August 2012 1 August 2012, Volume Sixteen, Number Three Be an Encourager By Rev. David C. Fleming A Theological Recipe for Forming Pastors and Deaconesses By Dr. Charles A. Gieschen Supporting Future Pastors and Deaconesses By Mr. Gary L. Nahrwold August 2012 3 CONTENTS Volume Sixteen, Number Three F E A T U R E S 4 Be an Encourager By Rev. David C. Fleming Every time a new pastor or deaconess is sent out into the world, hope lives on. The Lord knows we need them. He knows our congregations and communities need willing and well-trained servants... We need sowers of Christ and reapers of Christians for joy. 7 A Theological Recipe for Forming Pastors and Deaconesses By Dr. Charles A. Gieschen What is the theological recipe for forming faithful pastors and deaconesses? Is there a formula that works every time it is used and produces the same result? Each of us probably shares some ideas about what it takes to form a pastor or deaconess. 10 Supporting Future Pastors and Deaconesses By Mr. Gary L. Nahrwold As I pondered writing on the topic of encouraging future pastors and deaconesses, my thoughts kept being drawn to the past. For over 165 years the people of The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod have shown unwavering support for Concordia Theological Seminary by raising up future church workers and providing much needed financial support for their formation and education. Also in this issue: What Does This Mean? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .p. 14 Called to Serve . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .p. 16 In the Field. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .p. 18 Retreat to the Seminary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .p. 21 Seminary Marks Close of 166th Academic year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .p. 22 Military Project . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .p. 25 Seminary Guild . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .p. 26 Alumni News: Encouragement . . . . . . . . . . .p. 27 Profiles in Giving: We Are Thankful . . . . . . .p. 28 Bible Study: Encouragment. . . . . . . . . . . . . .p. 30 For the Life of the World PUBLISHER Dr. Lawrence R. Rast Jr. President MANAGING EDITOR PRODUCTION COORDINATOR Jayne E. Sheafer Colleen M. Bartzsch COPY EDITOR ART DIRECTOR Trudy E. Behning Steve J. Blakey For the Life of the World is published by Concordia Theological Seminary Press, 6600 North Clinton Street, Fort Wayne, Indiana 46825. No portion of this publication may be reproduced without the consent of the Managing Editor of For the Life of the World by e-mail at PublicRelations@ctsfw.edu or 260-452-2250. Copyright 2012. Printed in the United States. Postage paid at Huntington, Indiana. For the Life of the World is mailed to all pastors and congregations of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod in the United States and Canada and to anyone interested in the work of Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Indiana. August 2012 7 My wife enjoys cookbooks with photographs that allow her to choose a recipe based upon how the food should end up looking if the recipe is followed. The idea is that if you take the ingredients specified in the recipe and follow the directions outlined, you will have the same pleasant-looking food that you see in the photograph every time. What is the theological recipe for forming faithful pastors and deaconesses? Is there a formula that works every time it is used and produces the same result? Each of us probably shares some ideas about what it takes to form a pastor or deaconess. For a pastor, begin with a man who has been a Lutheran for several years, has been thoroughly catechized by a solid pastoral mentor, has a pleasant and well-adjusted personality, is intelligent and capable of public speaking, put him through a four year seminary program and out comes a faithful Lutheran pastor. For a deaconess, begin with a woman who has been Lutheran for several years, has been thoroughly catechized by a solid pastor, has a pleasant and well- adjusted personality, is intelligent and Because we are all uniquely and wonderfully made by our Creator and have distinctive experiences prior to seminary through our physical and spiritual families, there are no cookie cutter pastors and deaconesses. And considering the unique needs of diverse congregations, that is a good thing! A Theological Recipe for Forming Pastors & Deaconesses By Dr. Charles A. Gieschen For the Life of the World8 compassionate, put her through a three year seminary program and out comes a faithful deaconess. Is that how it works? Well, not quite. There is no photograph for how a pastor or deaconess will look after following such a recipe. In fact, in the formation of pastors and deaconesses there are always unique ingredients: the men and women studying for the pastoral and deaconess offices have already been shaped profoundly by their individual experiences prior to arriving at the seminary. Because we are all uniquely and wonderfully made by our Creator and have distinctive experiences prior to seminary through our physical and spiritual families, there are no cookie cutter pastors and deaconesses. And considering the unique needs of diverse congregations, that is a good thing! The church has diverse situations with varied needs. Not every pastor or deaconess can function equally well in every call situation. As a confessional church, however, we do want each pastor and deaconess to share a common confession and basic competency. So what is the theological recipe for the formation of pastors and deaconesses at this seminary? An important component is coming to the seminary with a strong grounding in the Scriptures and Luther’s Small Catechism. Also important are previous educational experiences in undergraduate programs that cultivate critical thinking, literary analysis, clear writing, articulate speech and communication skills helpful for cultivating relationships. Competencies