ELCA Hosts Special Convocations of Teaching Theologians, Bishops

CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Every other year since 1990, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Division for Ministry has hosted a Convocation of Teaching Theologians. It plans to host two special convocations exploring what the church means by "teaching theologians," what teaching theologians do for the church and what forms "oversight" takes in the Lutheran church.
"After a decade of experience, the Convocation of Teaching Theologians is asking basic questions about its own role and about the contribution of teaching theologians to the ongoing life of the ELCA," said the Rev. Darrell H. Jodock, chair of the convocation's planning committee. "Can teaching theologians contribute in ways that they have not up to this point? Can they be engaged in other ways -- beyond educating pastors and college-age students -- in the total teaching ministry of the church? If so, how?"
The first convocation will be held Aug. 17-19 at Carthage College, Kenosha, Wis., one of 28 colleges and universities of the ELCA. The second will be held Jan. 4-7 in conjunction with the annual academy of the ELCA Conference of Bishops. The Conference of Bishops includes the church's presiding bishop, secretary and the bishops of the ELCA's 65 synods.
Past convocations involved about 60 members of the ELCA who teach theology in colleges and seminaries, six bishops and about 10 staff members of the ELCA's churchwide offices in Chicago. A similar group is expected at the Kenosha gathering.
Three Lutheran churches merged to form the ELCA in 1988, so one purpose for convocations has been to have the teaching theologians of the previous church bodies get to know one another, said Jodock, religion professor at Gustavus Adolphus College, St. Peter, Minn., a college of the ELCA. Convocations have served that purpose well, he said.
Now it's time to focus on a second purpose -- "to address issues of importance to the church," said Jodock. There is a perception "that teaching theologians had not played as significant a role as they could have" while the ELCA struggled with issues of human sexuality and of the role of bishops in the Lutheran church, he said.
"This summer's convocation is an extra-ordinary meeting, made possible by a grant from the Wabash Center for Teaching and Learning in Theology and Religion," said the Rev. Mark Wilhelm, associate director for theological education, ELCA Division for Ministry. The theme of the special convocation is "The Vocation of Teaching Theologians in the ELCA."
Scholarly sessions in Kenosha will follow four topics: + The Task and Contribution of the Teaching Theologian in the Lutheran Church: How Are They Different (Historically and Theologically) from Other Denominational Traditions? + Given the Particularities of Our Ecclesial and Cultural Context, What is the Most Appropriate Understanding of the Vocation and Role of Teaching Theologians? + The Task of Teaching: How are the Distinctive Principles of Lutheranism Best Communicated? What Pedagogical Resources Can be Mined Out of the Lutheran Tradition? + Teaching Theologically Controversial Topics.
Seven speakers will address the August convocation: + Rev. Herbert E. Anderson, Seattle, retired professor of pastoral theology, Catholic Theological Union, Chicago + Dr. Mark U. Edwards Jr., retired president of St. Olaf College, Northfield, Minn. + Dr. Kenneth Hagen, Lake Mills, Wis., retired professor of historical theology, Marquette University, Milwaukee + Rev. Gordon S. "Tim" Huffman Jr., professor of Christian mission, Trinity Lutheran Seminary, Columbus, Ohio + Rev. Patrick R. Keifert, professor of systematic theology, Luther Seminary, St. Paul, Minn. + Rev. Charles H. Maahs, bishop of the ELCA's Central States Synod, Shawnee Mission, Kan. + Dr. Susan W. McArver, assistant professor of educational ministry and church history, Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary, Columbia, S.C.
The January academy will build on the August convocation, said the Rev. Jonathan P. Strandjord, director for theological education, ELCA Division for Ministry. In addition to the roles of theologians, the academy will look at the roles of oversight or the roles of bishops in the Lutheran church.
The two meetings constitute a "very timely and promising conversation" that could grow in momentum across the ELCA, Strandjord said. "Teaching theologians and bishops are interested in how to better serve the church" in their U.S. context. He said they share a desire to weave theological reflection into the fabric of the church.
"How can bishops and teaching theologians understand their roles and each other's roles in order to serve the church more effectively?" Strandjord asked. "This is no trivial question," he said.
"Teaching theologians play an important role in the Lutheran church," said Strandjord. "Martin Luther was a university professor. That was his vocation."
At the Convocation of Teaching Theologians in August 2000, participants talked about the content, structure and frequency of future convocations. Annual convocations, convocations planned with the ELCA Conference of Bishops, and convocations of hundreds of theologians every five or 10 years were some possibilities participants proposed for the future.
"It is likely that a regular convocation will be held in August 2002," said Jodock. "The planning committee will seek to put into practice whatever has come from the discussions this August and next January," he said. -- -- -- For information contact: John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG http://listserv.elca.org/archives/elcanews.html