Book of Faith is an initiative of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. This program invites the whole church to become more fluent in the first language of faith, the language of Scripture, in order that we might live into our calling as a people renewed, enlivened, empowered, and sent by the Word.

History of Book of Faith: The 2005 NC Synod Assembly endorsed a memorial to the ELCA asking that it encourage the development of an “ongoing effort to address issues surrounding the authority of Scripture.” Read the memorial.

That memorial inspired the ELCA Church Council to present a resolution to the 2007 Churchwide Assembly) that called upon “members, congregations, synods, churchwide ministries, and institutions and agencies of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America to engage in a five-year collaborative initiative—identified as Book of Faith: Lutherans Read the Bible—with the goal of raising to a new level this church's individual and collective engagement with the Bible and its teaching, yielding greater biblical fluency and a more profound appreciation of Lutheran principles and approaches for the use of Scripture.” Read the full resolution.

In response to that memorial, the ELCA formulated the Book of Faith: Open Scripture, Join the Conversation initiative, inviting everyone to join the conversation, to make a commitment, and to become part of the effort. A five-year collaborative initiative, it begins in 2008 and leads up to the ELCA's 25th anniversary in 2012 and to the 500th anniversary of the Lutheran Reformation in 2017.

Make a Commitment
The North Carolina Synod has registered as a Book of Faith Synod and made specific commitments. The synod encourages its congregations and organizations to make a Book of Faith commitment. Learn more about it. View the synod’s Book of Faith Synod certificate.

Talking Points for Congregations
Download these Talking Points to help you communicate with your congregation about participation in the Book of Faith initiative. You may download graphics to use on your congregational Web site or publications.

Assembly Resolution
In March 2008, the NC Synod Council affirmed a Book of Faith resolution, which was adopted by the 2008 Synod Assembly. Read the resolution.

Resources
NC Synod Book of Faith Advocate: The Rev. Dr. Bill Mims of Newton, NC. Dr. Mims received ELCA Book of Faith advocate training in August 2008. Task groups are already working to plan synod activities and training related to the initiative. See the names of task group members below.

Throughout this initiative a variety of resources will be offered to help individuals, groups and congregations in their focus on the Scriptures.

Augsburg Fortress is partnering with the Vocation and Education Unit of the ELCA to implement the Book of Faith initiative and develop exciting new Bible resources for all ages. Visit the Augsburg Fortress Book of Faith site. The first resource published by Augsburg Fortress is Opening the Book of Faith: Lutheran Insights for Bible Study.

Sharing Resources in NC
Congregations across our synod have already begun to explore the Book of Faith initiative in their own settings. We'll be posting those ideas here. See what our NC congregations are doing and submit your own resource or idea to share with others.

Book of Faith Online Network
Be a part of the Book of Faith conversation by joining the online network. At this site, you can meet other Lutherans excited about Book of Faith, learn what they're doing, share what you're doing, and keep up to date with our NC Synod plans. Make your own Book of Faith page, join the NC Synod group, and meet others from across our synod and the wider church.

Open Scripture. Join the Conversation!

Conference Advocate Training PowerPoint Presentation

Book of Faith Synod Mailings
December 2008
Rostered Leaders Letter
Book of Faith Flier

Book of Faith Initiative Task Group
The Rev. Dr. Bill Mims, synod Book of Faith advocate (Lenoir-Rhyne University Adjunct Instructor)
Ashley Fisher, Associate in Ministry (Director of Christian Education--St Mark's, Mooresville)
The Rev. Chris Christopher (Pastor--St Paul, Startown)
Janet Meisenbch (lay person--Macedonia, Burlington)
Catherine Fink, synod resource person for Book of Faith

Book of Faith Training Task Group (task completed 12/5/08)
Susan Norris (lay person--Calvary, Concord)
The Rev. Matthew Miller (Pastor--Holy Trinity, Troutman)
Pebbles Cloninger (manager--Hood Theological Seminary Augsburg Fortress Store)
Bea Sherrill (lay person--Beth-Eden, Newton)
The Rev. Dr. Bill Mims, synod Book of Faith advocate (Lenoir-Rhyne University Adjunct Instructor)
Catherine Fink, synod resource person for Book of Faith

Conference Advocates for Book of Faith
Pastor Tony Bradshaw (Blue Ridge Mtn)
Pastor Roger Beaver (E Catawba)
Pastor Tom Cogan (E Rowan)
Pastor Libby Toler (Gaston)
Pastor Charlie Hoyle (Northeast)
Pastor Nathan Hooks (Northern Piedmont)
Pastor Sherri Knutson (Northwestern)
Pastor John Beeg (Salem)
Pastor Jim White (Smoky Mtn)
Tammi Gates (S Coastal)
Pastor Ron Fink (Southwestern)
Pastor Frank Perry (Triangle)
Pastor Dennis Hacker (W Catawba)
Pastor Susan Bame (W Central)
Pastor Michael Comer (W Rowan)

Book of Faith Pre-Assembly Event Task Group
(task completed 6/15/09)
Carrie Bishop (pastor—Calvary, Spencer)
Pebbles Cloninger (lay person—Philadelphia, Dallas)
Tom Cogan (pastor—Wittenberg, Granite Quarry)

Book of Faith Cluster Training Task Group
Shirley Harrison (pastor—Augsburg, Winston-Salem)
Mike Holt (lay person–Calvary, Concord)
Doug Hefner (pastor–Salem, Salisbury)

Book of Faith Congregational Training Task Group
Kevin Mackey (pastor--Holy Communion, Dallas)
Bobbie Dull (lay person--Living Savior, Charlotte)
Ingred Chenoweth (lay person--St. Paul, Dallas)

Book of Faith Online Training Task Group
Jason Huebner (lay person--St John's, Salisbury)
Ray Sipe (pastor--Beck's, Lexington)

NC Synod Book of Faith Resource Person: Catherine Fink or call the synod office 704-633-4861.