Unleash New Leaders

Faith & Fellowship Magazine
Written By Tim Mathiesen

January/February 2023

Unleash New Leaders

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Featured
Unleash New Leaders
Faith and Fellowship Magazine, Unleash New Leaders, 2023-01
Unleash New Leaders
Faith and Fellowship Magazine, Unleash New Leaders, 2023-01

As baptism and communion, rest and life, God come near in Christ—all in the new covenant are anticipated in the old, signaled by such things as circumcision, Passover, promised land, Jerusalem, temple; so while less obvious yet as profound is Jesus’ commission to go make disciples pre-echoed in the very first commission of the Old Testament.

Faith and Fellowship Magazine, Unleash New Leaders, 2023-01
God Gives More Than You Ask or Imagine
Faith and Fellowship Magazine, Unleash New Leaders, 2023-01
God Gives More Than You Ask or Imagine
Faith and Fellowship Magazine, Unleash New Leaders, 2023-01

The first seven years of my life were spent in Ethiopia. I remember life there being very challenging. Water was scarce. Food was scarce. I feared the weather, as it contributed to the scarcity of food and could also often lead to the lack of shelter.

Faith and Fellowship Magazine, Unleash New Leaders, 2023-01
Living In the Ordinary, Living Out the Extraordinary
Faith and Fellowship Magazine, Unleash New Leaders, Hillcrest Lutheran Academy, 2023-01
Living In the Ordinary, Living Out the Extraordinary
Faith and Fellowship Magazine, Unleash New Leaders, Hillcrest Lutheran Academy, 2023-01

But when I think of mentorship and discipleship over my 57 years, I always recall people first. Men and women freely and joyfully shared their faith and lives with me, pointing me to Jesus because they loved Jesus and loved me, especially when I wasn’t very lovable.

Faith and Fellowship Magazine, Unleash New Leaders, Hillcrest Lutheran Academy, 2023-01
The Hound of Heaven
Faith and Fellowship Magazine, Unleash New Leaders, 2023-01, Lutheran Brethren Seminary
The Hound of Heaven
Faith and Fellowship Magazine, Unleash New Leaders, 2023-01, Lutheran Brethren Seminary

During a recent lunch with some newer friends, the question was posed: “How did you decide to become a pastor?” My answer usually catches people off guard. “I didn’t.”

Faith and Fellowship Magazine, Unleash New Leaders, 2023-01, Lutheran Brethren Seminary
God Loves a Cheerful Giver
Faith and Fellowship Magazine, Unleash New Leaders, Stewardship, 2023-01
God Loves a Cheerful Giver
Faith and Fellowship Magazine, Unleash New Leaders, Stewardship, 2023-01

As we reflect back, our parents and grandparents were supportive of Christian ministries, and we believe that our support of LBS and the other CLB Ministries would find favor with them. Their stewardship and generosity have given us the opportunity to continue their legacy.

Faith and Fellowship Magazine, Unleash New Leaders, Stewardship, 2023-01
The Joseph Project
Faith and Fellowship Magazine, Women's Ministries, Unleash New Leaders, 2023-01
The Joseph Project
Faith and Fellowship Magazine, Women's Ministries, Unleash New Leaders, 2023-01

Women Together is the tagline for the Women’s Ministries of the Church of the Lutheran Brethren (WMCLB) vision and values statements that were formed this past year. This has also been fitting for this year’s WMCLB focus project, which supports a group of women meeting the physical needs of their families and community all the way across the ocean from us in Chad, Africa.

Faith and Fellowship Magazine, Women's Ministries, Unleash New Leaders, 2023-01
Called to the Body of Christ
Faith and Fellowship Magazine, Unleash New Leaders, International Mission, 2023-01
Called to the Body of Christ
Faith and Fellowship Magazine, Unleash New Leaders, International Mission, 2023-01

"So, how were you called?” During this past year and a half of studying at Lutheran Brethren Seminary in preparation for mission work in Chad, I’ve been asked that question more than a couple of times. What does it mean to be called

Faith and Fellowship Magazine, Unleash New Leaders, International Mission, 2023-01
Young Adult Ministry: ROOTED
Faith and Fellowship Magazine, North American Mission, Rooted Gap Year, Unleash New Leaders, 2023-01
Young Adult Ministry: ROOTED
Faith and Fellowship Magazine, North American Mission, Rooted Gap Year, Unleash New Leaders, 2023-01

For too long the narrative dominating high school guidance counseling offices was that you need to go to college, and you need to do it fast. Don’t wait and certainly don’t pause, or you will never finish. But why does that have to be the narrative?

Faith and Fellowship Magazine, North American Mission, Rooted Gap Year, Unleash New Leaders, 2023-01
Pathfinders
Faith and Fellowship Magazine, North American Mission, Unleash New Leaders, 2023-01
Pathfinders
Faith and Fellowship Magazine, North American Mission, Unleash New Leaders, 2023-01

The Church body was designed by God to include all people. People with worldly disabilities need to be included or, ironically, the Church body is spiritually disabled.

Faith and Fellowship Magazine, North American Mission, Unleash New Leaders, 2023-01
May We Teach a Few, So They May Teach a Few
Faith and Fellowship Magazine, North American Mission, Unleash New Leaders, 2023-01
May We Teach a Few, So They May Teach a Few
Faith and Fellowship Magazine, North American Mission, Unleash New Leaders, 2023-01

Upon bended knee she went one day with her head bowed in prayer. Never having seen the likes of it from this grandchild—sheer silence erupted as I watched on. Moments went by before she stood and the day went on as if nothing had happened.

Faith and Fellowship Magazine, North American Mission, Unleash New Leaders, 2023-01
Tim Mathiesen
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May We Teach a Few, So They May Teach a Few