Theological education isn’t only for our rostered leaders. Two ELCA synods describe the wide- reaching benefits and blessings for churches and for communities that come from ongoing theological education for laypeople.
What would happen if learning-hungry lay leaders revisited their Lutheran identity and the biblical story with others from their synod, while being taught by the best teachers from across the ELCA?
Ask this of two ELCA synods, the Northwest Synod of Wisconsin and the Central States Synod. They are strong examples of what synods can do to support lay leadership in better articulating and living out their faith in a complicated and challenging world. Both have an intentional focus on developing lifelong learning opportunities for laity. In fact, the Central States Synod even invites lay leaders to participate in all synodical lifelong learning events. This includes the annual Bishop’s Convocation, which typically is held for only rostered leaders. And both synods have developed intensive lay school programs to offer opportunities for laity to upgrade their theological literacy.
Anything but Lightweight
“We really were struggling with: If we’re a confessional church and we’re identified by what we believe, then somehow we have to provide opportunities for people when they are adults to revisit their own faith formation and faith journey with others,” says Pastor Greg Kaufmann, assistant to the bishop of the Northwest Synod of Wisconsin and director of the Lay School of Ministry.
The struggle led to the birth of the Lay School of Ministry (LSM), “to prepare theologically articulate lay persons for ministry in daily life” and for the tasks of discernment which Paul speaks of in Romans 12:2: “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God.” According to Kaufmann, LSM tears down the artificial wall between Christian education and theological education. Lifelong learning, if taken seriously, begins at birth and realizes that theological education is at the heart of how the church equips the entire body of Christ for daily living.
The curriculum is anything but lightweight. Learners attend one weekend each month for two years and study systematics, church history, Bible study, worship, and spiritual formation. The program includes a mentoring requirement to foster deeper theological discussion between the learner and the home pastor about the deep intersection of faith and life. This kind of intentional theological reflection that encourages grappling with difficult questions is often transformational.
“For me, halfway through my second year I couldn’t take it anymore,” says Dan Strehlau, one LSM participant. “I couldn’t sit in the pew and be an observer, I had to be involved. I felt like I was wasting my knowledge by not being involved. That is what led me to youth and family ministry.”
Theological education is at the heart of how the church equips the entire body of Christ for daily living.
“I found it helpful in developing a personal systematic-theology faith profile,” says Hal Davis, another participant. “I think I have a faith understanding that works for me in a way that I did not have before. It goes beyond knowing and understanding and accepting Christ as Savior. It helps to see how our faith permeates every part of life.”
Engaging the World Theologically
Because of stories like these and the desire of lay school learners to maintain an engagement in theological discussion and reflection, the LSM has added a continuing education component.
“We have it because after four years or so of people going through two years of study together, they asked, ‘How come you built this to look like adult confirmation with only two years of study?’” says Kaufmann. “So we put together a continuing education year.”
Now in its sixteenth year, the
Lay School of Ministry is going strong, assisting their participants to engage the world theologically and to participate more fully in the life of the whole church.
Embracing Paradox
The Parish Ministry Associates Program of the Central States Synod was originally created to equip Parish Ministry Associates for service in congregations unable to call a pastor. Now the program has expanded to invite the participation of all others who seek deeper theological reflection and biblical study.
“There has been a lock on the executive washroom of theological education for laity,” says Marianne Wilkinson, associate in ministry and assistant to the bishop. “Our program swings the door open and says: Come on in and learn!”
“Lutherans embrace paradox all the way and some need to develop comfort with this kind of ambiguity,” she adds. “One of the most effective Lutheran theological words is
and. People need to be given permission to think this way. That is why programs like lay schools exist.”
If we have educated lay leaders, ministry can be expanded in all sorts of ways.
The Parish Ministry Associate (PMA) training is a three-year curriculum with core courses in Old Testament; New Testament; theology, Lutheran confessions, polity; Christian ethics; spiritual care and ministry; worship; and preaching. Participants are required to take elective courses in a variety of areas, including church administration, education ministry, mission development, faith formation, and interim ministry.
Resources
Parish Ministry Associates
Parish Ministry Associates is a program of the Central States Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America that was begun in 1993. It has been growing steadily ever since as people respond to God’s call to serve in the local / larger church community. Many PMAs serve within their own congregations. Others are active in other congregations or church bodies through authorization of the Synod Bishop.
Select Multimedia Resources
Both the Lay School of Ministry and the Parish Ministry Associates program utilize resources from Select Multimedia. Select offers a wide variety of online courses for individuals and DVD resources designed for use by small groups. If you’re looking for material to supplement your Book of Faith emphasis at your congregation, Marianne Wilkinson strongly recommends the DVD by Mark Allan Powell titled, “How Lutherans Interpret the Bible.” | |
Brisker Walk with Jesus
Some PMAs may be authorized by the bishop to serve in congregations unable to call a pastor. They always do so under the supervision of an ordained pastor, functioning in a variety of settings, including parish ministry, interim ministry, mission development, and clustered parishes of three to five churches. Others have served in education, community outreach, and as call process ministers. Most, however, use their theological learning and experience in home congregations, for the wider church, and through their daily vocations in the world.
“The PMA Program helped me grow in my own faith — from the faith of a child to a curious, learning faith,” says Judy Hill. “Since taking the classes and intense Bible study each week, the Spirit inside of me has come alive. That Spirit—the joy of salvation — spreads to all around me.” Hill served as mayor of Jamestown, Kansas, for 16 years.
“The program provided an impetus for a ‘brisker walk with Jesus’ where we have been able to communicate at a deeper level engaging in new, and even more challenging, questions about life, Scripture, ministry, and faith,” says Alan Walter, another participant.
“I like to say that each congregation needs at least six PMAs,” says Wilkinson. “If we have educated lay leaders, ministry can be expanded in all sorts of ways.”
“PMAs are people from the culture they are serving,” says Wilkinson. That means they have a step-up in more articulately explaining their Christian faith, especially once they have a more solid foundation of theological education and biblical studies.
“I think that the future of the church depends on the lay folks,” says Wilkinson. “And, I think that providing them grounding in education is one of the most important things we can be about.”
Sue Lang, an ELCA pastor and writer, works as a consultant in leadership and congregational support through RevWriter Resources, LLC. She makes her home in Perkasie, Pennsylvania.