by Frank Imhoff, ELCA News Service
The men of Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Marysville, Wash., plan to
host 200 people March 24 for the third "mini-gathering" of 2007
for Lutheran Men in Mission (LMM), the men's ministry of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). "Building for the
Future" is "a great way to spend a day with guys from the
congregation," said Doug Haugen, LMM director, Chicago.
The Rev. William "Chris" Boerger, bishop of the ELCA Northwest
Washington Synod, Seattle, will lead a Bible study. The Rev.
Roland D. Martinson, Carrie Olson Baalson Professor of Children,
Youth and Family Ministry, Luther Seminary, St. Paul, Minn., will
present two keynote addresses. Haugen will provide resources for
establishing men's ministries in congregations and updates on LMM
activities.
The Rev. Jack Richards, Bethlehem Lutheran Church, said "Calling
Men in Christian Service in Home and Congregation" will be
Martinson's morning keynote. His afternoon keynote, "Could Young
Men Love the Church? Engaging Young Men's Life and Faith," will
challenge the older men to consider the situations of men younger
than 35, Richards said. Each keynote will be followed by
breakout sessions, including a Young Men's Round Table of men
between 17 and 34 years of age. Thrivent Financial for
Lutherans, a nonprofit financial services organization based in
Minneapolis, is supporting the mini-gathering.
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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
