NALC News N o r t h A m e r i c a n L u t h e r a n C h u r c h O c t o b e r 2 0 1 0
North American Lutheran Church is constituted
A new Lutheran denominational body was born on Friday, Aug. 27, as Lutherans from throughout North America voted overwhelmingly and enthusiastically to form the North American Lutheran Church (NALC).
The decision to form the new church body was made at the annual Convocation of Lutheran CORE which attracted more than 1,100 Lutherans Aug. 26-27 at Grove City Church of the Nazarene in the Columbus suburb of Grove City, Ohio. Thousands more watched the Convocation online.
The Convocation adopted a constitution and elected provisional leaders for the NALC. The Rev. Paull Spring of State College, Pa., was elected as provisional bishop of the NALC. Spring served as the bishop of the Northwestern Bishop Paull Spring is greeted by Bishop Benson Pennsylvania Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Bagonza of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Church in America (ELCA) for 14 years. Tanzania following his installation as bishop of the North American Lutheran Church. Bishop Kenneth Spring and other church leaders were elected for Sauer, who presided at the installation, looks on. one-year terms. Those congregations that join the NALC will elect their own leaders at the church body’s first annual meeting next year. Spring has said that he will not be available for reelection. “The NALC will embody “The North American Lutheran Church is now launched on its mission — to proclaim the good the center of Lutheranism news of Christ to all people. We pray that God will be by our side and with our congregations as we in North America.” move forward in His name,” said Spring. — Pastor Mark Chavez Continued on Page 2 More than 1,100 people attended the Lutheran CORE Convocation which gave birth to the North American Lutheran Church. ‘We have a great opportunity before us’
Continued from Page 1 to do so because they wanted to formally note their involvement in the historic action. “We have a great opportunity before us. We not only want to look back toward the past, but to look Lutherans around the world celebrated the creation ahead to the mission God has given us — to of the NALC. Two of the largest Lutheran confess Christ faithfully, to witness to others, and churches in the world sent official representatives to grow in God’s mission. This is our opportunity to the Convocation. now in Lutheran CORE and in the North American Lutheran Church,” he said. Representatives of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania and the Ethiopian Evangelical “The NALC will embody the center of Lutheranism Church Mekane Yesus told the Convocation of the in North America. The NALC will uphold support of their church bodies for the NALC. These confessional principles dear to Lutherans including two church bodies from Africa are the second and a commitment to the authority of the Bible and the third largest Lutheran churches in the world, each Lutheran Confessions. Members and with 5.3 million members. They reported that congregations of the NALC will have direct Lutherans throughout Africa were praying for the involvement in the decisions and life of the NALC,” Convocation and for the NALC. said the Rev. Mark Chavez of Landisville, Pa., director of Lutheran CORE. “May God bless Lutheran CORE and the vision of the NALC,” said the Rev. Francis Stephanos, The new church body was approved with no president emeritus of the church in Ethiopia and a opposition. Some of those in attendance asked to former vice president of the Lutheran World sign a document noting their assent to the creation of the NALC. Many waited for more than an hour Continued on Page 3
N A L C N e w s 2 O c t o b e r 2 0 1 0 Lutheran CORE to be unity movement
ministry and that we intend to forge strong ties and relationships with other Christian communities as we go forward in the North American Lutheran Church.”
The Convocation voted to request membership in the Lutheran World Federation for the NALC as a part of the church body’s commitment to an ongoing relationship with faithful Lutheran churches in Africa, Asia and Eastern Europe.
The NALC is also committed to a close partnership with Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ (LCMC), an association of congregations that was formed in 2001. More than 320 congregations have joined LCMC since August of 2009.
“As you make your stand today, I pledge that your siblings in LCMC will stand beside you,” said the Rev. Larry Lindstrom of Farmersville, Ohio, chair of the LCMC Board of Trustees.
“I anticipate many congregations will choose to join both LCMC and the NALC,” he added.
