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HERE WE STAND. Jesus is Lord! This confession of faith is on our minds as we prepare for our third annual gathering "Here We Stand!" July 20-22, 2003, at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church in Audubon, Iowa. Augsburg members believe that we are called to be faithful to Jesus Christ and his gospel, not to something else or someone else. This is the crux of the matter for Christians.

While some people nowadays ponder whether God is sending mankind a new message–one that is "updated" to conform to society's demands but not supported by Scripture–we stand firm on God's revelation in Christ, the Living Word. We are not called to trust friendly faces and false teaching. We are called by the Holy Spirit through the Gospel to proclaim the good news of salvation which God revealed in his Son, Jesus Christ, the Word of God.

The Claus Harms House Theological Studies Program will begin accepting students this fall. Pastor Mark Jamison, chair of the task force on curriculum, has prepared an initial list of guided readings in nine focused areas of study: Old Testament, New Testament, Lutheran Confessions, the Writings of Martin Luther, Systematic Theology, Church History, Preaching, Pastoral Care and Lutheran Worship. Students will work closely with a mentor-pastor in contextual settings during their studies, learning to apply their theological training in day-to-day pastoral situations.

Claus Harms House is located within the Chicago House of Studies on the University of Chicago campus in Hyde Park, Illinois.
 

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Claus Harms House
Board of Regents
Meet in Hyde Park

The Claus Harms House Board of Regents met in Hyde Park, Illinois, on June 24-25, 2003. The Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws for an Illinois Non-profit Organization were adopted by the Regents and signed by the Rev. Dr. James E. Galezewski, Oak Park, IL, the Rev. Gerald Nerenhausen, Oshkosh, WI, and the Rev. John H. G. Rasmussen, Lombard, IL. The Regents also adopted the constitution, bylaws and continuing resolutions presented by the Incorporation, Constitution and Fund Raising Task Force.

Rev. John Rasmussen was elected Chairman of the Board of Regents. The Regents elected Rev. Michael Williams Vice Chair, Mrs. Lenae Rasmussen Secretary, and Rev. Mark Jamison Treasurer. Rev. Gerald Nerenhausen, and Dr. Oliver K. Olson also serve on the Board of Regents. Dr. James Galezewski, the acting director, and Dr. Lynn Hubbard of the Chicago House of Studies are ex officio members of the Board of Regents.

The Board of Regents adopted a three part program, structure and framework consisting of a theological studies program, a church workers symposium, and a lay academy.

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THE THEOLOGICAL STUDIES PROGRAM
The Theological Studies Program provides a focused period of study in Lutheran confessional and practical theology within a seminarian's larger theological education. The program also provides intensive "face to face" training for its participants. This program is open to Lutheran seminarians during their years of study and also to individuals who have not attended a Lutheran seminary. The theological studies program curriculum will comply with the accepted academic standards for the "Master of Divinity" degree.

Goals:

To emphasize systematically the application of the witness of Scripture and the Lutheran confessions to contemporary problems and issues pastors will meet in the congregation.

To provide a perspective which is rooted in confessional Lutherans in the contemporary North American context ("Centrist Lutheran").

To provide education relevant to the practice of ministry in the Evangelical-Lutheran Church

To adhere to the hermeneutic founded on the distinction between Law and Gospel, the clarity of Scripture, and the normative character of the Lutheran confessions.

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THE CHURCH WORKERS SYMPOSIUM
A series of intensive continuing education events for ministers and called church workers. These events provide a forum for the development and honing of knowledge in scriptural studies, church history, the Lutheran confessions, and practical theology (pastoral care and counseling, church administration). Such events are scheduled for weekends and in three-day, midweek blocks—both at the Chicago facility and in other satellite and long-distance learning locations.

Goals:
To create a forum for common discussion and continuing education in all areas of theological study: history, systematics, Scriptural studies, confessional studies, and applied theology
To provide education relevant to the practice of ministry in the Evangelical-Lutheran Church
To increase knowledge of the issues crucial to them in today's culture.

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THE LUTHERAN LAY ACADEMY
The Academy is aimed at introducing members of Lutheran congregations to the richness of the Holy Scriptures, the Lutheran Confessions and the history of the Church. One to two-day courses (mostly on weekends) will be offered at various locations throughout the year. One-week courses will be offered during the summer, both at the Chicago facility and in other satellite locations.

