The Annual TAALC Pastors - The American Association of Lutheran ...

The Evangel
Issue No. 157 — July/August 2011
A Publication of The American Association of Lutheran Churches
Faith Active in Love

Inside this Issue...
Pg. 2 — Editor
Pg. 3 — Presiding Pastor
Pg. 4 — Seminary
Pg. 5 — Lindberg Anniversary
Pg. 6 — Recent Events
Pg. 7 — Maynard Ordination
Pg. 8 — Reconciliation
Pg. 9 — Thinking About...
Pg. 10-11 — Japan
Pg. 12 — Fayetteville
Pg. 13 — Pastors’ Retreat
Pg. 14 — Women of L.I.F.E.
Pg. 15 — Evangelism: Men’s
Ministry Ideas
Photo Credits:
Cover Photo— iStock Photo
pg. 5 — Supplied by Ascension Lutheran Church
pg. 6 (TL) — Supplied by Rev. Rich Eddy
pg. 6 (TR) — Supplied by Ascension Lutheran
Church
pg. 6 (B) —Supplied by Rev. Fred Balke
pg. 7 (T) — Supplied by Rev. John Maynard
pg. 7 (B) — Supplied by Rev. Fred Balke
pg. 12 — Supplied by Christus Victor Lutheran
Church
pg. 13— iStock Photo
Unless indicated otherwise, all Scripture quotations are
from the Holy Bible, English Standard Version®, copyright
© 2007 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry
of Good News Publishers. Used by permission.
All rights reserved.
Editor: Rev. Richard Shields
Layout and Design by Lynette Badenhop
2 The Evangel
Faith Active in Love
A Message from The Evangel Editor and
ALTS President, Rev. Richard Shields
We proclaim faith alone as the means
by which we receive God’s grace
in Jesus Christ. Sometimes, we as
Lutherans are challenged as if we deny the
role of good works. On the contrary, while
good works play no role in justification and
salvation, we teach as the Bible does, that
faith is active and cannot help but do good
works. Thus, as Paul puts it, “faith active in
love” (Galatians 5:6).
As our theme for this summer, we are
Christians who express faith active in love. Part of that activity is remembering
those who have served our Lord and His Church. In particular,
special “well-dones” to Pastors Lindberg and Balke for their 50
year anniversaries of pastoral ministry. At the other end of the spectrum
we encourage and support Scott Yount on his ordination and Michael
Badenhop who begins his service as vicar/intern in San Diego.
This is also a time of change for me. This summer I was called to
serve as pastor at Shepherd of the Mountains Lutheran Church, Frazier
Park, CA. We moved at the end of July, and I began serving August 1. I
will continue with my duties as Seminary President and Editor of The
Evangel. I have relinquished my other duties with the AALC National
Office. Thus begins an exciting new chapter for me and for the congregation
in Frazier Park.
For all of us, may we continue “to grow in our faith and knowledge
of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18), as we live out our “faith
active in love.”

From the Presiding Pastor
A Message from TAALC Presiding Pastor, Rev. Franklin Hays
We tremble and complain when the storms strike, but we become bored and
petty when everything runs on, smooth and uneventful. We are built for
storms!
In and of ourselves we are fragile craft, easily capsized. But we were not intended
to go it alone in life. The Lord is with us. With Him we become the kind of craft that
can weather any storm: in fact, with Him we head for the storms.
One of the perils that face the Church in our day is that it may steer its people
out of the storm centers. Christ said that we should not be of the world; that is, we
are not to be like the world, driven here and there by capricious gales. But He also
commanded us to be in the world, in the thick of its problems and woes. We were not to anchor
ourselves in some sheltered cove and let the storm-tossed world go by.
When in World War II, England seemed about to fall, Winston Churchill aroused the nation
with the call to arms and a promise that he could give them only “blood, sweat, and tears.” The
Lord’s call is like that, not to an easier task, but to a greater cause, not to peace but to battle, not to
a cozy harbor but to a sea of storms.
If the church is to capture its people, and especially its youth, it will need to invite them to
risk, mission, and danger. Jesus calls us to take up His yoke, to learn of Him, to deny ourselves, to
take up our cross, and follow Him. All the world’s sins and woes become His. He exempted Himself
from nothing. He identified Himself totally with mankind, the thieves, the Pharisees, and the
harlots. Their sorrows became His sorrows.
There will be struggle, fierce struggle. But there will be victory too. For the victory lies in our
faith. Relying on Him as we navigate with Him, His strength and His peace and victory will be
His gift to us.
July/August 2011
3

