CHICAGO (ELCA) -- "Spiritual But Not Religious: Reaching 'Lost' Generations" is the theme of a series of lectures to be presented February through May on the eight seminary campuses of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). Tom Beaudoin and the Rev. Roland D. Martinson will present the 2001 Hein-Fry Lecture Series.
Beaudoin authored "Virtual Faith: The Irreverent Spiritual Quest of Generation X." His investigation of the popular culture shows how young adults are operating according to a theology radically different from that which shaped the church of their parents and grandparents.
Beaudoin earned a master's degree in theological studies from Harvard Divinity School, Cambridge, Mass., in 1996 and is currently working toward a doctorate in religion and education at Boston College, Boston.
Martinson is a professor of pastoral care and the Carrie Olson Baalson professor of children, youth and family ministry, Luther Seminary, St. Paul, Minn. He is a member of the National Council on Family Relations.
Martinson's works include "Gearing Up for Youth Ministry in the 21st Century" (1992); "Effective Youth Ministry, A Congregational Approach" (1988); and "Bringing Up Your Child and Ministries with Families" (1986).
"Martinson and Beaudoin are excited to be working together and have collaborated closely to develop complementary lectures," said the Rev. Jonathan P. Strandjord, director for theological education, ELCA Division for Ministry. The lecture series is coordinated through the division.
"Martinson will take a pastoral care approach, making use of his current major research on how young adults make meaning out of their interactions with popular culture," said Strandjord. Beaudoin will take a systematic tack, using resources from well-known Lutheran theologians, to shape "a fresh theology of culture," he said. "Together, these lecturers should help the church uncover crucial questions that can guide us in mission to younger generations."
Martinson will launch the lecture series Feb. 1 at Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary, Columbia, S.C.
Beaudoin will speak Feb. 8 at Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg, Pa.; Feb. 20 at Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia; Feb. 23 at Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary, Berkeley, Calif.; and March 5 at Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago.
Martinson will continue the series April 19 at Wartburg Theological Seminary, Dubuque, Iowa; April 24 at Luther Seminary, St. Paul, Minn.; and May 2 at Trinity Lutheran Seminary, Columbus, Ohio.
The Hein-Fry Lecture Series predates the ELCA which was formed in 1988. The endowed theological lecture series fosters original scholarship and enriches theological dialogue throughout the church. It combines the Dr. Carl Christian Hein Memorial Seminary Lectures of the former American Lutheran Church and the Franklin Clark Fry Theological Lectures of the former Lutheran Church in America. The Fry series continues and expands on the Knubel-Miller-Greever Lectures. --- --- ---
The Web page at http://www.elca.org/DM/hf/heinfry.html has information about the lecture series.
For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://listserv.elca.org/archives/elcanews.html
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About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:
The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with 2.8 million members in more than 8,500 worshiping communities across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of "God's work. Our hands.," the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA's roots are in the writings of the German church reformer Martin Luther.
For information contact:
Candice Hill Buchbinder
Public Relations Manager
Candice.HillBuchbinder@ELCA.org
