MISSION STATEMENT:
Northern Rockies Institute of Theology is a continuing theological education ministry of the Montana Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. NRIT exists to provide and promote lifelong learning for the people of the Montana Synod (and their neighbors), for the purpose of equipping them in their lives of ministry.
CONTINUING EDUCATION and LIFELONG LEARNING
The Lutheran Church has always valued education, both for its clergy and for its laity. Martin Luther was a professor who advocated not only a learned ministry, but also a well-informed laity. Lutheran congregations are centers of learning and mission. NRIT assists congregations in their teaching of the faith. NRIT offers courses and events that are specifically geared to the congregational level. NRIT offers courses that help the teachers and pastoral leaders of the church in their teaching role. All NRIT courses are open to everyone. If you have any question about a course, contact us.
ELCA pastors, AIMs and diaconal ministers (rostered people) are expected to do 50 hours of continuing theological education annually. As part of the compensation package, congregations are asked to grant two weeks of time for continuing education annually, in addition to funding. This time is not vacation, and the money is not the same as a book allowance. Congregations are encouraged to work with the pastor / AIM / diaconal minister and the synod to provide opportunities for sabbatical, as well.
NRIT is the Montana Synod’s program ministry for clergy and laity, and is accountable to the church. We love to work with you to help put on programs, bring in speakers, address the issues that are at the heart of your community. We are your ministry.
HOW NRIT OPERATES
Staff
Director: Jenny Kunka
Assistant: Susan Smith
Advisory Committee (reports to Mission Committee of Synod Council)
Al Beyer, Culbertson, Chair
Deb Koch, Kalispell
Julie Long, Missoula
Jason Asselstine, Choteau
Larry Goehner, Columbus
Bishop Jessica Crist, Great Falls
HOW NRIT IS FUNDED
In the 1970s: Churchwide and Insurance dollars and some District funding
In 2003: $25,000 from the Montana Synod
HOW YOU CAN HELP
Register early for events. We refund if you cannot attend.
Consider a donation, either individually, or from your congregation’s budget or endowment.
Give us feedback. Share ideas, resources, speakers
SCHOLARSHIPS
Jessica Crist Scholarship
This fund has been established by the NRIT Advisory Committee in honor of Jessica Crist's faithful service to NRIT in an effort to help fulfill NRIT's mission "to provide and promote lifelong learning for the people of the Montana Synod for the purpose of equipping them in their lives of ministry." Initial funding has come from the generous donations of several members of the Montana Synod, including a portion of the offering from Bishop Crist's installation service. Donations to the fund are invited and welcomed!
The scholarship is need-based and will be distributed at the discretion of the NRIT Director in conversation with the Bishop and, if necessary, the NRIT Advisory Committee. It is available for both clergy and lay persons, including AIM's, Diaconal Ministers, Deaconesses, LPA's, and other congregational lay leaders. The scholarship is applicable only toward NRIT-sponsored events.
HOW YOU CAN REACH US
NRIT
2415 13th Avenue South
Great Falls, MT 59405
406 453-1461
email: j.kunka@nrit.org
Northern Rockies Institute of Theology is a continuing theological education ministry of the Montana Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. NRIT exists to provide and promote lifelong learning for the people of the Montana Synod (and their neighbors), for the purpose of equipping them in their lives of ministry.
CONTINUING EDUCATION and LIFELONG LEARNING
The Lutheran Church has always valued education, both for its clergy and for its laity. Martin Luther was a professor who advocated not only a learned ministry, but also a well-informed laity. Lutheran congregations are centers of learning and mission. NRIT assists congregations in their teaching of the faith. NRIT offers courses and events that are specifically geared to the congregational level. NRIT offers courses that help the teachers and pastoral leaders of the church in their teaching role. All NRIT courses are open to everyone. If you have any question about a course, contact us.
ELCA pastors, AIMs and diaconal ministers (rostered people) are expected to do 50 hours of continuing theological education annually. As part of the compensation package, congregations are asked to grant two weeks of time for continuing education annually, in addition to funding. This time is not vacation, and the money is not the same as a book allowance. Congregations are encouraged to work with the pastor / AIM / diaconal minister and the synod to provide opportunities for sabbatical, as well.
NRIT is the Montana Synod’s program ministry for clergy and laity, and is accountable to the church. We love to work with you to help put on programs, bring in speakers, address the issues that are at the heart of your community. We are your ministry.
HOW NRIT OPERATES
Staff
Director: Jenny Kunka
Assistant: Susan Smith
Advisory Committee (reports to Mission Committee of Synod Council)
Al Beyer, Culbertson, Chair
Deb Koch, Kalispell
Julie Long, Missoula
Jason Asselstine, Choteau
Larry Goehner, Columbus
Bishop Jessica Crist, Great Falls
HOW NRIT IS FUNDED
In the 1970s: Churchwide and Insurance dollars and some District funding
In 2003: $25,000 from the Montana Synod
HOW YOU CAN HELP
Register early for events. We refund if you cannot attend.
Consider a donation, either individually, or from your congregation’s budget or endowment.
Give us feedback. Share ideas, resources, speakers
SCHOLARSHIPS
Jessica Crist Scholarship
This fund has been established by the NRIT Advisory Committee in honor of Jessica Crist's faithful service to NRIT in an effort to help fulfill NRIT's mission "to provide and promote lifelong learning for the people of the Montana Synod for the purpose of equipping them in their lives of ministry." Initial funding has come from the generous donations of several members of the Montana Synod, including a portion of the offering from Bishop Crist's installation service. Donations to the fund are invited and welcomed!
The scholarship is need-based and will be distributed at the discretion of the NRIT Director in conversation with the Bishop and, if necessary, the NRIT Advisory Committee. It is available for both clergy and lay persons, including AIM's, Diaconal Ministers, Deaconesses, LPA's, and other congregational lay leaders. The scholarship is applicable only toward NRIT-sponsored events.
HOW YOU CAN REACH US
NRIT
2415 13th Avenue South
Great Falls, MT 59405
406 453-1461
email: j.kunka@nrit.org
NRIT is a ministry of the Montana Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. For information about continuing education and lifelong learning opportunities all over the country, please visit Faith and Wisdom at faithandwisdom.org, sponsored by several denominations and featuring offerings from dozens of colleges, seminaries, and continuing education centers.
You can take online courses through The Fisher's Net. Visit them at www.fishersnet.net.
Finally, the Alban Institute offers continuing education. You can find them at www.alban.org.
You can take online courses through The Fisher's Net. Visit them at www.fishersnet.net.
Finally, the Alban Institute offers continuing education. You can find them at www.alban.org.
