but continued his pastoral service to his congregation.<br /> <br />This protest was modeled after the Church’s resistance against the World War II Nazi occupation of Norway. When the occupation government attempted to transform the Church along their lines and brainwash children as was then being done in Germany, the bishops wrote a Confession known as “The Church’s Foundation” (Kirkens Grunn). This confessed that the Church is bound to God’s Word, that Word and Sacrament cannot be reshaped by the government, and that parents must resist government efforts to pervert their children’s faith. On Easter Day 1942 this Confession was read from the pulpit in Lutheran churches all over Norway. Most pastors then resigned their state appointments, refusing to serve the government or to accept their government salaries, but continuing their pastoral services. The bishops and many pastors were imprisoned, but the Church remained free and faithful.<br /> <br />Following the Kirkens Grunn model, Knudsen continued to serve his parish despite government efforts to remove him, until the Norwegian Supreme Court ruled against him in 1983. He was not, however, defrocked at that time and continued his ministry in a valgmenighet, a Norwegian form of congregation nominally within the state church, but independent of its bishops. On Easter Day 1991, Knudsen and several other pastors formed the Strandebarm Deanery (Prosti), also called the “Norwegian Church in Exile.” The Deanery viewed itself as continuing the historic faith and practice of the Norwegian Church, but outside the control of the government and the government-appointed bishops. It held to confessional Lutheran positions, and thus opposed the state church, on such matters as abortion, homosexuality, and ordination of women.<br /> <br />Knudsen was consecrated bishop for the Deanery in 1997, and this led to his being defrocked in 2001. He continued serving in the Deanery until 2011, when he retired for health reasons. Bishop Thor Henrik With was consecrated in 2012 to replace Knudsen for the congregations in northern Norway. These congregations constituted themselves into what is now called The Evangelical-Lutheran Diocese in Norway. It cooperates closely with the Mission Province in Sweden and the Evangelical Lutheran Mission Diocese in Finland. Bishop Knudsen was one of the four Lutheran bishops who assisted Bishop Walter Obare of Kenya when he consecrated the first Mission Province bishop, Arne Olsson, in 2005.<br /> <br />Bishop Knudsen led an increasingly controversial series of protest actions in defense of the unborn as long as his health permitted. He was the object of much hatred and abuse by militant abortion supporters. He maintained a gentle but steadfast attitude in the face of much persecution. His family, especially his children, were also targeted for persecution.<br /> <br />Public attitudes toward Bishop Knudsen have mellowed considerably in light of his consistent and gentle witness. He is the subject of a book entitled A Priest and a Plague (En Prest og en Plage) and a full-length documentary film of the same title. The film was released in Norway earlier this year and shown all over that country. Norwegian TV has scheduled a nation-wide prime time broadcast on Tuesday (August 19). The film has been released on DVD in Scandinavia (in Region2 format), and is expected to be released in North America in October.<br /> <br />Coverage (in Norwegian) of Børre Knudsen’s passing:<br />http://www.dagen.no/Meninger/17/08/2014/Hjertelig_takk_Børre_Knudsen-103915<br /> <br />http://www.aftenposten.no/nyheter/iriks/Borre-Knudsen-er-dod-7670953.html<br /> <br />http://www.vl.no/troogkirke/alle-vi-andre-har-v%C3%A6rt-svake-men-han-var-sterk-1.88597<br /> <br />http://www.vg.no/nyheter/innenriks/boerre-knudsen-er-doed/a/23276007/<br /> <br />Link to documentary film website [a DVD is available in Scandinavia, but has not yet been released in North America … it will have English subtitles]:<br /> <br />http://fx.no/en-prest-og-en-plage/<br /> <br />Trailer: http://fx.no/en-prest-og-en-plage-trailer/<br /> <br /> <br />Christopher C. Barnekov, PhD<br />Scandinavia House Fort Wayne<br />1925 Saint Joe Center RD<br />Fort Wayne, IN 46825<br />http://scandhouse.org<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /><p class='blogpress_location'>Location:<a href='http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Avenida%20Armando%20Cortinez,Pudahuel,Chile%40-33.396441%2C-70.793744&z=10'>Avenida Armando Cortinez,Pudahuel,Chile</a></p>Abc3http://www.blogger.com/profile/02889402271240357059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7963337751631213467.post-47165656837087526372014-07-26T09:49:00.001-05:002014-07-26T09:49:02.948-05:00Loehe Theological Conference IV: Wilhelm Loehe on Christian Formation<br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/40218397@N00/14562590378/'><img src='https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2911/14562590378_7e6534d7c8_b.jpg' border='0' width='375' height='500' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />For the past several days, the International Loehe Society (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.iloes.net/en/">http://www.iloes.net/en/</a>) Fourth Loehe Theological Conference has been holding forth in Neuendettelsau, Germany -- Loehe's base of operation in the 19th century. Scholars primarily from Germany and North America discussed the topic of Christian Formation. <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/40218397@N00/14746063641/'><img src='https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3906/14746063641_cd77980ccc_b.jpg' border='0' width='500' height='375' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Professor John Pless and Dr. Albert Collver from the LCMS were presenters at the conference. Deaconess Grace Rao and Rev. Tony Booker, Regional Director for Eurasia, also attended on behalf of the LCMS. <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/40218397@N00/14562787057/'><img src='https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2896/14562787057_54a56fd0d7_b.jpg' border='0' width='500' height='375' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Dr. Collver's presentation was titled, "Loehe: Mission Societies, The Church in Its Motion and Missio Dei." Collver noted that for Loehe the church engages in mission by being Church. The gospel goes out into the world to all nations, one congregation at a time. Collver used Loehe to critique some contemporary Missiology trends.