Post on 19-Dec-2015
PERCEPTIONS of MISSION and
PRACTICES of MINISTRY AT TRINITY EV. LUTHERAN CHURCH, CORDOVA, NE
by Robert Sachs
A project submitted toGary Simpson and Craig Van Gelder
faculty ofLuther Seminary
In Partial Fulfillment ofThe Requirements for DMin Course
The Integration of Theology and Ministry
St. Paul, MinnesotaSeptember 2002
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I would like to thank the following for their help:
My professors, Gary Simpson and Craig Van Gelder, who promote excellence in their students.
My eleven colleagues in the DMin program who confirm, critique and expand my integration of theology.
My congregation, Trinity Ev. Lutheran Church, Cordova, Nebraska, who offer prayers, time off, and financial support for this project and program.
My beloved wife, Connie Johnson, my mentor, editor, and life companion.
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS
AELC American Evangelical Lutheran ChurchALC American Lutheran ChurchAEA Annual Education AverageAWA Annual Worship AverageELCA Evangelical Lutheran Church in AmericaDMin Doctorate of MinistryLCA Lutheran Church in AmericaNIV New International Version of the BibleNKJV New King James Version of the BibleNRSV New Revised Standard Version of the BibleTELC Trinity Evangelical Lutheran ChurchUELC United Evangelical Lutheran Church
Overview of perceptions and
practices
The windmill sign entering the village of Cordova reads:
“The winds of the past fan the days of the future.”
Photo courtesy of www.telcordova.com
Overview of perceptions and practices
The Hebrew word for wind also means the Spirit of God. How do the people of Cordova perceive the Spirit of God acting?
What influences their perception of mission as the church?
What influences their practices of ministry as the church.
Overview of perceptions and practices
“As prophetic (and imaginative) public companions, Missional congregations acknowledge a conviction that they participate in God’s ongoing creative work.”
Simpson, Gary, Critical Social Theory-Prophetic Reason, Civil Society, and Christian Imagination, Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2002, page 144
Overview of perceptions and practices
In TELC’s perception of mission and ministry, do the people perceive and practice God’s calling as:
preservation of the past, or presentation of new
opportunities?
Overview of perceptions and practices
The past:
Danish Lutherans organized a congregation and then incorporated a community following the Homestead Act of 1862 and the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad in 1869.
Nebraska became a state in 1887.
Graphics courtesy of Google.com
Overview of perceptions and practices
In 1870, Danish immigrants homestead and farm what later became Seward County Nebraska.
They preserve the culture, language, vocations, and their Lutheran teachings and practices.
Graphics courtesy of Google.com
Overview of perceptions and practices
Once settled, these Danish Lutherans, like most European immigrants, made little contact with non-Danish speaking Americans in the area.
Theodore G. Tappert, The Lutherans in North America, ed. Clifford E. Nelson,Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1975, page 268
Overview of perceptions and practices
Today:
According to the 2000 census, America’s migration from rural to urban shows stabilization if not reversal, for the first time in 10 years. The Cordova area population reflects this trend.
New residents are not related to original homestead families and do not share the Danish Lutheran heritage.
As in most of America, people here live longer, and generational diversification is greater than ever.
Development of modern communication, technology and transportation bring rural American closer to the world.
Overview of perceptions and practices
This study examines the influence of:
Religious heritage Social and Technological development
And influences of Biblical interpretation: In perceiving God, the church,
themselves, and others. In practicing Missional ministries.
Overview of perceptions and practices
INFLUENCES OF RELIGIOUS HERITAGE
Danish Lutherans following the American Civil War were influenced by two primary sources:
The ideas and theology of the sixteenth century Protestant Reformation by Martin Luther, and
The institutions and philosophies of the eighteenth century philosopher, John Locke.
Graphics courtesy of Google.com
INFLUENCES OF RELIGIOUS HERITAGE
“These two streams created two parallel story lines of explanation in the shaping of our national identities . . . sometimes complementary and sometimes conflicting . . . God’s providential destiny and humankind’s noble experiment.”
“Both of these story lines have become problematic as the Christian-shaped culture in North America has begun to collapse, and the Enlightenment-shaped modern project has begun to lose its sense of optimism.”
Van Gelder, Craig “Defining the Center – Finding the Boundaries: The Challenge of Revisioning the Church in North America for the Twenty-First Century” Missiology: An
International Review 22 (1994) , page 318
INFLUENCES OF RELIGIOUS HERITAGE
16th Century Ideas and theology of Luther include:
The separation of church and state.
