The Department of Lutheran Studies at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. November Sow the Seed!

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1 The Department of Lutheran Studies at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary November 2015 Upcoming events: Dec.1: Application Deadline for Spring Semester Dec. 5: Ordination of Joshua Morgan Jan. 13: Lenten Preaching Conf. Jan. 19: Spring Semester Begins Contact Information: Choate Circle Charlotte, NC website: gordonconwell.edu Phone: GCTS: Lutheran Studies: gordonconwell.edu Sow the Seed! In our worship class, one of our presenters told the story of how much he worried about the results of various ministry programs. He was always fretting did enough people attend, were lives transformed, will it have lasting effects? In the midst of one particularly large fret, a colleague reminded him, Stop worrying and just sow the seed. Sow the seed! What we are to be about as baptized people of God is spreading His Word, living His life, shining His light in dark places and making people wonder who it is that compels us to make the choices we make, the commitments and priorities we set, the battles we fight. In the chapel at GCTS there is the beautiful fresco of The Sower. As we gathered there for our Reformation service, I contemplated all the symbolism depicted in the painting. This time I noticed something that I never saw before, although it is so obvious. The sower isn t looking back to see what happens to the seed, not tallying who gathers for the harvest, who tramps it underfoot, who is too busy to even notice it right in front of them. The sower just sows the seed, moving forward, doing that which he was called to do. So shall we! The sermon preached that night was about the strong temptation we sometimes feel to throw in the towel like the boxer pummeled by blow after blow in the ring. We are definitely not alone in that feeling as we know from the witness of Jeremiah s confession of despair, St. Paul s thorn in the flesh and Luther s Anfechtung. Yet, like Jeremiah, Paul, and Luther we also have the assurance that we can endure the craft and power of the old Satanic foe who seeks to work us woe. We can endure and even flourish because there is One more mightier still, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. So like the prophet Jeremiah, the missionary Paul, and the reformer Luther, we too can pick up the towel of service and continue on sowing the seed in full confidence that God has willed his truth to triumph through us. Continued next page 1

2 Continued from page 1 After May 2016, we will be returning to our original organization as a Department of Lutheran Studies at GCTS, Charlotte. We will not be a house of studies of the North American Lutheran Seminary. What does this mean? It means that we will not be throwing in the towel, but will pick it up as we continue to welcome all students who seek a sound biblical, theological, and confessional theological education. GCTS will continue to offer its fully accredited Masters degrees as well as the Doctor of Ministry degree. In addition, GCTS is now offering a Certificate in Lutheran Studies. The certificate may be earned as a stand alone program, at the completion of a Lutheran year, or in conjunction with another degree program. In the upcoming months look for more information about the programs being developed and offered. In the meantime, know that we will be sowing the seed! LENTEN PREACHING CONFERENCE JANUARY 13, 2016 The Michael C. D. McDaniel School of Theology will present a one day conference for pastors on preaching during Lent We will begin at 10 a.m. on the 13th at GCTS and conclude by 3 p.m. Leading us in study and reflection will be The Reverend Dr. Scott Suskovic, pastor at Christ Lutheran Church in Charlotte, NC. Lunch will be served at GCTS and we will conclude the day with worship. Please register by signing up on the Google document at this address: Lenten Conference Presenter Pastor Scott Suskovic was born, raised and educated mostly in Minnesota. He came down to North Carolina in 1998 to serve as senior pastor of Christ Lutheran Church where he leads a church staff of 30. During those past 17 years the church has expanded significantly in terms of buying more land, increasing parking, building program space and most recently completing an 1100 seat sanctuary. Today, Christ Lutheran worships about 1100 people on a Sunday morning with 3 distinctly different worship experiences. Pastor Suskovic attended St. Olaf College (BA), Luther Seminary (M.Div.) and Boston University (D.Min.) in Church Administration with an emphasis in church growth. He was a contributing author to two books on sermons through CSS Publishing, served on the Augsburg Fortress Board, been active in both syndical and church-wide boards and has lead workshops ranging from worship practices, preaching, administration and stewardship. He is married to Gretchen and they have two grown children. d/16vcfki0gym- HsDdawLvwK0NuGjpoAYhzi1BpHkJcUYU/edit We will need an accurate count for lunch, so please sign up by January 10,

3 CERTIFICATE IN LUTHERAN STUDIES GCTS, Charlotte now offers a Certificate in Lutheran Studies. This is a 10 course program which can be taken as a stand alone program or in conjunction with other degree programs. The certificate checklist is as follows: 1. Lutheran Confessions 2. Lutheranism in North America 3. Luther and the Reformation 4. Theology 1 5. Theology 2 6. Church History to the Reformation 7. Church History since the Reformation 8. Ethics 9. Christian worship 10. Preaching All of these classes are offered every year and the certificate may be earned in a year. Who might be interested in this certificate? Lutherans who are in need of a Lutheran year or a complement of Lutheran courses in order to meet respective candidacy requirements. *Many of our ELCA, LCMC, and NALC students will earn this certificate as part of their theological education. Individuals who want to concentrate in Lutheran studies. For more information about this Certificate program please contact the Admissions Office or the director of the Dept. of Lutheran Studies. ORDINATION OF JOSHUA LEE MORGAN AT GCTS On Saturday, December 5, 2015, one of our first graduates in the Department of Lutheran Studies, GCTS will be ordained into the ministry of Word and Sacrament. The Rev. Dr. John Bradosky, Bishop of the NALC will preside at the worship service. The Rev. Dr. Mary Havens, Director of the Dept. of Lutheran Studies will preach. Mrs. Dawn Merrell will serve as pianist. Joshua has been called to serve at Advent Lutheran Church, King s Mountain, NC. IT WAS THAT SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHER THAT PASTOR THAT USHER...THAT FRIEND Time and time again this is what we hear when we ask our students what brought them to seminary. It was a Sunday school teacher who simply asked Have you considered going into the ministry? Or it was a pastor who encouraged them to help with the worship service. It could be YOU! God uses us to help call men and women to ministry in His church. So if you know of someone who has demonstrated a passion for the gospel and compassion for God s people, ask them if they have considered a pastoral or ministerial vocation. There are several opportunities throughout the year for prospective students to come and see what is available at GCTS to assist them in responding to God s call to ministry in His church. 3

