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Concordia Seminary Magazine Summer 2024, Vicki Biggs

Concordia Seminary Magazine

Joy Beyond Measure

The Beginnings Of Jewish Missions In The Lcms, Jaron Melin

Grapho : Concordia Seminary Student Journal

Mission is the theological account of the relationship between the church and the world. Where are the Jews in this relationship? If the church and the Jews had a relationship status on Facebook, then it might say, “It’s complicated.” This may be true of any kind of missions, but this shows itself to be especially true in Lutheran history and in particular LCMS-history. I look at the histories as recorded by Meyer, Lieske, Cohen, Parviz, and others on the early history of Jewish Missions in the LCMS, and I reflect on the context and theology behind them using missiologists like …

Concordia Seminary Magazine Spring 2023, Vicki Biggs

Concordia Seminary Magazine

His in Community

Children Are A Heritage From The Lord: A Procreation-Centric Approach To Christian Marriage And Family Education, Nicholas Lee Hagerman

Doctor of Ministry Major Applied Project

Hagerman, Nicholas L. "Children Are a Heritage from the Lord: A Procreation-Centric Approach to Christian Marriage and Family Education." Doctor of Ministry. Major Applied Project, Concordia Seminary, 2022. 242 pp.

As youth and young adults are being raised in the church, they are often taught about issues related to sex and marriage. However, procreation and raising families are rarely mentioned in such teaching, which tends to focus instead on relational issues between spouses, the avoidance of sexual sins, and the marital institution's reflection of the relationship between Christ and His church. This project seeks to remedy this deficiency by taking …

Christian Sexuality: Five Session Small-Group Study, Christian Dollar

Grapho : Concordia Seminary Student Journal

Christian sexual ethics have always set the Church apart from the world. The division between Church and world goes deeper than its incongruence with its early Greco-Roman context of sexual slavery and pervasive homosexuality. Jesus’ teaching on sexuality was shocking to his Jewish context as well. Jesus’ radical commitment to the integrity of marriage left his disciples questioning the feasibility of the institution, all the more since the teaching contradicted the pattern of divorce instituted by scripture (Matt 19:1-10). Behind Jesus’ vision of human sexuality stood God’s original design for marriage rooted in the creation of sexed bodies designed for …

Grapho 2022, Kendall Davis

Grapho : Concordia Seminary Student Journal

The Light from Generation to Generation

Tradition: Handing Down The Light To The Next Generation, Kristen Einertson

Grapho : Concordia Seminary Student Journal

When my husband and I found out that I was pregnant with our first child, we started discussing the ways we hoped to hand down the faith to our children one day. Initially, the things that our own parents had done when we were younger helped us to come up with a pretty familiar list of activities: getting them baptized soon after they arrived, going to church regularly, teaching them to pray before mealtimes and bedtime, reading Bible stories, and familiarizing them with the church’s hymns. If there was one nearby—and we wanted to get a little crazy—maybe we would …

Chrysostom And Luther On The Intergenerational Character Of The Faith: Retrieving The God-Designed Parental Role In The Transmission Of The Faith To The Next Generation, Charles Samuel Voigt Ledebuhr, Charles Samuel Voigt Ledebuhr Mr.

Master of Art Theology Thesis

Ledebuhr, Charles S. V. “Chrysostom and Luther on the Intergenerational Character of the Faith: Retrieving the God-Designed Parental Role in the Transmission of the Faith to the Next Generation.” MA Thesis, Concordia Seminary, 2020. 167 pp.

Although hardly anyone would argue against the importance of parents in the faith formation of their children or that God commanded parents to pass on the faith to their children, there is still a clear tendency in the church to concentrate the teaching of the faith around the temple and the pastor rather than giving to the home and the parents the proper attention …

Building A Bridge To Community Creating Belonging By Intentionally Incorporating Christians Into The Life Of The Congregation, Michele Doel

Master of Art Theology Thesis

Doel, Michele, M. “Building a Bridge to Community: Creating Belonging by Intentionally Incorporating Christians into the Life of the Congregation.” Master’s thesis, Concordia Seminary, 2020. 86 pp.

How simple is it for a new member to become incorporated into the life of your church? There is a creational need for all humans to have a sense of belonging to God and to those around them. This human need for relationships and community means that congregations should be experts at involving people and building up their relationships with one another. This thesis builds off the author’s experience as an intern at …

Lived Kardecism - A Phenomenological Approach To Understanding Brazilian Spiritism, William Miller

Doctor of Philosophy Dissertation

Miller, William D. “Lived Kardecism: A Phenomenological Approach to Understanding Brazilian Spiritism.” Ph.D. diss., Concordia Seminary, 2019. 327 pp.

