Like many of you we had an interesting Thanksgiving. Our children all made it "home" to celebrate in house they had never lived in. As my daughter said it was like staying in someone else's house but with all of your stuff. At home and yet not. This is the reality of our time. We are all struggling to find a way for things to feel normal but nothing is quite the same.
This will no doubt be a challenging Christmas season as we again seek to find ways to worship and celebrate while seeking to protect the health of those in our church families. Makes me long for simple debates about whether to have the Wiseman in manger scene (they weren't there when Jesus was born) or whether to use real candles for the Christmas Eve candlelight service. It can all be very discouraging.
What we need is exactly what this season reminds us of. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” (Luke 2:10–12 ESV)
Good news of great joy! We have a savior who is Christ the Lord! That is hope worth having and hope that lifts our eyes from the struggle of today to the joy of tomorrow. It reminds me of an old Christmas sermon by Peter Marshall -
The years that are gone are graveyards in which all the persuasions of men have crumbled into dust. If history has any voice, it is to say that all these ways of men lead nowhere. There remains one way - The Way - untried, untested, unexplored fully...the way of Him who was born a Babe in Bethlehem.
So we will not "spend" Christmas...nor "observe" Christmas...We will "keep" Christmas - keep it as it is in all the loveliness of its ancient traditions.
May we keep it in our hearts, that we may kept in its hope"
May you know the hope and joy that comes from the good news that a savior is born!
- Brian Wright
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On November 22nd Eagle Valley EFC in Christine, ND held and installation service for new pastor Jeff Roth. We welcome Jeff and his wife Allison and their family to the NPD.
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Oak Hills Christian College is offering a Certificate Program in Rural Leadership & Ministry here through Oak Hills Fellowship (www.oakhills.edu/church-ministries/rural-certificate), and will be admitting new students into this online program beginning in January 2021, Lord willing. Please prayerfully consider who you might direct toward this program as a way to better equip pastors for rural ministry. The Northern Plains District is also offering scholarship funds to help with the cost of attendance. Contact Brian Wright (npdefc.ds@gmail.com) for more information about this.
Martin Giese will be offering his signature opening course on Rural Contextual Analysis again in Jan-Feb 2021 for our new students. Please contact Rick Weinert (rickweinert@oakhills.edu) or Jim Hodgson, Director of Church & Community Relations jimhodgson@oakhills.edu about any lay leaders in your network who might be interested in this or with any questions about the 2 year online Rural Certificate Program.
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The Psalms are the Church’s song and prayer book. We have rightly been drawn to them during these days filled with changes and challenges. Thankfully, God remains the same. The theme of this year's live streamed Theology Conference is The Psalms: The Undershepherds’ Shepherd.
Registration is now open.
As you make plans to view the live stream, please consider hosting a group to experience the conference with you—while also following health and safety guidelines from your local and state officials. We encourage you to invite your pastor clusters, church staff, church leadership, and other pastors in your community as we walk through the Psalms. We will provide tools and links to the live stream to help you maximize this experience with others once you've registered. We're looking forward to learning from the Psalms together.
If you would be interested in hosting a group viewing and would like to invite other EFCA pastors please contact Brian Wright so that information can be shared!
Suggested donation: $25 per person or $100 for group viewing
Please contact Dani Richards with questions
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Save the Date
Youth Districts: March 27, Jamestown ND
Northern Plains District Pastors & Wives Retreat:
April 15-16, Devil's Lake, ND
Norther Plains District Conference:
April 16-17, Devil's Lake, ND
EFCA One National Conference
June 22-24, Fullerton, CA
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NEW EFCA Ministry License Options (REPEAT)
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The EFCA has introduced two new Ministry Licenses: Ministry License – Expedited and Ministry License – Five-Year Non-Renewable. You can learn more about these Ministry Licenses on the EFCA website.
The Ministry License – Expedited is available to Sr./Lead pastors who have been in EFCA ministry 10+ years and will be offered until November 1, 2022.
Requirements:
- Letter of intent stating desire for EFCA credential
- Affirm the EFCA Statement of Faith without mental reservation
- Alignment with EFCA
- Elder portion of Policy on Spiritual and Character Qualifications
- Minister’s Profile
The Ministry License – Five-Year Non-Renewable is available to Sr./Lead pastors who have been in EFCA ministry less than 10 years. This Ministry License is non-renewable and expires at the end of the fifth year. Once received, the pastor is encouraged to pursue further EFCA credentialing (Ministry License – Five-Year Renewable, Certificate of Christian Ministry, or Certificate of Ordination).
Requirements:
- Letter of intent stating desire for EFCA credential
- Affirm the EFCA Statement of Faith without mental reservation
- Alignment with EFCA
- Read Evangelical Convictions
- Policy on Spiritual and Character Qualifications
- Three-page theological and doctrinal paper
- Minister’s Profile
If you have questions please contact Brian Wright at npdefca.ds@gmail.com
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