The Anglican Church in North America was represented by four of its bishops. The Rt. Rev. Ray R. Sutton of Dallas, Texas, bishop co-adjutor of the Diocese of Mid-America and chair of ACNA’s Ecumenical Relations Task Force, addressed the Convocation on behalf of Anglicans. Pastor Paul Ulring, Moderator of Lutheran CORE A way to move forward together Continued from Page 2 In addition to creating the NALC, Lutheran CORE’s Federation. “One cannot put the word of Scripture 2010 Convocation approved proposals designed to to a vote. . . . The churches of the South will provide a way for Lutherans who uphold Biblical choose Scripture over the mighty dollar.” teaching to move forward together. The Rev. Dr. Benson Bagonza, bishop of the Lutheran CORE will continue as “a confessional Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania’s and confessing unity movement for all Lutherans Karagwe Diocese, preached for the closing regardless of church body.” worship and participated in the installation of Bishop Spring. “The NALC and Lutheran CORE will link us together as confessional, faithful Lutherans,” said “The presence at our convocation of so many the Rev. Paul Ulring of Columbus, Ohio, who was ecumenical and international guests is very significant,” said Spring. “Their presence among Continued on Page 5 us is a reminder that we are not alone in our
N A L C N e w s 3 O c t o b e r 2 0 1 0 Provisional leaders to guide NALC for first year
Lutheran CORE’s Convocation elected “provisional” Ryan Schwarz, Washington, D.C., a partner and leaders who will guide the North American Lutheran managing director of a private investment firm. He Church through its first year. The congregations has served on the Lutheran CORE Steering that join the NALC will elect their own leaders at the Committee since 2006, most recently as vice chair. church body’s first annual meeting in 2011. He was chairman of the Vision and Planning Working Group and Constitution Task Force. He The Rev. Paull Spring of State College, Pa., was was also runner-up in the 2009 election for vice elected as the provisional bishop of the NALC. president of the ELCA. Bishop Spring has served as chair of the Lutheran CORE Steering Committee. Bishop Spring has said Kay Weaver, Vale, N.C., Data Manager / Registrar that he will not be available for re-election. for the Fred T. Foard High School in Newton, N.C. She is a Sunday School teacher, youth leader, The following people were elected to the Executive worship leader, and women’s group leader for New Council, which will lead the NALC between Jerusalem Lutheran Church in Hickory, N.C., and a convocations, and the Court of Adjudication, which member of the Steering Committee for Lutheran will work with issues of conflict and discipline and CORE — North Carolina. develop standards and procedures: Court of Adjudication Executive Council Richard Currey, a staff attorney at the Air The Rev. Donald R. Allman, senior pastor of St. Academy Federal Credit Union in Colorado Springs, John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Grove City, Colo. He served in the U.S. Air Force before retiring Ohio. at the rank of colonel.
The Rev. N. Amanda Grimmer, co-pastor of Holy Jon Evans, an attorney in Pittsburgh, Pa., Trinity Lutheran Church in Abington, Pa. practicing primarily in the areas of corporate and real estate law. He serves on the Western Penn James Hansen, Charleston, W.Va., an expert in CORE Fellowship Steering Committee. statistics. He worked for 27 years in the Applied Statistics Group for Union Carbide. Jim Gale, a business litigator in Washington, D.C. He has served as chair of the Gustavus Adolphus The Rev. Victor C. Langford III, pastor of St. College Board of Trustees and has expertise in the Mark’s Lutheran Church in Seattle, Wash. Langford structuring of nonprofit corporations and in drafting has served on the Lutheran CORE Steering governance documents that establish the desired Committee since 2007. He served as a military structure. He served on Lutheran CORE’s chaplain in the Army National Guard for nearly 30 Constitutional Task Force. years. He was the first African American to achieve the position of Assistant Chief of Chaplains for the The Rev. Dr. Jeffray Greene, pastor of American Army National Guard. He retired from military Lutheran Church in Rantoul, Ill. He earned a Ph.D. service in 2001 at the rank of Brigadier General. in church administration with a focus on the development of the constitution in American Carol Lattier, parish administrator of Our Saviour’s Lutheranism. He was a leader of the Fellowship of Lutheran Church in Tyler, Texas. Before retiring, Confessional Lutherans and served on Lutheran she worked for 20 years as a financial analyst at CORE’s Advisory Council. the Johnson Space Center. The Rev. Ralph Kempski, Aiken, S.C., bishop of The Rev. Jim Lehmann, pastor of Immanuel the Indiana-Kentucky Synod of the Lutheran Lutheran Church in Thomasboro, Ill. Continued on Page 5
N A L C N e w s 4 O c t o b e r 2 0 1 0 Church and Lutheran CORE, a Community of Lutheran CORE Convocation Confessing Lutherans” was released in February.
