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Theology of the Cross Informing a Fresh Missional Imagination

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Theology of the Cross Informing a Fresh Missional Imagination Luther Seminary Digital Commons @ Luther Seminary Doctor of Ministry Theses Student Theses 2020 Liberated for Mission: Theology of the Cross Informing a Fresh Missional Imagination Pamela M. Marolla Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.luthersem.edu/dmin_theses Part of the Christianity Commons, and the Practical Theology Commons Recommended Citation Marolla, Pamela M., "Liberated for Mission: Theology of the Cross Informing a Fresh Missional Imagination" (2020). Doctor of Ministry Theses. 59. https://digitalcommons.luthersem.edu/dmin_theses/59 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Student Theses at Digital Commons @ Luther Seminary. It has been accepted for inclusion in Doctor of Ministry Theses by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons @ Luther Seminary. For more information, please contact [email protected], [email protected]. LIBERATED FOR MISSION: THEOLOGY OF THE CROSS INFORMING A FRESH MISSIONAL IMAGINATION by PAMELA M. MAROLLA A Thesis Submitted to the Faculty of Luther Seminary In Partial Fulfillment of The Requirements for the Degree of DOCTOR OF MINISTRY ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA 2020 © 2020 by Pamela M Marolla All rights reserved ABSTRACT Liberated for Mission Theology of the Cross Informing a Fresh Missional Imagination by Pamela M. Marolla “How might an action research intervention cultivate a hermeneutic of missio Dei as it relates to baptismal vocation?” This study used mixed methods action research including interventions, questionnaires, Dwelling in the Word, and interviews. Biblical and theological lenses were God’s liberating nature, baptismal vocation, theology of the cross, missio Dei and more. Theoretical lenses were leadership theories, strengths, assets, hospitality, and imaginative interaction. Interventions were a sermon series, dwelling in the word, and contextual leadership. Through these the congregation gained understanding of the liberating nature of God through prophecy, reconciliation, being known, and their own place in missio Dei. ii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS This thesis would not have been possible without the support and encouragement of my husband, Hospice Chaplain, Reverend Vince Marolla. I simply could not have completed this work without the love of my life. He is kind, generous, and patient beyond measure. My love and gratitude are immeasurable. I am honored to thank the congregation referred to as GGLC in this thesis. They are unique beyond all my experience in their willingness to love and serve God and neighbor. I am profoundly thankful to congregational leadership and staff for allowing me the flexibility to take days off-site to read, study, and write. I am grateful for our adult children Christina and David. They grew up and moved out—freeing up enough of my time to tend to this work. I am so proud of the adults they have become and joyful for the light of Christ which shines brightly in them. I wish to thank Dr. Anderson and Dr. Luedke at Luther Seminary for helping me see this through to completion. Thank you to Peter Susag from Luther Seminary and Paul Marasa from Knox College for sharing your amazing proofreading skills. This work is in memory of Rev. Dr. Mons Teig who was a teacher, mentor, colleague, and friend. His life was a testimony to the love of God. I owe my deepest gratitude to God for giving me the will and the ability to do this work and for surrounding me with so “great a cloud of witnesses” (Heb. 12:1). iii TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT ........................................................................................................................ ii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ................................................................................................. iii LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS ............................................................................................ ix LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS ...............................................................................................x 1. INTRODUCTION .........................................................................................................1 Research Topic and Questions ..............................................................................2 Importance of this Research ..................................................................................3 Lenses ....................................................................................................................9 Baptismal Vocation ......................................................................................10 Missio Dei ....................................................................................................11 The Liberating Nature of God ......................................................................12 Theology of the Cross ..................................................................................13 Lex Orandi, Lex Credendi ............................................................................14 Leadership Theories .....................................................................................15 Assets and Strengths .....................................................................................15 Hospitality/Radical Hospitality ....................................................................17 Variables ..............................................................................................................18 Method, Methodology and Design ......................................................................19 The Challenge ......................................................................................................20 A History of Dominion ................................................................................20 Growth in our Region of the United States ..................................................25 Decline in Our Region of the United States .................................................26 The Intent of this Thesis ...............................................................................29 IRB and Other Ethical Considerations ................................................................29 Definitions ...........................................................................................................31 Assets ...........................................................................................................31 Baptismal Vocation ......................................................................................31 Dwelling in the Word ...................................................................................32 Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) ......................................32 Faith Formation ............................................................................................33 Frame/Reframing .........................................................................................33 Lex Orandi, Lex Credendi (Law of Prayer/Law of Belief) ..........................33 Liberation Theology .....................................................................................34 LGBT+ .........................................................................................................34 Means of Grace ............................................................................................35 Missio Dei (Mission of God) ........................................................................35 Reconciling in Christ ....................................................................................35 Rust Belt .......................................................................................................36 iv Strengths .......................................................................................................36 Theology of the Cross and Theology of Glory ............................................37 Word and Sacrament ....................................................................................38 Summary ..............................................................................................................38 2. HISTORY AND BACKGROUND .............................................................................39 Introduction to GGLC .........................................................................................39 Prairieville Community ................................................................................42 Religion in the Prairieville Community .......................................................46 Historic Ministries ........................................................................................48 Current Central Ministries of this Christian Community .............................50 Worship and Music ...............................................................................50 Faith Formation .....................................................................................51 Service to Community ..........................................................................51 Hospitality/Radical Hospitality .............................................................52 Organizational Structure at GGLC ...............................................................57 Organizational Question........................................................................58 Biblical and Theological Commitments of this Christian Community ...............58 Primary Opportunities, Dilemmas and Challenges .............................................59 Opportunities .........................................................................................60
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