Last updated 02/23/2009

The Book of Faith

The Initiative at Work in
The Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod
 

		What Is the Book of Faith Initiative?
		How Can I Get Involved?
		What Resources Are or Will Be Available?
		News and Ideas

Register NOW for Learning Ministries Day!

What is the Book of Faith Initiative?

The Book of Faith initiative was adopted by the ELCA Assembly in Chicago in 2007 in order to encourage the whole church “to become more fluent in the first language of faith, the language of scripture.”

The ELCA website provides additional information concerning this initiative including videos, Bible study suggestions for congregations, and even a place for people to share what they are doing.

Top of page

How can I get involved?

The Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod encourages all congregations to join the initiative and commit to engaging the scriptures. Take the initiative, collect information, and get your congregation involved. Join the conversation! You can sign up by clicking here.

Use our website to—

	See and share ideas for encouraging people to open scripture. Click on "Share Ideas" in the NEPS Book of Faith Blog.
	Join the conversation in our synod about questions of scripture. Go to "Scripture Conversation" in the NEPS Book of Faith Blog.
	See and share online resources for faithful study of the scriptures. Go to "Online Resources" in the NEPS Book of Faith Blog.
	Receive and share news concerning what is happening with the initiative in our congregations, clusters, mission districts, and synod. Send your ideas and news to the Worship and Spirituality Team c/o Karen Matthias-Long (karen.matthias-long@ecunet.org) and, if possible, we will post them on our webpage to share with others.

Top of page

What Resources Are or Will Be Available?

As a key partner in the Book of Faith initiative, Augsburg Fortress is working to develop resources for the whole church. And the first resource is now available!

Opening the Book of Faith: Lutheran Insights for Bible Study is a helpful introduction to the initiative. This book explores Lutheran perspectives on Scripture and applies these insights in practical ways for leaders, Bible study groups, and individuals who want to renew their relationship to God's Word.

Coming in 2008, Augsburg Fortress will be publishing two new Book of Faith courses:

• Available August 29 (preorder now) — the Opening the Book of Faith Course is the first step for those preparing to launch Book of Faith initiatives in their synods and/or in local congregations. This seven-session course outlines the purposes and goals of Book of Faith for small group leaders, education committees, synod teams, and others

• Available October 2 (preorder now) — the Rediscovering the Book of Faith Course seeks to answer three key questions: where did the Bible come from, how did the Bible come to be, and how did the Bible become our Book of Faith?

In 2009, several new Book of Faith resources will be available:

• A new Lutheran Study Bible will be released in spring 2009 (preorder now). Using the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) translation, this engaging and inviting Bible will integrate rich study material maps, timelines, historical background with articles and notes from Lutheran perspectives and principles for Bible study.

• The Book of Faith Forty Day Lenten Journey will connect forty personal daily readings with a study of Scripture, and provide a creative way to encourage and engage small groups directly with Scripture during the Lenten season.

• Coming in spring 2009, a new line of Book of Faith Adult Bible Studies will provide a comprehensive, holistic, Lutheran approach to engaging Scripture using the four methods of study introduced in Opening the Book of Faith.

Visit the Book of Faith store for resources that support the goals of the initiative.
 

Top of page

News and Ideas

Bible Rewards Program
Cheryl Statham, Prince of Peace, Johnsonville

Does your congregation give your Sunday school students a Bible that they then never, ever bring to Sunday school? If so, you are not alone. Read more...
 

Top of page

Learning Ministries Day 2010: Book of Faith

Book of Faith is the theme for the 2010 Learning Ministries Day, to be held January 23, 2010.

We are delighted to announce that the keynote speaker will again be Dr. Rolf A. Jacobson. Dr. Jacobson is an associate professor of Old Testament at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, MN. Prior to joining the seminary, he taught at Augsburg College, Minneapolis, as an assistant professor of religion.

Dr. Jacobson's teaching interests include the Psalms, Old Testament prophets, biblical poetry, biblical theology, and biblical narrative. An in-demand speaker and author, he recently served as editor of Crazy Talk: A Not-So-Stuffy Dictionary of Theological Terms, whose authors included three recent Luther Seminary graduates.

Learning Ministries Day is a daylong event open to Christian education leaders (teachers, superintendents, others), youth, congregation council members, and other church leaders.

© 2008 Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod. All rights reserved.