2024 Biennial Convention

"I am so glad to be in this mission together with you,” President Paul Larson greeted the congregation of delegates Saturday morning, June 9. The theme verse for Church of the Lutheran Brethren Biennial Convention 2024 resonated in his words: “I thank my God every time I remember you… because of your partnership in the gospel” (Phil 1:1-2). He continued, referencing the many struggles the Church faces today—shifting cultural values, pandemic aftershocks, and a political polarization pressing on us ever more tensely as the year progresses. With churches struggling and Christians suffering, we can become discouraged, but President Larson reminded us that we can rest in the greater circle of the Church, which is “as sure as Christ who is the head” (Eph. 4:15).

SATURDAY: DAY OF EQUIPPING
The Day of Equipping followed three tracks, bringing us through the afternoon. The Women’s Ministries Convention commenced in one area of Bethel Lutheran Church, while in another, Rev. Greg Finke presented on Joining Jesus on His Mission, as he has at several CLB and Regional conventions. In the Seminary Chapel, speaker and author Sean McDowell brought a message valuable not only to youth workers, but to all faithful members as we seek to raise up young leaders. His wisdom and knowledge radiated as he brought both an education and initiative. Many concerns with the younger generations, he reminded, were true of every generation, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. Gen Z (those born between 1995 and 2010) are an intrinsically technological generation, shaped by a wider, connected culture, pragmatic but floundering due to the convenience and abundance of information. He encouraged us to look for the common ground in our humanity, recognizing that the words we use to describe them will shape them—negativity being a chosen inclination. “Much of trust comes through relationships …ask good, thoughtful questions,” he said with a heart of intention, urging us to learn what drives them while being sympathetic to their fears; to not see walls of disagreement, but opportunities to model the beliefs we claim. “The dance is balancing grace while confirming truth.” Despite all differences between us, cultural or generational, Sean ended by saying, “I’m far more interested in who they think Jesus is.”

That evening, President Larson preached on Philippians 1:1-5, a message shared with many CLB congregations on Sunday morning via video. While it’s in our nature to be divisive, Larson urged that, “In our partnered fellowship, Christ can make us better.” In the Scripture passage, the Apostle Paul consistently expresses his gratitude for others in a series of absolutes, “every time… all my prayers… all of you.” The rhetorical question was asked: Are we able to speak the words of Paul ourselves with sincerity? “Not on our own,” said Larson, but that “our broken partnerships must fall into the broken body of Jesus to be reborn,” so that we can remember each other, as Paul did, with prayer and rejoicing, together with Christ our interceder.

SUNDAY: DAY OF COMMUNITY
Sunday morning saw Good Shepherd Church filled over capacity to hear the message of Rev. Alan Johnson of Regeneration Church in Sammamish, WA. It was a valuable message of the partnership with Christ, summarized on pages 7-9 in this issue.

An afternoon of joyful community took place on the Hillcrest football field, involving Kubb, a dunk tank, and more sun than was good for us.

We gathered that evening in the Bethel Worship Center to hear the combined words of the CLB international presidents. It began with an extended ceremony of heartfelt gift giving, clearly showing the deep bond of love between our Churches in the U.S., in Canada, in Chad, in Taiwan, and in Japan. President Larson began the cycle of question and answer by asking, “What is most encouraging to you?”

Chadian President Potifar Souina answered, “What encourages me is this partnership. You opened the box of the gospel for the Chadian people… [and] I see a unity today (in moving past tribal issues).”

The questions continued and the Presidents repeatedly poured out their hearts for their Churches, for this partnership, for missions. President Enoch Chou of Taiwan recalled our missionary history, “The CLB started in 1900 and she didn’t wait around to send missionaries! [And] you have stayed a missionary Church.” He explained with gratitude how our commitment to reaching the people of Taiwan is inspiring new Taiwanese missionaries, noting that in 2020 they sent their own first missionaries to Chad. “We can start doing the work that our spiritual parents did for us.”

The work of missions is difficult for all of us. Japanese president Fumiyuki Wakamatsu, described how the Japanese people are culturally self-determined and tend to assimilate into society. “Often a wall is put up between us,” he said, describing the division between Church and culture, “often of our own doing in order to protect our faith,” appealing us to, “pray that they are open to lowering walls.”