ALTS News
An Update from the American Lutheran Theological Seminary By ALTS President Rev. Rich Shields
We are now moving into our second full year of the Master of Theological Studies (MTS) using video conferencing. Schedule
for the year:
Fall Session:
Introduction to the Old Testament (Shields)
AALC History and Polity (Hays/Leins)
Winter Session:
Introduction to the New Testament (Shields)
Homiletics (Hays/Leins)
Spring Session:
Worship (Leins)
Continue to pray for those who teach and those who learn.
This month Michael Badenhop begins his vicarage (internship) year at Good Shepherd, San Diego. He will serve under the
guidance of Rev. Greg Stenzel. Pray for them and the congregation.
What is RLLP and what is its relationship to ALTS?
The Rostered Licensed Lay Pastor (RLLP) designation was set up to denote those who were working on their seminary education
while serving within a congregation. The Constitution puts it this way:
Laymen, satisfactorily colloquized and recommended by the Clergy Commission and approved by the Association
Council of The AALC shall be designated ROSTERED LICENSED LAY PASTORS, to serve as authorized by the
Association Council.
A further provision of the RLLP designation is that the man also be actively involved in completing seminary education. Sometimes,
the man or the congregation are confused about what this means for them. Serving in a congregation means that the RLLP is
also a student in The Master of Theological Studies (MTS) program. According to the Policy and Procedures of The American Association
of Lutheran Churches, there are additional aspects of the RLLP and seminary work.
3. If a man is approved for RLLP status by the Clergy Commission, the Clergy Commission will make that
recommendation to the Joint Council.
4. If the Joint Council accepts the Clergy Commission’s recommendation, the RLLP is licensed for a maximum of one
year with the possibility of re-licensing.
5. Every RLLP must be committed to completing a seminary education consistent with ALTS requirements within seven
years following his first licensing. Special consideration may be given men whose age may pose a problem in
completing this requirement.
6. The RLLP must serve under the oversight of both the appropriate Regional Pastor and the Seminary President of ALTS.
Notice that the oversight belongs to the Regional Pastor and the Seminary President. Thus, neither the congregation nor the
RLLP are free to determine what needs or can be done as an RLLP. While this might sound negative, it is really a positive situation, a
win-win situation for the congregation and for the man serving as RLLP. That is, the consistency of seminary education is maintained,
thus ensuring that when the man is ordained and perhaps serves elsewhere, the congregations can be assured that he has received the
best possible seminary education in preparation for his service.
For the congregation when the RLLP is taking seminary classes, he learns more about Biblical studies and pastoral service. By
serving in the congregation the members gain from his learning immediately. For the man serving as RLLP, he can gain immediate
practical application of what he is learning, while also receiving the benefits of mentoring from the Seminary Professor, the Seminary
President, and the Regional Pastor.
Pray for those who have been designated as RLLP, that their seminary education will benefit the congregation and the church
body at large.
Seminary Reading:
Kolb, Robert and Arand, Charles P. The Genius of Luther’s Theology: A Wittenberg Way of Thinking for the Contemporary
Church. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2008.
Scaer, David P. Discourses in Matthew: Jesus Teaches the Church. St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 2004.
4 The Evangel

