As baptized disciples of Jesus Christ, living members of His body, our “mission” is to share the good news of His saving death and resurrection with those living in darkness, fear and godlessness, bringing the kingdom—His risen presence—near so that, through God’s Word and Holy Spirit, they may become his followers, baptized into His Church, disciples, with us, in the Kingdom of God.
The NALC is committed to the renewal of all our congregations, working to develop and deliver resources that challenge and open the NALC to the work of the Holy Spirit in our ministry and mission.
As we continue to help our congregations embrace this cultural shift with an emphasis on Life-to-Life Discipleship, we recognize that leading this effective change is an emotional business, especially in churches. The failure to address the impacts of change is at the root of most failed change initiatives. It is not enough just to “manage” change; people need to be led through change. Giving a congregation sufficient reason to pack up their tents to leave “here,” travel through the “wilderness,” and end up “there” — all while not losing your mind (or your position) — requires certain competencies and character.
During this session of The Academy as we dive deep into some of those foundational and practical elements of leadership, we will also keep before us what it means to help people recognize and trust God’s voice and character through the Word of God. As we speak about the broken world, how God redeems this brokenness, and how we are called to be His hands and feet in putting all of this back together in our culture and context today.
Join us Tuesday, February 5th at 11 am EST. Pre-registration for this webinar is required. For additional details or to register, please visit: The Academy – February.
Host:
The Rev. Tony Ede graduated from Waldorf College, where he earned an associate of arts in electronic communications and a bachelor of arts in multimedia communications. Graduating from Luther Seminary in 2006, Tony worked as a graduate teaching assistant in the homiletics department, helping to teach classes on using media and technology in worship and preaching. Pastor Ede has served at Bethany Lutheran Churches in the Danish Village of Kimballton, Iowa; as the teaching pastor at Trinity Lutheran in Webster City, Iowa; and currently serves as the senior pastor at First Evangelical Lutheran in Manchester, Iowa. As part of his commitment to lifelong learning, Tony earned an MBA in 2017 from Upper Iowa University in Fayette, Iowa, with a concentration in organizational development. Following a long family tradition, Tony is a nationally certified firefighter and EMT and has used these skills to serve in the community, as well as in disaster response statewide. Tony was married to LeAnn at Trinity Lutheran Church, New Hampton, Iowa, on August 17th, 2002. They have three sons that keep them busy: Carver, Liam and Burke.
Panelists:
The Rev. Dr. Jim Palan is enjoying his retirement by continuing to care for his family, as well as planting a church in Alabama. Having served as a parish pastor, assistant to the bishop, and in a variety of other capacities, Pastor Jim is passionate about the Gospel in the context of relationships. Originally graduating with a degree in electrical engineering, Pastor Jim then received his master of divinity from Luther Theological Seminary and continued his education at North Dakota State, earning an advanced degree in marriage and family therapy. In his “retirement,” Pastor Jim is also choosing to focus his time, energy and gifts on working to prevent burnout amongst leadership in the church.
The Rev. Trina M. Petersen is pastor of A New Thing Christian Church, Lithonia, GA, a ministry entrusted to her by God, focused on the deliverance, healing and wholeness of his people. Pastor Trina was baptized as an infant, confirmed as a teenager and served as an adult in the Lutheran Church prior to becoming an ordained pastor in the NALC. Most recently, she published two books, Irresistible and The Adventures of Clayoton (a children’s book) and became a certified coach of the John Maxwell Team. Being Kingdom minded, Pastor Petersen serves in the position of pastor, operates with an apostolic anointing, and speaks in a prophetic voice as she helps the people of God heal from their pasts, live in the now, and walk in the power and authority given to them by God!
The Rev. Dr. Brian Hughes – With a passion for creating healthy households and healthy churches, Brian and his wife Christine have served in a variety of settings across the US, from Capitol Hill, Washington, DC, Western Pennsylvania, Bay Area of California and now in a bedroom community for Baltimore, MD. Since meeting one night in Washington, DC when they both happened to volunteer at a homeless shelter, they have been deeply committed to helping congregations live out the link between Discipleship and Mission. In the last decade their current call has added several mosaic (multi-cultural) ministries, become the primary financial support for an AIDS orphanage in Tanzania, opened its doors to the county’s Cold Weather Shelter, provided space for Summer Sensations (the only day camp for children with autism in Maryland), provided space for Safe Harbor (a Christian Counseling Center) and has supporting ministries for two Elementary schools through their missional communities. Lifting up great leaders, empowering them and getting out of their way is a hallmark of his leadership style.
Brian is a native Californian with a doctorate in family systems, extensive training and experience in leadership and conflict management, and the author of “Our Structure, Carrying out the Vision” as well as numerous articles. He is a diver (SCUBA, diving helmet and owner/operator of a deep diving personal submarine), gear head, Harley rider, and fly fisherman. The Hughes’ have two grown children.