A bible study prepared by Rev Dr Adrian Leske of the Lutheran Church of Canada for reaching out to others
Studies topics include:
Study 1Calling the first disciples (Luke 5:1-11)
Study 2Reaching out to heal (Luke 5:12-26)
Study 3Learning to love the Kingdom way (Luke 6:20-49)
Study 4Being the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37)
Study 5The invitation is for all:gathering into the Kingdom (Luke 14:1-24)
Study 6Restoring the lost (Luke 15:1-32)
Study 7Rich or poor, God knocks on every door (Luke 16:19-31)
Study 8The example of Zacchaeus (Luke 19:1-10)
download the entire study at http://www.lutheranchurch.ca/resources/LGNindex.html
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Monday, December 29, 2008
Lutheran Worship services and sermons on dvd
The Bethlehem Lutheran Church of Wagga Wagga currently records its Saturday and Sunday worship services.
They currently offer them free of charge as a gift, you can either obtain them as a dvd or online.
They are suitable for people unable to leave their home or for congregations without a pastor.
For more information visit http://web.me.com/bnoller/Site/Welcome.html
They currently offer them free of charge as a gift, you can either obtain them as a dvd or online.
They are suitable for people unable to leave their home or for congregations without a pastor.
For more information visit http://web.me.com/bnoller/Site/Welcome.html
Monday, December 22, 2008
Sharing the bible with kids and other who use LEGGO
The Brick New Testament has over 3600 illustrations of bible stories from the Old and New Testaments.
All the illustrations are made from LEGGO and you can either view the Bible Stories online or buy a book from the Brick New Testament.
The authors also offer churches and sunday schools the oportunity to use the illustrations and stories offline for nothing, except a quick email.
The goal of The Brick Testament is to give people an increased knowledge of the contents of The Bible in a way that is fun and compelling while remaining true to the text of the scriptures.
Why not take a visit to The Brick New Testament at http://www.thebricktestament.com/
Most of the illustrations are suitable for children, however please check before using them
All the illustrations are made from LEGGO and you can either view the Bible Stories online or buy a book from the Brick New Testament.
The authors also offer churches and sunday schools the oportunity to use the illustrations and stories offline for nothing, except a quick email.
The goal of The Brick Testament is to give people an increased knowledge of the contents of The Bible in a way that is fun and compelling while remaining true to the text of the scriptures.
Why not take a visit to The Brick New Testament at http://www.thebricktestament.com/
Most of the illustrations are suitable for children, however please check before using them
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Priesthood of all believers, vocation and mission bible study
The North West Synod of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod has developed a four part bible study that helps people explore the significance of the Priesthood of all believers and vocation to being in mission.
The study is available at http://www.nowlcms.org/Resources/Pres/Task-Force-Bible-Studies-II.doc
Leaders notes are available at http://www.nowlcms.org/Resources/Pres/Task-Force-BS-Notes.doc
The study is available at http://www.nowlcms.org/Resources/Pres/Task-Force-Bible-Studies-II.doc
Leaders notes are available at http://www.nowlcms.org/Resources/Pres/Task-Force-BS-Notes.doc
Tuesday, December 09, 2008
Theological foundations for outreach and mission programs in a Lutheran context
The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod currently has a program/approach called ABLAZE.
The following paper explores and highlights what is a Lutheran approach for mission in the current context we live in. Although focussed on ABLAZE the paper highlights some foundational Lutheran approaches and understanding to mission.
To view the paper visit http://www.lcms.org/graphics/assets/media/World%20Mission/Foundations-of-Ablaze.pdf
The following paper explores and highlights what is a Lutheran approach for mission in the current context we live in. Although focussed on ABLAZE the paper highlights some foundational Lutheran approaches and understanding to mission.
To view the paper visit http://www.lcms.org/graphics/assets/media/World%20Mission/Foundations-of-Ablaze.pdf
Course: Masters of Arts Christian Outreach
Concordia University St Paul in conjunction with Concordia University Portland offers the Masters of Arts Christian Outreach.
This is ideal for those currently active in ministry and outreach to develop knowledge, skills and networks as the course is delivered by learners collaborate with a community of peers using weekly online class discussions, e-mail, Internet bulletin boards and a two week residency.