This dissertation addresses a problem that faces the researcher of Brazilian Spiritism, namely that there is a need for a particular kind of account that takes the lived experience of religion as its foundation; an account of the lived experience of Spiritists who practice Spiritism as a religion in the Brazilian context and find value in it for their spiritual journey. This study answers the question as to how Spiritists articulate what is spiritual, relate to religion, and experience spiritual significance …

Just Play: On Being Fully Human In Sport, Amy Gray Bird

Master of Art Theology Thesis

Bird, Amy, S.G. “Just Play: On Being Fully Human in Sport.” Master’s thesis, Concordia Seminary, 2018. 73 pp.

Is competing in competitive sport worthy of a Christian’s time, energy, and resources? If so, how does one compete in a God-pleasing way? Certainly, several factors are at work here, but to gain a theologically faithful understanding of sport this paper considers two concepts as vital: the Lutheran doctrine of vocation and the concept of leisure as articulated by Catholic moral theologian Josef Pieper. This thesis considers both vocation and leisure and explores how when taken together vocation and leisure clarify the …

Empowering A Local Church To Reflect Revelation 7_9 Unity Through Multi-Ethnic, Bilingual, Combined Worship, Mark Bowditch

Doctor of Ministry Major Applied Project

Bowditch, Mark “Empowering a Local Church to Reflect Revelation 7:9 Unity Through Multi-Ethnic, Bilingual, Combined Worship.” Doctor of Ministry. Major Applied Project, Concordia Seminary, 2017. 347 pages.

The purpose of this MAP was to carry out field research specifically designed to answer the research question: “Can multi-ethnic, bilingual, combined worship services be developed at Mt. Calvary that will foster Christian unity and fellowship among two different cultures?” This effort presupposed that it is God’s will for His people, the Church, to be joined together in unity and fellowship on earth—as they will be in heaven (Rev 7:9). The basic problem …

Concordia Seminary Magazine | Summer 2013, Paul Devantier

Concordia Seminary Magazine

Called according to his purpose

Life-Widening Mission Global Perspectives From The Anglican Communion, Cathy Ross

Edinburgh Centenary Series

A vision for holistic mission emerges clearly from each of the contributions. Shalom as a vision for wholeness of life emerges in different ways in each contribution.

Teaching Conflict Reconciliaton To Those Who Use Technological Communication - A Ministry For Postmodern People, Jeffrey E. Skopak

Doctor of Ministry Major Applied Project

With a large group of postmoderns at Fountain of Life Lutheran Church I have access to the community I wish to study and assist with biblical communication, conflict, and reconciliation tools. With that in mind, the purpose of this project is to equip postmodern people with biblical communication, conflict, and reconciliation tools so that they may maintain and nurture healthier relationships with other people by better understanding and using biblical communication, conflict, and reconciliation tools. In order to accomplish this task I have developed four critical events that focus on the topics of communication, relationships, conflict, and reconciliation. These critical …

The Use Of Cinema As Contemporary Metaphor Sources In Assisting Lutheran High North, Houston, Texas, Students In Understanding And Using Gospel Metaphors, Donn Paul Williams

Doctor of Ministry Major Applied Project

In order to clarify (and confuse), Jesus would quite often use common sources in His metaphors with which people of His day could identify. However, the clear meaning for many Gospel metaphor sources are lost in today's culture, especially among youth. The purpose of this Major Applied Project was to help high school students gain a greater understanding of the Gospel message by updating the metaphor sources, by using a common element in their culture, cinema. Scenes from popular movies were used to help students better understand and articulate the following Gospel metaphors: redemption, ransom, rescue, reconciliation, regeneration, replace and …

Preparing Thinking Christians To Survive And Thrive In A Culture Of Choice, Scott Sommerfeld

Doctor of Ministry Major Applied Project

Sommerfeld, Scott G. "Preparing Thinking Christians To Survive And Thrive In A Culture Of Choice." D.Min. Major Applied Project, Concordia Seminary—St. Louis, 2007. 211 pp.

Youth are ill-prepared to think and live as Christians in our post-modern world. A retreat for high school seniors and graduates is one way of preparing youth to survive and thrive in a culture of choice, where perhaps the greatest challenge regards rationality for choosing ones religion. Here youth are introduced to the real truth regarding the Bible, choosing God, and living as disciples. While youth were assisted in thinking theologically through the retreat, this …

Under The Cross Of Christ: Hispanic Ministry In The Missouri Synod, Lcms

Artículos obra entre Hispano/Latinos

BRTF-En – LCMS (June 2006)

Preparing Christian High School Students For Secular College Experience, Joseph Stanley

Master of Sacred Theology Seminar Papers

"Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it" (Proverbs 22:6 NIV). These words may have occupied the thoughts of Dr. Martin Luther when he wrote, "If all manner of problems are to be dealt with successfully, then the young people who are to live and govern on this earth after us must be trained and guided accordingly." This paper addresses the training and guidance of youth in the church with a view to properly preparing them for the college experience at state or private universities where the academic …

Systemic Catechesis, Kevin Wyssmann

Doctor of Ministry Major Applied Project

Systemic Catechesis is designed to merge several academic disciplines into a new catechetical model. Learning theories, systemic psychology, and a distinctive Lutheran approach to confirmation are combined in an effort to catechize whole family systems while specifically targeting junior high youth. This multifaceted program utilizes class time, home work, periodic evaluations, camps and retreats to maximize learning. The results of this project is a two-year curriculum that fully integrates educators, congregation, and the family into the catechetical process.

