In This Issue

• The ELCA has a long way to go to make its case
• 156 year old ELCA church closed and sold to developers
• We need a shared definition of discipleship
• The Apostle Paul's understanding of Christian leadership
• We need to demonstrate Christ to Muslims
• A new pastor's story
• How can Clergy Connect help your congregation?



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by Pr. Dennis D. Nelson, Executive Director of Lutheran CORE

 HERE is a link to a series of five podcasts which the ELCA describes as “an educational tool . . . as we journey together through the reconsideration of the social statement ‘Human Sexuality: Gift and Trust.’” The ELCA very much wants those with traditional views to believe that their firmly held convictions do matter, that their voices will be heard, and that they and their views will be treated with profound dignity and respect. But no matter how hard they may try, the ELCA cannot build a convincing case that the end result is not pre-determined and they cannot cover over the multitude of ways in which the ELCA has shown through its actions and behavior over the years that traditional views and those who hold them come in a distant second. [...]

Considering Congregational Leadership Transitions: From Lay Ministers to 
"Pastors-in-Training"

by Pr. Don Brandt, Director, Congregational Lay-Led Initiative (CLI)

 Lutheran CORE’s Congregational Lay-leadership Initiative (CLI) has been designed and launched to help congregations “raise-up” from among their active members one or more lay ministers willing to accept a public ministry role in the life of their congregation. 

Why is this kind of ministry initiative so important? For two reasons:

1. First, because Protestant denominations in general—including Lutheran church bodies—face a severe and growing shortage of ordained pastors available and willing to relocate for a new call.

2. And second, because many LCMC, NALC and ELCA call committees are growing frustrated and demoralized in their prolonged and often unsuccessful search to identify, call and install a new pastor willing to relocate to serve their congregations.

While I have addressed this ministry challenge in previous CORE newsletter articles, the occasion for this article is that [...]

by Mr. Paul Flemming, Fredericksburg, VA

In an earlier article, I wrote about restoring Christian teaching within the home, a responsibility Martin Luther emphasized in his Small Catechism. Parents are called not only to teach their children about God but also to demonstrate what Christian living looks like. Recently, I have been considering how that responsibility extends beyond our homes to those who do not share our faith, particularly Muslims. [...]

My First Steps Into Ordained Ministry

by Pr. Ethan Zimmerman, NALC pastor in Wyoming

 Greenhorn, Rookie, Novice, Newcomer, Wet-Behind-The-Ears, Newbie, and last but not least… Pastor! On July 18th I was ordained at my home congregation, Trinity Lutheran Church, in Jeromesville, Ohio and on August 23rd I preached my first sermon and presided over communion at Christ the King Lutheran Church in Newcastle, Wyoming, my first call as a pastor! The last 8 years have been leading up to this moment, from studying at the Religion department at Ohio Northern University where I got my Bachelor of Arts to the three years at the North American Lutheran Seminary in Ambridge, PA, to being the understudy to the Rev. Eric Waters and the Rev. Rob Weber as the Vicar at St. John Lutheran Church in Boerne, Texas for a year after graduation. For years people asked, “Where are you in your studies?” and “When will you be ordained?” As time went on my answers to those questions changed as I made progress toward my goal of getting my MDiv and being ordained, and finally, the end has come and I have crossed over into a new beginning!

[...]

Clergy Connect: Resource for Congregations Looking for a Pastor or Other Staff Member

by Pr. Dennis D. Nelson, Executive Director of Lutheran CORE

HERE is a link to the Clergy Connect page on our website. That is a resource for congregations looking for a pastor or other staff member. If we can [...]       

• Pro Ecclesia Conference Birmingham, Alabama, January 11-13, 2027. Click here to register.
• NALC Clergy Retreat, San Antonio, TX, January 22, 2027. Click here.
• BYLD High School Leadership Gathering, Geneva College, Beaver Falls, PA, July 12-17, 2027. Click here.
• Lutheran Week 2027, Orlando, FL, August 9, 2027 - August 13, 2027. Includes convocation and theology conference. Click here.
• LCMC 27th Annual Gathering & Convention. St. Charles Convention Center, St. Charles, Missouri, October 3-6, 2027. Click here.

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Lutheran CORE's mission:

• A Network for Confessing Lutherans
• A Voice for Biblical Truth

Our purpose can be summed up in two words– Network  and  Voice. As  Network  for confessing Lutherans, we support and connect Lutheran individuals and congregations who seek to live in accord with Biblical and confessional teachings and practices. As a  Prophetic Voice, we advocate for Biblical authority and confessional fidelity among churches of the Lutheran community.

We communicate Biblical truth through our newsletter, mailings, and various forms of social media.