Worship in the language of the people.
People are justified by God’s word alone, faith alone, and grace alone.
INFLUENCES OF RELIGIOUS HERITAGE
18th CenturyIdeas and institutions of Locke include:
The “right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”
The “institution of government for the protections of personal property.”
The acceptance of currency as the medium of exchange, accumulation of property without any limit.”
Bellah, Robert N. “Cultural Barriers to the Understanding of the Church and Its Public Role.”
Missiology: An International Review 19 (1991) page 462
INFLUENCES OF RELIGIOUS HERITAGE
Biblical theology:
Community with God has a prior covenant relation as creator and created.
Community is an unlimited commitment based on loyalty and trust.
Community involves obligations to God and neighbor that transcend self-interest, though promises of participation in a divinely instituted order.
Lockean Philosophy:
Community is formed by individuals through their common heritage and history.
Community is a limited institution based on self-interest and preservation.
Community has the right to do whatever and whenever people want, as long as it doesn’t hurt anyone else.
Bellah, Robert N. “Cultural Barriers to the Understanding of the Church and Its Public Role.”
Missiology: An International Review 19 (1991) page 462
INFLUENCES OF RELIGIOUS HERITAGE
These two streams have influenced the perceptions and practices of mainline protestant churches in North America, including TELC.
The two streams stand in conflict because Locken’s philosophy does not integrate an understanding of the Gospel of Jesus Christ through the suffering, crucifixion and resurrection of the Lord, as God’s way to free people from sin and reveal communion with God and community with neighbors, because:
Instead of the individual ‘belonging’ to the family, it is the family which is at the service of the individual, and
Individual voluntarism in the church has become a consumer Christian store offering the best package deal. This progresses into the idea that, “As long as I’m all right with Jesus, I don’t need the church.”
Bellah, Robert N. “Cultural Barriers to the Understanding of the Church and Its Public Role.”
Missiology: An International Review 19 (1991) page 463
INFLUENCES OF RELIGIOUS HERITAGE
19th Century
Danish Lutheran mission:
Church of Denmark’s mission society was reorganized in 1878 as The Danish Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (commonly known as the Danish Church), to send immigrates and homesteaders to rural America.
Theodore G. Tappert, The Lutherans in North America, ed. Clifford E. Nelson,Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1975, page 268
INFLUENCES OF RELIGIOUS HERITAGE
In the mid-1880’s two theological movements from Denmark came to America:
The happy Dane movement was begun by Nicolai F.S. Grundtig (1783-1872), pastor, hymn-writer, and outspoken critic of rationalism, popular in Denmark. He became a strong supporter of humanism in 1825.
Theodore G. Tappert, The Lutherans in North America, ed. Clifford E. Nelson,Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1975, page 268
INFLUENCES OF RELIGIOUS HERITAGE
The sad Dane movement was organized in 1853, headed by Vilhelm Beck, with the primary identity and purpose to effect spiritual renewal within Danish Lutherans.
Theodore G. Tappert, The Lutherans in North America, ed. Clifford E. Nelson,Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1975, page 268
INFLUENCES OF RELIGIOUS HERITAGE
Happy Danes:
Stressed confessions in Luther’s Small Catechism.
Emphasized Danish nationalism, renaissance of culture, and a local theology based on the Small Catechism.
Primarily a clergy supported movement fed by displays of public gatherings.
Regarded sad Danes as narrow minded, self-righteous, and sectarian.
Sad Danes:
Focused on the Scripture as Gods’ inspired living word.
Practiced repentance, conversion, and abstinence from common cultural recreation.
Primarily a pietistic laymen’s movement nurtured by small group devotional meetings.
Regarded happy Danes as doctrinally unsound, worldly, and defective in spirituality.
Theodore G. Tappert, The Lutherans in North America, ed. Clifford E. Nelson,Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1975, page 269
INFLUENCES OF RELIGIOUS HERITAGE
In 1880, seven miles SE of Cordova, families from these two Danish Lutheran movements first worshiped in a school house.
Once a month Pastor L.N. Gydensen would traveled from Omaha by horse and buggy to conduct services.
St. John’s Danish Evangelical Lutheran Church, Our Congregation’s History: 1900-1950, Cordova, Nebraska.
