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2021 NALC Mission Convocation

• 2020 Vision Appeal
• Elections
• The Rev. Dr. Amy Little was installed as the General Secretary
• A major address on the convocation theme, “God the Father Creates”
• Melissa Ohden told the moving story of her life
• 2022 budgets were approved
• Prayer for Ethiopia
• Amendments to the NALC Constitution
• The Braaten-Benne Lectures in Theology

July 2021

• Pastor Amy Little called as NALC General Secretary.
• Lutheran Week is Aug. 2-6 in Corpus Christi, Texas.
• Melissa Ohden and Steven Paulson are the keynote speakers for convocation.
• Mission Convocation will elect members of Executive Council and Court of Adjudication.
• Focusing on our vision at Mission Convocation — Message from Bishop Dan Selbo.
• Stewardship workshop during Lutheran Week.
• Speakers for 2021 Braaten-Benne Lectures in Theology.
• Women of NALC Annual Gathering.
• “One more!” – Ministry Matters from Pastor David Wendel.
• Life-to-Life Discipleship workshop during Lutheran Week.
• NALC Disaster Response update.
• Mekane Yesus Seminary update and invitation.
• Mission update from Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch.
• Mission update from Jon Gowin in Gambia.
• Mission update from Pastor Valery Hryhoryk in Belarus.
• Mission update from Houston Oromo Evangelical Church.
• Women of NALC want to “Stuff the Truck” for Disaster Response
• Mission update from Pastor Didi Panzo in Democratic Republic of the Congo.
• Youth and family ministry Lutheran Week workshop.
• Great Commission Society update.

May/June 2021

• Nominations are still open for positions to be elected at 2021 NALC Mission Convocation.
• Speakers are announced for 2021 Braaten-Benne Lectures in Theology.
• Registration now open for 2021 Lutheran Week.
• “Until Our Lord Returns” – Message from Bishop Dan Selbo.
• Executive Council update.
• NALC Pastors’ Conference in San Antonio, Texas.
• Send your pastor to the 2022 NALC Pastors’ Conference – Ministry Matters from Pastor David Wendel.
• Youth and family ministry update.
• 2020 Vision: Disciple-making cultures.
• 2020 Vision: Congregational multiplication.

April 2021

• Executive Council approves proposal to create regions and decides to open central NALC office in Texas.
• Nominations sought for positions to be elected at 2021 Convocation.
• “Alive in the Body” – Message from Bishop Dan Selbo.
• Executive Council update.
• NALC Pastors’ Conference is May 4-6 in San Antonio, Texas.
• Mission update from Panzos.
• Mission update from Gowins.
• Mission update from Chelsea Smith with Cru in Cincinnati, Ohio.
• Bonhoeffer’s Life Together is focus of Great Commission Society’s online reading group.
• Call process during COVID-19 – Ministry Matters from Pastor David Wendel.
• Youth and family ministry update.
• NEXUS youth theology institute.
• June InterTerm courses at North American Lutheran Seminary.

March 2021

• Mark Chavez steps down as NALC general secretary.
• NALC seeking new general secretary.
• Changes in NALC and NALS staff.
• Congregations ratify NALC constitutional amendments.
• NALC Pastors’ Conference to feature Benne and Nestingen.
• “Reminded, encouraged and assured” – Message from Bishop Dan Selbo.
• Nominations sought for positions to be elected at 2021 Convocation.
• NALC Disaster Response needs your help in responding to damage caused by cold in Texas.
• 2020 Vision: Pastoral support.
• 2020 Vision: Continuing education.
• India Transformed.
• CREDO: Confessional Renewal Embracing Discipleship Outreach.
• Transfiguration Lutheran Church mission update.
• Update from Kevin and Sarah Pfister in Bulgaria.
• Is it really black and white? Gospel in the face of chaos and division.
• “Let Easter Sunday be ‘Refreshment Sunday’” – Ministry Matters from Pastor David Wendel.
• Congregational annual reports.
• Youth and family ministry update.