50 Years of Pastoral Service
Pastor Duane Lindberg was honored at services on
June 19 at Ascension Lutheran Church, Waterloo,
Iowa. His 50th Anniversary of Ordination to the
Holy Ministry gave the congregation and friends from former
congregations an opportunity to express their thanksgiving
to the Lord for his faithful ministry.
Pastor Len Brokenshire, on behalf of the Ascension
congregation, presented Dr. Lindberg with a very beautiful,
wooden wall cross. This was personalized with many
symbols suggestive of Pastor Lindberg’s service to Christ
and His people.
In response, Rev. Lindberg gave the glory to God for
His faithfulness. Then, he expressed heartfelt thanks to Ascension
and to each of the congregations he has been privileged
to serve for their partnership in the Gospel through
these 50 years. He expressed a special thanksgiving to the
Lord for the love, encouragement, and faithful support of
his wife, Mardell, and for their family.
Summary of Pastor and Mardell’s saga over
these 50 years…
Pastor Duane Lindberg receiving a wooden cross from
Pastor Len Brokenshire in honor of Pastor Lindberg’s
50 years of Pastoral Service on June 19, 2011.
Duane Lindberg, a former research chemist and Army
Chemical Corps officer, answered the Call of the Lord in
1956 to prepare for the Pastoral ministry. After Seminary training in St. Paul, he was ordained into the Holy Ministry on June
25, 1961, and was called to serve congregations in Epping and Wheelock, North Dakota. At this time, the Lindbergs had three
children — Erik, Karen and Karl. During these years (1961-68), Mardell and Duane welcomed two additions to their family —
Martha and Kris.
In addition to his ministerial duties, Pastor Lindberg was instrumental in organizing the Great Plains Institute of Theology,
the first rural Community Action Agency in North Dakota, the Buffalo Trails Museum, and directed the Upper Missouri Lutheran
Bible Camp Association. In 1968 he was granted scholarships by the former ALC and the Lutheran Brotherhood Society
to pursue graduate studies at the University of Minnesota.
He received both his MA and his Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota, with a special focus on American cultural and
religious history. Following graduate school in 1971, Dr. Lindberg was called to Zion Lutheran Church, West Union, Iowa. During
his pastorate, he served as Dean of the Decorah Conference, on the Iowa District Council of the ALC, helped organize the
Fayette County Historical Society, and taught medieval history at Upper Iowa University.
Dr. Lindberg accepted the Call to Trinity Lutheran Church, Waterloo, IA, in 1978. In addition to his duties as Senior Pastor,
he served for 27 years on the Allen Memorial Hospital Board and for 15 years on the Board of the Northeast Iowa Family
Practice Center.
In 1987, he helped found The American Association of Lutheran Churches and was elected as the first Presiding Pastor
(Bishop). During his 12-year tenure, he helped organize the American Lutheran Theological Seminary and served as an adjunct
professor in the areas of church history and systematics.
In 1987, Pastor Lindberg was called to the newly-organized Ascension Lutheran Church, Waterloo, IA, where he served as
Senior Pastor until his retirement in 2000. In 1997, Dr. Lindberg was elected to Who’s Who in America. Since his retirement,
Pastor Lindberg has been instrumental in the founding and building of Valley Lutheran Middle and High School, Cedar Falls,
IA. Here he has taught chemistry, church history and theology.
During his retirement, he also served as Interim Pastor of St. Luke Lutheran Church, Traer, IA. Dr. Lindberg is an active
Rotarian and an officer of the Sons of Norway Lodge. He is the author of three books: Uniting Word Happens to Youth, Men of
the Cloth, and The Kingdom of the Rings.
Pastor Lindberg and Mardell are blessed with five children and 11 grandchildren. They enjoy their family, genealogy, history,
writing and relaxing at their lake home in northern Minnesota.
July/August 2011
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Recent Events in TAALC:
Rev. Yount Installation & Ordination
On May 29, 2011, Rev. Scott Yount was ordained at
St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Elk Grove, CA.
Present at his ordination service were:
(Above, Left to right) Rev. Walt Tietjen (Retired LCMS);
Rev. Steve Lundblom (St. Peter’s); Rev. Jon Kibler-McCabe
(Shepherd of the Valley, Galt, CA); Rev. Rich Eddy
(St. Peter’s); Rev. Tom Baumgarten (Shepherd of the Valley,
Yuba City, CA); Rev. Scott Yount (newly ordained); Rev. Joel
Midthun (Living Water, Elk Grove, CA); Rev. Robert Salge
(St. Peter’s); Rev. Darrel Deuel (The Sending Place); and
Rev. Wendell Stangeland (Retired).
50th Anniversary of Ordination
On Sunday, June 12, 2011, Peace Lutheran Church
of Defiance, Ohio celebrated the 50th Anniversary
of Ordination for their Pastor, Rev. Fred W. Balke
at a service of Divine Worship. Represented here
are Rev. Fred W. Balke, Pastor of Peace Lutheran
Church, Defiance, Ohio, Rev. Franklin Hays, Presiding
Pastor of TAALC, who delivered the sermon
address, and Seminarian Michael Badenhop who
served as liturgist and has served as field work assistant
for Peace Lutheran for his first two years at
Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
Prior to serving as pastor of Peace Lutheran,
Pastor Balke served as the Administrative Assistant
for The AALC and retired in June of last year.
6 The Evangel
On June 5, 2011, the newly ordained Pastor Yount was
installed as Associate Pastor at Ascension
Lutheran Church in Waterloo, IA.
Present at his installation were (L to R)
Rev. Franklin Hays (St. Paul’s, Napoleon, OH);
Rev. Len Brokenshire (Ascension Lutheran);
Rev. Scott Yount (Ascension Lutheran); and
Rev. Duane Lindberg (Retired).
At Pastor Balke’s Anniversary Celebration are (from L to R),
Seminarian Michael Badenhop (Peace Lutheran);
Rev. Fred Balke (Peace Lutheran); and Rev. Franklin Hays
(St. Paul’s, Napoleon, OH).

