Bishop Candidate Forums

On Sunday, February 16, our synod’s five conferences each met in
Assembly to vote on nominees for the Office of Bishop of the Northeastern
Minnesota Synod. Per actions at these assemblies the names of Pastor Paul N.
Svingen and Bishop Thomas M. Aitken came forward and will appear on the first
ballot for bishop at our Synod Assembly May 2-4, 2014 at Breezy Point
Resort.
           Two Candidate Forums are planned for members of the synod to meet
the two nominees. These one hour forums will be held Saturday, March 15 at Elim Lutheran Church in Duluth and Saturday, March 22 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Brainerd, at 2:45 pm. The forums immediately follow the Bishop’s Theological Convocation already taking place on these dates and places.
           Please continue to pray for the synod, its congregations and
  leadership, and the process of electing a pastor to serve the call as Bishop of
  the Northeastern Minnesota Synod.

Bishop's Theological Convocations
"Framing the Faith"

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Society’s views and stereotypes of young people are based
primarily on myths. This session will uncover some of the myths that cause us to frame our young people negatively and will offer practical ways to help you and your congregation to begin framing youth as children of God who have gifts to share and calls to live. 


Saturday, March 15 at Elim Lutheran Church 6101 Cody Street in Duluth 
Saturday, March 22 at Trinity Lutheran Church 1420 S. 6th Street in Brainerd 
(click on appropriate link to register)
             Both events are: 10 am – 2:30 pm (registration starts at 9:30 am)  
                                               Cost of $25 includes lunch

Each event is followed by:
                         a one hour Bishop Candidate Forum at 2:45 pm
                  There is no cost or registration necessary for the forum

Resources from Bishop Aitken

Practice Discipleship "Challenge Videos" (from 2013)
Give, Invite, Serve, Study, Worship, Prayer, Encourage
 
Bishop Aitken’s Vision for the Northeastern Minnesota Synod

Relational Agreement of the Rostered Leaders of the NE MN Synod, ELCA (May, 2013)

Pastoral Letter regarding Minnesota’s Civil Marriage Law for Same-Gendered People

Talking Together as Christians about Tough Social Issues

7-Point Devotion for Congregational Mission Plans

Sermon from 2012 Synod Assembly: What Jesus Means to Me

Pastoral Letter on Violence (Conference of Bishops; March 4, 2013)

Some Common Lutheran Understandings

10 Reasons Why I Love This Church

Bishop Aitken’s article on Health Care  (Duluth News Tribune)

As the synod’s pastor, Bishop Aitken is available in his role as teacher to do presentations in congregations. He is especially eager to be scheduled for “clusters” of congregations. He may be booked for Sunday mornings, week nights, youth or adult forums etc. on the following topics: 
  • How do you answer the question, “Are you Saved?”
  • Questions about life after death and non-Believers
  • This Church I Love
  • Grieving as a Christian
  • Son of God; Jesus or Caesar?
  • Bible 101 (Bible Basics)
  • The Heart and Soul of Scripture
  • Lutheranism 101
  • Stages of Death, Dying and Grief
  • My Experience in Palestine and Israel
  • Creation Care, from the Lost and Found Department of the church
Northeastern Minnesota Synod
Discipleship Challenge: Love Like Jesus
As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding
 in thanksgiving.
                           Colossians 2: 6-7
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This is the Discipleship
Challenge:
Deepening our faith practices and developing leaders as we strive to follow and love like Jesus on a daily basis.
          You and your congregation are invited to participate in this synod-wide Discipleship Challenge to Love Like Jesus!
         Each month we will focus on one of the 7 faith practices lifted up by the ELCA:Learn more 
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2014 Compensation & Benefits Guidelines
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