NOWLeading

What is a mission-focused response for the challenges of the COVID19 Pandemic? Dust facilitates a national video-conference conversation (this podcast is the audio portion) hosted by the North American Mission Endeavor. NAME is the formal organization of LCMS district mission executives and other LCMS partner executive leaders. The bulk of the conversation is a presentation/response by Rev. Chris Paavola, church planter at All Nations Church, followed by a panel response, and some following questions. The four questions addressed by Rev. Paavola: 1. How does the church use this opportunity to multiply, equip, and release lay leaders in this new reality? 2. How can existing churches be proactive as a Spirit-led movement of multiplication, rather than merely conserving the normal by making it smaller? 3. What permissions and resources do missionally thinking lay leaders need from our leaders in the church? 4. What are some practical suggestions for sharing the Easter message with our families and neighbors?

Can ONE WORD really change how we connect with our community and neighbors? Listen to this episode to find out what the word actually is! Hint: it starts with “C” and ends in “us.” Dust explores one of the “golden threads” that runs through a number of interviews on the NOWLeading Podcast and unpacks the ramifications of living out this ONE WORD. Reminder: The NOWLeading Podcast is about ”exploring the art of leading from a Lutheran point of view.” The conversations and thoughts on the podcast are built on the assumption that we are living in an era of transition. This era requires leaders with a strong set of values who are resilient, compassionate, and flexible.

As part of the Catalyst Grant Program, Dust catches up with Doug and Julie of Redeemer Lutheran Church in Spokane Valley, WA, on the story behind launching the very first comfort dog ministry in the Northwest with Marie, Comfort Dog (through Lutheran Church Charities). Included in this podcast are great stories of the impact of this ministry and details on how to start a comfort dog ministry. For leaders interested in launching a comfort dog ministry, contact details for Doug and Julie and their ministry team are included in the podcast at the end.

PLANTING A NEW CHURCH WITH DISCIPLE GROUPS. Matt shares how a local congregation in the Boise, Idaho, metro area is mobilizing to meet the “wave of urban migration” by planting a new congregation through the use of small groups and an active disciple-making process. Matt describes the difference between membership and discipleship, and unpacks how “helping someone grow” can be the foundation for helping a new church plant grow too!

PLANTING A NEW CHURCH WITH A WHOLE-PERSON VISION (FITNESS CENTER INCLUDED). Clint and Mike share the impact of Xrossway on relationships with the community and the non-profit management model for a fitness center. Mike shares the incredible story of how he moved from Nebraska to Idaho to help manage Xrossway (thank God for mother-in-laws!)and the captivating power of a BIG vision for doing good in your community.

PAY ATTENTION TO THE CRITICS! A conversation with Ty (30-years starting new businesses including an investment company, Arbor Capital Management, and Denali Brewing Company in Talkeetna Alaska) at the NOW Start Networking event about his presentation. Warning! This conversation includes rare and powerful insight into the influence of critics on the entrepreneurial mindset.

BE A PART OF THE NOW START NETWORK! If you’re considering starting something new in the NOW District, this one’s for you! Dust interviews Brian and Mike about the influence of the NOW Start Network and its unique expression of the Pacific Northwest pioneering spirit. The conversation includes the vision for NOW Start Network and a focus on getting things started from scratch.

Paul and Dust discuss challenges to ministry locally, and offer suggestions and resources for leaders and congregations to partner together to impact a region.

President Linnemann provides a helpful introduction to the call process, and offers important steps every calling group should consider in the call process.

Paul and Dust focus in this episode on the actual document “Workers For His Harvest.” They remind the listener that Lutheran DNA includes creating space to listen to one another respectfully, and discuss theological issues in a meaningful way together. Paul shares why he thinks this document is meaningful for him and meaningful for the LCMS in our time. He provides a brief introduction to the document’s purpose and some of its perspectives and encourages the listener to not only read the document but make time to discuss it with others who have also read it. The document can be accessed at workersforhisharvest.com