Continued from Page 3 “The North American Lutheran Church places great emphasis on congregational ministry and elected as the moderator of Lutheran CORE. “We congregational renewal,” Spring said. believe that God is at work, so these are wonderful times ahead.” “We know that the congregation is not the sole form of ministry in the church. But the congregation is “Lutheran CORE’s actions at this convocation and surely the chief community of faith for ministry and the launching of the NALC are significant progress renewal. We are hoping that our congregational in forming a community of confessing Lutherans focus will be evident in the way we carry out our that crosses denomination lines and national ministry.” boundaries,” Chavez said. “We are inspired by the groundswell of “Our Lord’s reconfiguring of the Lutheran landscape congregations interested in joining the NALC, as not only in North America, but worldwide, is well as the other Lutheran and Christian church breathtaking and exciting. We pray that Lutheran bodies interested in discussing fellowship and CORE and the NALC will faithfully follow Him and in shared ministry opportunities with the NALC,” all things give glory to our Heavenly Father,” said Schwarz said. Chavez. “It has been wonderful to witness the joy and hopeful excitement of so many Lutherans to “Our common commitment to Christ’s Great move forward and do the main thing — proclaim Commission — making disciples of all nations — is Jesus Christ and His Gospel to make disciples.” a firm foundation for continued growth of the NALC, broader unity through Lutheran CORE, and building “The future that we envision for confessing of church-to-church relationships in coming years.” Lutherans in North America is one that is centered on the absolute truth of Christ Jesus and committed to making disciples for Him,” said Ryan Schwarz of Washington, D.C., chair of Lutheran CORE’s Vision NALC provisional leaders and Planning Working Group. “Both Lutheran CORE and the NALC will stand in continuity with the Continued from Page 4 tradition of the Christian Church over the past 2,000 years and will orient their activities primarily for the Church in America 1979-1987 and of the Indiana- support of congregations in their ministries.” Kentucky Synod of the ELCA 1987-1998. He was a representative of the ELCA Board of Pensions “Lutheran CORE and the new NALC are two 1998-2004. He served on the Lutheran CORE pathways for faithful, confessing Lutherans in North Ministerial Policies working group. America to remain connected to each other and to the vast majority of Lutherans and Christians Carolyn Nestingen, an attorney in Minneapolis. globally,” added Schwarz, who was elected to serve She has practiced law for more than 30 years, on the NALC’s Executive Council. focusing on employee benefits, pension, and trust law. She was a member of the Lutheran CORE The NALC is a member of Lutheran CORE and will Vision and Planning Working Group which prepared do much of its mission and ministry in conjunction the design for the NALC and the ongoing ministry of with Lutheran CORE to help maintain unity among Lutheran CORE. She is married to popular Luther confessing Lutherans and to carry out mission and scholar the Rev. Dr. James Nestingen. ministry efficiently. The Rev. Dr. Ron Warren, Grove City, Ohio, bishop Lutheran CORE’s 2009 Convocation in Fishers, of the Southeastern Synod 1995-2007. He was a Ind., asked that a proposal for the “reconfiguration member of the Lutheran CORE Vision and Planning of North American Lutheranism” be prepared and Working Group which prepared the design for the brought to the 2010 Convocation. In response, “A NALC and the ongoing ministry of Lutheran CORE. Vision and Plan for The North American Lutheran
N A L C N e w s 5 O c t o b e r 2 0 1 0 Provisional regional deans are announced
The North American Lutheran Church has Caribbean and Spanish-speaking Ministries — announced the appointment of 18 provisional The Rev. Eddy Perez of Miami, Fla. regional deans who will serve with NALC Bishop Paull Spring in providing pastoral care to NALC Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico and Utah — The congregations and pastors. Rev. David Wendel, Colorado Springs, Colo.
At its Sept. 27-28 meeting, the NALC’s Executive Florida — The Rev. Rebecca Heber, Lake Mary, Fla. Committee authorized Bishop Paull Spring to appoint the deans to serve the NALC during its Illinois — The Rev. James Lehmann, initial year. Thomasboro, Ill.
The immediate appointment of the deans was Iowa — The Rev. Kenneth Kimball, Waterville, Iowa. necessary to serve the large number of congregations and individuals who are considering Northern Minnesota — The Rev. Timothy the possibility of joining the NALC. Lundeen, Erskine, Minn.
Regional deans also will provide information and Montana, western North Dakota, western South pastoral care to individuals and congregations that Dakota, and Wyoming — The Rev. David Baer, are considering joining the NALC. Whitewood, S.D.
The provisional deans are a part of the transitional North Carolina — The Rev. Jason Sigmon, organization of the NALC. The deans will serve for Newton, N.C., and the Rev. Carl Haynes, the first year of the NALC until their successors are Salisbury, N.C. elected by congregations in the area they serve. Ohio — The Rev. Ronald Warren, Grove City, Ohio. The current leaders of the NALC are serving the church body provisionally for its first year. They Eastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey — The were elected by Lutheran CORE’s 2010 Rev. Michael Tavella, Abington, Pa. Convocation. The congregations that join the NALC will elect their own leaders at the NALC’s Western Pennsylvania — The Rev. Eric Riesen, first convocation in 2011. Pittsburgh, Pa.