Graphics courtesy of Google.com
INFLUENCES OF RELIGIOUS HERITAGE
In spite of their internal conflicts, these Danish homesteaders organized “Vor Frelser’s Danske Evangelisk Luthesk Menighed ved Cordova, Seward County, Nebraska, in 1883.”
The congregation build a simple wooden structure, without steeple or stained glass windows, on an acre of land one mile southeast of Cordova donated by Marcus Christiansen.
St. John’s Danish Evangelical Lutheran Church, Our Congregation’s History: 1900-1950, Cordova, Nebraska.
INFLUENCES OF RELIGIOUS HERITAGE
By 1894 their internal theological conflict was so great that half of the congregation bought out the other half. The happy Danes built a structure in Cordova, forming St. John’s Danish Evangelical Lutheran Church (AELC & ALC).
Photo courtesy of www.telcordova.com
St. John’s Danish Evangelical Lutheran Church, Our Congregation’s History: 1900-1950, Cordova, Nebraska.
INFLUENCES OF RELIGIOUS HERITAGE
That same year, the remaining half of the congregation also purchased land in Cordova (one block east of St. John’s), moved the original building, added a steeple, and formed Our Savior’s Danish Evangelical Lutheran Church (UELC & LCA).
Photo courtesy of www.telcordova.com
St. John’s Danish Evangelical Lutheran Church, Our Congregation’s History: 1900-1950, Cordova, Nebraska.
INFLUENCES OF RELIGIOUS HERITAGE
The two churches, St. John’s (AELC & ALC), and Our Savior’s (UELC & LCA), voted April 1, 1960 to merge once again, thus ending 66 years of separation.
Photo courtesy of www.telcordova.com
Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, 100th Anniversary: 1983 Congregational Directory,
Cordova, Nebraska
INFLUENCES OF RELIGIOUS HERITAGE
In 2002, perceptions of mission and practices of ministry continue to reflect the influences of past religious heritages, which are sometimes complementary and sometimes conflicting.
Photo courtesy of www.telcordova.com
INFLUENCES OF RELIGIOUS HERITAGE
INFLUENCES of SOCIAL and TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS
INFLUENCES of SOCIAL and TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS
In the 1870’s a small conclave of Danish immigrants homesteaded the four corners of Seward, Saline, York, and Fairmont Counties, 150 miles west of the established Danish communities in Fremont, Blair, and Omaha, Nebraska.
St. John’s Danish Evangelical Lutheran Church, Our Congregation’s History: 1900-1950, Cordova, NE
INFLUENCES of SOCIAL and TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS
The settlement of the Cordovaarea west of Omaha & Lincolnfollowed the Old Oregon Trail.The Union Pacific RR, andLincoln HWY, have becomethe Interstate 80 route.
Dates/Period
Technology Communication
Transportation
1876-1898 horse, wind, steam telegraph rails & trails
1899-1928 dirt roads automobiles
1929-1945 electricitypaved highways
telephone horses discontinuedhighways built
1946-1955 paved roadstransistors
railroad abandoned
1956-1965 micro-wave television Interstate 80 built
1966-1985 main-frame computers
1986-1995 PC computers cellular telephonecomputer email
I-80 limit @ 75 MPH
1996-2002 laptop computers TV satellite dish
Internet Searches resulting from Google & Ask Jeeves websites, 2000 Census - US Bureau of Census
INFLUENCES of SOCIAL and TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS
Dates/Period Cultural 1 Local Economic 2
National Economy
1876-1898 Danish immigrationLutherans split
homestead Civil war recoveryTranscontinental RR
1899-1928 fire – rebuilt town Cordova RR depot industrial
1929-1945 English primary language
Depression & drought & WWII
Depression & WWII
1946-1955 school closes & consolidates
RR abandoned, truck transport
1956-1965 Lutherans merge 70% of businesses close
Interstate truck traffic increases
1966-1985 TEL 100 year celebration
farm recession Farm Act
1986-1995 Cordova 100 year celebration
NE small farm bill Global imports & exports increase
1996-2002 Bank & Cafe close drought 9/11 & grain futures down
1 St. John’s Danish Evangelical Lutheran Church, Our Congregation’s History: 1900-1950, Cordova, NE2 Interview with selected members related to original homesteaders
INFLUENCES of SOCIAL and TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS
Dates/Period
Generational Name
% in TELC % related to homesteader
s
% from Cordova area
1876-1898 Homestead 0 0 0
1899-1928 Lost 10 100 0
1929-1945 GIs 16 98 99
1946-1955 Boomers 1 11 98 99
1956-1965 Boomers 2 13 96 98
1966-1985 X’ers 19 96 98
1986-1995 Y’ers 18 94 98