January/February 2021

• NALC Executive Council update.
• “Following God’s Star” – Message from Bishop Dan Selbo.
• Ecumenical relationships – NALC 2020 Vision.
• Technology & Communication – NALC 2020 Vision.
• Daily prayer and Bible reading calendar.
• Small and rural ministry: A future of hope.
• Ordination of Ray Zhu.
• Congregational annual reports.
• “Hope in the midst of decline” – Ministry Matters from Pastor David Wendel.
• NALC Lenten devotional.
• Youth and family ministry update.
• Atlantic Mission Region theological conference to address chaos and division.

December 2020

• “God’s Saving Mission” – Christmas message from Bishop Dan Selbo.
• NALC 2020 Vision.
• Jonathan Gowin is NALC global worker in Gambia.
• NALC office has new address.
• NALC Pastors’ Conference rescheduled for May 4-6.
• “Christmas is best understood in light of Easter – Christmas message from the Rev. Dr. Eric Riesen, North American Lutheran Seminary president.
• Robotics at Lutheran Collegiate Bible Institute.
• Ordinations.
• “Canoeing the Mountains” – Great Commission Society online book discussion.
• Malawi Orphan Care Project.
• Congregations consider whether to ratify NALC constitutional amendments.
• NALC Life Conference is Jan. 28.
• Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus Seminary partners with Lutheran Bible Translators in building project.
• “Preaching Good News in a mask?” – Ministry Matters from Pastor David Wendel.

November 2020

• Remembering Paull Spring, first bishop of the NALC.
• Bishop Paull Spring and the NALS.
• Sealed in faith.
• Ministry update from Pastor Valery Hryhoryk in Belarus.
• Ministry update from Stephen Katterhenrich.
• NALC Executive Council update.
• Ministry update from Kevin and Sarah Pfister in Bulgaria.
• Introducing “Fresh Eyes for Mission Summit” – Ministry Matters from Pastor David Wendel.
• NALC Advent devotions.
• NALC Disaster Response seeking Christmas gifts.
• Youth and family ministry update.

September/October 2020

• NALC Disaster Response is helping after hurricanes, wildfires, wind storms.
• Executive Council appoints Michael Johnson as treasurer.
• NALC congregations to consider whether to ratify constitutional amendments.
• A peculiar approach to the pandemic – A message from Bishop Dan Selbo.
• Pray, confess, listen, speak up, love – Defend God’s Gift of Life.
• Unveiled – The Great Commission Society.
• Sola Publishing receives Crossways International materials and content.
• Theological education in Ambridge, Pennsylvania – Seminary update by the Rev. Dr. Eric Riesen.
• RESET is new NALC stewardship resource.
• Executive Council offers guidance concerning meetings during pandemic.
• Mission update from Pastor Didi Panzo.
• LWR quilts and kits thought destroyed in Beirut, Lebanon, explosion are found intact.
• No politics in church, please – Ministry Matters from Pastor David Wendel.
• Youth and family ministry update.

August 2020

• Online Mission Convocation endorses 2020 Vision for NALC.
• Executive Council, Court of Adjudication and Board of Regents members elected.
• Convocation votes to move to biennial convocations. Amendments must be ratified by congregations.
• NALC seeking a new treasurer.
• 2020 Vision for NALC – A message from Bishop Dan Selbo.
• Congregational anniversaries recognized at convocation.
• Photos from recent ordinations.
• NALC Disaster Response update.
• 2021 NALC budgets approved
• NALC seeking a new treasurer.
• Kevin and Sarah Pfister are new NALC Global Workers in Bulgaria.
• San Miguel Lutheran Church in Fort Worth, Texas.
• More than $600,000 in LWR humanitarian aid for refugees destroyed in Beirut explosion.
• Moved to Missions.
• Celebrating the Word of God here and now.
• “No Worries” – Ministry Matters from Pastor David Wendel.
• Prayer march in Washington, D.C.
• Youth and family ministry update.