<br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/40218397@N00/14746890834/'><img src='https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3896/14746890834_009fb5b851_b.jpg' border='0' width='500' height='375' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Professor Pless presented on "Seed Grains: Loehe's Manual for Christian Formation Through Prayer." Loehe teaches Christians how to pray, not by talking about prayer but by providing prayers for Christians to imitate. He provides prayers for the church year and for various events and concerns. The Psalter has a primary function in Seed Grains with each day of the week. Through Seed Grains, Loehe hoped to shape the life of the Christian.<br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/40218397@N00/14746071231/'><img src='https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2906/14746071231_9e65174962_b.jpg' border='0' width='500' height='375' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Nikolai Kirche, Loehe's congregation. At the time of Loehe, there were only about 500 people in Neuendettelsau.<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/40218397@N00/14562794747/'><img src='https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5564/14562794747_b46829b293_b.jpg' border='0' width='500' height='375' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Stained glass window in the Nikolai Kirche.<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/40218397@N00/14749244295/'><img src='https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3883/14749244295_a8b16dd6f0_b.jpg' border='0' width='375' height='500' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />The tomb of Wilhelm Löhe.<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/40218397@N00/14562568210/'><img src='https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5570/14562568210_c029385509_b.jpg' border='0' width='333' height='500' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Wilhelm Loehe was instrumental in the establishment of St Lorenz (pictured above) in Frankenmuth, Michigan.<br /><p class='blogpress_location'>Location:<a href='http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Missionsstra%C3%9Fe,Neuendettelsau,Germany%4049.287679%2C10.789359&z=10'>Missionsstraße,Neuendettelsau,Germany</a></p>Abc3http://www.blogger.com/profile/02889402271240357059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7963337751631213467.post-84922751319707514222014-07-20T23:15:00.001-05:002014-07-20T23:15:32.238-05:00EECMY 10th Council Meeting<br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/40218397@N00/14703024494/'><img src='https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2930/14703024494_ce7d31cca7_b.jpg' border='0' width='500' height='375' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />The Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus (EECMY) is holding its Council meeting. The EECMY holds a general assembly every four years. This is similar to a convention for the LCMS. The EECMY also holds a council meeting between the general assemblies. The council meeting consists of all the synod presidents (District Presidents in LCMS terminology) and other representatives. Reports are made by each Synod (District in LCMS lingo) to the council. Currently, the various synods are reporting on how they are implementing the strategic plan. The EECMY has a church wide strategic plan. Each Synod (District) operates according to the same plan with the same goals. One Synod reported to the Council that they had gained 87,000 new members since this time last year. The Council is able to make decisions on behalf of the entire church between general assemblies. The third level of governance in the EECMY is the executive committee. President Harrison met with the executive committee in January 2014. <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/40218397@N00/14705134422/'><img src='https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2932/14705134422_b705bc1090_b.jpg' border='0' width='500' height='373' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Dr. Collver had opportunity to bring greetings to the Council on behalf of President Harrison and the LCMS. The EECMY expressed appreciation for President Harrison's visit in January, as well as for the LCMS' efforts to increase the EECMY's Lutheran identity and the work on theological education. <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/40218397@N00/14703031674/'><img src='https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2914/14703031674_d34b2b077f_b.jpg' border='0' width='500' height='375' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />The EECMY has recently begun to send missionaries around the world. They do work in West Africa and Pakistan. One of the missionaries told the Council that it was not enough to leave your home but one had to be willing to lose his life for the Gospel. Over 15,000 people attended, the sending service for one of the missionary.<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/40218397@N00/14725299953/'><img src='https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3897/14725299953_afb35133d2_b.jpg' border='0' width='500' height='375' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />The EECMY had an art display at the council. Recently, some in the EECMY began to use art as a method for outreach. The triptych above shows a person fixing his eyes on the crucified Christ and turning from the riches, beauty, and power of the world.<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/40218397@N00/14705439255/'><img src='https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5580/14705439255_6f786e5d49_b.jpg' border='0' width='500' height='125' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />The EECMY holds as its confessional basis that the Old and New Testaments are the Holy Word of God and the only source and only source and infallible norm of all Church doctrine and practice. The church holds to the Creeds, the Augsburg Confession and Luther's Catechisms. One of the challenges is that very few copies of either the Augsburg Confession or Luther's Catechisms can be found in Ethiopia. The lack of these confessional documents presents challenges in teaching and maintaining Lutheran identity.<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/40218397@N00/14518760290/'><img src='https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3853/14518760290_67409001a3_b.jpg' border='0' width='500' height='375' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Sunday worship at the mother congregation in Addis.