1996-2002 Millenniums 13 100 0
Strauss, William and Howe, Neil, Generations-The History of America’s Future, 1584-2069, New York, Quill William Morrow Press, 1991, pages 79 & 89
INFLUENCES of SOCIAL and TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS
Generation Method of Communication
Primary Source of Information
Average Education
Homestead face to face newspaper 8th grade
Lost telegraph newspaper 10th grade
GIs party line telephone
radio 12th grade
Boomers 1 private line telephone
radio & TV 2 years of college
Boomers 2 telephone TV 4 years of college
X’ers telephone TV 4 years of college
Y’ers Internet Internet still in school
Millenniums Internet Internet still in school
INFLUENCES of SOCIAL and TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS
Strauss, William and Howe, Neil, Generations-The History of America’s Future, 1584-2069, New York, Quill William Morrow Press, 1991, pages 79 & 89
Generation
Personal Values
Family Values
Religious Values
Perception of others
Homestead
n/a n/a n/a n/a
Lost reverence family roots European tradition
provincial
GIs stability community roots
American traditions
progressive
Boomers 1
equality relevant relationships
local traditions competitive
Boomers 2
me first relevant relationships
local traditions competitive
X’ers my rights immediate gratification
meet pragmatic needs
fragmented
Y’ers give as little as possible
compassionate acceptance
community of acceptance
pluralistic
Millenniums
developing developing developing developing
Strauss, William and Howe, Neil, Generations-The History of America’s Future, 1584-2069, New York, Quill William Morrow Press, 1991, pages 79 & 89
INFLUENCES of SOCIAL and TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS
Influence 1 Medieval 1 Modern 1 Post-Modern 1
communication
handwritten printing press digital
idea of growth 1
fixed order change happens change evolves
religious expression 1
spirit/matter (dualistic)
mind/body (dualistic)
spirit-mind-body (pluralistic)
scientific expression 1
substantive atomic interdependent
labor practices
manual mechanical computerized
social structure 1
hierarchical reductionistic organic system
family structure 1
patriarchmulti generational
patriarchnuclear
mixedhead of household
1 Simpson & Van Gelder, Luther Seminary, GR7511 class notes, 2002
INFLUENCES of SOCIAL and TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS
Of those who use technological communication in our four county area:
40% use computers/internet 50% use cellular phones 70% listen to radio 100% watch TV
2000 Census - US Bureau of Census
INFLUENCES of SOCIAL and TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS
Of those who use personal transportation in our four county area:
24% drive >1 mile to TELC 19% drive >5 miles to TELC 45% drive >10 miles to TELC 12% drive >25 miles to TELC 6% are snowbirds
2002 TELC Demographic study of membership records
INFLUENCES of SOCIAL and TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS
Generations at TELC
Households related to homesteaders:
80% are related 50% of both spouses
are related 15% of X’ers & Y’ers
remain in their county after high school.
Generations in the four county area
Households related to homesteaders:
50% are related 25% of both spouses
are related 30% of X’ers & Y’ers
remain in their county after high school.
2002 TELC Demographic Study of membership records
INFLUENCES of SOCIAL and TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS
Generations at TELC
Households related to homesteaders:
95% of the farmers are related
80% of non-farmers are related
Generations in the four county area
Households related to homesteaders:
70% of the farmers are related
60% of non-farmers are related
2002 TELC Demographic Study of membership records
INFLUENCES of SOCIAL and TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS
Within TELC, social values of the generations related to homesteaders are, in general, similar to those of the Lost generation.
Within TELC, social values of generations not related to homesteaders are typical of other Americans.
Within TELC, social values of X’ers & Y’ers who attend college and leave Cordova are similar to those of other Americans.
INFLUENCES of SOCIAL and TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS
INFLUENCES of BIBLICAL PERCEPTION
INFLUENCES of BIBLICAL PERCEPTION
The influences of religious heritage and social and technological developments affect the way TELC members interpret the Bible, perceive the mission of the church, and practice ministry.