July 2020

• • 2020 NALC Mission Convocation to meet online because of virus.
  • 2020 Vision for NALC – Message from Bishop Dan Selbo.
  • Nominees for Executive Council.
  • Court of Adjudication nominee.
  • Nominees for Board of Regents.
  • Convocation to consider amendments to constitution.
  • Water Mission is responding to global COVID-19 pandemic.
  • The Academy.
  • NALC Mission in Belarus.
  • Forbearing one another in love as we return to church – Ministry Matters from Pastor David Wendel.
  • NALS is committed to forming Christian leaders.
  • Youth and family ministry update.

June 2020

• • First steps in addressing racial tension – Message from Bishop Dan Selbo.
  • Plans for 2020 Convocation are on hold because of virus.
  • Nominations for positions to be elected at Convocation close June 19.
  • NALC seeking a new treasurer.
  • Flooding in Michigan – NALC Disaster Response.
  • “Now thank we all our God” – Devotional message from Living and Giving Stewardship Team.
  • Commissioning of Pastor Martha Shanka as NALC global worker.
  • “The Once And Future Church” – Great Commission Society’s Mission Connectors Team book study.
  • Worship as “essential” – Ministry Matters from Pastor David Wendel.
  • “Hope for the Older Adult.”
  • Youth and family ministry update.

May 2020

• • Nominees for Executive Council and Court of Adjudication announced.
  • Nominations are needed for North American Lutheran Seminary Board of Regents.
  • Executive Council proposes amendments to constitution: Proposal moves from annual to biennial convocations.
  • “Waiting and praying” – Message from Bishop Dan Selbo.
  • Bishop and Commission on Theology and Doctrine address Communion during pandemic.
  • NALC Disaster Response warehouse completed, supplies are needed.
  • E-learning Friendship English Conversation – Awakening Lives to World Mission.
  • “The Word of God is not chained” – Mission update from Pastor Gemechis Buba.
  • NALS June term classes.
  • NALC welcomes William Obaga as global worker.
  • Try giving money away! – Texas congregation lives out the Parable of the Talents for stewardship emphasis.
  • “Yearning for congregational fellowship” – Ministry Matters from Pastor David Wendel.
  • Youth and family ministry update.
  • “Stay with us, Lord, each and every one” by Pastor Cathi Braasch.

April 2020

• • A theological caution from a digital professional: Thoughtfulness in the time of coronavirus.
  • Bishop Selbo asks pastors not to offer “virtual Communion.”
  • Drive-in church service is a hit in Yankton, South Dakota.
  • Bishop Selbo’s pastoral letter on coronavirus.
  • Messages from Bishop Selbo for Holy Week and Easter are online.
  • Congregations are eligible for CARES act coronavirus relief from U.S. government.
  • Coronavirus resources on NALC website.
  • Nominations sought for positions to be elected at 2020 Convocation.
  • Pastor Phillip Gagnon called as assistant to the bishop for domestic mission and discipleship.
  • Congregational annual reports.
  • DiscipleLife 2020 conference.
  • Coronavirus update from North American Lutheran Seminary.
  • NALS June term classes.
  • Coronavirus concerns cancel Canadian Rockies Theological Conference.
  • Daily Bible Reading Guide.
  • Responding to Tennessee tornados.
  • “Cherish one another, as Christ does the Church” – Ministry Matters from Pastor David Wendel.
  • Youth and family ministry update from Gary and Laurie Pecuch.

January 2020

• • DiscipleLife 2020 event for pastors and lay members is Feb. 13-15 in Orlando, Florida.
  • NALC Ministerium meets on Feb. 13.
  • Connecting faith and life – Message from Bishop Dan Selbo.
  • Summer Bible camp in Belarus by Pastor Valery Hryhoryk.
  • Mission update from Katterhenrich family.
  • Transfiguration Lutheran Mission Church update.
  • NALC representatives meet with synod leaders from Lutheran Church in Brazil.
  • Addressing “small” matters before they become “big” – Ministry Matters from Pastor David Wendel.
  • Youth and family ministry update from Gary and Laurie Pecuch.
  • Daily Bible Reading Guide.
  • 2020-21 Clergy identification cards.

