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LEARN WHERE YOU LIVE. STUDY WHERE YOU SERVE.

Prepare for your ministry alongside peers and professors, wherever you are.

Luther Seminary’s unparalleled flexibility allows you to build your seminary experience around your life, not the other way around.

Earn your seminary degree in a community of learners, whether you’re at home, on campus, or halfway around the world, and without going into debt. Choose full time or part time, in-person or distance learning—whatever suits your family, work, and commitments.

Get started at luthersem.edu/admissions. The seminary’s 150-year history comes to life in a new book. See page 18.

A Luther Seminary student explores her calling through art. See page 14. CONTENTS

FEATURES LUTHER SEMINARY 2019 annual report 9

Creative spirit: How art as a spiritual practice On the cover: During the 2019–20 academic year, deepens community bonds 14 Luther Seminary is celebrating its sesquicentennial. Luther The Great Depression, World War II, represents a number of different predecessor seminaries, the and the shifting forms of seminary education 18 oldest of which (Augsburg Seminary) traces its founding back 150 years to 1869, as noted Faith+Lead: Connecting faithful on the sesquicentennial seal. leaders in a secular age 22 All photos are by Courtney Perry unless otherwise indicated.

IN EVERY ISSUE Letter from the president 4 News and events 5 Faculty and staff notes 24 Alumni news 26

WINTER 2019 3 Luther Seminary educates leaders for Christian communities called and sent by the Holy Spirit to witness to salvation through Jesus Christ and to serve in God’s world.

Editor Laura Swanson Lindahl

Contributing Writers 150 YEARS OF GRACE Katie Langston ’21 M.Div. Dear Friends, Lara Moll ’21 M.A. Katelynn O’Connell ’22 M.A. This fall marks the 150th year of Luther Seminary’s mission to educate leaders John Weirick for Christian communities. Layout and Design The world has changed significantly during the past century and a half. Elizabeth Kästner We’ve moved from an agrarian economy to an industrial economy to a service Jen Nagorski economy. Cultural trends continue to evolve. Technology has advanced at rates unprecedented in human history. In the church, we’ve seen similar shifts. Church bodies have formed, Luther Seminary, one of the seven dissolved, and merged. Ecumenism has flourished and waned. We are asking seminaries of the Evangelical Lutheran new questions: What does it mean to cultivate Christian identity and practice Church in America, is accredited by the Association of Theological Schools in in an increasingly secular age? How do we prepare leaders who can connect the United States and Canada and the people enduring the stresses and strains of an overly scheduled, overworked life, North Central Association of Colleges with Jesus, the giver of life? In what ways can we continue to rediscover the Holy and Schools. Spirit’s movement in this time and place? In this edition of Story, see how God is using Luther Seminary students, Story is published two times per year. faculty, staff, and alumni to respond to challenges in our contemporary culture. Get an inside look at the new digital learning hub we’ve launched for rostered Send correspondence concerning Story and lay leaders across the church (see page 22). Plus, look back on the robust to [email protected] or call legacy of Luther Seminary with an excerpt from Professor Mark Granquist’s 651-641-3520. new book, “A History of Luther Seminary: 1869–2019” (see page 18). There is no question that the next century and a half will be just as disruptive Office of Marketing and Communications as the previous century and a half has been. But we trust in the promise of Jesus Luther Seminary Christ to abide with us! Luther Seminary will continue to bear witness to the 2481 Como Avenue gospel by preparing leaders who are ready to discover what God has in store St. Paul, MN 55108 for the church and world—just as we’ve always done. For address or subscription changes, call 651-641-3448. Peace,

Robin J. Steinke President

4 STORY NEWS AND EVENTS

20 M.A. ' BRANDON WOLLER PHOTOSBY

Beloved Community Institute celebrates second year

The Beloved Community Institute’s second gathering occurred May 3–5 and drew 30 creative artists and performers to Luther Seminary from across the U.S. to explore the intersection of faith, justice, and art. This year’s theme was “Healing Justice,” and the event included speakers, workshops, and worship services that centered on voices of color and other marginalized communities. Poets, dancers, rappers, singers, and visual artists worked to create spaces where attendees were encouraged to speak honestly and heal from racial trauma.

