Register to join us for the 2025 Scherer Lecture, September 30, 2025, from 4- 5:30 p.m. via Zoom or in Room 210. The lecture, presented by Dr. Rafael Malpica Padilla, will examine the profound crisis in the understanding of our faith in our time. Misguided theologies have emerged resulting in the creation of a knowledge system and an ecclesial praxis that is foreign to the basic principles in the following of Jesus found in the gospels. The motto attributed to the 16th century reformers, ecclesia reformata semper reformanda, continues to be relevant for today. However, in addition, we are particularly called to “be ready to make a defense to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you….” (1 Peter 3:15).

A reception will follow the lecture.

About the Speaker:

The Rev. Rafael Malpica Padilla

The Rev. Rafael Malpica Padilla serves as the John Damm Chair on Leadership and Director for the Latine Ministry and Theology program at LSTC. He served for 31 years with the Global Mission Unit of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. He is Bishop Emeritus of the ELCA Caribbean Synod where he served for 12 years.

Sponsors

Catholic Theological Union, Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago & McCormick Theological Seminary.

For more information, contact: Peter Vethanayagamony (pvethana@lstc.edu), Ken Sawyer (ksawyer@mccormick.edu), or Roger Schroeder  rschroeder@ctu.edu.