November/December 2019

• • The Rev. Dr. Eric Riesen named president of North American Lutheran Seminary.
  • NALC Advent devotions by Pastor David Wendel.
  • Amy Schifrin named president emeritus, scholarship fund created in her name.
  • First thoughts on vision for NALC from Bishop Dan Selbo.
  • Our NALC military chaplains.
  • John Bradosky honored as bishop emeritus.
  • NALC New Starts Team.
  • The Academy.
  • Word of God Lutheran Church dedicates new church building.
  • Pastor Martha Shanka, NALC global worker in Dubai.
  • Awakening Lives to World Missions.
  • Pastor-to-pastor team visits Malawi, Africa.
  • 2020 March for Life.
  • Stewardship: An Invitation to Proclaim.
  • The NALC Call Process: Relational and Incarnational – Ministry Matters from Pastor David Wendel.
  • DiscipleLife 2020 – February 13-15 – Orlando, Florida

September/October 2019

• • Responding to Hurricane Dorian in the Bahamas.
  • NALC Disaster Response update.
  • NALS forms partnership with Concordia Lutheran Seminary in Edmonton.
  • “Choose to walk the road of life with Jesus” by Pastor Cathi Braasch.
  • The Academy.
  • Field report from India.
  • Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch.
  • World hunger and my response?
  • On increasing worship attendance – Ministry Matters from Pastor David Wendel.
  • The Bible as the Word of God Statement.

August 2019

• • Dan Selbo elected bishop.
  • Executive Council, Court of Adjudication members elected.
  • 2020 budgets approved.
  • Photos from Convocation and Lutheran Week.
  • Bishop John Bradosky Fund for Life-to-Life Discipleship.
  • Lutheran Week evaluation.
  • “The elephant in the Church no more” – Bishop Bradosky’s Report to the Convocation.
  • Ordination and congregation anniversaries recognized at Convocation.
  • Mission Festival highlights relationship with Lutherans in Ethiopia and Tanzania.
  • 2019 Braaten-Benne Lectures focus on work of Holy Spirit.
  • Heidi Punt commissioned as NALC Global Worker in Haiti.

Lutheran Week 2019

• • The Rev. Dan Selbo was elected bishop
  • Lutheran Week theme is “Walking by the Spirit with the Fruit of the Spirit”
  • Events of the week included Braaten-Benne Lectures in Theology, Women of the NALC Annual Gathering and the Ventures in Youth Ministry Symposium
  • Banquet honoring Bishop John Bradosky
  • Mission Festival highlighted the NALC’s relationship with Lutherans in Ethiopia and Tanzania
  • The Rev. Bassam Abdallah and Scott Kramer were elected to Executive Council
  • The Revv. Jennifer Gold and Leslie Haines elected to the Court of Adjudication
  • 2020 budgets were approved
  • The Rev. Heidi Punt commissioned for service in Haiti
  • Reports of the work of the NALC’s staff, teams, task forces, ministries and ministry partners received

July 2019

• NALC Convocation to elect new bishop.
• Mission Festival to highlight relationship with Lutherans in Ethiopia and Tanzania.
• 12 nominees for bishop.
• Executive Council nominees.
• Court of Adjudication nominees.
• Biographical Information on nominees.
• Lutheran Week hotel, parking and shuttle information.
• Braaten-Benne Lectures to focus on work of Holy Spirit.
• Women of the NALC Annual Gathering.
• Ventures in Youth Ministry.
• It has been a joy to serve with you as your bishop – Message from Bishop John Bradosky.
• Bishop John Bradosky Fund for Life-to-Life Discipleship.
• Canadian Mission District Youth Gathering.
• Path to U.S. citizenship led pastors’ family from South Africa to North Carolina.
• Pastor’s Booth in New York.
• NALC Disaster Response update.
• Panzos to expand their work to include eye care.
• Seeds on the Ground – Pastor Didi Panzo in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
• Anxiety and fear in the midst of transition – Ministry Matters from Pastor David Wendel.

