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Lazarus Bound: Ministry to the Margins
April 18th - 6pm to 7:30pm via Zoom
Pastor Marlow Carrels will lead this class on welcoming our neighbors who are leaving the prison system and re-entering society outside that system. He will share common realities of the incarcerated versus the reentering citizen, information about correctional ministry and the reality of grace language over works language.
Spend an evening with us as we reflect upon what it would mean to welcome those leaving prison.
Pastor Marlow was raised in Belgrade, MT and left the Gallatin Valley twenty years ago. Since then, he has been around the world a time or two thanks to the Army and the travel bug. He is a graduate of Montana State University – Bozeman (English Literature), Wartburg Theological Seminary (Master of Divinity), and is currently working on his thesis project for a Master of Sacred Theology at the Institute of Lutheran Theology.
Pr Marlow serves as Pastoral Leader for Freedom in Christ Prison Ministry. Previously he has served as an Army Chaplain, Sheriff’s Chaplain, Mental Health Chaplain, Hospital Chaplain, and was Pastor of Gold Hill Lutheran Church of Butte, MT and Westby Lutheran Church of Westby, MT. He is a Stephen Minister, has sung opera professionally, is an Army vet, and avid fisherman, hiker, camper, skier, museum goer, and bibliophile who reads way too much!
Class is free but pre-registration required. 1.5 hours continuing ed.
Click Here to Register
April 18th - 6pm to 7:30pm via Zoom
Pastor Marlow Carrels will lead this class on welcoming our neighbors who are leaving the prison system and re-entering society outside that system. He will share common realities of the incarcerated versus the reentering citizen, information about correctional ministry and the reality of grace language over works language.
Spend an evening with us as we reflect upon what it would mean to welcome those leaving prison.
Pastor Marlow was raised in Belgrade, MT and left the Gallatin Valley twenty years ago. Since then, he has been around the world a time or two thanks to the Army and the travel bug. He is a graduate of Montana State University – Bozeman (English Literature), Wartburg Theological Seminary (Master of Divinity), and is currently working on his thesis project for a Master of Sacred Theology at the Institute of Lutheran Theology.
Pr Marlow serves as Pastoral Leader for Freedom in Christ Prison Ministry. Previously he has served as an Army Chaplain, Sheriff’s Chaplain, Mental Health Chaplain, Hospital Chaplain, and was Pastor of Gold Hill Lutheran Church of Butte, MT and Westby Lutheran Church of Westby, MT. He is a Stephen Minister, has sung opera professionally, is an Army vet, and avid fisherman, hiker, camper, skier, museum goer, and bibliophile who reads way too much!
Class is free but pre-registration required. 1.5 hours continuing ed.
Click Here to Register
When Bad Theology Happens to Good Christians
May 2nd - 9am to Noon via Zoom
Law and Gospel. Theology of the Cross versus Theology of Glory. Works-righteousness. The Lutheran theological buzzwords can get overwhelming sometimes. We know the basics of what we believe, but sometimes our domesticated concepts seem to shrivel when faced with some of the wild ideas floating around these days. What's a Lutheran to do when bearing witness to God's grace in a crowded marketplace of ideas?
This class will brush up your Lutheran basics and then we will use those basics to help you understand the things your pastor calls "bad theology". Ideas like "law of attraction", spiritual bypassing, and the prosperity gospel can seem harmless, but they actually contradict some of our most significant biblical and theological tenets as Lutherans. In this session, we will learn to recognize a few of these theological missteps and how to counteract them with grace, hope, and love.
Pastor Julia Seymour has served Big Timber Lutheran Church since November 2018. Prior to that, she and her family (spouse and 2 children) lived in Alaska. She likes knitting, reading, and visiting Yellowstone National Park, which she refers to as "her backyard".
Cost: $40 - 3 hours of continuing education
Click Here to Register
May 2nd - 9am to Noon via Zoom
Law and Gospel. Theology of the Cross versus Theology of Glory. Works-righteousness. The Lutheran theological buzzwords can get overwhelming sometimes. We know the basics of what we believe, but sometimes our domesticated concepts seem to shrivel when faced with some of the wild ideas floating around these days. What's a Lutheran to do when bearing witness to God's grace in a crowded marketplace of ideas?
