Louise Britts on parish ministry, chaplaincy, knowing God’s love Louise Britts (2002, MDiv) couldn’t figure out why a team of doctors and nurses and her own father were talking to her “down there on that table” when it was clear that she was above them, in a place of perfect serenity, surrounded by God’s love. […]
Witness while walking: Francisco Javier Goitía Padilla on leadership, faith, service Church experience for Francisco Javier Goitía Padilla (2014, PhD; 2003, ThM) began early, when his grandmother, a woman of deep faith, took him with her to Roman Catholic services in his hometown in Puerto Rico. “I’ve been a church mouse all my life,” Goitía […]
Beyond reciprocal altruism: Herbert Anderson on empathy, trust & stories that define us In C.S. Lewis’ Chronicles of Narnia; The Silver Chair, Prince Rilian confronts an uncertain future and the reality of an absent leader by uttering a few lines that express a core theme in the life of Herbert Anderson: “Let us descend into the city […]
Radical welcome meets sacred hospitality: Jason Chesnut on digital ministry in a new era Jason Chesnut (2010, MDiv) would be the first to admit that his work may sound unfamiliar to those committed to traditional ways of reaching congregations. “I’m not cut out for parish ministry,” Chesnut says, “and that’s OK.” It’s more than OK; […]
A joyous, in-person 2022 commencement The weather cooperated and being together in person to mark the accomplishments that led to this day provided an air of satisfaction and joy. Eleven alumni from the Classes of 2021 and 2020, who had been invited back to walk, were among the honored graduates. Paul C. Pribbenow, president of […]
Four to receive distinguished alumni awards Four LSTC graduates will be honored when alumni return to campus Oct. 11-12 for Homecoming/Alumni Week. They are: Jason Chesnut (2010, MDiv) will receive the 2022 Witness to the World award, given to a clergy or lay person engaged in the work of public church in any setting. Chesnut is […]
An Overflow of Abundance: Barbara Rossing and Lauren Johnson If you talk to Barbara Rossing about her call to theological education, you’ll hear a word often repeated: abundance. Rossing grew up in Northfield, Minn., with a current population of nearly 21,000. It’s the home of Carleton College, where Rossing studied geology as an undergraduate. She […]
Mirrors and windows: Saints are for Lutherans, too She’s now sainted,” Kurt Hendel said with love and a tear in his eye, indicating that the woman in the picture had died. He was presenting a digital memory book of former classmates, spouses of classmates, and friends all united by an experience with the Seminex tradition. […]
Alum reflects on the legacy of professors Klein and Krentz In J.R.R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, Hobbits Merry and Pippin, confused and a bit lost at having been separated from their party, find themselves in Fangorn Forest. There, these diminutive Hobbits (a bit under 5 feet, by Tolkien’s measure) are addressed […]
A public pastor for a public church More than 50 years ago, in 1968 to be precise, Brian Eklund (MDiv 1970) was a spritely 20-something seminarian. Axel Kildegaard, professor of theology and director of contextual education at LSTC, approached him for a conversation that would change his life. Kildegaard had been ready to send Eklund […]