PROGRAM OBJECTIVE
The primary mission of the church is to make disciples of every nation by bearing witness to Jesus Christ through the sharing of the Gospel and the administration of the Sacraments.The
Master of Arts in Christian Outreach equips church leaders with a deepened understanding
of a theology of God’s mission and provides the practical tools necessary to engage in the
outreach ministries of the church.
MODULES
Spiritual Leadership Formation
Worldviews and the Gospel
History of Mission
Social Issues in Mission
Missio Dei
Outreach Ministry in Context I: Theory
Missiological Research
Outreach Ministry in Context II: Strategies
Evangelism in the Life of the Church
Capstone:Thesis,Project,or Portfolio
FIELD PRACTICUMS
Care for the Whole Person
Outreach through Evangelism and Worship
Writing/Production of Evangelism/Leadership Development Materials
Planting the Worshiping Community
Outreach in the Urban,Suburban, or Rural Center
Independently Developed Practicum
For more information visit: http://www.csp.edu/MACO/index.html
This is ideal for those currently active in ministry and outreach to develop knowledge, skills and networks as the course is delivered by learners collaborate with a community of peers using weekly online class discussions, e-mail, Internet bulletin boards and a two week residency.
PROGRAM OBJECTIVE
The primary mission of the church is to make disciples of every nation by bearing witness to Jesus Christ through the sharing of the Gospel and the administration of the Sacraments.The
Master of Arts in Christian Outreach equips church leaders with a deepened understanding
of a theology of God’s mission and provides the practical tools necessary to engage in the
outreach ministries of the church.
MODULES
Spiritual Leadership Formation
Worldviews and the Gospel
History of Mission
Social Issues in Mission
Missio Dei
Outreach Ministry in Context I: Theory
Missiological Research
Outreach Ministry in Context II: Strategies
Evangelism in the Life of the Church
Capstone:Thesis,Project,or Portfolio
FIELD PRACTICUMS
Care for the Whole Person
Outreach through Evangelism and Worship
Writing/Production of Evangelism/Leadership Development Materials
Planting the Worshiping Community
Outreach in the Urban,Suburban, or Rural Center
Independently Developed Practicum
For more information visit: http://www.csp.edu/MACO/index.html
Monday, December 08, 2008
Free Study/Small group guides for Grace upon Grace
John Kleinig has produced two free study guides that can be used in conjunction with his book Grace upon grace.
The study guides are available at
Grace Upon Grace Study Guide 1
Grace Upon Grace Study Guide 2
The book is available at:
Australian Church Resources
Concordia Publishing House
The study guides are available at
Grace Upon Grace Study Guide 1
Grace Upon Grace Study Guide 2
The book is available at:
Australian Church Resources
Concordia Publishing House
Lutheran Leadership 5: Leading like John the Baptist
Leading like John the Baptist
Begin by reading Matthew 3:1-17, Mark 1:1-8 and Luke 3:1-20
Now when you think of leaders in the bible, the name John the Baptist doesn’t automatically come to mind, yet according to many popular definitions of leadership John the Baptist is a significant leader. A leader is a person people go to, read Matthew 3:5, Mark 1:4-5, Luke 3:7 .
Now as a leader John the Baptist wasn’t overly attractive. (read Matthew 3:4).
At times as leaders we are not going to be overly attractive, why?
What are some of the things we have done or are doing that are not attractive?
What are some of the things we have done or are doing that are not attractive?
As a leader John the Baptist calls people away from things, behaviours and lifestyles that are inconsistent with God. This is calling people to repent.. (Mark 1:1-4)
What are the things, attitudes or lifestyles we need to call our community and those who make up our community away from?
As a leader John the Baptist doesn’t call people to follow himself, but points them to Jesus where there is new life, hope and joy. (Mark 1:7-8)
How can we show humility like John the Baptist and point people to Jesus?
What hope and new life from Jesus do people need to hear?
Read Matthew 14:1-12
John the Baptist lost his life for being a leader for Jesus.
What does it mean for you to lose your life in being a leader for Jesus?
Final thoughts
And who and what are the John the Baptists in your life?
Who are the ones who call you away from things, attitudes, approaches to life and people inconsistent with God to those consistent with God, to God’s new life?
