wfn.org | ELCA Lectures Explore Christian Mission among 18-30 Year Olds

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ELCA NEWS SERVICE

January 4, 2001

ELCA LECTURES EXPLORE CHRISTIAN MISSION AMONG 18-30 YEAR OLDS
01-03-FI

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- "Spiritual But Not Religious: Reaching 'Lost'
Generations" is the theme of a series of lectures to be presented
February through May on the eight seminary campuses of the Evangelical
Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).  Tom Beaudoin and the Rev. Roland D.
Martinson will present the 2001 Hein-Fry Lecture Series.
     Beaudoin authored "Virtual Faith: The Irreverent Spiritual Quest
of Generation X."  His investigation of the popular culture shows how
young adults are operating according to a theology radically different
from that which shaped the church of their parents and grandparents.
     Beaudoin earned a master's degree in theological studies from
Harvard Divinity School, Cambridge, Mass., in 1996 and is currently
working toward a doctorate in religion and education at Boston College,
Boston.
     Martinson is a professor of pastoral care and the Carrie Olson
Baalson professor of children, youth and family ministry, Luther
Seminary, St. Paul, Minn.  He is a member of the National Council on
Family Relations.
     Martinson's works include "Gearing Up for Youth Ministry in the
21st Century" (1992); "Effective Youth Ministry, A Congregational
Approach" (1988); and "Bringing Up Your Child and Ministries with
Families" (1986).
     "Martinson and Beaudoin are excited to be working together and
have collaborated closely to develop complementary lectures," said the
Rev. Jonathan P. Strandjord, director for theological education, ELCA
Division for Ministry.  The lecture series is coordinated through the
division.
     "Martinson will take a pastoral care approach, making use of his
current major research on how young adults make meaning out of their
interactions with popular culture," said Strandjord.  Beaudoin will take
a systematic tack, using resources from well-known Lutheran theologians,
to shape "a fresh theology of culture," he said.  "Together, these
lecturers should help the church uncover crucial questions that can
guide us in mission to younger generations."
     Martinson will launch the lecture series Feb. 1 at Lutheran
Theological Southern Seminary, Columbia, S.C.
     Beaudoin will speak Feb. 8 at Lutheran Theological Seminary at
Gettysburg, Pa.; Feb. 20 at Lutheran Theological Seminary at
Philadelphia; Feb. 23 at Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary,
Berkeley, Calif.; and March 5 at Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago.
     Martinson will continue the series April 19 at Wartburg
Theological Seminary, Dubuque, Iowa; April 24 at Luther Seminary, St.
Paul, Minn.; and May 2 at Trinity Lutheran Seminary, Columbus, Ohio.
     The Hein-Fry Lecture Series predates the ELCA which was formed in
1988.  The endowed theological lecture series fosters original
scholarship and enriches theological dialogue throughout the church.  It
combines the Dr. Carl Christian Hein Memorial Seminary Lectures of the
former American Lutheran Church and the Franklin Clark Fry Theological
Lectures of the former Lutheran Church in America.  The Fry series
continues and expands on the Knubel-Miller-Greever Lectures.
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     The Web page at http://www.elca.org/DM/hf/heinfry.html has
information about the lecture series.

For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://listserv.elca.org/archives/elcanews.html