This week’s blog expands on two points Kent made last week: I make one assumption, namely, that most “compact congregations” have one pastor and no “second chair” paid staff (in LCMS jargon, no commissioned minister on staff). As I mulled over this topic, the words of the hymn, Hark, the Voice of Jesus Calling (Lutheran […]
The challenges for compact congregations in developing robust catechumenates are apparent, as we have expressed in this series’ first two posts. We turn to addressing collaborative opportunities that would allow compact congregations to address those challenges. The first opportunity is for congregations to collaborate in developing an adult catechumenate. These could be congregations in the […]
This week we are taking a break from our series on “Compact Congregations,” as both of us have been traveling. I’m recently returned from Pewaukee, Wisconsin where I attended the annual gathering of the Lutheran Deaconess Conference, whose membership is deaconesses trained by the Lutheran Diaconal Association, founded in 1919. One of the highlights of […]
Last week Kent outlined some of the challenges that face “compact” (aka, small) congregations: lethargy that impedes change; the small number of adult catechumens; congregational isolation and American individualism; and conflict within a congregation. Today’s post considers a compact congregation’s challenges with regard to the staffing, time, and energy required to introduce a robust catechumenal […]
Last week I (Kent) provided an introduction to this series on creating a catechumenal vision in compact congregations. We will address the challenges and opportunities in these contexts, where the majority of LCMS churches reside. So, first, this week and the next, the challenges. I will address challenges attendant on these compact congregational contexts. Next […]
Two years ago I lead a workshop in Ottawa, Kansas (shout-out to Pastor Tim Roth and the people of Faith, Ottawa) and being in that small town setting resurfaced questions that have been asked throughout the entire 8 plus years that Rhoda and I have been working on the catechumenate. It was a question raised […]
Dr. Kent Burreson’s workshop on the adult catechumenate, part of Concordia Seminary’s Prof Insights Series, will be in Vesper, Wisconsin. Located in central Wisconsin, Vesper is 30 miles west of Stevens Point. The workshop is hosted by Trinity Lutheran Church. Deadline: MONDAY, JULY 7Dates of the workshop: Starts Monday, July 21at noon; ends at noon […]
On June 9, one of my former students from Concordia University, St. Paul, DCE Jackie Druckhammer, texted me today’s banner photo. Her pastor had pre-ordered copies of our book for the church staff at St. John Lutheran Church, Vancouver, Washington. Pictured from left to right are DCE David Schrampfer, Pastor Brian Larson, and Office Administrator […]
We’re pleased to announce that Kent will be leading a workshop on the adult catechumenate next month in Vesper, Wisconsin, as part of Concordia Seminary’s Prof Insights Series. Located in central Wisconsin, Vesper is 30 miles west of Stevens Point. The workshop is hosted by Trinity Lutheran Church. Cost: $150.00 Dates: Noon, Monday, July 21 […]
In Rhoda’s last blog she highlighted the Paschal Mystery as unpacked in various themes by Kim Belcher in her essay “A Theology of Christian Initiation.” In this our final post on A Pastoral Theological Commentary on the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (Chicago, Liturgy Training Publications), I take up Maxwell Johnson’s final essay in […]