• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
940.241.2099940.241.2099, Opt. 2 | office@ntnl.org

In Mission Together

  • Northern Texas - Northern Louisiana Synod, ELCANorthern Texas - Northern Louisiana Synod, ELCA

  • Close
Search
  • About
  • Ministries
  • Resources
  • Events
  • News & Blogs
    • NT-NL News (weekly)
    • Leader News (monthly)
    • Bishop Gronberg’s Blog
    • Pastor Totzke’s Blog
    • Pastora Bañales’ Blog
  • Donate
  • Contact

Who We Are

  • Who We Are
  • Synod Staff
  • Synod Council
  • Leadership
  • Worshiping Communities
  • ELCSL

Ministries

  • Coaching
  • Fund for Leaders
  • MEF
  • PLMA
  • Public Witness
  • SSTE | ESET
  • World Hunger

Resources

  • All Resources
  • Open Calls
  • Pulpit Supply
  • Prayer Partners

Events

News

  • NT-NL News (weekly)
  • Leader News (monthly)
  • Bishop Gronberg’s Blog
  • Pastor Totzke’s Blog
  • Pastora Bañales’ Blog

Donate

Contact

  • Northern Texas - Northern Louisiana Synod, ELCANorthern Texas - Northern Louisiana Synod, ELCA

  • Close
Search
  • About
  • Ministries
  • Resources
  • Events
  • News & Blogs
    • NT-NL News (weekly)
    • Leader News (monthly)
    • Bishop Gronberg’s Blog
    • Pastor Totzke’s Blog
    • Pastora Bañales’ Blog
  • Donate
  • Contact

Who We Are

  • Who We Are
  • Synod Staff
  • Synod Council
  • Leadership
  • Worshiping Communities
  • ELCSL

Ministries

  • Coaching
  • Fund for Leaders
  • MEF
  • PLMA
  • Public Witness
  • SSTE | ESET
  • World Hunger

Resources

  • All Resources
  • Open Calls
  • Pulpit Supply
  • Prayer Partners

Events

News

  • NT-NL News (weekly)
  • Leader News (monthly)
  • Bishop Gronberg’s Blog
  • Pastor Totzke’s Blog
  • Pastora Bañales’ Blog

Donate

Contact

Blog

Home | Blog

Paul and Beyond in Turkey and Greece: Briarwood Leadership Journey Post 4

February 11, 2020 | Bishop Gronberg’s Blog By The Rev. Erik K.J. Gronberg, Ph.D.

Tuesday our group woke up to rain in Istanbul. The winds had turned from the south overnight and that, our guide told us, means rain in Istanbul. And so it was. But that didn’t dampen spirits as our Briarwood Retreat Center/Briarwood Leadership Center Leadership Journey group toured the ancient Hagia Sophia. This massive cathedral served for almost 1,000 years as the largest Christian church in the world. After the Ottoman Turks conquered Constantinople in 1453 it became a mosque for 450 years (requiring a bit of a shift in the focus of the apse to the southeast from the east wall altar).

Image may contain: sky and outdoor

With the rise of modern Turkey the mosque became a museum and has been such for almost 100 years. Although there are nationalistic movements within Turkey to return it to a mosque. For today it was a space for all people to marvel at Justinian’s vision, supported and prodded by his wife Theodora, of a church that would exceed the temple of Solomon. We also saw where Viking mercenaries, perhaps bored by the liturgy or just wanting to make their mark, carved Runes into the marble of the gallery railing in the 11th century.

The leadership and theological learnings from this are significant as we reflected on what Paul, proclaiming a saviour crucified by the empire, would think of such an Imperial church.

We then journeyed west for many hours. Leaving Turkey and entering Greece on the modern highway that has replaced the Roman Via Egnatia. That trip got us to the port city of Kavala just before sunset. We enjoyed dinner and a walk around the harbor as the fishing boats came in for the night. Tomorrow we walk 5 minutes from our hotel to the spot where the Apostle Paul first stepped foot on European soil. From there a full day in Phillipi and onward to Thessaloniki. #NTNL #BWTX #InMissionTogether

Previous Post
Back to Main
Next post

Stay In Touch

Sign Up For Our Newsletter

Subscribe Now
Contact Us

About

  • Who We Are
  • Synod Staff
  • Synod Council
  • Leadership
  • Worshiping Communities
  • ELCSL

Ministries

  • Coaching
  • Fund for Leaders
  • MEF
  • PLMA
  • Public Witness
  • SSTE | ESET
  • World Hunger

Resources

  • All Resources
  • Open Calls
  • Pulpit Supply
  • Prayer Partners

Events

News & Blogs

  • NT-NL News (weekly)
  • Leader News (monthly)
  • Bishop Gronberg’s Blog
  • Pastor Totzke’s Blog
  • Pastora Bañales’ Blog

Contact

c/o Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
2620 W Grauwyler Rd
Irving TX, 75061
940.241.2099

Stay Connected

© Northern Texas - Northern Louisiana Synod, ELCA all rights reserved.

Powered by the Faith Growth Ministry Platform for WordPress