Beautifully Woven

Interview with Mark Nienow, CLB presidential nominee (Episode 53)

Daniel Stenberg, Heather Knutson, and Karen Stenberg had the privilege of interviewing the CLB presidential candidates this spring. You will find the questions that were asked in the interview below, as well as the time stamps for when they were asked. We hope this helps you as you get to know the candidates and informs you about important issues.  Intro Questions: 1. (3:22) What do you believe is uniquely beautiful about the Church of the Lutheran Brethren? How can we better live into that reality moving forward? 1. (7:12) What are our greatest challenges and needs? How do you plan to address them? 1. (13:21) Can you share any examples of how you’ve successfully led your church to something new or through a season of change? 1. (19:17) How, in your time of ministry, have you dealt with conflict? How will you help us work through synodical and church conflict in healthy ways? Synodical Questions: 1. (24:07) What is your understanding of the main purpose, role and calling of the synodical president? 1. (26:26) In a few words, how would you describe your particular gifts, personality traits and motivations to serve in this role? 1. (30:00) How will you engage with the current leadership in our Synod? 1. (32:35) What is your view on church planting? 1. (35:45) From your perspective, what is the purpose of the Council of Directors? Political Questions: 1. (39:50) How do you view the role of CLB President when it comes to speaking into the political tensions of our world today?  Missional Questions: 1. (47:20) What should the CLBA and its member churches do to call and equip more pastors, church planters and missionaries? 1. (57:30) Discipleship has been a point of emphasis for a number of years now in the CLB. How do you define discipleship and what is the role of the synod in the process? Theological Questions: 1. (1:01:38) What are your theological convictions regarding the related issues of women’s ordination and women in leadership in our congregations? Explain your rationale. 1. (1:07:27) What, if any, denominational oversight should there be in regards to women in ministry and how much of that should be left to individual congregations? 1. (1:11:18) How do you express your eschatological viewpoint? Closing Questions: 1. (1:14:27) In What ways would you work to connect and build relationships with pastors, elders and churches across the CLB 1. (1:18:25) How does the gospel make a difference in your life and ministry today? Listen wherever you get your podcasts, or find us here: https://clbforge.org/podcasts [https://clbforge.org/podcasts]

Interview with Michael Edwards, CLB presidential nominee (Episode 52)

Daniel Stenberg, Heather Knutson, and Karen Stenberg had the privilege of interviewing the CLB presidential candidates this spring. You will find the questions that were asked in the interview below, as well as the time stamps for when they were asked. We hope this helps you as you get to know the candidates and informs you about important issues.  Intro Questions: 1. (4:17) What do you believe is uniquely beautiful about the Church of the Lutheran Brethren? How can we better live into that reality moving forward? 1. (11:11) What are our greatest challenges and needs? How do you plan to address them? 1. (14:24) Can you share any examples of how you’ve successfully led your church to something new or through a season of change? 1. (18:26) How, in your time of ministry, have you dealt with conflict? How will you help us work through synodical and church conflict in healthy ways? Synodical Questions: 1. (21:00) What is your understanding of the main purpose, role and calling of the synodical president? 1. (25:34) How will you engage with the current leadership in our Synod? 1. (26:42) What is your view on church planting? 1. (28:55) From your perspective, what is the purpose of the Council of Directors? Political Questions: 1. (30:24) How do you view the role of CLB President when it comes to speaking into the political tensions of our world today?  1. (42:12) MICHAEL – On your church’s website it is noted: WE ARE DETERMINED TO RECLAIM OUR COMMUNITY, STATE, AND NATION FOR CHRIST – How does this sync up with our pastoral understanding of our call to live as dual residents in our temporary homeland in the UC and our ultimate homeland of heaven? Missional Questions: 1. (47:43) What should the CLBA and its member churches do to call and equip more pastors, church planters and missionaries? 1. (57:05) Discipleship has been a point of emphasis for a number of years now in the CLB. How do you define discipleship and what is the role of the synod in the process? Theological Questions: 1. (59:17) What are your theological convictions regarding the related issues of women’s ordination and women in leadership in our congregations? Explain your rationale. 1. (1:04:09) What, if any, denominational oversight should there be in regards to women in ministry and how much of that should be left to individual congregations? 1. (1:06:29) How do you express your eschatological viewpoint? Closing Questions: 1. (1:07:46) In What ways would you work to connect and build relationships with pastors, elders and churches across the CLB 1. (1:10:18) How does the gospel make a difference in your life and ministry today? Listen wherever you get your podcasts, or find us here: https://clbforge.org/podcasts [https://clbforge.org/podcasts]

Trip to The River with Micaila Hamilton and Isla Frobish (Episode 51)

This past summer Good Shepherd in Fergus Falls took their youth group to serve the church, The River in Red Deer, AB. Heather and Karen talk to Micaila and Isla about their trip.  Isla and Micaila were a part of the group that went from Fergus to serve. The girls share about how impactful the trip was for them. The church in Red Deer is made up of a very diverse congregation, with many of them immigrating to Canada from other countries. They share their stories of being welcomed into others' homes and experience that hospitality.  The girls talk about what they did there and how it helped shape their understanding of mission.  Listen wherever you get your podcasts or here: https://clbforge.org/podcasts [https://clbforge.org/podcasts] WMCLB Resources: https://www.wmclb.org [https://www.wmclb.org/]

CLB Trip to Japan with Christine Lawson (Episode 50)

Christine took a trip to Japan with a group through the CLB. Listen to Christine talk about what they were up to there. She talks about some cultural experiences on this trip, as well as how Japan influenced her love of making pottery when she was younger.  They visited many CLB Churches. Christine shares what is encouraging and what is hard. She also shares what the common thread is among the churches that are thriving in Japan. No matter how difficult the soil, God is at work all around us!  As a reminder, we still have our Autumn Blessing Campaign running. You can find it here: https://www.wmclb.org/fall-giving-opportunity.html [https://www.wmclb.org/fall-giving-opportunity.html] To see what else is coming up through the CLB, check it out here: https://clba.org [https://clba.org/]

Mission to Seattle with Josiah Militzer and Paul Fauquet: Episode 49

Josiah took his youth group from Bethel(Fergus Falls) this past summer on a short-term mission to do ministry in partnership with Rock of Ages in Seattle. Hear how the youth team served the city alongside the church. Josiah and Paul talk about homeless ministry and how the Union Gospel Mission tackles that. It is a complicated issue. The Union Gospel Mission is doing a wonderful job of loving this community well and giving them the hope of the gospel.   Josiah and Paul share the impact this trip had on the kids, leaders, and church. As well as takeaways and where to look for ways to bring the hope of the gospel to people, whatever your context is.  Please reach out if you are interested in being a part of a mission like this! I will put you in contact with Paul and Josiah!  Listen wherever you get your podcasts, or also find us here:https://clbforge.org/podcasts [https://clbforge.org/podcasts] Rock of Ages Church: https://therocklbc.org [https://therocklbc.org/] Union Gospel Mission Seattle: https://www.ugm.org/?utm_medium=search&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=google-branded-ad&utm_content=google-branded&source=L24ZZAC01Z [https://www.ugm.org/?utm_medium=search&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=google-branded-ad&utm_content=google-branded&source=L24ZZAC01Z] Women’s Ministry website: wmclb.org [http://wmclb.org/]