This class will brush up your Lutheran basics and then we will use those basics to help you understand the things your pastor calls "bad theology". Ideas like "law of attraction", spiritual bypassing, and the prosperity gospel can seem harmless, but they actually contradict some of our most significant biblical and theological tenets as Lutherans. In this session, we will learn to recognize a few of these theological missteps and how to counteract them with grace, hope, and love.
Pastor Julia Seymour has served Big Timber Lutheran Church since November 2018. Prior to that, she and her family (spouse and 2 children) lived in Alaska. She likes knitting, reading, and visiting Yellowstone National Park, which she refers to as "her backyard".
Cost: $40 - 3 hours of continuing education
Click Here to Register
See Below for Other Recommended Educational Opportunities and
Online Classes for Pastors and Lay Leaders:
Learning for Life: Online continuing education at Wartburg Seminary:
www.wartburgseminary.edu/learning-for-life/
Learning for Life: Continuing Education at Luther Seminary
faithlead.org/
Boundaries - Leaderwise
We are recommending this particular training for Montana Synod pastors and LPAs who are due for boundaries training. It is offered 4 times a year, online. (Once you have completed a boundaries training, please send proof of completion to the MT Synod office.)
LeaderWise’s online boundaries training workshop is lively and interactive, full of reflection and conversation. Attendees have given us feedback that our boundaries training was a great experience, AND caused them to re-evaluate some of their own practices.
This live online boundaries training is 5 total hours split over 2 consecutive days (2.5 hours each day). Following the first session, participants are asked to engage in a bit of reflection work in preparation for the second session. This online boundaries training will be conducted via secure Zoom video conferencing. (Check the Leaderwise website for upcoming dates).
Click on the words below to be taken to the Leaderwise website. You will register directly with them.
Boundaries Training — LeaderWise
Faith + Lead Live Webcast Classes (including on-demand replay)
To learn more go to: https://faithlead.org/academy/live-learning
For Classes Offered by Leaderwise, go to:
Workshops & Programs — LeaderWise
NRIT Digital Courses
Lutheran Theology 1.0
with Dr. Laurie Jungling
Even though “theology” sounds like a scary word, it is actually something we all do every day as we explore questions about how God engages our lives. Lutheran Theology 1.0 will dig down to the roots of the basic Lutheran beliefs and understandings of God’s activity in our lives, as well as how Christ and the Spirit work in and through the Church.
We will explore central concepts of Lutheran theology like “justification by grace through faith,” “gospel and law,” the Word of God, and preaching and reading scripture through Lutheran lenses.
This will be an introduction to Lutheran theology that is designed for a general audience. There will be some reading required, most of which will be provided to you by the program.
Text: Lutheran Study Bible (Augsburg Fortress, 2009)
Optional Recommended Text: Lutheran Trump Cards by Dave Daubert
Session 1 – Intro to Lutheran Theology: Definitions and Concepts
Session 2 – Basics of Lutheran Theology: Faith of a Child
Session 3 – “Justification by Grace through Faith”: What does this mean?
Session 4 – Luther’s “Freedom of a Christian”: The Freedom Christ Gives
Session 5 – Luther’s “Freedom of a Christian”: The Freedom of Christ We Live
Session 6 – Discipleship & Vocation: Following Christ into God’s World
Session 7 – The Church, Preaching, and Engaging Scripture Lutheran Style
Session 8 – The ELCA and You: What does it mean (and not mean) to be part of the ELCA?
Developed to be used both as training for LPAs and as a resource for study in your congregation. (Digital Download)
Cost: $10 (all proceeds go toward supporting the LPA (LMA) program for training lay leaders in congregations)
8 Contact hours of continuing education.
Click Here to Register
with Dr. Laurie Jungling
Even though “theology” sounds like a scary word, it is actually something we all do every day as we explore questions about how God engages our lives. Lutheran Theology 1.0 will dig down to the roots of the basic Lutheran beliefs and understandings of God’s activity in our lives, as well as how Christ and the Spirit work in and through the Church.
We will explore central concepts of Lutheran theology like “justification by grace through faith,” “gospel and law,” the Word of God, and preaching and reading scripture through Lutheran lenses.
This will be an introduction to Lutheran theology that is designed for a general audience. There will be some reading required, most of which will be provided to you by the program.
Text: Lutheran Study Bible (Augsburg Fortress, 2009)
Optional Recommended Text: Lutheran Trump Cards by Dave Daubert
Session 1 – Intro to Lutheran Theology: Definitions and Concepts
Session 2 – Basics of Lutheran Theology: Faith of a Child
Session 3 – “Justification by Grace through Faith”: What does this mean?