The NALC constitution explains the role of deans South Carolina — The Rev. Ralph Kempski, as to “support the work of the bishop by conducting Aiken, S.C. similar functions in their respective areas. Deans shall serve as pastor to pastors, their families, and Northeastern Texas and Louisiana — The Rev. congregations and will conduct a ministry of Mark Braaten, Tyler, Texas. teaching and visitation with pastors and congregations.” Southwestern Texas — The Rev. David Priem, Fredericksburg, Texas. Conversations are in process to find deans for other areas. Additional deans will be announced as Washington and Oregon — The Rev. Victor appointments are made. Langford, Seattle, Wash. The following regional deans have been appointed: West Virginia — The Rev. Richard Mahan, Charleston, W.Va. California, Hawaii and Nevada — The Rev. Daniel Selbo, San Jose, Calif.
N A L C N e w s 6 O c t o b e r 2 0 1 0 Hope does not disappoint us
“Hope does not disappoint us, dead. I find my identity in this because God’s love has been person who died on a cross, whom poured into our hearts through the God raised from the dead.” Holy Spirit that has been given to us.” This confident hope in the — Romans 5:5 resurrection is what sustains all of us in the North American Lutheran Church. We have all emerged A few weeks ago I asked a group from a struggle that has shaken of pastors in Texas to share one and distressed us to the core. hope that each has for the North Many of us continue to bear the American Lutheran Church. In stigmata of that struggle. What their own words: sustains us, as we begin a new chapter in our Christian life, is the “That we will always remain faithful story, the true story of Jesus’ to the Bible and the Confessions in resurrection from the dead and the preaching and teaching . . . hope that God has given us.
“That we will offer a faithful, Bishop Paull E. Spring This hope will not disappoint us, traditional, Biblical, and moderate because it is rooted in an event option for Lutherans . . . that truly happened. “God’s love the North American Lutheran has been poured into our hearts,” “That we will strive to express the Church shall be firmly rooted in the writes Paul. In this hope and into Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Word Biblical faith to the point where we the future we go forth, trusting in of God, in a struggling world . . . engage vigorously in mission, the words, “If we have died with growth, and evangelism. Christ, we believe that we shall “That we will base our mission on also live with him” (Romans 6:8). the Bible as the authoritative Word My hope for our new church is very of God . . . much like the ones voiced by the This hope is what empowers and pastors in Texas. My hope is that emboldens us to “make the good “That we will be a Biblically-based we will be so Christ-centered, so confession in the presence of church which is serious about the tradition-grounded, and so many witnesses” today (1 Timothy Great Commission . . . congregationally-focused, that we 6:12). With God’s help we want to will be truly mission- driven. make the connection between our “That we stay centered on the Biblical faith in Jesus’ resurrection Scriptures and the Confessions Several years ago I was being and God’s call to us to follow the and reach out to our communities interviewed by a call committee as Great Commission. and world . . . part of the congregation’s process for calling me as their pastor. The So let us resolve to pray for one “That we not get bogged down in first question to me was a rather another. I pray daily for our North sideline issues, but stay focused typical one for such an occasion, American Lutheran Church and for on ministry . . . “Tell us something about yourself; our vocation within the one share with us who you are.” Church. I am deeply humbled by “That we will delight in the the assurance that so many of you opportunity to mature as Christian For some reason, I took the are praying for me and for our disciples and prayerfully strive to question in rather ultimate terms. I church. Let us continue to do so. make Christian disciples . . .” saw it as an opportunity to profess “The prayer of the righteous my faith. I took a deep breath and person is powerful and effective” There is a common theme that replied to the question, “Who am (James 5:16). God sustain us in connects these different hopes I? I am a person who believes in our hope and set us forth for his and expectations. The hope is that Christ’s resurrection from the work and mission.
