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from the district pastor ...

Rev. Mark Jamison

In the previous issue, we discussed the expected outcomes for a House of Studies program to educate and train people for the public ministry. In this issue, we will look at the desired outcomes for laity being trained by the House of Studies for pulpit supply.

First, let's look at what should be the same for students preparing to be lay preachers as students preparing for the ordained public ministry.

A lay person also needs to learn how to distinguish between law and gospel in general, and more specifically, how to do that for a sermon text. They would also have to learn, like pastors do, that there is a second level of the law/gospel distinction done by the Holy Spirit in the hearts of the hearers of the Gospel.

They need to know the difference between law speaking and Gospel speaking in sermon rhetoric.

They have to learn what the theology of the cross is for preaching.

They have to learn the basics of sermon writing.

They need to know how to do public speaking.

Lay preachers would have to do most of the same readings for preaching that a pastors would have to do.

They have to understand the down to earth gift character of the sacraments so they could avoid the use of the Eucharistic prayer.

They need to have the same practicums on worship leadership, chanting, writing worship prayers, and Scripture reading as pastors do.

Next, let's look at what would be different in the curriculum for lay students at the House of Studies?

Fewer course readings in church history, Biblical studies, and systematics.

They would not have to learn Hebrew and Greek.

They would not be required to take courses in pastoral care or parish administration.

They would not do an extended internship, but would be supervised by a local pastor who was also their mentor.

In addition to preparing people for the public ministry and pulpit supply, the House of Studies will offer intensive continuing education events, and a lay academy for individuals who want a deeper, guided study of Scripture and the Lutheran confessions.

 

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THE AUGSBURG CONFESSION: The Son of God
Mark Jamison                                

As a continuation of the last newsletter article on Article 3 of the Augsburg Confession, "The Son of God," I would like to offer some other points of contact it has with contemporary American culture. At the risk of oversimplifying Article 3, it boils down to the Son of God being incarnated to offer himself as a sacrifice for our sins, thereby reconciling us to the Heavenly Father. These two themes of sacrifice and reconciliation are often found in popular cultural symbols as well as in real life experiences.
The children of Baby Boomers have grown up with the Star Wars saga. Most likely, their parents also have more than a passing knowledge of these movies. In episodes 4, 5, and 6, there is a special emphasis on the themes of sacrifice, reconciliation, and redemption. Luke Skywalker in "Return of the Jedi" is willing to sacrifice his own life rather than take the life of his enemy and estranged father, Darth Vader, caught in the grip of the dark side of the force. His willingness to give up his own life frees his father from evil and brings about reconciliation between them as Darth dies in his son's arms. In addition, the last two generations of the 20th century and the first one of the new Millennium have seen their comic book heroes come to life on the big screen. These heroes usually sacrifice some personal fulfillment in the form of love, marriage, family, and personal transparency for the sake of a cause greater than themselves, namely, justice and overcoming evil. In the Superman comic book and in the movie "The Matrix" there are savior figures who die saving the world and are resurrected. These suggestions are only the tip of the iceberg. The themes of Article 3 are all over the place. Even the most inane sitcom on TV can bring about reconciliation between characters in an hour or less.

But what is even more impressive is the correlation of Article 3 to the events of 9/11. The whole world now knows how Todd Beamers and his friends made sure the terrorist hijacked plane was not going to crash into the White House at the same time they knew they were going to die. The efforts of rescue workers who died trying to the save the lives of those trapped in the burning and collapsing World Trade towers will be forever etched into the American memory too. No one will forget the noble sacrifice of the Space Shuttle astronauts.

Both cultural symbols and real life then point to Article 3. And that is no accident. God made us in his image, and is conforming us into the likeness of Christ. So we can say to those outside the faith that the one who made us all holds nothing back even from those who don't trust him or love him back. We can say that the Son of God gave up all the splendor and majesty of heaven to become one of us, speak to us at our level, and put himself through what we experience, and to overcome it, even death itself. We can say that God was so bound and determined to love sinners even if it killed him, and in the person of his Son, it did. We can say to unbelief your culture and your real life experiences confirm these themes of Article 3.

Of course correlation to culture and real life may not give anyone faith. Nothing can take the place of the proclamation of the Gospel. But the correlation could be the starting point of a conversation as our witness to those outside the faith. To help that along, I listed some discussion questions below:

1. What examples of selfless sacrifice have you experienced or witnessed?

2. How would it make life better for people if they knew and trusted that the creative force and being that made everything understands them and has gone through human experience?

3. What does it feel like and mean to you to be reconciled with family members or friends? How are confession and forgiveness tied together in our lives?

4. If there is truly such a being as God, what sacrifices would you want God to make for you? What lengths would you want God to go to love and help you?

5. What are some causes people get caught up in, and even give up comfort and convenience to do so?

Rev. Mark G. Jamison is the District Pastor of the Augsburg Lutheran District, and the Senior Pastor of Hope Lutheran Church in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

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