Message from Bishop Gronberg
Dear Partners in Mission:
Over the last 20 months we have been challenged to learn new ways of being church together. This has caused challenges for leaders, brought significant conflict in some places, and also pushed us towards greater innovation in how we connect with one another.
This past Sunday I was visiting King of Glory, Dallas for worship and to meet with their council. Their leadership has contracted with Convergence, an independent faith leadership organization that offers a variety of products. The staff from Convergence was presenting the results of a survey conducted with members of King of Glory both about their congregation and their understanding of their mission moving forward. The data was interesting to see and I hope will help the leaders of this community discern next steps. But what stuck with me the most was their conviction in stating without reserve that the future of this congregation is to be a hybrid church.
In listening, learning, and discerning I must say I completely agree. If we do want to share the good news of Jesus Christ broadly, connect with more diverse communities, and be authentic in our life together hybrid ministry will be essential. To accomplish this work we have many tools at our disposal. Convergence offers a variety of webinars for leaders. Over the past three years congregations in NT-NL have participated in a Leadership for Faithful Innovation Cohort focused on learning to experiment and try new things. Our convocation focused on that theme as well and videos of those presentations are being prepared. In past weeks I met with representatives from Gloo/Church about ways for congregations to connect with people in their communities who are seeking help/spiritual engagement/guidance. NT-NL and ELCA Coaching can help individuals and congregations as they move forward as well.
All of these are resources we need to utilize to help our communities engage this hybrid future. But the reality is none of it will matter if we are not open to change and being changed. Of doing, as I mentioned last week, the often hard work of letting go of our silos, working in relationship to one another, with the conviction that our mission is to share the good news of Jesus. The good news that has changed us.
Know that in this time your synod staff, Briarwood Leadership Center, and myself stand ready to walk with you in this journey. We have an amazing opportunity to connect and share God’s love with our communities. I pray we will be open to God’s spirit working in us to fulfill this task.
In Mission Together,
Bishop Gronberg
MEF Seeds That Change Fundraising Campaign Still Live
The NT-NL Mission Endowment Fund (MEF) is seeking $10,000 to help us reach our 2021 goal. Please consider being a part of our grant giving ministry that changes lives with your financial support. https://giftedandgiving.org/donate/
Christ Lutheran Preschool is Hiring
If you have, or someone you know has, a special spot in your heart for young children and may be interested in blessing the community by serving as a teacher at Christ Lutheran Preschool in Dallas, please visit their website for more information on the available positions and application instructions: https://www.clpreschool.org/join-our-team.html. Christ Lutheran Preschool is a ministry of Christ Lutheran Church, is licensed through the Department of Family and Protective Services, and has ELEA accreditation.
Featured Resources for November
November is Generosity Month
This Generosity month, Tithely wants to give back by equipping you with free resources to promote generosity within your church as well as hosting weekly giveaways.
From our friends at tithe.ly:
Generosity month is a month that promotes generosity within the local church, whether through giving, time donated, etc.
This Generosity month, Tithely wants to give back by equipping you with free resources to promote generosity.
But we also want to take this opportunity to be generous ourselves, and we will be doing that by hosting weekly giveaways all November that will help your ministry.
In order to be entered for giveaways, register here to enter or text GENEROSITY to (833) 525-1404.
We look forward to partnering with your ministry this Generosity Month to make a difference in communities across the globe.
P.S. Make sure to sign up for Generosity Month to gain access to free social media images, church screens, and other resources to get your church involved.
Recent Blog Posts
Bishop Gronberg:
(https://www.ntnl.org/stepping-out-of-the-lutheran-box-sharing-in-distress/ – published Nov. 9)
(https://www.ntnl.org/gratitude-on-veterans-day/ – published Nov. 11)
(https://www.ntnl.org/kingofglorydallas/ – published Nov. 14)
Where in the world is?
Across a context as wide and different as NT-NL, the reality of Covid-19 is very different. As such, NT-NL synod staff are doing more in-person Sunday visits for worship and occasional meetings. However, as good stewards of time and travel dollars, we will be utilizing online meeting formats into our new hybrid future. Until we can assure everyone in attendance at a meeting are vaccinated, in order to protect those gathered, the synod staff will continue to wear masks unless preaching or presiding and sufficient social distancing can be provided.
Bishop Gronberg:
Nov. 21: Retirement celebration for Rev. Gordon Illausky (Christ the Servant, Allen)
Nov. 28: Gloria Dei, Garland
Pastor Totzke:
Nov. 21: Hope, Comanche
Dec. 2: Transitional/Interim Pastors meeting (Zoom)
Dec. 4: Candidacy Committee, Briarwood
Dec. 5: Christ the Servant, Allen
Pastora Bañales:
Nov. 16: Latinx Conference gathering and Thanksgiving service, Adviento, Arlington
Nov. 18: NT-NL Congregational Council Session
Nov. 20: PLMA
Dec. 3: Dallas Catholic Dioceses Christmas reception
Dec. 4: First Sagrada Familia (Garland) wedding
Dec. 12: Community of Hope, Fort Worth
Dec. 19: Emmanuel, Granbury
Dec. 20-31: Holidays and time off
Upcoming Events
With the ever-changing guidelines and recommendations in our world right now, as we maintain physical distance in social solidarity, please keep in mind these events may be moved online, postponed, or cancelled:
- Nov. 16-17: 2021 Vine Deloria Jr. Theological Symposium, Online
- Nov. 18: Leading for God’s Future: Service on the Congregational Council – Session 5, Zoom
- Nov. 20: Parish Lay Ministry Academy, Fall 2021, Course 3, Zoom
- Dec. 2: Transitional (Interim) Pastors monthly meeting, Zoom
- Dec. 11: Public Witness Team meeting, Zoom
Access our full online Calendar here. Updates made regularly.
Do you have news or announcements to share? Please submit to Jason (jason@ntnl.org) for consideration for upcoming editions of our weekly news.