SHEPHERD NAVI assumes an artist-in-residence role Students apply for artist-in-residence Luther Seminary’s newest artist-in-residence Shepherd Navi ‘21 M.Div. is positions that accompany reinterpreting traditional pieces of religious art for contemporary audiences. renewable scholarships. These scholar-artists Navi’s work “Painting Jesus Brown” was installed in Northwestern Hall in principally work in one of September. Navi painted a 4-foot replica of Bertel Thorwaldsen’s “Christus” the visual arts—painting, statue, once ubiquitous in Midwestern churches, as a meditation on the drawing, photography, racialization of the Body of Christ in 21st-century America. His next art ceramics, and others—but installation is expected in Spring 2020. are not limited to only

these media. COURTESYPHOTO

WINTER 2019 5 FAITHFUL WORKING PREACHER PRESENTS: INNOVATION The Craft of Preaching SUMMIT Preachers from across the United States LAUNCHES gathered at Working Preacher Presents: The Craft of Preaching to focus on practical Luther Seminary hosted the first sermon skills in a collaborative environment. Faithful Innovation Summit at This year’s October conference, hosted by the University of St. Thomas in Luther Seminary at Gloria Dei Lutheran downtown Minneapolis. Nearly Church in St. Paul, Minnesota, featured 200 faith leaders from across the preaching experts Shauna Hannan, associate United States gathered in July to professor of homiletics at California Lutheran address the challenge of forming University, and Luther Seminary’s Associate Christian identity and practice in Professor of Biblical Preaching Joy Moore and the 21st century. One attendee said Professor of New Testament Matthew Skinner. the summit provided “practical skills Karoline Lewis ’94 M.Div., associate professor and insights for being a church in and Marbury E. Anderson Chair of Biblical our time, connections with other Preaching, served as host of the event, where like-minded key leaders, and an workshops and master classes provided invitation to a community beginning space for attendees to listen and learn. to think and work in these ways.” They also participated in small group If you missed the 2019 gathering, discussions and received feedback to videos of keynote speeches, case hone their preaching abilities. stories from innovative leaders, as well as event handouts are BEN MCDONALD COLTVET MCDONALD BEN Videos of the Craft of Preaching are available for $7 through the available on the seminary’s YouTube summit’s all-access digital pass. Apply the summit’s findings to

PHOTOBY channel, youtube.com/lutherseminary. your own ministry context. Access the digital pass at luthersem.edu/ summit. Welcoming Luther Seminary’s NEW STUDENTS SAVE THE DATE Join us at the 2020 Faithful Luther Seminary greeted the incoming Innovation Summit June 24–26 class for Fall 2019. The class consists of in the Twin Cities. See early bird students from around the globe, from prices and register at Minnesota to Myanmar and from North luthersem.edu/summit. Carolina to Namibia. New students BRANDON WOLLER '20 M.A. '20 WOLLER BRANDON participated in a pancake breakfast, yoga, a healthy boundaries workshop, campus

PHOTOBY tours, and worship services.

6 STORY NEWS AND EVENTS

INAUGURAL MDIVX COHORT BEGINS STUDIES

From seven regions, 15 ELCA synods, and a variety of other denominations, Luther Seminary’s first MDivX students began their accelerated Master of Divinity program this summer. In this “holy experiment” to reimagine theological education during a time of widespread changes, these COURTESYPHOTOS pioneering students will complete a full 30-course M.Div. degree in 24 months while also participating in part-time congregational internships. Courses are offered in a variety of formats, including in-person intensive sessions, online classes, and hybrid options. Luther Seminary designed MDivX to attract applicants who are spiritually strong, innovative, and inclusive. Thanks to a generous donor, the program is fully funded, CHAPEL AND providing students with full-tuition scholarships and stipends for living expenses, books, computer software, BOOK READING and immersive travel experiences. This will allow students to graduate from the program without taking on additional ‘Dear Church’ personal debt. Students will also be paid for their In September, Luther Seminary welcomed Lenny internships in accordance with ELCA standards. Duncan, who spoke in morning chapel and read from his book, “Dear Church: A Love Letter from a Black Preacher to the Whitest Denomination in the U.S.,” at an evening reception. Duncan explored topics like cultural and demographic shifts, church decline, and renewal through racial equality and justice. Shifting demographics and shrinking congregations make headlines, but Duncan sees something else at work— drawing a direct line between the church’s lack of diversity and the church’s lack of vitality. The problems the ELCA faces are theological, not sociological, he says. But so are the answers. “Dear Church” rejects the current narrative of church decline and calls everyone— leaders and laity alike—to the front lines of the church’s renewal. Duncan is a writer, activist, and preacher serving Jehu’s Table in Brooklyn, New York.