in biblical languages, such as Greek and Hebrew, through one’s undergraduate work allow one to get into the seminary’s pastoral curriculum more quickly and to take additional electives. The main ingredient in the recipe for future pastors is the Master of Divinity program. This program is approximately three years of academic course work and a year of vicarage. Our recently revised curriculum has courses in the primary theological disciplines—Exegetical, Historical, Systematic and Practical—as well as courses that are integrative. The foundation of the curriculum is the study of the Scriptures in their original languages, especially the study of the four Gospels which focus on the life and work of Jesus Christ. The Gospels courses in the first and fourth years are an important basis for the study of how the truths of the Scriptures have been confessed by the church over the centuries, and they also prepare the student for preaching and teaching the faith. The study of the Lutheran Confessions deepens one’s understanding of the biblical truths that our Reformation forefathers fought to uphold. Fieldwork experiences during the first two years prepare students to develop practical pastoral skills necessary for the year-long vicarage experience where the student is mentored by an experienced pastor. Integrative courses on Baptism, Preaching and the Lord’s Supper help keep these pastoral acts front and center in the formation of pastors as servants in Jesus Christ who teach the faithful, reach the lost and care for all. Components of the Master of Divinity program are used in both the Alternate Route program (residential) and the Specific Ministry Pastor program (online). The main ingredient in the recipe for the formation of future deaconesses is the Master of Arts program, a two year course of academic study followed by a one year internship. Several of the courses draw on the Master of Divinity curriculum because these courses form an important biblical and confessional foundation for deaconess service. Several courses that focus on the unique mercy focus of deaconess service round out the The church has diverse situations with varied needs. Not every pastor or deaconess can function equally well in every call situation. As a confessional church, however, we do want each pastor and deaconess to share a common confession and basic competency. August 2012 9 curriculum. Fieldwork in local congregations helps ready the deaconess for her future internship. One of the great benefits of training deaconesses at our two seminaries is that it has promoted a greater understanding of one another’s vocation and improved trust because of shared formation experiences. Preparation for the deaconess office can also be done through a combination of residential and online learning in our M.A. in Deaconess Studies program. A vital part of the formation process at the seminary is the daily worship in Kramer Chapel and life together with faculty and fellow students in a learning community. The Holy Spirit works through the formal study of the Scriptures as well as the worship life of the seminary to nurture future pastors and deaconesses as servants of Jesus Christ. It is difficult to overestimate the impact that such “ungraded curriculum” has on formation. Jesus put His disciples through a formation process of about three years before sending them out to make disciples of all nations. In a similar manner, future pastors and deaconesses are drawn by Jesus to these vocations and spend a few years at His feet learning His teachings and life. Many students already have a strong foundation through what they have learned from their families, pastors and undergraduate education. They always experience, however, a greater breath and depth in their study when at the seminary because their learning is being guided by professors who have undergone advanced studies in their field. The ingredients for the formation of faithful pastors and deaconesses are ready and waiting . . . all we need are the men and women that the Lord is calling to serve! Dr. Charles A. Gieschen serves as Academic Dean at Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Indiana. He can be contacted at Charles.Gieschen@ctsfw.edu or 260-452-2104. Discernment Resources As you begin to think about seminary education, there are many resources to help in the discernment process. You can go to www.ctsfw.edu/Admission and choose from several pertinent articles that will address questions you may have. Rev. John Dreyer, Director of Admission, also offers these suggestions for helpful reading: Getting Started: @ The Holy Bible – English Standard Version (Recommend the Lutheran Study Bible from Concordia Publishing House-CPH) @ The Lutheran Confessions (Especially the Pocket Edition from CPH) @ The Lutheran Service Book (CPH) @ Luther’s Small Catechism with Explanation (CPH) Preparation Through Prayer and Devotion: @ Treasury of Daily Prayer (CPH) @ The Lutheran Book of Prayer (CPH) @ Reading the Psalms with Luther (CPH) Good Lutheran Resources: @ The Proper Distinction Between Law and Gospel, by C. F. W. Walther @ The Lutheran Difference (CPH), various authors @ Luther the Reformer (Minneapolis: Fortress Press), by Rev. James M. Kittleson @ The Hammer of God (Minneapolis: Augsburg Fortress Press) by Bo Giertz @ Discourses in Matthew–Jesus Teaches the Church, (CPH), by Dr. David P. Scaer @ The Great Jesus Debates: Four Early Church Battles about the Person & Work of Jesus (CPH), by Douglas W. Johnson @ The Fire and the Staff (CPH), by Klemet Preus @ A Summary of Christian Doctrine NKJV, by Edward W. A. Koehler Non-Theological Works Worth Reading: @ Philosophy for Understanding Theology (2nd ed.), by Diogenes Allen and Eric O. Springsted (Amazon) @ Primary Readings in Philosophy for Understanding Theology, by Diogenes Allen and Eric O. Springstead (Amazon) As always, you can contact our Office of Admission at Admission@ctsfw.edu or 800-481-2155, and one of our counselors will be happy to assist you.