wfn.org | ELCA Hosts Special Convocations of Teaching Theologians, Bishops

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ELCA NEWS SERVICE

August 2, 2001

ELCA HOSTS SPECIAL CONVOCATIONS OF TEACHING THEOLOGIANS, BISHOPS
01-212-FI

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Every other year since 1990, the Evangelical
Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Division for Ministry has hosted a
Convocation of Teaching Theologians.  It plans to host two special
convocations exploring what the church means by "teaching theologians,"
what teaching theologians do for the church and what forms "oversight"
takes in the Lutheran church.
     "After a decade of experience, the Convocation of Teaching
Theologians is asking basic questions about its own role and about the
contribution of teaching theologians to the ongoing life of the ELCA,"
said the Rev. Darrell H. Jodock, chair of the convocation's planning
committee.  "Can teaching theologians contribute in ways that they have
not up to this point?  Can they be engaged in other ways -- beyond
educating pastors and college-age students -- in the total teaching
ministry of the church?  If so, how?"
     The first convocation will be held Aug. 17-19 at Carthage College,
Kenosha, Wis., one of 28 colleges and universities of the ELCA.  The
second will be held Jan. 4-7 in conjunction with the annual academy of
the ELCA Conference of Bishops.  The Conference of Bishops includes the
church's presiding bishop, secretary and the bishops of the ELCA's 65
synods.
     Past convocations involved about 60 members of the ELCA who teach
theology in colleges and seminaries, six bishops and about 10 staff
members of the ELCA's churchwide offices in Chicago.  A similar group is
expected at the Kenosha gathering.
     Three Lutheran churches merged to form the ELCA in 1988, so one
purpose for convocations has been to have the teaching theologians of
the previous church bodies get to know one another, said Jodock,
religion professor at Gustavus Adolphus College, St. Peter, Minn., a
college of the ELCA.  Convocations have served that purpose well, he
said.
     Now it's time to focus on a second purpose -- "to address issues
of importance to the church," said Jodock.  There is a perception "that
teaching theologians had not played as significant a role as they could
have" while the ELCA struggled with issues of human sexuality and of the
role of bishops in the Lutheran church, he said.
     "This summer's convocation is an extra-ordinary meeting, made
possible by a grant from the Wabash Center for Teaching and Learning in
Theology and Religion," said the Rev. Mark Wilhelm, associate director
for theological education, ELCA Division for Ministry.  The theme of the
special convocation is "The Vocation of Teaching Theologians in the
ELCA."
     Scholarly sessions in Kenosha will follow four topics:
 + The Task and Contribution of the Teaching Theologian in the Lutheran
Church: How Are They Different (Historically and Theologically) from
Other Denominational Traditions?
 + Given the Particularities of Our Ecclesial and Cultural Context, What
is the Most Appropriate Understanding of the Vocation and Role of
Teaching Theologians?
 + The Task of Teaching: How are the Distinctive Principles of
Lutheranism Best Communicated? What Pedagogical Resources Can be Mined
Out of the Lutheran Tradition?
 + Teaching Theologically Controversial Topics.
     Seven speakers will address the August convocation:
 + Rev. Herbert E. Anderson, Seattle, retired professor of pastoral
theology, Catholic Theological Union, Chicago
 + Dr. Mark U. Edwards Jr., retired president of St. Olaf College,
Northfield, Minn.
 + Dr. Kenneth Hagen, Lake Mills, Wis., retired professor of historical
theology, Marquette University, Milwaukee
 + Rev. Gordon S. "Tim" Huffman Jr., professor of Christian mission,
Trinity Lutheran Seminary, Columbus, Ohio
 + Rev. Patrick R. Keifert, professor of systematic theology, Luther
Seminary, St. Paul, Minn.
 + Rev. Charles H. Maahs, bishop of the ELCA's Central States Synod,
Shawnee Mission, Kan.
 + Dr. Susan W. McArver, assistant professor of educational ministry and
church history, Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary, Columbia, S.C.
     The January academy will build on the August convocation, said the
Rev. Jonathan P. Strandjord, director for theological education, ELCA
Division for Ministry.  In addition to the roles of theologians, the
academy will look at the roles of oversight or the roles of bishops in
the Lutheran church.
     The two meetings constitute a "very timely and promising
conversation" that could grow in momentum across the ELCA, Strandjord
said.   "Teaching theologians and bishops are interested in how to
better serve the church" in their U.S. context.  He said they share a
desire to weave theological reflection into the fabric of the church.
     "How can bishops and teaching theologians understand their roles
and each other's roles in order to serve the church more effectively?"
Strandjord asked.  "This is no trivial question," he said.
     "Teaching theologians play an important role in the Lutheran
church," said Strandjord.  "Martin Luther was a university professor.
That was his vocation."
     At the Convocation of Teaching Theologians in August 2000,
participants talked about the content, structure and frequency of future
convocations.  Annual convocations, convocations planned with the ELCA
Conference of Bishops, and convocations of hundreds of theologians every
five or 10 years were some possibilities participants proposed for the
future.
     "It is likely that a regular convocation will be held in August
2002," said Jodock.  "The planning committee will seek to put into
practice whatever has come from the discussions this August and next
January," he said.

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