We call it DiscipleLife – the experience of being disciples in our day just as the disciples who gathered around Jesus discovered that their very being was changing because of what they learned and saw and loved in him. DiscipleLife is an invitation to learn, study and reflect as students of the Teacher, but also to grow, change and re-order the way we live our lives.  DiscipleLife is not just something we might do, it is something we are.  It is not just something we practice, but something we become.  It is not just learning about the living Christ, but allowing the Christ to live in us.

The NT-NL Synod has been exploring its call to DiscipleLife in recent years by focusing on congregational mission, personal discipleship and missional leadership. 

CONGREGATIONAL MISSION

(Finding our mission in our community at the intersection of these three things:)

Our identity and purpose

Our context for ministry

Our gifts and resources

PERSONAL DISCIPLESHIP

(Described in Power Surge: Six Marks of Discipleship for a Changing Church by Michael W. Foss.)

Daily Prayer

Weekly Worship

Regular Reading of Scripture

Engaged in Service for Others

Active in a Small Group

Tithing

MISSIONAL LEADERSHIP

(Inviting our lay leaders, pastors and members to give their best energies to the pursuit of)

Mission rather than Maintenance

Relationships rather than Tasks

Modeling rather than Managing

Positives rather than Problems

Our Unity rather than our Differences

The Northern Texas – Northern Louisiana Synod has declared that its purpose is to be Sowing and Growing Disciples of Jesus.  We envision ourselves to be a mission-oriented, dynamic, innovative and fast-growing synod that builds its life around several key values: 

Mission: responding to the Great Commission (Matt. 28)

Discipleship: practicing the Six Marks of Discipleship

Heritage: sharing the teachings and traditions of our Lutheran faith

Outreach: providing safe, life-giving, transformational experience

Ministry: trusting in the gifts that lay and clergy both can give

Excellence: exercising integrity, innovation, flexibility and justice

Focus: building on strengths and empowering ministries.

Further Information on DiscipleLife within the NT-NL Synod

1. Equipping Leaders - Coa
2. Equipping Leaders - Con
3. Equipping Leaders - Goo
4. Equipping Leaders - Min
5. Equipping Leaders - Mis
6. Equipping Leaders - Mis
7. Equipping Leaders - Nat
8. Equipping Leaders - Thi
9. Equipping Leaders - Tra
10. DiscipleLife - Purpo
11. DiscipleLife - Strat
12. DiscipleLife - assembly
13. DiscipleLife - graphic
14. DiscipleLife - planning
15. Bible Study on Congregation
16. Bishop`s Report - 2006 Synod A
17. Bishop`s Report - 2007 Synod A
18. Bishop`s Report - 2008 Synod A
19. Synod Ministry Review - 2008 C