June 2019

• Please register early for Lutheran Week.
• Bishop John Bradosky Fund for Life-to-Life Discipleship.
• Braaten-Benne Lectures to focus on work of Holy Spirit.
• Discipleship can only exist and flourish in a community that nurtures disciples – Message from Bishop John Bradosky.
• NALC Disaster Response.
• Friendship, fellowship and life-long learning: Lasting joys of residential seminary education by NALS President Amy C. Schifrin.
• Pastor Didi and Serafina Panzo Democratic Republic of the Congo.
• Help a hurting child succeed in school.
• Awakening Lives to World Missions.
• Mission trip to Haiti.
• “It’s time to give!” – Ministry Matters from Pastor David Wendel.
• Ventures in Youth Ministry.

May 2019

• 12 nominees for bishop.
• Executive Council nominees.
• Court of Adjudication nominees.
• Biographical Information on nominees.
• Tool trailer for NALC Disaster Response.
• Lutheran Week 2019 is Aug. 5-9.
• Braaten-Benne Lectures to focus on work of Holy Spirit.
• Pentecost and early Church point to life of discipleship – Message from Bishop John Bradosky.
• May is North American Lutheran Seminary month.
• Belarus Ministry Update from Pastor Valery Hryhoryk.
• Seeds on the Ground – Pastor Didi Panzo in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
• “Let No One Weep” – The Resurrection is Good News! – Ministry Matters from Pastor David Wendel.
• Canadian Rockies Theological Conference.
• Ventures in Youth Ministry.

April 2019

• Easter message from Bishop Bradosky.
• Nominations sought for positions to be elected at 2019 Convocation. Bishop, Executive Council and Court of Adjudication will be elected.
• NALC and East European Missions Network help build bridges in Ukraine.
• Lutheran Week 2019 is Aug. 5-9.
• Braaten-Benne Lectures to focus on work of Holy Spirit.
• North American Lutheran Seminary partners with Lutheran colleges to educate future NALC pastors.
• Friends of Madagascar Mission.
• Polarization or Reconciliation? Part 2 – Compromise and Sacrifice – Ministry Matters from Pastor David Wendel.
• NALC Disaster Response update.
• Youth and family ministry update.

March 2019

• NALC Executive Council is survey congregations to help new bishop best serve NALC congregations.
• Nominations sought for positions to be elected at 2019 Convocation. Bishop, Executive Council and Court of Adjudication will be elected.
• NALC Lenten Devotions for 2019.
• Canadian Rockies Theological Conference to focus on catechism as resource for life and witness.
• NALC Youth Gathering in Canada is May 17-20.
• 2019 NALC Pastors’ Conference.
• Responding to persecution in Him – Message from Bishop Bradosky.
• NALC Disaster Response addressing flooding in Midwest.
• Lent is a time for equipping – Message from Pastor Brad Hales, Director of Domestic Mission.
• Belarus ministry update from Pastor Valery Hryhoryk.
• Mission in Uganda – Lutheran Lay Renewal.
• The Panzos in Mission – Democratic Republic of the Congo.
• Polarization or Reconciliation? – Ministry Matters from Pastor David Wendel.
• Youth and family ministry update.

January/February 2019

• Bishop addresses sexual immorality, abortion at NALC Life Conference.
• NALC Life Conference in Virginia precedes annual March for Life.
• Nominations sought for positions to be elected at 2019 Convocation. Bishop, Executive Council and Court of Adjudication will be elected.
• NALC Lenten Devotions for 2019.
• Speakers are announced for 2019 Braaten-Benne Lectures.
• Canadian Rockies Theological Conference to focus on catechism as resource for life and witness.
• NALC Youth Gathering in Canada is May 17-20.
• Lutheran CORE to host “Rekindle Your First Love” event for pastors.
• Pondering Epiphany with Luther – Message from Bishop Bradosky.
• Update from Didi Panzo – NALC Global Worker in Democratic Republic of Congo.
• Victory Ministry in Liberia.
• Resources from NALC mission office.
• Lutheran World Relief and IMA World Health combine operations.
• LWR projects for Lent and Palm Sunday.
• “The Word made flesh” – Ministry Matters from Pastor David Wendel.
• “Persistence in Prayer” by Pastor Gemechis Buba.
• Youth and family ministry update.