Lutheran Week at Trinity School for Ministry
The North American Lutheran Seminary (NALS) recently concluded its Lutheran Week at Trinity School for Ministry (TSM). It was a meaningful and formative week with featured guest speakers who delivered informative and encouraging presentations. Bishop Dan Selbo and members of his staff were also on campus and attended events throughout the week. The Lutheran Book of Worship (LBW) was used for morning and evening prayer, compline, as well as a Wednesday morning service of Holy Communion, showcasing the ecumenical unity between Lutheran and Anglican faculty and students.
On Wednesday morning, NALS students and faculty led the Eucharist service, with NALS Associate Professor of Systematic Theology David Luy preaching on the readings for the day. NALS President Eric Riesen presided at Holy Communion, while Bishop Selbo and Pastor Maurice Frontz (St. Stephen Lutheran Church in Pittsburgh) assisted alongside NALS seminarians Luke Beaver, Luke Ratke, Dale Stanley, and Ethan Zimmerman It was an experience that highlighted the unified commitment of the church and seminary to forming NALC pastors and leaders for faithful ministry today.
Tuesday evening’s panel discussion on rural and small-town ministry, titled “Rural Ministry Today: Circuit Pastors with More Horsepower,” was informative and inspiring. The panel featured NALC pastors, with a combined 76 years of experience in rural and small-town ministry, who mostly serve congregations in the Mid-Northeast Mission District.
The Rev. Nila Cogan, dean of the Mid-Northeast Mission District; the Rev. Joyce Dix-Weiers, assistant to the dean; the Rev. Jim Neal, services board president of Bethesda Children’s Home; and the Rev. Matthew Vatalare, M.Div. ’17, director of Camp In-Tents, shared insights on topics such as multi-point parishes, the differences between rural and urban congregations, in addition to farming and blue-collar culture. It was a fascinating and insightful discussion that shed light on the unique challenges and opportunities facing pastors in rural areas.
The Rev. Michael Salemink, executive director of Lutherans for Life, delivered Wednesday evening’s presentation, “Standing Out in the Life Field.” Pastor Salemink discussed the sanctity of human life and its connection to the Gospel. He also explored ways in which Lutherans can bring a distinctive voice to cultural conversations about life issues. It was a powerful and thought-provoking presentation that left a lasting impression on all who attended.
On Thursday evening, the Rev. Eric Andræ, campus pastor of First Trinity Evangelical-Lutheran Church (LCMS) in Pittsburgh, delivered a presentation titled “Nådemedelskristendom“—Swedish for “Means of Grace Christianity.” During the presentation, Pastor Andræ delved into the theological contributions of Bo Giertz, a bishop of the Gothenburg diocese in the Church of Sweden and a prolific author. Giertz’s perspective on Word and Sacrament was expounded upon, highlighting its central role in the Church’s existence and our faith in Christ, as well as its significance to community and the mission to “go forth.” Attendees were captivated and informed by the presentation, gaining a profound comprehension of the importance of Word and Sacrament in the Church’s purpose and vision, while also being inspired by Giertz’s exceptional life and ministry.
NALS Lutheran Week was a meaningful week that showcased the seminary’s commitment to preparing pastors and leaders for ministry in today’s world. We are grateful to all who attended and contributed to its success.
Watch the Presentations
Rural Ministry Today
Circuit Pastors with More Horsepower
With a combined 76 years of experience in rural and small-town ministry, our panel of pastors from the Mid-Northeast Mission District share their perspectives on topics such as multi-point parishes, differences between rural and urban congregations, distinctions between large and small congregations, theology in the rural setting, farming and blue-collar culture, and more. The panelists were the Rev. Nila Cogan, the Rev. Joyce Dix-Weiers, the Rev. Jim Neal, and the Rev. Matthew Vatalare,
Standing Out in the Life Field
How to be a Life-Minded Congregation and Community
Watch the Rev. Michael Salemink, executive director of Lutherans for Life, discuss how to be a pro-life congregation and community, presented at the North American Lutheran Seminary’s Lutheran Week at Trinity School for Ministry. Delve into the distinctive voice that Lutherans can bring to cultural conversations about life issues and how the sanctity of human life is directly connected to the Gospel. Explore how to bring the joy and hope of God’s “Yes!” to the complex and challenging topic of life issues.
Nådemedelskristendom
The Church and Bo Giertz’s Means of Grace Christianity
Discover the profound insights of Bo Giertz (1905-1998), in this presentation given at the North American Lutheran Seminary’s Lutheran Week at Trinity School for Ministry by the Rev. Eric Eric Andræ. Giertz was a rural parish pastor, bishop, and prolific author, and his work is akin to C.S. Lewis’s influence in the English-speaking world. Join us as we delve into Giertz’s teachings on how this relates to community and the mission to “Go forth.”