Southwest California Synod, ELCA

Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

 

The challenge of ministering to the diverse populations of our Synod requires not only dedicated and well-trained clergy, but also dedicated and well-trained lay persons.  We are confronted with tremendous opportunities for mission in Southern California.  We need laypersons to serve in sharing the good news of God’s love for us in Christ, teaching the essentials of the Christian faith to children, youth and adults, and organizing a wide variety of  ministries which serve the needs of the community.

 

Equipping Leaders for Mission (ELM) provides training, spiritual growth and networking for members of our congregations to better serve in their ministry contexts.  As members of the Body of Christ in Southern California,  many lay people are already serving in vital ways  but need further growth to fully live out their calling to serve Christ.

 

Come and join with others who share this call and desire to be empowered and better equipped for leadership.

 

With You in Christ’s Mission,

Bishop Dean W. Nelson

 

 

Year One: Foundational Courses

· Engaging the Old/New Testament (Sep. 17, 24, Oct. 1, and 8)

· Two Thousand Years of Faith and Struggle: A Brief History of Christianity (Nov. 5 & 12)

· What Makes Theology “Lutheran”: Exploring Our Confessional Tradition (Dec. 3 & 10)

· Worship As the Center of Our Life Together (Winter 2012)

· Leaders for Mission: Called, Gifted, Sent (April 21, 28, and May 5, 2012 )

Fall 2011 - Spring 2012 Foundational Courses will be held at the Southwest California Synod Office in Glendale.

Year Two: Specialized Courses

· Serving Where We Are: Mission in Southern California Unit (three courses over three weeks)

· Discipleship Unit (three courses over three weeks)

· Evangelist Unit (three courses over three weeks)

· Catechist Unit (three courses over three weeks)

· Diaconate Unit (two courses over two weeks)

 

ELM is a two-year process of spiritual formation through theological and practical education for members of Southwest California Synod congregations. Instructors include California Lutheran University faculty members, synod staff, pastors, and lay leaders. Courses are offered on Saturdays, beginning in the Fall, and run consecutively. Tuition is $150 per year, not including textbooks (scholarships are available). For further information contact Pastor Laurie Arroyo, Asst. to the Bishop for Lay Mission Leadership, at (818) 507-9591 or larroyo@socalsynod.org.

Academía de Diaconia, with courses offered in Spanish, is also available. Contact Ms. Maria Paiva, Director of Evangelical Mission at (818) 507-9591 or mpaiva@socalsynod.org for more information.

Click on the links below for additional information:

· Registration Form

· Year One brochure with course descriptions

· Year One flyer/insert of courses and dates

· Academía de Diaconia brochure

Equipping Leaders for Mission (ELM)