In adult studies, TELC members own and use NIV, NKJV, and NRSV Bibles, as well as bringing their ‘happy’ & ‘sad’ Dane Theology.
In August 2002, I lead a Bible study on Luke 24:13-49 -- Jesus’ resurrection appearance on the road to Emmaus.
12 members attended.
Most of the 12 had previously attended a five-session study on Erlander’s book, Baptized, We Live, which explains how Lutherans see, hear, teach and follow the Gospel.
INFLUENCES of BIBLICAL PERCEPTION
Luke 24:13-49 ~ Road to Emmaus Bible Study
Translational Model 2 Synthetic Model 2
Where is Jesus? 1 on the road to Emmaus with his two disciples
Who is Jesus? 1 the risen Lord a stranger
Why is Jesus hidden?
God blinds the men disciples grief stricken
What changes? 1 night comes men invite Jesus to stay
Jesus chooses to stay with is disciples
How is Jesus recognized? 1
men reason what Jesus says about messiah
Jesus’ wounds are exposed
Reaction of disciples
proud they recognized him excited Jesus is alive
Expectation of Jesus
personal enlightenment public witnesses
1 Gary Simpson, Luther Seminary, GR7511 2002 class notes on Luther’s Happy Exchange.
2 Class notes on Steven Bevans, Models of Contextual Theology New York, Maryknoll Press, 2002.
INFLUENCES of BIBLICAL PERCEPTION
Who do we say or think Jesus is?
Why is Jesus hidden from us?
What does Jesus expect us to do?
Graphics courtesy of Google.com
INFLUENCES of BIBLICAL PERCEPTION
Luke 24:13-49 ~ Road to Emmaus Bible Study
Where does Jesus reveal himself?
How does Jesus reveal himself?
Where does Jesus expect us to go from here?
Graphics courtesy of Google.com
INFLUENCES of BIBLICAL PERCEPTION
Luke 24:13-49 ~ Road to Emmaus Bible Study
Where do we find God?
Where does God find us?
Graphics courtesy of Google.com
INFLUENCES of BIBLICAL PERCEPTION
Luke 24:13-49 ~ Road to Emmaus Bible Study
How do we perceive God’s presence?
How do we perceive God’s Spirit acting?
How do we perceive God’s gifts?
How do we perceive God using strangers?
Graphics courtesy of Google.com
INFLUENCES of BIBLICAL PERCEPTION
Luke 24:13-49 ~ Road to Emmaus Bible Study
Luke 24:13-49 ~ Road to Emmaus Bible Study
Translational Model Synthetic Model
Where do we find God?
‘somewhere over the rainbow’ in the land of Oz
‘there’s no place like home’ after tornadic winds
God who controls the ‘great and powerful Oz’ standing behind the curtain
the courageous lion, who walks with Dorothy
God who saves Toto the dog, who runs to get help
the loving Tin man, who can’t stand to leave Dorothy
God who leads by example
Glenda the good witch, who uses the ruby slippers
the thoughtful Scarecrow, who gives of himself
Where does God find us?
in our dreams of Oz in the tornadic winds, near home
Gary Simpson, Luther Seminary, GR7511 class notes, 2002 Modification of Luther’s Happy Exchange
INFLUENCES of BIBLICAL PERCEPTION
Luke 24:13-49 ~ Road to Emmaus Bible Study
Ways we Know Christ and Make Christ Known:
Through worship
Through Education and prayer
Through Communication
Through hospitality
INFLUENCES of BIBLICAL PERCEPTION
INFLUENCES of BIBLICAL PERCEPTION
Practices of ministry through worship at TELC
Age & requirement to receive Holy Communion Prior to 2000 . . . . . . 14 years old (confirmation) In 2000 . . . . 10 years old (pastoral instruction)
Frequency of celebrating Holy Communion Prior to 1946 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 times a year Prior to 1960 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 time a month Since 2000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . every other Sunday
Annual Reports of TELC
Practices of ministry through worship at TELC
Sunday Worship & Communion Attendance In 1994 AWA . . . . . . . 104, 26% (63, 38% communing)
In 1996 AWA . . . . . . . .95, 29% (66, 29% communing)
In 1998 AWA . . . . . . . .91, 29% (83, 31% communing)
In 2000 AWA . . . . . . . 102, 35% (85, 51% communing)
In 2002 AWA . . . . . . 108, 38% (95, 52% communing)
2002 Annual Reports & Trends of TELC to ELCA
INFLUENCES of BIBLICAL PERCEPTION