Pastor Maynard’s Ordination
On May 22nd, 2011, John Maynard was ordained in TAALC at
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Franklin, North Carolina. It was the
fulfillment of a long process for Pastor Maynard. He was a “commissioned”
Lay Pastor in the LCMS for about 23 years before joining TAALC three
years ago and beginning classes via the internet with Rev. Rich Shields and
Rev. Franklin Hays toward ordination.
Rev. Maynard began his ministry in Moab, Utah, where he served for
12 years before receiving a call to Buena Vista, Colorado. He semi-retired
to Maysville, Kentucky, where he served Trinity Lutheran Church and St.
Paul Lutheran Church in Augusta, Kentucky, for about 10 years. Augusta
joined TAALC about three years ago.
In September of 2010, Pastor Maynard accepted a call to Good Shepherd
Lutheran in Franklin, North Carolina, and remains semi-retired.
“I want to thank Fred Balke for his insistence that I join TAALC
and move toward ordination with them,” said Pastor Maynard. “It was the
fulfillment of a dream I always had, and everyone at TAALC has been very
supportive in my efforts. The congregation in Franklin has been wonderful
to me and served a delightful ‘Southern’ BBQ dinner to the many guests
following the ordination,” Maynard concluded.
Pictured from Left to Right: Rev. Loyd Ginn (Center Grove
Lutheran Church, Kannapolis, NC); Rev. Dennis Cook
(Christus Victor Lutheran Church, Fayetteville NC); newly
ordained Rev. John Maynard, (Good Shepherd Lutheran
Church, Franklin NC); Rev. Franklin Hays (St. Paul’s
Lutheran Church, Napoleon OH and TAALC Presiding
Pastor); and Rev. Fred Balke, (Peace Lutheran Church,
Defiance OH). Not pictured is Rev. Paul Herbert.
Presiding Pastor Franklin Hays led the “Service of Ordination” and also present were Pastors Rev. Balke (Defiance,
OH); Rev. Loyd Ginn (Kannapolis, NC); Rev. Dennis Cook (Fayetteville, NC); and Rev. Paul Herbert (Haysville, NC).
Several members of Pastor Maynard’s family were also present at the ordination including a new grandson who is just
nine months old.
July/August 2011
7

8 The Evangel
Reconciliation
Luke 15:11–32
As Christians we hold firm and proclaim what God has done for us in His Son, Jesus Christ. Premier is forgiveness of sins
(Ephesians 1:6) and the certainty of eternal life with God (John 5:24, 1 John 5:11–13). These precious promises reflect the center
of the Christian faith, namely justification by grace (alone) through faith (alone) in Christ (alone) based on Scripture (alone).
But do we have a tendency to reduce that grand statement to only forgiveness and eternal life? The question does not minimize
either of those facts; rather it causes us to see the fullness of what Christ has accomplished.
One aspect of justification/salvation often overlooked is reconciliation. How important is that for us? As we read the New
Testament, we discover that reconciliation is vital. There are two parts of reconciliation: vertical with God, and horizontal with
others. Paul summarized the vertical aspect, which is our topic in this study (with some questions regarding the horizontal in
light of the vertical):
All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to Himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ
God was reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of
reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making His appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of
Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake He made Him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in Him we might become the
righteousness of God. (2 Corinthians 5:18–21)
We also see this reconciliation told in parable form in Luke 15:11–32. Let’s turn to that text and ponder the truths here.
Read Luke 15:11–16
What attitude is shown by the younger son? (vv. 12, 13)
What is the parallel in vv. 12 and 16?
What does that show about the younger son?
Do I sometimes struggle with this same attitude?
Read Luke 15:17–20
What change takes place in vv. 17-19?
How does he imagine his reception (vv. 18-19)?
How does the father respond?
Read Luke 15:21–24
What words describe the father’s attitude and action?
What is the father’s response? What does he give the younger son (v. 24)?
If I had been the parent how would I have responded?
Read Luke 11:25–32
What does the father give to the older son? (See v. 24)
What does he invite the older son to do?
Let’s R.A.P. Up!
Reconciliation: Fact or process? What is the main point Jesus is addressing?
Attitude: Am I the younger son or the older son?
Purpose: How does that affect me today?
Further Reflection:
What gets in the way of reconciliation?
How do I handle someone who seems to get all this “free”?
What does 2 Corinthians 5:17-21 say to us (me) about our life together at this church?

