Thanks be to God! “Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity! It is like the precious oil on the head, running down on the beard, on the beard of Aaron.” (Ps. 133:1-2, ESV)

 

On January 25-26, 2021, Bishop Ivan Laptev, Southern Region Dean Valeri Antipov, and Missionary Pastor Leif Camp visited the Evangelical Lutheran Congregation of Nizhny Novgorod.

 

On January 26, Bishop Ivan Laptev and Pastor Valeri Antipov facilitated an online meeting of the ELCIR Moscow Deanery gathering ministers from Moscow (Sts. Peter and Paul), Nizhny Novgorod, Rzhev, Shchyokino, and Velikiye Luki. The ministers shared news of congregational life.

 

The bishop introduced the new dean of the Moscow Deanery, Rev. Yaroslav Boichenko from Nizhny Novgorod who was confirmed for this position by a decision of the ELCIR Synodal Council.

 

Bishop Laptev and Pastor Antipov talked about the general strategy of The Church of Ingria, potentials of pastoral ministry, and ways to strengthen and develop our congregations. Below are some of the topics that were covered:

 

– How can we make the ministry of the preaching of the Gospel more effective?

– How should we analyze and plan our activities?

– Pastor’s tasks: working out the general vision of the congregation, tasks and goals aimed to proclaim the Gospel; building a team of the most active church members (the core of the congregation); knowing the church members’ spiritual and physical needs (doing what we can to meet them); gift-based cooperation of the church members; making and approving annual work plans; keeping in touch with the dean and the ELCIR Headquarters (including the bishop’s electronic office); interaction with governmental authorities.

 

The bishop updated the ministers on the work of the ELCIR Headquarters and committees, talked about the two new congregations that have joined The Church of Ingria, and the new composition of the Synod starting work.

 

At the end, everybody joined together in a prayer unto the glory of the Lord.

 

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Information about Moscow Deanery

 

The Moscow Deanery of The Church of Ingria is comprised of seven congregations: the two in Moscow and the congregations in Rzhev, Tver, Shchyokino (Tula Oblast), Velikiye Luki, and Nizhny Novgorod.

Interestingly, 100 years ago the center of the Volga-Kama Synodal Circuit (deanery) of The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Russia was in Nizhny Novgorod.