Practices of ministry through education and prayer at TELC
Sunday School AttendanceIn 1994 AEA . . . . . . . . 50 adults & childrenIn 1998 AEA . . . . . . . . 43 adults & childrenIn 2000 AEA . . . . . . . . 54 adults & childrenIn 2002 AEA . . . . . . . . 85 adults & children
Prayer partners (begun 2001) . . . . .21 members Prayer partners (2002) . . . . . . . . . 27 members
2002 Annual Reports & Trends of TELC to ELCA
INFLUENCES of BIBLICAL PERCEPTION
To family & friends already members
To family and friends not yet members
To guests and newcomers
INFLUENCES of BIBLICAL PERCEPTION
Practices of ministry through communication at TELC
In 2002 weekly church bulletin In 2002 weekly newspaper stories In 2002 monthly church newsletter In 2002 church website, www.telcordova.org
INFLUENCES of BIBLICAL PERCEPTION
Prior to 2001 weekly church bulletin Prior to 2001 monthly newspaper announcement Prior to 2001 monthly church newsletter
Practices of ministry through communication at TELC
In 1998 AWA 91, 0 guests per month In 1999 AWA 98, 0 guests per month In 2000 AWA 100, 1 guest per month In 2001 AWA 105, 2 guests per month In 2002 AWA 117, 4 guests per month
Prior to 4/2002 . . . . . . . . no worship greetersSince 4/2002 . . . . . . 2 worship greeters/door
INFLUENCES of BIBLICAL PERCEPTION
Practices of ministry through hospitality at TELC
In 1998 no pre or post worship fellowship In 1999 no pre or post worship fellowship In 2000 no pre or post worship fellowship After 2001, pre worship fellowship, called
Solid Rock café, is hosted by our 26 Jr./Sr. high school students.
INFLUENCES of BIBLICAL PERCEPTION
Practices of ministry through hospitality at TELC
In 1998 0 Lenten suppers, 3 potlucksIn 1999 0 Lenten suppers, 3 potlucksIn 2000 1 Lenten supper, 3 potlucksIn 2001 1 Lenten supper, 5 potlucksIn 2002 6 Lenten suppers, 5 potlucks
INFLUENCES of BIBLICAL PERCEPTION
Practices of ministry through hospitality at TELC
Conclusion of perceptions and practices
Conclusion of perceptions and practices
Invite new comers to join us for worship, education, prayer, and hospitality.
Welcome and introduce ourselves to strangers when they join us.
Include guests in our community and God’s communion.
Photo courtesy of www.telcordova.com
New ways TELC can share God’s spirit:
Conclusion of perceptions and practices
God’s Spirit is more than “the winds of the past fanning the days the our future.”
Jesus says we are “witnesses of [all] these things,” happening now.
Luke 24:48
Bibliography
Bellah, Robert N. “Cultural Barriers to the Understanding of the Church and Its Public Role.” Missiology: An International Review 19 (1991) 461-473.
Bevans, S.B. Models of Contextual Theology New York: Maryknoll Press, 2002
Erlander, Daniel Baptized, We Live: Lutheranism as a Way of Life Chelan, WA, Holden Village, 1981.
Simpson, Gary, Critical Social Theory-Prophetic Reason, Civil Society, and Christian Imagination, Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2002.
Bibliography
Simpson, Gary and Van Gelder, Craig, Integration of Theology and Ministry, Luther Seminary, class notes by D.Min student, Rob Sachs, 7/29-8/3/2002.
St. John’s Danish Evangelical Lutheran Church, Our Congregation’s History: 1900-1950, Cordova, Nebraska.
Strauss, William and Howe, Neil, Generations-The History of America’s Future, 1584-2069, New York, Quill William Morrow Press, 1991.
Theodore G. Tappert, H., The Lutherans in North America, ed. Clifford E. Nelson, Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1975
Bibliography
Bibliography
The Venture Bible: New Revised Standard Version with Apocrypha, Folio Bound Views Software, distributed by Augsburg Press, Minneapolis, MN 1992-1994,
Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, 100th Anniversary: 1983 Service Bulletin, Cordova, Nebraska
Van Gelder, Craig “Defining the Center – Finding the Boundaries: The Challenge of Revisioning the Church in North America for the Twenty-First Century” Missiology: An International Review 22 (1994) 317-337.