Thinking About...
Moots, Paul. Becoming Barnabas: The Ministry of Encouragement. The Alban Institute, 2004.
My guess is that many of us have not thought much about the ministry of encouragement. In most of my travels and
visits with congregations, this seldom is mentioned. Most often, people want “the method that will work for us.” The ministry
of encouragement is not a method or quick fix for congregational problems, but is something far deeper and lasting. Moots
introduces us to the Biblical concept of encouragement, then offers ways that the ministry of encouragement is part and parcel
of our work together. He demonstrates each aspect from the life and ministry of Barnabas, an early traveling companion of Paul.
Moots offers some thought-provoking questions, and he provides some guidelines on how the ministry of encouragement can
work in a partnership between pastor and congregation.
It is no secret that Western culture has made a cult of success, and that success American-style is couched in terms of size
or growth or wealth or winning. The danger is that the church has accepted the larger culture’s definition by regarding success
as growth in membership size and budget, rather than as faithfulness in discipleship. (p. xii)
At their best, the strengths of small, strong congregations lie in their intimacy and shared history, their sense of compassion
and mission, their self-reliance and generosity. (p. xiii)
“…we are not called to make our congregations into cookie-cutter versions of Willow Creek or Ginghamsburg. What we
are called to remember is that every church can and must hear Jesus’ mandate to make disciples of all nations and, by extension,
to make disciples in all communities and congregations. All Christians can and must be challenged to make full use of our gifts
in Christ’s service. Regardless of size or liturgy or music style, every local church that faithfully follows Christ will see signs of
spiritual growth and often numerical growth as well.” (p. xv)
With proper preparation and focus, every partnership between pastor and congregation should result in a challenging and
fruitful ministry. (p. xv)
His chapter titles reveal his direction for congregational ministry of encouragement:
1. The Ministry of Encouragement
2. Standing With and Standing Aside: The Ministry of Partnership
3. Standing with Outsiders and Outcasts: The Ministry of Hospitality
4. Standing against Fear: The Ministry of Courage
5. Standing against Failure: The Ministry of Reconciliation
6. Authenticity in Ministry: Character and Call
7. A Ministry in Process
This book deserves a close reading and hearing in our congregations by pastors and lay leadership.
For your reading pleasure:
Kinnaman, Scot A., Laura L. Lane, and Charles P. Arand. Lutheranism 101. St. Louis, MO: Concordia Pub. House, 2010.
Steinmann, Andrew E. et al. Called to Be God’s People: An Introduction to the Old Testament. Wipf & Stock, 2006.
Guthrie, Nancy. The One Year Book of Discovering Jesus in the Old Testament. Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers,
2010.
Eswine, Scott. Preaching to a Post-Everything World: Crafting Biblical Sermons That Connect with Our Culture. Baker Books,
2008.
Forde, Gerhard O. On Being a Theologian of the Cross: Reflections on Luther’s Heidelberg Disputation, 1518. Wm. B. Eerdmans
Publishing Co., 1997.
Plueger, Aaron Luther. Things to Come for Planet Earth: What the Bible Says about the Last Times. Concordia Publishing
House, 1977 (reprinted by Northwestern Publishing House).
July/August 2011
9