A distance education-based, non-degree certificate in Theological Studies is offered for lay people through the House of Studies. This program is aimed at introducing active congregation members to a deeper level of theological training. Reading courses are mentored by mail and email, while local clergy provide auxiliary support for the student. Three one week courses are required at the Claus Harms House in Chicago. The program normally lasts between two and three years.

Goals:
To teach Confessional Lutheran theology through intensive workshops and courses.

In addition, goals in the Lutheran Lay Academy theological studies certificate program include:
To prepare committed lay people for focused and informed service to God in the Church
To teach Confessional Lutheran theology through directed reading, intensive workshops and courses and graded examinations.
 

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Claus Harms House Goals:

foster through its programs the proclamation of the Word of God in its purity as recorded in the canonical scriptures of the Old and New Testaments and witnessed by the confessional writings of the Evangelical-Lutheran church as the sole authoritative source and norm of proclamation, faith, and life;

adhere to a sound biblical, evangelical, confessional, and pastoral hermeneutic which is founded on the distinction between Law and Gospel, the clarity of Scripture, and the normative character of the Lutheran confessions in all matters of curriculum, faculty composition, teaching methodologies, and administrative operations;

present the legitimate uses and limitations of the various methods of biblical exegesis and scholarship;

assist ecclesial bodies, clergy fellowships, and local churches in providing persons who are academically qualified to be called to the ministry of word and sacrament;

promote and offer biblically and confessionally integrated programs for the continuing professional development of clergy and church workers, the development of lay leadership, and the general public;

develop and maintain collegial and inter-disciplinary relationships and forums in order to share the unique contribution and practical application of Lutheran theology in other areas such as pastoral care and counseling, community building, administration, science, the arts, etc.;

model and nurture the ethos of "servant ministry" following our Lord, who "came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many" (Mark 10:45; Matthew 20:28);

provide a theologically sound residential program as the primary emphasis of Claus Harms House while offering quality alternative programs that bring theological training and continuing education to people in ways that overcome barriers of distance;

set and maintain rigorous and uniform standards for all faculty, students, and programs;

work cooperatively with other houses of studies, seminaries, church bodies, and ecclesial entities in order to fulfill the purpose and goals of Claus Harms House;

develop and maintain an outcome based program structure and framework for Claus Harms House that is compatible with its purpose and goals.

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Claus Harms House Outcomes:

Claus Harms House shall pursue its goals and objectives in light of the following desired outcomes for clergy and laity.

1. Ministers trained under the auspices of Claus Harms House are expected to —
    
   • demonstrate a thorough knowledge and conversation with the content and context of the text of the Bible and the Book of Concord;
      
   • understand and embrace the distinction between Law and Gospel and the doctrine of the clarity of scripture as the essential foundation of a sound and confessional hermeneutic, i.e., one that upholds the biblical Word as the inspired Word of God and as the self-authenticating subject of interpretation rather than its object;
      
   • demonstrate competence in the science and art of biblical exegesis and skill and discernment in the use of the various exegetical methods and scholarly tools which aid the expositor of scripture.
      
   • demonstrate the ability to distinguish homiletically between Law and Gospel in a sermon text as well as the ability to distinguish between "Law speaking" and "Gospel speaking" in sermon rhetoric (i.e., the distinction between the use of language that demands righteousness and exposes sin as opposed to the use of unconditional promissory language which forgives sins and grants life and salvation);
      
   • demonstrate growth in the ability to conduct all aspects of the ministry of word and sacrament as a theologian of the cross rather than as a theologian of glory;
      
   • demonstrate the ability publicly to preach the Word, to administer the sacraments, and to lead the divine service clearly and effectively in accordance with a proper understanding of the preaching office and the theology of worship;
      
   • demonstrate discernment and maturity in the art of distinguishing between Law and Gospel in pastoral and spiritual care, a perception of the difference between pastoral care and pastoral counseling, and proficiency in the use of basic listening and care-giving skills.
      
2. Laity trained under the auspices of Claus Harms House are expected to —

have a thorough knowledge of the Bible and the Lutheran confessions, especially Luther's Small Catechism of 1529;

have a basic understanding of the nature and importance of the distinction between Law and Gospel for Christian proclamation and life;

have a basic understanding of the nature and importance of the difference between being a theologian of the cross and being a theologian of glory;

have a basic understanding of the divine service, and develop basic skills in public speaking and recitation for congregational leadership and worship participation.

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