The Chadian President spoke to this familiar position, emphasizing the vast difference in ethnicity throughout Chad, “[It is] as if we are foreigners to our own people.” Equally difficult is the conversion from Islam and the societal persecution that commonly follows. President Larson contributed words on behalf of the supporting congregations, saying, “The words of my brothers is a mission to me.”
 
Prayers were many. Prayers for more pastors, for open hearts, and a strengthening of partnership. “I’m thinking bigger,” proclaimed President Souina looking expectantly to his fellow presidents in their joint global Christian representation, excited to discuss ongoing plans in cooperating amongst our international Churches. President Wakamatsu left us with an encouragement from Ecclesiastes 11, “Cast your bread upon the waters.” A promise of reaping what we are sowing throughout the world.

MONDAY: DAY OF OWNERSHIP
Dr. Eugene Boe’s message, following the Monday morning financial session, continued within the passage from Philippians 1, verses 7 and 8. While the words of Philippians elicit thoughts of joy and thankfulness, Rev. Boe asserted, “it requires the context of Acts.” From Acts we learn that Paul suffered in prison, and that through his suffering, the Philippian church was shown first-hand both the saving power of the gospel and the intense resistance to it. They were shown Paul’s joy in suffering for Christ.

“What has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel,” Paul explains in verse 12, understanding that what he was made to go through has emboldened the Philippian church in their own witness. Rev. Boe, though admitting he is “not known for being one who has suffered,” expressed the power that God shows through suffering, and that we can be assured “the suffering is given in graciousness by our Lord.” We are called then, said Boe, “to live even in joy in a world we partner with in suffering.”

The Mission Team panel, consisting of Dan Venberg (International Mission), Dr. Troy Tysdal (Lutheran Brethren Seminary), and Rev. Brandon Pangman (North American Mission), with President Paul Larson facilitating, then presented their updates on the respective ministries.
Through all of these disciple-making ministries, the process is not a simple one. “It’s messy; we’re messy,” conceded Pangman, citing the Great Commission in Matthew 28, stressing the often unobserved ending phrase of verse 17, “but some doubted.” This is still true today amongst faithful Christians and seekers alike, and to process these doubts he emphasized, “It’s not a mission, it’s a lifestyle.” In practice, we need to work in relationships, in small groups, in community, to be unified and encouraged. Venberg concurred, though with differences, expressing the difficulty of conversion in international churches, pointedly, persecution by the community.

Tysdal affirmed the importance of seminary partnership with camp ministry, in seeing young peoples’ camp experience as a primary influence in many an eventual ministry path. Pangman parallelled, “[We need to] be a lot more attentive in inviting students into future ministry.” President Larson further underlined this point, saying that there is “no more potent an outreach than every person thinking ‘Who will replace me?’”

“Remove the roadblock (of the young person’s perceived lack of confidence),” said Pangman, with Venberg pointing to the need for providing opportunities for those asking the questions, allowing for them to see and understand that God can use them in ministry. Already there have been some students engaging in several-month-long mission exposure.

Delegates dispersed to several seminars throughout the afternoon,  touching on relevant topics of church health and various ministry initiatives.

Dr. Joel Christenson of LBS, in the short time given, summarized many of the current issues contributing to our present struggling Church. Overarchingly, there has been a gradual but stark cultural shift, added to by a widespread slide away from religious affiliation. But this is not cause for alarm, explained Christenson in his blueprint for renewal, “We have a wonderful message!” He elaborated the need to teach and model God’s design for biblical family, as well as teaching our children the value, practical and spiritual, of these principles.
He called for teaching and modeling missionary nature, meaning, “Who we are, rather than what we do next.” “We must truly belong to communities outside the church,” he explained. In one way achieving this through practicing Christian hospitality. “We are hospitable to each other,” he pointed out, noting our expectancy of a mutually benefiting community within our circle of believers, rather than reaching out with a servant mentality to connect with others.

Encouragement concluded the session, with Christenson pointing to a receptiveness amongst many “nones” (those who claim no religious affiliation), as many still consider a “higher power” and are still open and in need of community connection, a community we can model and invite them into.