A Theology And Structure For Multiple Ministry In A Large Lutheran Church, Perryville, Mo, Donald Loesch

Doctor of Ministry Major Applied Project

How can a staff of multiple ministers in a large Lutheran church be organised in a way that is harmonious with the Biblical doctrine of the office of pastor? First, key Scripture passages and Lutheran writings on the pastoral office were studied; second, a congregational survey gleaned thoughtful opinions from parishioners; and third, information was obtained from experts on multiple ministry in other growing churches. A mediating view of the pastoral office both preserves the uniqueness of the office and allows for ministers, ordained and unordained, generalist and specialist, to share the office. A congregational handbook is offered as a …

Applying Strategic Planning Toward The Development Of An Effective And Joyful Ministry Team In The Local Church, Robert Kasper

Doctor of Ministry Major Applied Project

This study chronicles the activities of the ministry team of St. Peter Lutheran Church and School with respect to the implementation of the strategic planning process. The greatest benefit of strategic planning for the congregation and its ministry team is focus. The stage is set to be proactive rather than reactive in an ever changing environment. The future no longer brings fear, but challenges faith. The past becomes arch heritage, marked by God's grace; serving as fertile ground for roots of faith in a faithful God who will also guide and provide in the years to come.

A Process For Equipping And Supervising Lay Christian Caregivers At Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, Girard, Illinois, Alan Janneke

Doctor of Ministry Major Applied Project

This project proposes a process to equip Christian laypeople for effective caregiving. Equipping Christian laypeople for effective ministry is mandated by the Scriptures, Lutheran Theology and the practical needs of the Church. Clinical Pastoral Education has proven an effective training method for both professional and lay caregivers in a variety of settings. Its process and techniques can be adapted for use in equipping lay caregivers in congregations. To train and supervise lay caregivers effectively using the Clinical Pastoral Education process, the pastor will need to adopt a new role, supervising the care offered by others.

The Jesus Movement Of The 1960s And 1970s As A "Great Awakening", Kurt Bodling

Master of Sacred Theology Thesis

This thesis attempts to answer the question: Was the Jesus Movement of the 1960s and 1970s another "Great Awakening? It will begin by discussing the so-called "First Great Awakening" that occurred in colonial America under the leadership of Jonathan Edwards and George Whitefield. Then there is a chapter on the history of the series of events known as the "Jesus Movement," followed by a chapter devoted to an inspection of its theology. Finally, the major emphases are drawn together in a conclusion.

Project--Disciple-A Model For Parish Youth Ministry, Thomas Hirsch

Master of Divinity Thesis

This study is written to assist youth leaders and adult counselors in working out models for ministry among young people in the parish. As this model develops it will become obvious that its practical application is limited to the parish medium, although many of the principles underlying its structure may indeed find adaptation elsewhere. To further aid the reader, a rather extensive bibliography is included also. With such an index of available resources, the creative youth leader or adult counselor will have an excellent platform from which to begin youth ministry.

Youth: A Part Of, Not Apart From, The Church, Glenn Kopper

Master of Divinity Thesis

Within the past decade youth have seemingly charged onto center stage in the arena of life in America, and the pace of their "now generation" is one which calls for action. As the church, the body of Christ here on earth, we cannot afford to sit back and wait for something to develop, but rather, we must decide on how to respond to the "adolescent epidemic" and then we must act upon our decision by implementing it. "Leading the young to use their power and vitality responsibly is the biggest task facing today's Christian leaders." That statement might well be …

An Examination Of Studies On Beliefs Of Christians With Special Reference To Their Validity And Their Insights Regarding Lutheran Youth, Norman Steffen

Master of Sacred Theology Thesis

The goal of this thesis is to evaluate the accuracy and validity of the findings of specific recent research into the beliefs, values, and action patterns of Christians. This points to ways for utilizing these and other such studies critically and yet positively in the church's ministry, especially to youth.

What's Going On Here?, Donald L. Jerke

Concordia Theological Monthly

There's a cartoon around which shows a perplexed father driving home from the local high school PTA meeting with his wife; he says, "Twenty years ago I was told I wasn't as smart as my father. … Today rm told I'm not as smart as my teen-ager …. Where did we go wrong?"