No Comment Dept.

(from an ELCA press release dated April 18, 2008):
+ Independent Lutheran organization: By a vote of 18-13,the council acknowledged Lutheran CORE (Coalition for Reform),as an independent Lutheran organization that relates to theELCA through the Vocation and Education program unit. LutheranCORE applied for the acknowledgment, and the Rev. Stanley N.Olson, executive director, ELCA Vocation and Education,recommended the relationship be established. Before voting,some council members raised specific concerns about the proposal,noting that the WordAlone Network, which has been critical ofthe ELCA churchwide organization and its leaders, is a memberorganization of Lutheran CORE.

Two Kingdoms

As we approach the portion of the process leading to the election of our next president known as the "silly season", I thought this article from Christianity Today (http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2008/aprilweb-only/114-32.0.html?start=1) by a Lutheran journalist was an excellent summary of Luther's "Two Kingdoms" theology. What do you think?

The Silence of God

As we prepare now for the fearsome focus on the cross of Holy Week I want to share with you this article from the online edition of Christianity Today on the silence of God. It's at http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2008/march/29.41.html?start=2 May we be empowered by the Holy Spirit in the week ahead and know God's strength in our prayers and proclamation.

Comment on the First Draft of an ELCA Statement on Human Sexuality

The ELCA's Task Force on Human Sexuality will release the first draft of its statement on March 13th. Want to provide feedback? Here's a link to information on how from Lutheran CORE.

Want to Do Lunch?

First, we had a wonderful gathering at Mt. Olive Lutheran Church in La Crescenta, where Gary Heltsley serves as pastor. Our thanks to Gary for hosting, and to Pastor Dennis Nelson of Christ Lutheran Church in West Covina for bring a report from Lutheran CoRe. Some stayed and went on to a little sandwich restaurant afterwards and reported that they had a wonderful time together. Maybe we should do that part again. What would you think about gathering at various places around the synod for a quiet lunch just for prayer and fellowship from time to time? The local pastors would pick the place. Place your comments here.

Web Evangelism Resources

Check in here for a list of evangelism resources on the web culled from a recent (January 10, 2008) online article in Christianity Today by Luis Palau. Are there others you have found helpful? Add them here.

Learning Spanish

I've studied Spanish as a child and as an adult. I've taken classes as continuing education and studied in an immersion setting in Cuernavaca, Mexico. But, I haven't practiced much and I live in an area where speaking Spanish is not a day to day necessity. I've come to believe that in our environment in Southern California, speaking Spanish is at least a courtesy, and a means for showing respect for a huge number of people we have had mixed results in reaching. Just re-reading that sentence tells me that my view of "us" and "them" is an indication that we haven't been too successful in reaching and integrating people for whom Spanish is a primary language.
So, and I believe God is leading me here, I've recently decided to review and improve my Spanish. One thing I remember from my earlier continuing education studies is that a knowledge of and respect for Latino culture is more important than speaking Spanish for shared ministry. However, I think it is helpful, if not an absolute necessity, to at least have some ability in Spanish. And, when I ask myself as an "Anglo" (though I'm more of a "Scandi"), "what languages would Jesus speak" I have a strong sense that one of them would be Spanish in our context.
Following is a list of resources for personal study that have either been recommended to me or which I have used and found helpful. I'm starting with some Spanish language background, but these have also come recommended for the raw beginner who doesn't have the time or access for classroom instruction, and wants to learn at their own pace.
Plimsleur Quick and Simple Spanish - tapes or CD's A very slow and basic intro to conversational Spanish
QuickStudy Spanish Vocabulary Flash Cards - also comes in a laminated sheet version
Practice Makes Perfect: Spanish Pronouns And Prepositions - a workbook for concentrated grammar and vocabulary and written Spanish
Practice Makes Perfect: Spanish Verb Tenses - same as above
Learning Spanish Like Crazy: Spoken Spanish, Vol. 1 - CD's, Vol. 2 also available
501 Spanish Verbs: with CD-ROM (Barron's Foreign Language Guides)
Merriam-Webster's Spanish-English Dictionary
VOX Super-Mini Spanish and English Dictionary - a smaller handier but less comprehensive dictionary than the Merriam-Webster
1001 Most Useful Spanish Words (Beginners Guides)
Are there others that you know or have heard that are helpful?