N A L C N e w s 7 O c t o b e r 2 0 1 0 NALC is experiencing rapid growth Nearly 60 congregations have voted to join NALC in first two months
The North American Lutheran The resolution to join the NALC Here is the current list of NALC Church has been experiencing should include the member congregations: rapid growth since it was congregation's acceptance of constituted on Aug. 27. the constitution of the North Colorado American Lutheran Church and The NALC has received 37 the decision to become a St. Luke’s Lutheran Church congregations during its first congregation of the North Colorado Springs, Colo. two months of existence. American Lutheran Church. Seven are new mission start The vote required is whatever is Florida congregations. specified in the congregation’s governing documents; normally, Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran At least five additional a majority vote of those Church congregations have voted to members present is sufficient Dade City, Fla. join but their formal reception for adoption of the resolution. into membership is pending Oasis Church final action by the NALC Following favorable action on Lake Mary, Fla. Executive Committee. the resolution, a letter is sent to the Bishop and General San Pedro Lutheran Church Another 16 congregations have Secretary of the North Miami, Fla. passed a congregational American Lutheran Church on resolution indicating their church letterhead. This letter Georgia intention to join the NALC upon will indicate the congregation's completion of their departure decision. The letter should be Christ the King Lutheran from their current church body. signed by the congregation’s Church pastor(s) and its president or Evans, Ga. Many more congregations are vice president. expected to vote to join the Word of God Lutheran Church church body in the coming The current list of NALC Peachtree City, Ga. weeks and months. congregations is available online at www.thenalc.org. It is Illinois North Carolina has the most updated as new congregations NALC congregations of any are received each week by the First Lutheran Church state at this early point in the Executive Committee. Kirkland, Ill. life of the new church body. Ohio, Texas, Pennsylvania, If you are looking for a NALC Iowa South Dakota, Florida, congregation and do not see Michigan, Minnesota and one in your area, please Mission in Christ Lutheran Virginia each already have contact the NALC office. We Church multiple NALC congregations. will provide information on Strawberry Point, Iowa congregations in your area that To join the NALC, a are considering joining the Michigan congregation votes according to NALC or connect you with the procedures specified in its others in your area who are Redeemer Lutheran Church own constitutions and bylaws. considering forming a mission Owosso, Mich. congregation. Continued on Page 9
N A L C N e w s 8 O c t o b e r 2 0 1 0 NALC Congregations
Continued from Page 8 Ohio Word of Life Lutheran Church Maryville, Tenn. Minnesota St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church Texas Immanuel Lutheran Church Grove City, Ohio Crosby, Minn. Holy Ghost Lutheran Church Oakland Lutheran Church Fredericksburg, Texas Grace Lutheran Church Mansfield, Ohio Erskine, Minn. Our Savior Lutheran Church Resurrection Lutheran Church Three Rivers, Texas Riverside Lutheran Church Port Clinton, Ohio Wannaska, Minn. Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church * Trinity Lutheran Church Tyler, Texas Missouri Springfield, Ohio St. Paul Lutheran Church Trinity Lutheran Church Pennsylvania Yorktown, Texas Ava, Mo. Holy Trinity Evangelical Virginia New York Lutheran Church Nile Lutheran Mission Abington, Pa. Lebanon Lutheran Church Rochester, N.Y. Lebanon Church, Va. Dunmyer Lutheran Church North Carolina Johnstown, Pa. Advent Lutheran Church Winchester, Va. * Mount Calvary Lutheran Church One in Christ Lutheran Mission Claremont, N.C. Telford, Pa. West Virginia
New Jerusalem Lutheran South Dakota St. Timothy Lutheran Church Church Charleston, W.Va. Hickory, N.C. American Lutheran Church Castlewood, S.D. Wisconsin * Trinity Lutheran Church Landis, N.C. * Trinity Lutheran Church St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Lake Norden, S.D. Church of Nekimi Grace Lutheran Church Oshkosh, Wis. Newton, N.C. First Lutheran Church Philip, S.D. Wyoming Christiana Lutheran Church Salisbury, N.C. Immanuel Lutheran Church * Christ the King Lutheran Whitewood, S.D. Church St. Matthew Lutheran Church Newcastle, Wyo. Salisbury, N.C. Tennessee * These congregations have North Dakota Faith Lutheran Church completed their voting. Their Chattanooga, Tenn. request to be received into * First Lutheran Church membership is pending Washburn, N.D. Executive Council action.
N A L C N e w s 9 O c t o b e r 2 0 1 0 Presort Standard Mail US Postage Paid St. Paul, MN 2299 Palmer Drive, Suite 220 Permit #7149 New Brighton, MN 55112-2202
NALC Contact Information NALC News Published monthly by NALC Administrative Office Bishop Paull Spring 2299 Palmer Drive, Suite 220 956 Stratford Court North American New Brighton, MN 55112 State College, PA 16801 Lutheran Church Phone: 888-551-7254 814-235-9769 2299 Palmer Drive, Suite 220 [email protected] [email protected] New Brighton, MN 55112
Phone: 888-551-7254 Lutheran CORE Director Pastor Mark Chavez www.thenalc.org 295 Stony Battery Road Landisville, PA 17538 Pastor David J. Baer, editor 717-898-0801 [email protected] [email protected]
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