For discussion: Communicating God's love and theology on the net and other media
Recently I have become a little annoyed with a few things I have been reading that facebook, the internet, email and some of the other media are not good places to talk theology or to share God's love.
If I am reading things correctly the whole gist of the argument seems to be that you can be easily be misunderstood and that it is difficult to dialogue. If this is the argument then we have a problem because you can use this argument for any sort of a communication. Just ask a husband and wife, a pastor who is shocked at how some people hear his sermon, or a parent and teenager who are having communication issues, they will all say at times we have been misunderstood and at times it is difficult to dialogue. Occasionally we hear but once you put it out there you can't retreieve it, but that is true also for what we say. Or is there something more to the discussion?
I think the real problem is that grasping new and different ways to communicate takes time, its a risk and often requires an adjustment in thinking and approach.
But these are not an excuses to avoid new or different communication mediums, especially if we are in God's missionary business.
Think about it what does it mean for Jesus to come down among us.
What does it mean for God's church who we are part of to come into the lives of those who use facebook, myspace, hourly use email and the internet, ipods, etc..
What does it mean not to have the answer for everything, but participate in a world that is continually changing?
Maybe these are some of the things we need to think about not just as individuals but as church, as God's missionaries.
What are your thoughts???
If I am reading things correctly the whole gist of the argument seems to be that you can be easily be misunderstood and that it is difficult to dialogue. If this is the argument then we have a problem because you can use this argument for any sort of a communication. Just ask a husband and wife, a pastor who is shocked at how some people hear his sermon, or a parent and teenager who are having communication issues, they will all say at times we have been misunderstood and at times it is difficult to dialogue. Occasionally we hear but once you put it out there you can't retreieve it, but that is true also for what we say. Or is there something more to the discussion?
I think the real problem is that grasping new and different ways to communicate takes time, its a risk and often requires an adjustment in thinking and approach.
But these are not an excuses to avoid new or different communication mediums, especially if we are in God's missionary business.
Think about it what does it mean for Jesus to come down among us.
What does it mean for God's church who we are part of to come into the lives of those who use facebook, myspace, hourly use email and the internet, ipods, etc..
What does it mean not to have the answer for everything, but participate in a world that is continually changing?
Maybe these are some of the things we need to think about not just as individuals but as church, as God's missionaries.
What are your thoughts???
Worship for Shut ins
Came across this site that may help a few people who are shut in and have internet access
http://www.worshipforshutins.org
This site has a 30 minute worship service, plus sermon prepared and delivered by Lutheran Pastors for people who are unable to leave home...
http://www.worshipforshutins.org
This site has a 30 minute worship service, plus sermon prepared and delivered by Lutheran Pastors for people who are unable to leave home...
The Lutheran Source
This web site is a collection of Lutheran resources compiled by a confessional Lutheran pastor from the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod
You will find the following at Lutheran Source:
Sermons and other devotional material
An evangelism resource that aims to prepare people to witness to a wide range of people.
Book reviews
Papers and bible studies
You will find the following at Lutheran Source:
Sermons and other devotional material
An evangelism resource that aims to prepare people to witness to a wide range of people.
Book reviews
Papers and bible studies
Thesis paper: Towards a Liturgical Missiology: perspectives on mission work in South Africa
Claudio Steinert has completed a thesis for the Doctorate of Theology in Missioology at the Univeristy of South Africa that looks at liturgical missiology.