<br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/40218397@N00/14705149862/'><img src='https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3843/14705149862_eac048b0a2_b.jpg' border='0' width='500' height='375' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />In the evenings, we have opportunity to enjoy meals such as kitfo with leaders from the EECMY. This provides great opportunity for further discussion.<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/40218397@N00/14518785939/'><img src='https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2895/14518785939_b99e3f1902_b.jpg' border='0' width='500' height='375' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />President Hailu from Hawasa. President Hailu is finishing his course work for a DMin from Concordia Seminary in St Louis. <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/40218397@N00/14705158362/'><img src='https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2933/14705158362_39cf22056e_b.jpg' border='0' width='500' height='375' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Emily German and Sandra Rhein who are assessing the feasibility of an Amharic hymnal project.<br /><br />Posted on 21 July 2014 by Rev. Dr. Albert Collver<br /><p class='blogpress_location'>Location:<a href='http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Addis%20Ababa,Ethiopia%408.967734%2C38.730100&z=10'>Addis Ababa,Ethiopia</a></p>Abc3http://www.blogger.com/profile/02889402271240357059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7963337751631213467.post-85985813698008021202014-07-18T23:33:00.001-05:002014-07-18T23:33:28.093-05:00Ethiopia: MYS<br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/40218397@N00/14688135842/'><img src='https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5583/14688135842_ce5d3e1272_b.jpg' border='0' width='500' height='375' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />(Left to Right: Dr Albert Collver, Deaconess Sandra Rhein, Emily German, Rev. Shauen Trump, Dr. Belay -- meet at Mekane Yesus Seminary) <br /><br />A group from the LCMS met with leaders at the Mekane Yesus Seminary (MYS) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to discuss how the EECMY and the LCMS can work together on theological education to train future pastors. The EECMY curre you has about 3,000 pastors, and has a goal of having one pastor per congregation or 10,000 pastors over the next five years. The LCMS has committed to providing assistance in curriculum development and to provide theological educators to teach courses. For the part year the LCMS have had theological educators at MYS to assist in their programs.<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/40218397@N00/14501978247/'><img src='https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5576/14501978247_99eed7149a_b.jpg' border='0' width='500' height='375' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />These books from CPH are some of the materials used by students in the graduate study lounge at MYS. Obtaining theological study materials is one of the greatest challenges in providing theological education in not only Ethiopia but through out Africa and Latin America. The challenge lay not only in the cost of the materials but also in shipping, transport, and storage. Although the rise of electronic books and Internet resources is common place in North America and Europe, electronic resources are generally impractical or entirely unusable in Africa and other parts of the world. (The hotel where we are staying only had Internet access for a few hours yesterday.) It is not uncommon for electricity to be shut off for parts of the day. Printed books are a necessity despite the rise of electronic resources. The question in many cases is which resources to provide and how to get the materials where they are needed -- a challenge that the Chemnitz Library Initiative is trying to address.<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/40218397@N00/14685248111/'><img src='https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3894/14685248111_1e98f832a3_b.jpg' border='0' width='500' height='375' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /> A letter of greeting from Concordia Seminary, St Louis is presented to Dr. Belay at MYS. With now 7 regional seminaries and 40 Bible colleges in the EECMY, there is tremendous opportunity for theological education. The EECMY requested that representatives from both Concordia Seminary St Louis and Concordia Theological Seminary come to Ethiopia to discuss face to face how further collaboration could be made.<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/40218397@N00/14688140852/'><img src='https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3896/14688140852_39548c6b61_b.jpg' border='0' width='500' height='375' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Construction on the dinning hall at Mekane Yesus Seminary continues and nears completion. Approximately, one year ago the LCMS became involved to assist in its completion.<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/40218397@N00/14688426575/'><img src='https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5564/14688426575_75ce6d656b_b.jpg' border='0' width='375' height='500' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />In Ethiopia, every meeting takes place over coffee, where it was first created. <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/40218397@N00/14686043744/'><img src='https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3903/14686043744_974f229bef_b.jpg' border='0' width='500' height='375' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Deaconess Sandra Rhein, Beza Tefera, and Church Musician Emily German tour the MYS campus. Deaconess Sandra and Emily are visiting to explore the possibility of assisting in the development of worship materials particularly for the youth and for mission outreach. Part of the project will include the gathering of indigenous Ethiopian hymns and songs, as well as working with traditional Lutheran hymns that have been translated. Dr. Berhanu, EECMY General Secretary, stated that this project is one of the most needful items now for the EECMY.<br /><br />Today we meet with other leaders of the EECMY. The next several days will be packed with activities.<br /><br />-- Posted on 19 July 2014 by Dr. Albert Collver<br /><br /><p class='blogpress_location'>Location:<a href='http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Addis%20Ababa,Ethiopia%408.967856%2C38.730297&z=10'>Addis Ababa,Ethiopia</a></p>Abc3http://www.blogger.com/profile/02889402271240357059noreply@blogger.com1