Reflections on the East Japan Earthquake
The following is from Rev. Masahiro Ando’s item on the
East Japan Earthquake, Lutheran Church Relief in
NRK News No. 2, April 15, 2011
We reflect on our Lord on the Cross. Hope of salvation
can be seen through Christ’s suffering. May the Lord’s abundant
mercy and healing hands touch the people who are affected. The
name of the disaster has been changed at the four Lutheran synods
presidents meeting held on April 11. It was decided it shall
be called “East Japan Earthquake” which is used widely among
Media recently. Volunteer Centre is set up in Sendai
Please check the following blog for more information about
recruitment:
http://lutheran-tonaribito.blogspot.com/2011/04/blogpost_9702.html
Please check for other information the following site:
http://lutheran-tonaribito.blogspot.com/
If you are interested in volunteer work, please contact Japan Lutheran
Church office. We would like to send you necessary documents.
And also we will contact the disaster relief centre. Information
from East Japan Earthquake relief centre
This is quoted from an email dated on April 10:
================
May the peace of the Lord be with you.
Rev. Koizumi (Chiba Church Pastor, JELC) who departed
Thursday last week, is sent to Sendai and the “Lutheran Volunteer
Support Centre — Tonaribito” will be set up tomorrow. (The Japanese
word Tonaribito means Neighbor.) We have received an email
from Mr. Nagashima, a member of Sendai Church (JELC),
where one of the affected sites is located.
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Tomorrow will mark
one month after dreadful earthquake and tsunami. As a member
of a church where one of most damaged areas is located, I would
like to greet you.
On that day, I was at my workplace in Tagajo which is a suburb
of Sendai City. I learned a couple days later that water surged
up to Tagajo Station which is close to my workplace. The stone
wall fell before my eyes when I went outside after the Earthquake
occurred. I drove back to my house located in Izumi-ku with my
colleague who lives at Aoba-ku and a student from Furukawa-shi
who came to see the academic records announcement. Having
stopped by my home, I took the wheel again and drove towards
the direction of Sendai Station to drop off my colleague and find
my daughter who was at Sendai station.
There was a huge traffic jam on the roads, so I dropped my
colleague off on the way and tried contacting my daughter on the
narrow street. Finally I was able to get in touch with her and to
pick her up. She had walked a couple kilometers in snow and es-
10
The Evangel
caped at microbus. A blackout continued about four days after
the earthquake. I wrapped myself with my blanket, ate Senbei
and listened to news from a transistor radio while in the dark.
Probably out of cold and fear of earthquake, I went to bed with
my jacket and pants on for several days. While the nearby supermarket
was closed, other private shops opened up and sold food
to us. A barber shop opened up for washing hair for 500 yen. A
sushi restaurant sold 500 yen bentos at the parking space of the
hardware store. Everyone helped one another somehow to manage
living. However, things were not easy in terms of shortage of
food, water and gasoline. I visited volunteer centres and affected
sites with people from Japan Evangelical Lutheran Church and
Kinki Evangelical Lutheran Church. The view of these sites was
beyond words. Station has an overpass which is the only thing
remained. Countryside turns into almost like beach. Containers
floated into the beach and so on. Even there were terrible sights;
they reminds us of a beautiful Japanese home. People’s life was
there.
Sendai church started serving as a support centre. Rev.
Koizumi from Chiba church has been helping in the setting up
of the support centre. We placed tatami mats which were donated
at church today after worship. I hope many people would
utilize them. Support has two types, urgent support and longterm
support. I hope many people would use this support centre
in Sendai and carry the burden together with us on the field.
Sendai will become hot in a month. Removal of a lot of debris
and cleaning up houses which are full of sludge is hastened.
Junior and high school, and college students who volunteer will
be back to school at the end of this month.
Most of all, we must think about people who are in despair.
There are old couples who lost their children, children who lost
their parents, people who lost house and job. I can’t imagine
the anxiety of people who live close to the nuclear power plant.
We must pray. What we need the most is your prayers. We are
encouraged by the common prayers during worship. It is a grace
that we are able to give thanks to our God together, supported
by your prayers during this time of difficulty. May God protect
you and the work of the Sendai Support centre.
Shinji Nagashima, Japan Evangelical Lutheran
Sendai Church
We are receiving a lot of donations from Lutheran Churches
overseas. Thank you for your support. Four Lutheran Churches
in Japan aimed to raise 31,000,000 yen for our budget. The
total budget will be 250,000,000 yen including support from
oversea churches. We would like to ask you for your support.
Mental care will become important from now on. There
will be people who won’t be able to receive governmental help.
There are a lot of people needing financial aid, such as students,
elders, people who suffer from this earthquake, and so on. More
financial support will be needed continuously for these kinds of
support.

We have focused on sending supply so far
This help of sending supply is still needed for probably three months. The ways of support will change. However, transportation
that will bring supplies and people is necessary, so transportation of trucks and buses will be continued.
What will be needed is mental support
It will take a long time. On the matter of sending special counselors and education, Luther College is planning to initiate
leading this support.
It is necessary to care for children.
Luther College made a handbook of the mental care for affected children. The handbook will be published very soon. It is
also available at following site:
http://www.luther.ac.jp/news/110411/index.html.
Others:
Care for elders with a disability
People who are still in fear from the disaster
People who lost jobs and are in despair
People who lost their loved ones
Direct financial aid will be needed also
School expenses support to students who lost their parents. There might be people who won’t be able to receive public aid.
The affected people who came from overseas for work might not be able to receive public aid.
People will transition from shelter to temporary housing
Various supports will be necessary such as to those who will move to temporary housing, to those who can go back to their
house, etc. Public organizations will give material support but delicate mental support is necessary. This is where we can take part;
to be neighbors for those who are in suffering and to be with them will be what we are asked to do. It asks us to do things which
we are able to do at our place
—To participate in volunteer work at affected sites.
—To give donations for support.
—To translate news, information from churches if you are able. Translation will be into English, Korean, Chinese,
Spanish, German, French etc. Please contact the office if you are willing.
It is also important to share online
To make the prayer circle spread out by connecting friends overseas. Please support whatever you can do.
Let us pray
Let us pray for:
Those who are in suffering
Those who worry
Those who do volunteer work
Those who take part in dangerous work
Information regarding the relief fund is available on the Japan Lutheran Church website both in Japanese and in English.
Account information is also available on the website.
—Rev. Masahiro Ando
July/August 2011
11