Some of the chapters include:
Call for liturgical missiology
Revelations 4:8
Missio Dei and music
Doctrine of the Trinity
Concept of Missio Dei
Mission or evangelism
Mission and conversion
Liturgical missiology
Martin Luther and music
Music in Luther's reformation
Luther's theology of music
Music in Luther's liturgical efforts
Music in Luther's educational efforts
Music in Luther's reformation efforts
Consequences for Lutheran mission
History of music in Lutheran mission
Fundamental qualities of music relevant to mission work
Music and the contextualisation
Music and mission
Spiritual element in mission
to gain a copy of this thesis visit: http://etd.unisa.ac.za/ETD-db/theses/available/etd-07032007-075716/unrestricted/thesis.pdf
Some of the chapters include:
Call for liturgical missiology
Revelations 4:8
Missio Dei and music
Doctrine of the Trinity
Concept of Missio Dei
Mission or evangelism
Mission and conversion
Liturgical missiology
Martin Luther and music
Music in Luther's reformation
Luther's theology of music
Music in Luther's liturgical efforts
Music in Luther's educational efforts
Music in Luther's reformation efforts
Consequences for Lutheran mission
History of music in Lutheran mission
Fundamental qualities of music relevant to mission work
Music and the contextualisation
Music and mission
Spiritual element in mission
to gain a copy of this thesis visit: http://etd.unisa.ac.za/ETD-db/theses/available/etd-07032007-075716/unrestricted/thesis.pdf
Tuesday, December 02, 2008
Story of a church becoming a discipleship church
The Community Church of Joy in Phoenix Arizona, is a church that is focussed on developing community and growing disciples of Jesus Christ.
In the Leadership Journal, the Pastor Walt Kallestad takes us through how this journey came about, why this is occuring, the consequences of this journey and how such a church defines success.
Take a few moments to read the article at http://www.christianitytoday.com/le/2008/fall/13.39.html
and a lot more to think about what it may mean for the church and ministries you are connected to.
In the Leadership Journal, the Pastor Walt Kallestad takes us through how this journey came about, why this is occuring, the consequences of this journey and how such a church defines success.
Take a few moments to read the article at http://www.christianitytoday.com/le/2008/fall/13.39.html
and a lot more to think about what it may mean for the church and ministries you are connected to.
Monday, December 01, 2008
Book: Evangelism for normal people
John Bowen takes a unique look at what it means to witness to one's faith.
Evangelism is something that all Christians can do as a "normal" part of being a follower of Jesus. The book encourages us to take a belonging before believing approach to evangelism.
Witty, wise, and biblically grounded, the book challenges in a gentle way.
Includes study questions for congregational use.
What others are saying about "Evangelism for normal people"
John Bowen is on a quest to discover what evangelism might look like for "normal" people who do not see themselves as evangelists or who may even be suspicious of evangelists. In his characteristic witty style, the "normal" person is contrasted with the "flasher" evangelist who assaults people's sensibilities with inappropriate expressions of spiritual exhibitionism.
His purpose is "to help rescue evangelism from the red light district of the church and put it back on the main street of church life, where it belongs" (16).
This is not just another "how to" book on lifestyle evangelism. It is particularly appealing because it is well grounded in missiology and seeks to address a number of critical issues in the encounter of the evangel and western culture, in particular.
Bowen's writing style is engagingly personal, narrative and witty. At the same time he lays a solid biblical/theological foundation and goes on to tease out the implications of the biblical material for an application to the postmodern pluralistic context of the West.
The language of the book is accessible to lay people and appropriate for use as a small group study book. At the same time, the breadth of biblical work and application to contemporary issues make it suitable as a textbook for an evangelism course. (from Amazon reviews)
Evangelism is something that all Christians can do as a "normal" part of being a follower of Jesus. The book encourages us to take a belonging before believing approach to evangelism.
Witty, wise, and biblically grounded, the book challenges in a gentle way.
Includes study questions for congregational use.
What others are saying about "Evangelism for normal people"
John Bowen is on a quest to discover what evangelism might look like for "normal" people who do not see themselves as evangelists or who may even be suspicious of evangelists. In his characteristic witty style, the "normal" person is contrasted with the "flasher" evangelist who assaults people's sensibilities with inappropriate expressions of spiritual exhibitionism.
His purpose is "to help rescue evangelism from the red light district of the church and put it back on the main street of church life, where it belongs" (16).
This is not just another "how to" book on lifestyle evangelism. It is particularly appealing because it is well grounded in missiology and seeks to address a number of critical issues in the encounter of the evangel and western culture, in particular.
Bowen's writing style is engagingly personal, narrative and witty. At the same time he lays a solid biblical/theological foundation and goes on to tease out the implications of the biblical material for an application to the postmodern pluralistic context of the West.
The language of the book is accessible to lay people and appropriate for use as a small group study book. At the same time, the breadth of biblical work and application to contemporary issues make it suitable as a textbook for an evangelism course. (from Amazon reviews)
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