Update

Sorry that I haven't posted in a while.  However, developments continue.  Immanuel, Altona, passed its second vote on May 15, and St. John, Danforth, passed its second vote on May 22.  It is great to have these congregations working along side the other North American Lutheran Church congregations in Illinois and throughout the continent.

Also, inquiries contine to come.  Pastors and/or congregations continue to ask for more information.  That is a sign of encouragement.

Be sure to get registered for the CORE Convocation, the theological conference, and the NALC Convocation in August.  You can do that online.  Also, be sure to get registered for your motel rooms.  You won't want to wait too long.

God's blessings to all, and especially to those who served and continue to serve our country in the Armed Forces.

Pr. Jim Lehmann, Dean

Exciting News

God's blessings continue to unfold in unexpected and much needed ways.  Often, people express concern about the future of the North American Lutheran Church and its ability to train new pastors.  God is supplying our need.  Earlier this year, an endorsement panel was held to meet 8 seminarians who are seeking ordination and call in the North American Lutheran Church.  They have gone through ELCA seminaries and have remained orthodox.  Now, in June, we will hold a second panel to receive an additional 7 senior seminarians.  If they are certified, that will mean 15 new pastors who are wanting to serve with us.  That is truly exciting.  I would say that is a miracle of God!  Continue to pray that the Lord of the Church will send out laborers into the harvest!

Remember to keep in prayer Calvary Lutheran Church, Brookfield, WI, and Immanuel Lutheran Church, Altona, IL, who will be taking a second vote to leave the ELCA on Sunday, May 15.  Also, St. John Lutheran Church, Danforth, IL, will take its second vote on Sunday, May 22.

One last thing.  On May 21/22, Pastor Preston Foster, St. Paul, Metropolis, and Christ the King, De Soto, and I will be doing a pulpit exchange.  It is a way for the congregations to grow closer together.  Our council is interested in doing that type of thing more often.  They are interested in building relationships within the Illinois Deanery.  If anyone is interested in doing so, please contact me and we will try to work out a schedule.

God Bless! 

Pr. Jim Lehmann, Dean

Newspaper article from North Carolina

This is a good article from the Salisbury (NC) Post.  It is nice to get public recognition.

Pr. Jim Lehmann -- Dean

 

By Ronnie Smith

Special to the Salisbury Post

The National Executive Council of the North American Lutheran Church (NALC), a new and fast-growing Lutheran denomination, selected Salisbury and Rowan County as the host site for its 2011 quarterly meeting this week.

 

NALC Bishop Paull Spring and members of the executive council from around the country gathered at Christiana Lutheran Church for the three-day meeting and conference.

 

The event kicked off with a public forum Wednesday evening and continued through Friday.

The national Steering Committee for Lutheran Coalition for Renewal (CORE) also joined the NALC for this business meeting. Spring began the conference by announcing that the executive committee had selected North Carolina and Rowan County as its meeting site because of the support from Lutherans and Lutheran congregations in the area.

 

North Carolina and Texas lead the nation with the largest number of NALC-affiliated Lutheran churches.  The NALC is an outgrowth of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and was formed and officially constituted in 2010 as a return to the scriptural authority of the Bible and the traditional values of the Lutheran Church.

 

“The NALC is based on four major guiding principles of the Lutheran Church, including Christ centered, mission driven, traditionally grounded and congregationally-focused,” Spring said.

 

The 2011 national Convocation of the NALC will be held in August in Columbus, Ohio, the site of last year’s conference.

 

Seventeen Lutheran churches in Rowan County and the surrounding area have voted to join the NALC and/or Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ (LCMC). Local Lutheran churches include Christiana, Organ, Salem, St. Matthew’s, St. Paul’s, Union, Salisbury; Concordia, China Grove; Trinity, Landis; and New Life, New London.

 

“We are extremely pleased with the overwhelming response the NALC has received from Lutheran churches across America and throughout the world,” Spring said. “The NALC is a new beginning for the Lutheran Church in America. We are pleased that North Carolina and especially Rowan County are playing such an important role in its growth and success,” Spring said.