Christus Victor Lutheran Church
Fayetteville, North Carolina
12 The Evangel
Christus Victor Lutheran Church of Fayetteville, North Carolina,
held its first worship service in an old store front on November
18, 1962, with 10 charter families. It has grown from those early
years to a present membership of 258. Ft. Bragg Army base is located
just outside of Fayetteville; this means that over half of our congregation
is made up of retired or active military.
Christian Education has played a large part in this church’s ministry.
In March of 1963, the church began its first Catechism classes. In
July of 1995, the congregation began groundbreaking for a new educational
unit. This building was completed and dedicated in September of
1996. Ten years later, the church added on a narthex and two years after
that, a playground.
Like so many other churches, these additions were to aid the ministry
of the church. It is very difficult to do ministry without having
the facility to make it happen. We have over the years upgraded our PA
system so it is both audio and video. We video record each of our Sunday
morning services, broadcasting them into the nursery and narthex. We
also make the recordings available on our church web site and send them
to our deployed men and women overseas. We have a children’s message
each Sunday, which helps the younger members of our church better
connect with what is taking place in the service.
The youth group is very active, between 15 and 25 young people
go on a mission trip each summer. The youth conduct worship once a
year, serve a Valentine’s dinner, help with VBS and take part in other
ministries within the church and the surrounding community. The VBS
summer ministry attracts about 75 young people and helpers.
Our faith and ministry as a church is centered on the Word of
God. Because of this strong belief, we found it necessary in November of
2010 to look at our relationship to our parent church. The ELCA in our
opinion was becoming more and more liberal in its use and interpretation
of scripture. Therefore, we felt compelled by our faith and understanding
of scripture to seek a denomination that was more in line with
our church theologically and biblically. On February 28, 2011, we took
our final vote to disaffiliate with the ELCA and join the AALC.
“I am humbled and honored to have served Christus Victor for
almost 14 years,” says its Pastor, Dennis Cook. “I believe we are a family
and everyone who joins us in this ministry becomes part of it. Our Outreach
statement sums it up. ‘We are a church of the AALC; Bible based,
Christ-centered and mission driven. Where scripture is our foundation,
the cross is our hope and Jesus Christ is our Savior. We journey in faith,
and all are welcome.’”

P astors’
Retreat
The Annual TAALC Pastors’
Retreat is coming again this fall!
Opening Worship Services will take place on
October 10th, 2011, and the retreat will conclude
on October 13th, 2011, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel—
Airport in St. Louis, Missouri.
Speakers: Rev. Dr. Jeffrey
Pulse, Rev. Dr. Curtis Leins,
and Rev. Franklin Hays
This year’s theme:
The Word:
From Text to
Table
“...Gospel is taught purely and the
Sacraments are rightly administered.”
—Augsburg VII
July/August 2011 2011
13

14
The Evangel
Women of L.I.F.E.
Lutherans In Fellowship and Evangelism
of
The American Association of Lutheran Churches
ear Sisters in Christ: D Jesus answered the disciples and explained the Parable of the weeds in the field. John 13:37-38 “He who
sows the good seed is the Son of Man. The field is the world, the good seeds are the sons of the kingdom, but the tares (weeds)
are the sons of the wicked one.”
I was recently asked what I thought the purpose of WOL was. After thinking about it for a time, I replied that
I thought the purpose is to see our mission field and “sow seeds.” Not too long ago we were a part of the wonderful
and powerful EASTER celebration — CHRIST IS RISEN, RISEN INDEED! — And then came SPRING. We saw
grass turning green, leaves budding out and then we planted seeds in our gardens and pots. In excited anticipation,
we waited to see those seeds pop out of the soil transformed as vegetables or flowers. We go out to check the seeds
every day, praying for the warmth of the sun and the sweet gentle rain to help those seeds change in nature. It is a
time for hope and new life, John 1:4 “In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.”
Our Presiding Pastor, the Reverend Franklin Hays, spoke at our regional gathering. He said we need to sow the
seeds of God’s Word. We should be scattering lots and lots of God’s seeds so that the children of God who don’t know
of His love can germinate and grow. If we run out of seeds we need to get more and PRAY for productivity.
Our main objective as officers of WOL should be to lift up and encourage our believing sisters. We need to
inspire them to be planters and missionaries to their church family, neighbors, unsupervised neighborhood youth, to
the tired store clerk, the unhappy dejected person who has great obstacles to overcome. These folks all need a word of
hope. We are the sun and rain to those who don’t know how very much God loves them. Every person on this earth
IS the object of that great love. They may think they don’t know God but God has always known them, that God
never slumbers or sleeps, He knows their every need and He has a plan for them “to grow” in His love.
I don’t suppose that many of us want to be a “scatterer” of God’s Word. We are shy about it, but we need to
work harder at looking for those opportunities. Shouldn’t we believe that God has a Divine Plan for us, and shouldn’t
our prayers include asking our Father to draw us near to those who need to hear of God’s Word? Then we should
truly believe that our Creator can actually use us! God gave us eyes to see our “gardens.” So, go out there and “sow
the seeds!”
The youth choir sang beautifully at our regional meeting. Shanda Knight, the director of the choir, encouraged
them (many of whom get dropped at the door and whose families never come in to worship) to be “sowers of God’s
Word.” She asked them to be “Pastors” as they sang, throwing the seeds of God’s love out to us, and they wanted
to spread the Good News. Recently two of that choir asked to be baptized. One of the young ladies convinced her
mother that she needed to be baptized also. So she, her mother, and her siblings were all baptized. Praise the Lord!!!
These young people desire to be “missionaries” and planters of God’s Word.
Edward Everett Hale wrote, “I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something;
and because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do the something that I can do.”
Thank you for remembering the Women of LIFE Commission in your prayers, and thank you for your love of
the Lord and His work.
Your devoted Sisters in Christ,
Kathy Buhr and Loree Bieker