Expanding on these thoughts was the session on intergenerational conversation, brought by Pastor Brian Quade and a panel of congregants from Bethesda Lutheran Church, Eau Claire, WI. This difficult topic can never be absent of criticism of older generations, but with it, expression of deep desire to connect with the youth of our churches. One member pointed out that, “our posture indicates our expected outcome.” With the example of sitting with arms folded, indicating a lack of desire to engage. Emphasis was placed on prioritizing mentorship roles, making oneself available to “just be there,” for whoever needs us. Mentorship was described as a walking alongside, through testing and mistakes. “Leading with love removes personal biases,” another member eloquently vocalized. Rather than falling prey to easy complaints, the older generations were encouraged to look deeper, to see that young people are hungry for meaning, desperate to feel they are seen and valued. There was mentioned a great want for community, but admittedly few willing to take the risk and initiative in providing it.

In that evening’s worship, together in one heart, the gathered congregation sang a very moving rendition of “How Great Thou Art.” The message followed, brought by Rev. Michael Edwards, continuing in Philipians 1. Edwards prefaced by pointing out the phrase “conduct yourselves,” (v.27) could be interpreted as “works-based righteousness.” However, while we know that salvation is “not through works,” (Eph. 2:8), Edwards enthused, “Righteousness works!” Righteous living produces fruit, he explained, so we should lean toward excellence. Further, “love in knowledge and depth of insight,” (v.9) provides words in prayer for solidarity in church identity, so “that your love may abound more and more.”

Edwards highlighted Lutheranism’s focus on “the centrality of the Word of God,” urging boldly a return to this foundation. Within our Christian walk, he acknowledged how often “we ask, ‘What can I get away with?’ versus, ‘What is excellent?’” In pursuit of a church that models biblical behavior, Edwards encouraged this partnering in mission, reaffirming righteous living under the saving grace of Christ’s death for us.

Closing music followed appropriately with the words, “I’m fighting a battle you’ve already won,” (Shane & Shane) reminding us the hope we have which allows us to follow the path, the mission, commissioned by him to us.

In the evening, time was taken to gather in honoring Dr. Eugene Boe after his long service of 41 years to Lutheran Brethren Seminary. While his list of accomplishments was lengthy, his description of character far outweighed these. Rev. Joel Egge regaled his many spiritual gifts, of endurance through enthusiasm for his work, joy through his vigorous high-fives, good laugh, and happy tears, and compassion through which the spirit of Jesus is revealed.
LBS President Troy Tysdal recalled fond memories of Boe’s reverent excitement, his “child-like” approach to God’s Word. Tysdal lauded his counsel through difficult trials, remembering Boe’s pastoral spirit in his saying, “You get to walk with them, grieve with them, bring them to God.” It is here, in relationship and comfort, that he saw God using tragedy for his good.

Boe expressed it himself, saying, “I’m a person of self-doubt.” Seen in his struggle to make his way into ministry, in his intense care for his students and their studies, in his humility toward his position at LBS. But not in doubt was his vision for the future of the school as he said with certainty, “Because of our Lord, the seminary is in good hands.”

TUESDAY: DAY OF RESOLVE
Tuesday brought lengthy discussion as the adoption of the CLB’s Statement on Human Persons and Sexuality was brought to vote. There was concern of the statement not being welcoming enough, and then, if the wording were to be welcoming, whether it would then be affirming of opinions not held by Scripture. Reminders were presented by others of the intention of the Statement: that it was to be written not as condition or means of judgment, but as a defining of the biblical understanding of human sexuality, allowing God’s Word to stand, capably, alone.

In the end, the statement was voted through with only minor changes to clarity of speech. President Larson broke official business decorum to state pointedly, “We didn’t just finish something—we started something.” And so we begin, with this wisely revised position paper. There will certainly be an ongoing conversation in which we all participate as we together navigate this highly nuanced cultural reality. Please refer to the updated Statement on Human Persons and Sexuality online: www.clba.org/documents

Closing our convention were the devotional words of President Larson, pointing to our dispersion as inherently implying our coming together, “We are one, even as we go.” Together we shared in the distribution of the Lord’s Supper, facilitated by each of the international presidents who read selections from the crucifixion account in turn. In the body of Christ we gathered, and as a united Church we went from there, together in partnership.

Dan Juliot is a Copy Editor for Faith & Fellowship. He attends and volunteers at Living Hope Church, Menomonie, WI. He enjoyed his first CLB Convention.