{"id":1216,"date":"2018-03-06T02:51:15","date_gmt":"2018-03-06T02:51:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/missions.nalcnetwork.com\/?p=1216"},"modified":"2020-10-29T12:40:37","modified_gmt":"2020-10-29T12:40:37","slug":"the-academy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/missions.nalcnetwork.com\/the-academy\/","title":{"rendered":"The Academy"},"content":{"rendered":"

Renewal is a church coming alive in Jesus, centering on four key elements of our identity as Lutherans; The Word; The Water; the Wheat and Wine; and our Witness. \u00a0Throughout history, theologians have studied the great awakenings, revivals, and renewals seen in the church throughout the world. \u00a0There are five underlying elements that are found at the center of each time of renewal. Whether in one church, in a region, or across the world – sociologists have observed that these five things are present in each revival: \u00a0recovery of the Gospel, renewed individuals (discipleship), evangelism and outreach through relationship, the instituted means of grace in worship, and extraordinary prayer. \u00a0The 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.<\/p>\n

\u201cYour people will rebuild the ancient ruins\u00a0<\/i><\/b>and will raise up the age-old foundations;\u00a0<\/i><\/b>you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls,\u00a0<\/i><\/b>Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.\u201d\u00a0<\/i><\/b>-Isaiah 58:12<\/strong><\/p>\n

Introduction – <\/b><\/h3>\n

\"\"<\/b>The root meaning of the word equipping (katartizo) <\/i>in classical Greek describes what a doctor does.\u00a0 A doctor \u201cequips\u201d a body that has brokenness.\u00a0 Equipping is to put what is broken into right relationship with the rest of the body.\u00a0 Whether it\u2019s setting a bone or popping a shoulder back into place, the doctor sees each individual part while simultaneously seeing the whole.<\/p>\n

Any EMT, doctor, or nurse will explain that it is futile to put a small bandaid on a big problem.\u00a0 The same is true in our relationship with God, but how often are we satisfied with the quick fix?\u00a0 God desires more than that.\u00a0 He desires restoration.\u00a0 All of the wrongs being made right.\u00a0 Brokenness healed.\u00a0 Sin atoned for.\u00a0 That we may come in and go out, both now and forever more.\u00a0 It is the wholeness of the shalom of God.<\/p>\n

\"\"As disciples – followers of Jesus Christ – we are content no longer to simply be \u201cbelievers\u201d for we have had an encounter with the unwavering grace of Jesus Christ who has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of his Son, in whom there is the redemption and forgiveness of sins.\u00a0 As we journey to the cross and empty tomb this year with stirred hearts, we recognize this as a time of \u201cequipping,\u201d where the Great Physician takes what is broken and puts it into right relationship with the rest of the body.<\/p>\n

Sin has corrupted and distorted our relationship with God and each other.\u00a0 Each month, as the family of God, we will be focusing on a specific area that has been broken and distorted.\u00a0 We will be asking tough questions. \u00a0But our prayer is that as disciples, we may live into what God is setting right, fixing, repairing, and restoring.<\/p>\n

\"\"For Jesus is the ultimate \u201cRepairer of Broken Walls\u201d or \u201cRepairer of the Breach,\u201d and through his death and resurrection, our lives are now built on the Solid Rock, the Ebenezer, the Cornerstone.\u00a0 And not only that, we have been invited into the great journey to be disciples for our lives to serve as an Ebenezer, a testimony, a real life object lesson that we can confess, standing on the shoulders of the giants who have come before,\u00a0 that we too may be called \u201cRepairer of Broken Walls and Restorer of Streets With Dwellings.\u201d<\/p>\n

What Does This Mean?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

We’ve heard the deep need that has been articulated by many leaders through congregational reports, social media, a survey amongst mission district deans, SWOT Analysis, narrative interviews, and Mission Festival feedback. \u00a0One of the most consistent pieces of feedback that is received is: “I didn’t learn this in school, and I really needed to.”\u00a0\u00a0 While long term pieces are being put into place, there is an immediate need.\u00a0 To that end – we are utilizing the gifts that God has given us already.\u00a0 NALC Leaders sharing their knowledge with other NALC Leaders.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/strong>Welcome to The Academy<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Join us! \u00a0Each month we will be hosting a free webinar based on expressed needs by NALC Leaders for NALC Leaders. \u00a0Some of the topics we will be connecting with are:<\/p>\n