Session 4 – Luther’s “Freedom of a Christian”: The Freedom Christ Gives
Session 5 – Luther’s “Freedom of a Christian”: The Freedom of Christ We Live
Session 6 – Discipleship & Vocation: Following Christ into God’s World
Session 7 – The Church, Preaching, and Engaging Scripture Lutheran Style
Session 8 – The ELCA and You: What does it mean (and not mean) to be part of the ELCA?
Developed to be used both as training for LPAs and as a resource for study in your congregation. (Digital Download)
Cost: $10 (all proceeds go toward supporting the LPA (LMA) program for training lay leaders in congregations)
8 Contact hours of continuing education.
Click Here to Register
Introduction to the Old Testament:
with Dr. Michael Chan
The Old Testament is challenging literature for Christian leaders. This course will persuade students that the Old Testament is not only a helpful companion in ministry, but that it is also invaluable. All lectures are given with preaching, teaching, and pastoral care in view. These lectures will provide crucial information on Israel's history and narratives, prophetic literature, wisdom literature, and why Scripture matters in the first place.
Class is divided into the following sections that can be watched at your convenience:
1. Course Introduction
2. Creation, Exile and Return
3. Prophetic Imagination
4. Wisdom Literature
5. Why Scripture Matters
Developed to be used both as training for LPAs and as a resource for study in your congregation. (Digital Download)
Cost: $70
5 Contact hours of continuing education.
Click Here to Register
with Dr. Michael Chan
The Old Testament is challenging literature for Christian leaders. This course will persuade students that the Old Testament is not only a helpful companion in ministry, but that it is also invaluable. All lectures are given with preaching, teaching, and pastoral care in view. These lectures will provide crucial information on Israel's history and narratives, prophetic literature, wisdom literature, and why Scripture matters in the first place.
Class is divided into the following sections that can be watched at your convenience:
1. Course Introduction
2. Creation, Exile and Return
3. Prophetic Imagination
4. Wisdom Literature
5. Why Scripture Matters
Developed to be used both as training for LPAs and as a resource for study in your congregation. (Digital Download)
Cost: $70
5 Contact hours of continuing education.
Click Here to Register
An Introduction to the New Testament
with Dr. James Aageson
The New Testament documents are central to the Christian faith and to historic Christianity. By ecumenical consensus among all Christian traditions, the New Testament is central to the faith, life, and worship of the church. It is the word of God and it conveys the word of God. Even as the New Testament is central to all Christian traditions, interpretations of these texts often vary widely. This makes for a rich and fascinating tapestry of readings in the history of New Testament interpretation. This course is an introduction to the New Testament designed for a general audience and for lay people who may be preparing themselves for congregational leadership.
Developed to be used both as training for LPAs and as a resource for study in your congregation. (Digital Download)
$75 to purchase class
6.5 Contact hours of continuing education.
Click Here to Register
Church Budgets 101: FREE Resource for Pastors, Treasurers and Councils
-Financial statement basics – How to read. What to look for.
-Mechanics & controls – Protecting the pastor, staff, volunteers. Avoiding scandal and suspicion.
-Presentation and communication – Celebration of God’s gifts. Abundance vs. scarcity.
Dave Scholten currently serves as the Treasurer to the Montana Synod. He is trained as an LPA and holds degrees in economics and finance. Dave runs an audit and consulting business for financial institutions throughout the western US and is noted for clear and effective communication of financial matters. “Economics impacts nearly every aspect of our life, sometimes as a daunting challenge, other times as an expression of love and joy. The stewardship (management and use) of God’s gifts is an expression of how we live out our faith. It is an outward sign of our inner priorities and attitudes.” Dave believes that a church budget should reflect our mission and how we serve God joyfully, rather than be a burden and weight we end up serving.
Click Here to Register
FREE RESOURCE FROM THE MONTANA SYNOD
SERVING ON THE CONGREGATION'S COUNCIL
Church councils provide positive leadership within a congregation. As a support to your council, we have prepared five short videos, ranging from five to ten minutes, that are intended as an introduction to the work of councils and their role within the church.
Click Here to Register
On the next page, you will need to provide contact information, including an email. Then click on the "submit" button and you will be taken directly to the five videos, plus an introduction.
We hope you find the videos helpful in leading to deeper conversation about what it means to be church together.
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.
For more information about NRIT click here.
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.
For more information about NRIT click here.