2023 Lutheran Week in Oklahoma City, OK

As I write this, the NALC Convocation continues on. We have a decisive election for a Bishop. The Rev. Dr. Dan Selbo was elected to a second four-year term. Others have also been appointed to open positions in the Executive Council for the NALC. The website: www.thenalc.org  will have more details in the coming days. 

Your delegate, Carolyn Messerly, has represented you all well. The theological conference and now the NALC convocation have gone well for everyone. This week has served to bring the almost 500 participants closer together and in greater unity than ever before.

In a world that increasingly shifts away from a Biblical worldview, this gathering of Lutherans in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma has served as a powerful reminder that this is indeed the right time to be part of a Church that locates its values in being (from the website):

“Christ-Centered: 

We confess the apostolic faith in Jesus Christ according to the Holy Scriptures. We affirm the authority of the Scriptures as the authoritative source and norm, “according to which all doctrines should and must be judged” (Formula of Concord). We accept the ecumenical creeds and the Lutheran Confessions as true witnesses to the Word of God.

Mission Driven:

We believe that the mission of the Church is to preach the Gospel and to make disciples for Christ. We believe that making disciples — in our congregations, in our communities and nations, and around the world — must be a priority of the Church in the present age.

Traditionally Grounded:

We affirm the ecumenical creeds and the faithful witness of the Church across time and space. We endorse the form and practices of the universal Church that are consistent with Scripture, particularly the office of the ministry and the tradition of worship under Word and Sacrament. We seek dialogue and fellowship with other Lutheran churches and with faithful Christians of other confessions.

Congregationally Focused:

We strive to be a church that is organized to facilitate the ministries of local congregations in a posture of servanthood and a spirit of partnership, through the provision of resources, connections and information.”

You all have been called by Jesus to be part of this movement of Lutherans, working for the renewal of the Church in North America. I am grateful to be your pastor.

To God be the Glory!