4 URGENT NEED: PARTNERS NEEDED! We have a student who is in need of partners, beginning in January Please consider whether you, a group (like a men s group or a woman s circle), or your congregation would be wiling to be a partner for this student? When you become a partner you will receive monthly updates from the student and may invite him to your congregation for a visit. CHURCH BUDGET TIME! As you are preparing your 2016 church budgets, please remember the Department of Lutheran Studies at GCTS. Your contributions will remain at GCTS and be used in the Department of Lutheran Studies for the education of our students. D.MIN: PASTORAL THEOLOGY IN PRACTICE For anyone interested in the Pastoral Theology track of the GCTS D.Min program. it s not too late to apply. This year s emphasis will be upon the pastor as caregiver. As a Doctor of Ministry student, you attend 3 two-week intensive residencies which consist of lectures, case studies, participant reports and individual consultations. The classroom sessions are collegial in style and stress learning within a community context. Questions can be directed to: dmin@gcts.edu or by phone ( ) Applications and information are available online: PARTNERS! Our students continue to benefit from your support through the Partnership Program. It enables our students to pursue their theological education without piling up a mountain of debt. Most importantly, it allows you to be an integral partner in training pastors for the church in the 21st century. When our partnership students graduate they are well prepared and can be about the ministry to which God has called them. If you feel that God is calling you and has blessed you with the ability to pray and financially support a seminarian, please contact us (contact information on front of this newsletter). The amount of financial support can be as little as 25 dollars a month and as much as 6,000 dollars a year. AUDITING CLASSES The course on Lutheran Confessions will be offered on Mondays, from 6 p.m. 9 p.m. at GCTS. Auditors are welcome to take classes for a fee of $100. If you would like to learn more about our confessional heritage and beliefs or if you feel the need for a refresher course, please join us On Monday afternoons, from 1 p.m. 4 p.m. the course on Lutheranism in North America is offered during the spring. This course deals with the history, personalities, issues, spirituality, and organization of Lutheranism in North America. Again, auditors are welcome. The first class sessions will be on January 25,

5 McDANIEL CONFERENCE 2015 An ELCA layman, an ELCA pastor, a LCMC seminarian, a LCMC pastor, a NALC seminarian, a NALC pastor, and a Reformed pastor Although this might sound like the beginning of a riddle, it is not. It is the affiliation of those who served as communion assistants at this year s McDaniel Reformation worship. Even more it is a visible confession of God s one, holy, catholic and apostolic church. It was certainly a tribute to Michael McDaniel s ecumenical passion and work. Our music was led by the Spirit of Joy Praise Team from Spirit of Joy in Weddington, NC. They helped us sing new songs to the Lord...as well as the alma mater, A Mighty Fortress. Painting done by Stephanie Burke that now hangs in the rotunda at GCTS. Ms. Stephanie Burke of Art and Soul led a time of reflection during the Confession by an upside down painting. We watched her paint and wondered about the seeming chaos of her work. When turned right-side up, however, it was revealed to be a powerful painting of our Lord, who is the one who has turned us from our upside down condition. The congregation let out a collective gasp when she turned her painting over, right before the pronouncement of absolution. There was no better response we could give! Earlier that day, we were all enlightened by the lectures of Drs. Harrisville and Turnbull and well fed by Bobbie-O s barbeque. It was a very good day at GCTS as the church was gathered for growth and grace in the Lord. Lecturers Drs. Harrisville and Turnbull. Dr. Nathan Yoder offered a summation and Alumnus Joshua Morgan spoke about GCTS. 5

6 THRIVENT CHOICE DOLLARS & DONATIONS Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, Charlotte is one of the approved charitable institutions where one may direct their Choice Dollars. This money is credited to the Department of Lutheran Studies account to assist with program and student needs. If you would like to contribute to the Department of Lutheran Studies, send donations directly to: The Department of Lutheran Studies Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary Choate Circle Charlotte, NC PULPIT SUPPLY There are several seminarians, as well as the director, who are available for pulpit supply. We are also available to talk with groups about the Department of Lutheran Studies. Contact:: PRAYER LIST Our students who are so courageously and delightfully responding to God s call to ministry. Our faculty at GCTS, Charlotte who teach our students and are colleagues with our faculty. Our staff at GCTS, Charlotte who so graciously welcome us and assist us. Our partners in the Partnership Program and for all those who support our Department of Lutheran Studies, GCTS. For the persecuted Christians throughout the world who take a bold stance for Christ in the midst of unimaginable and demonic forces that seek to work us woe. For our recent graduate, Joshua Lee Morgan, who has been called to the ministry of Word and Sacrament at Advent Lutheran Church, King s Mountain, NC. For us all...that our minds may be open to learn, our hearts to love, our lives to serve to the glory of God and the expansion of His Kingdom. AMEN What does this mean? That I should be certain that such prayers are acceptable to the Father in Heaven and will be granted, that He Himself has commanded us to pray in this way and that He promises to answer us. Amen. Amen. This means: Yes, yes, it will happen this way. (Luther, The Small Catechism) 6