Tuesday, June 20, 2017

More Programmed Sanctification from WELS - But No Justification by Faith

 Scott Barefoot no longer has Facebook friends,
and he just may jump the fence to the LCMS.

"You don't own me
I'm not just one of your many toys.
You don't own me,
Don't say I can't go with other boys."



Rev. Jon Hein accepts call


Rev. Jon Hein recently announced that he has accepted the divine call to serve full time as the director of the Commission on Congregational Counseling (CCC). Hein will be relocating to the Milwaukee area later this summer and will be based at the WELS Center for Mission and Ministry in Waukesha, Wis.
Hein has served as the first director of the Commission on Congregational Counseling while also serving in a part-time role at Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church in Summerville, S.C.  In his new call he will serve full time in his position as director for the commission; he will also replace Rev. Bryan Gerlach as the coordinator for all of the commissions that comprise Congregational Services (Evangelism, Worship, Adult Discipleship, Youth and Family Ministry, Christian Schools, Special Ministries). Additionally, he will serve as an advisory member of the Synodical Council.
The CCC was formed to assist congregations in the evaluation of their ministry programs. As a part of that process, the CCC is able to direct congregations to resources that will help to address needs in their congregations and to plan future ministry efforts - apart from the Means of Grace, of course.
In addition to building a network of counselors in every district and overseeing their work, Hein also has spent two years conducting a detailed study of demographic trends and ministry issues. The study has looked at the challenges facing our synod posed by demographic changes and cultural shifts. Hein’s study, his evaluation, and the CCC’s recommendations for addressing these challenges will be highlighted at this summer’s synod convention, so bring popcorn and NoDoz.
We thank God for leading Hein to accept this new call and pray for God’s blessings on the efforts of Hein and on all of the commissions of Congregational Services as they help strengthen and equip congregations throughout the synod.
Serving in Christ,
President Mark Schroeder
Just wanted to share that no one should take it personally that I removed you as a "facebook friend" here... I've removed all 648 of you! I'm just tired of Facebook... The only reason I'm keeping my account at all, is that I need it to maintain the People of Grace page here on Facebook. If you would like to stay in contact, you can email me at: scottb@poglutherans.org. Many of you know my phone number... an even better way to stay in-touch!
Thrivent Funds WELS Worship Conference at ELCA College


Worship conference celebrates Lutheran worship


The WELS Commission on Worship hosted the 2017 National Conference on Worship Music and the Arts June 13–16 at Carthage College in Kenosha, Wis. More than 1,000 people attended the conference, which included a focus on Martin Luther’s contributions to worship as part of the celebration of the 500th anniversary of the Reformation.
Rachel Crites, the sole organist/pianist at Shepherd of the Hills, Anchorage, Alaska, is grateful that her congregation sponsored her conference registration and travel. She notes, “Being around other musicians is really a boost for me. I’ve attended the last four conferences. The last two have had a lot of sessions about the new hymnal, which have helped me understand how it will—or won’t, in some cases—work for our small congregation so far away from the epicenter of WELS.”
Rev. Bryan Gerlach, director of WELS Commission on Worship, says that the conference is planned with attendees like Crites in mind. “Attendees will gain some practical ideas and be challenged by fresh insights. But perhaps for most of us the conference is a triennial battery charge—an inspirational encouragement to return to parishes of any size and do our best.”
This particular conference included
  • morning and evening worship services;
  • a plenary address by Rev. Michael Schultz, the director of the WELS Hymnal Project, who offered a Reformation perspective on worship;
  • more than 50 breakdown sessions;
  • performances by WELS musicians in a wide variety of styles, some with talent;
  • a children’s choir and high school honor choir;
  • a collaborative art project that was displayed at the closing service; and
  • a juried art exhibit.
For Dawn Torth, though, the highlight is always the same. “I love the worship services and to see the variety of things that can be done to praise God,” says Torth, a choir director at St. John, Mukwonago, Wis., who attended her third worship conference this year. “At this conference, I particularly liked the chanting in worship, including the lessons. It really gave me new perspective on familiar verses.”
Funding from Thrivent Financial made it possible for leadership teams from around the country to attend the conference, because we need an insurance company to fund worship. Thanks, Mark Jeske.
To view the conference’s opening festival concert or closing worship service, visit livestream.com/welslive.

 Mark Jeske works hard for joint religious projects
with WELS and ELCA and Other People's Money.