Evangelism: Men’s Ministry Ideas
By Rev. Dr. Curtis Leins
Beast Feast Brings Potential Christians
Gordon Croom is an avid hunter and outdoorsman. He has filled his family freezer with deer meat and other wild game
for over 30 years. He is also a motorcycle rider, wild game cook, and Head Deacon of his church.
A couple of years ago, Gordy got an idea. He could use his love for hunting and wild game cooking, and his love
for Jesus Christ to accomplish a common goal. He could organize his congregation’s first Beast Feast.
A Beast Feast is a Men’s Dinner of wild game, fun, fellowship, and testimony for Jesus Christ. What did Gordy do? He
talked with the Pastor and Church Leadership and got their approval. They scheduled the event (about 6 weeks away) and
began the publicity. Letters and flyers went out to: Gun Shops, Pizza Parlors, motorcycle riders, and men of the church. Each
man was invited to bring a dish of wild game (enough for 5). If the man did not have such a dish, a vegetable or dessert was
acceptable. In addition, each man was asked to invite an unchurched friend.
The dinner was held in the church Fellowship Hall. About 30 or 40 men came. Guys were glad to show-off their cooking
skills and tell about their hunting experiences. There was plenty of food and laughter. After dinner, Gordy gave a talk about
the importance of being men who were real leaders in their homes. He explained that real leadership includes the strength of
gentle love and the power of controlling the temper. These characteristics are not easy but come with the help of God through
faith in Jesus Christ.
Several of the men who came were not Christians. They heard the Gospel and began some new relationships (with Jesus
and with Christian men). Others who were Christian also were edified. It was a great evening for everyone!
Wild Game Dinner
Steve Shuster hunts with bow, rifle, shotgun, and muzzel loader. He believes that men can be brought to Christ through
their passion for outdoors and hunting. What did Steve do? He did some research and found that most churches have
vibrant ministries for children and women, but not much for men. When a child comes to church, statistically the whole
family will come along only about 15% of the time. When a woman comes to church, statistically the whole family will come
along only about 23% of the time. If a man comes to church, the whole family comes 90% of the time. Steve thought: Get the
Men!
Steve went to his Church Leadership and shared his concern and his vision for a Wild Game Dinner. He suggested a
leadership committee of 7 men. They met every 2 weeks for several months. They divided into small groups with specific jobs:
logistics, communication, prizes, budget, greeters, follow-up. The big question was to find the right speaker. Steve wanted
someone who was an expert hunter who could educate the men, but also someone who would inspire the men with a personal
testimony about his faith.
The cost was $5 per plate. Also, they had a silent auction with items provided by local companies and stores. The dinner
was so successful that the speaker was paid $700 and they had enough left over to build a Youth Archery Range and Camp with
the surplus. Each participant supplied a wild game dinner for 5 people, and was encouraged to INVITE SOME FRIENDS
(children included).
The first Wild Game Dinner had 225 in attendance. The Fellowship Hall was decked out by a local taxidermist. The kids
were in awe. The fathers learned a lot. The door prizes were phenomenal. Everyone had a great time! About 20% had never
been to a church. Many heard the Gospel for the first time. The follow-up team provided a questionnaire asking who would
like to come to other men’s events, men’s studies, or church. The response was overwhelming.
Steve is planning his Third Annual Wild Game Dinner. He is expecting 300 men!
July/August 2011 15

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The Evangel — Issue 157
July/ August 2011
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