CHICAGO (ELCA) -- A dozen one-day sessions in churches from Tacoma, Wash., to Boca Raton, Fla., are scheduled Aug. 4 through Nov. 3 to present "Blueprints for Service" to members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) who are building men's ministries in their congregations. Lutheran Men in Mission (LMM), the men's organization of the ELCA, sponsors the events as part of its "Master Builders" program.
LMM launched "Master Builders: Building Men for Christ" in 1995 to expand the men's ministry of the ELCA with new programs, to inform and motivate Lutherans about the needs and opportunities of men's ministry and to provide the necessary resources to assist individual congregations in starting men's programs.
"'Blueprint' is a term you will be hearing a lot from this ministry for the next couple of years," said Douglas Haugen, LMM director. "Our goal is that the resources we publish, the events we produce and the ongoing leadership development we design will give you God's blueprint -- God's plan for your life and men's ministry in your congregation."
Each session will include one or more of several featured speakers:
+ The Rev. Richard A. Hardel, director, Youth and Family Institute, Augsburg College, Minneapolis, writes "Positive Parenting" -- a monthly column in the Metro Lutheran newspaper, Minneapolis.
+ Haugen develops and regularly contributes to the devotional materials and other publications of the ELCA's men's ministry.
+ The Rev. Raymond LeBlanc, First Lutheran Church, Carson, Calif., is president of One Church, One Child of Los Angeles, an adoption recruitment and advocacy program.
+ The Rev. Roland D. Martinson, professor of pastoral care, Luther Seminary, St. Paul, Minn., received the first "Tom Hunstad Award" of the ELCA Youth Ministry Network to "honor those who have made a significant impact on youth ministry in the ELCA."
+ The Rev. Heidi B. Neumark, Transfiguration Lutheran Church, Bronx, N.Y., helped the ELCA develop its "Stop the Violence: Healing Hurting Families" program.
+ The Rev. Steve Sonderman, associate pastor for men's ministry, Elmbrook Church, Brookfield, Wis., is the author of "How to Build a Life-Changing Men's Ministry: Bringing the Fire Home to Your Church."
Several sessions will also feature a renowned musician:
+ Peter Mayer, a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Nashville, Tenn., has toured with Jimmy Buffet's Coral Reefers and recorded several CDS with his brother Jim Mayer, including "Stars and Promises" -- a collection of original and traditional Christmas carols.
+ Tony Melendez, Dallas, an inspirational speaker, author and composer, was born without arms but has gone on to become an accomplished guitarist and to produce his own CDS, which include "Hands In Heaven."
+ Paul Todd, Cape Coral, Fla., has composed theme songs for the Make a Wish Foundation, the Marine Corps Toys for Tots program and Lutheran Men in Mission, and has raised thousands of dollars in benefit concerts for Lutheran Disaster Response.
Local congregations host "Blueprints for Service" sessions. LMM selected the host congregations because of their effective men's ministries:
August 2001
4 Cross of Christ Lutheran Church, Babylon, N.Y.
12 Christ the Savior Lutheran Church, Fishers, Ind.
18 Pilgrim Lutheran Church, Puyallup, Wash.
25 Advent Lutheran Church, Boca Raton, Fla.
September 2001
8 Mt. Carmel Lutheran Church and San Luis Obispo
Lutheran Church, San Luis Obispo, Calif.
October 2001
6 American Lutheran Church, Billings, Mont.
7 Christ Lutheran Church, Whitefish, Mont.
13 Christ Lutheran Church, Highlands Ranch, Colo.
13 Hosanna! Lutheran Church, Lakeville, Minn.
20 Zion Lutheran Church, Clear Lake, Iowa
November 2001
3 Faith Lutheran Church, Flower Mound, Texas
The twelve events will build toward the churchwide Lutheran men's gathering July 26-28, 2002, in San Antonio. -- -- --
Lutheran Men in Mission maintains a home page at http://www.elca.org/lmm/ on the ELCA Web site.
For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://listserv.elca.org/archives/elcanews.html
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About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:
The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with 2.8 million members in more than 8,500 worshiping communities across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of "God's work. Our hands.," the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA's roots are in the writings of the German church reformer Martin Luther.
For information contact:
Candice Hill Buchbinder
Public Relations Manager
Candice.HillBuchbinder@ELCA.org