New MDivX students attended orientation in June.

WINTER 2019 7 NEWS AND EVENTS

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE Guest speakers expand 2019 Alumni Award winners GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE This fall at Luther Seminary, guest speakers The Alumni Award for Leadership, Witness, and Service visited St. Paul, Minnesota, to deliver recognizes Luther Seminary graduates who live out the mission presentations about the work of Lutheran and vision of the seminary. Since 1991, the Luther Seminary institutions and churches around the world. Alumni Council has presented awards to individuals nominated One of these speakers by their peers. was Elieshi Ayo Mungure ’07, who earned a doctorate This year’s honorees: in pastoral care and Brian Crockett ’89 M.Div. has been a pastor at Brevig counseling at Luther. Mission and Teller Lutheran Church in the Alaska

Mungure is the area M.A. ’22 O’CONNELL KATELYNN Synod’s Northwest Coast for more than 25 years. secretary for Africa in the Most pastors serve remote congregations for less than five Lutheran World Federation’s

years due to the unique challenges of ministry in often-extreme department for mission and PHOTOBY conditions. During his years in ministry, Crockett has increased development. Mungure preached in chapel the availability of worship opportunities in his tiny village. He about being grateful in all circumstances. immersed himself in the culture, learning not only the language Her presentation was followed by a lunch and songs but also the customs and traditions of the Inupiat forum, where students, faculty, and staff people. This ability to listen and learn from his neighbors has were invited to hear more about her work produced stronger ties to the Inupiat people he partners with with the Lutheran World Federation and the and increased insight about cultural and social issues that broader church. accompany life in the Arctic. Several weeks later, Luther Seminary was pleased to welcome Munib Younan, bishop Michael Lembke ’82 M.Div. served as a senior emeritus of the Evangelical Lutheran Church chaplain for the U.S. military while modeling God’s in Jordan and the Holy Land and former call to live together. During multiple combat tours in president of the Lutheran World Federation. Bosnia, Iraq, and Kuwait, Lembke demonstrated courage and During chapel, Younan preached about the vision, using his ability to minister to soldiers in war-torn areas power of prayer. and form interfaith relationships between the United States, international religious leaders, and local communities. Lembke was instrumental in a number of innovative initiatives, including interfaith meetings and “Religion Matters” conferences. He also Winter graduation created the prototype for a spiritual fitness center for military bases. Luther Seminary honored its winter graduates with a celebration that included family, fellow students, staff, and faculty. Nominate a Luther Seminary This special service of holy communion graduate for an award was held December 11 in the seminary’s Chapel of the Incarnation. Dean of Students Visit luthersem.edu/alumni, select “Alumni News and David Fenrick ’94 M.A. preached on Advent Awards,” then follow steps to submit your nomination texts, and President Robin Steinke presided. for an Alumni Award by April 30. Following the service, community members shared a meal in Olson Campus Center.

8 STORY 2019 ANNUAL REPORT

The Holy Spirit calls Luther Seminary to lead faithful innovation for the sake of the gospel of Jesus Christ in a rapidly changing world. —Luther Seminary vision statement

n 2018–19, Luther Seminary entered a period of increasing ways in which God is calling us, we are making decisions now strength and sustainability—all while making the that will allow us to be sustainable for generations to come. innovative adjustments needed to train leaders for Of course, there is more work to do. As the church Christian communities in a changing church and world. and culture change, we’ll need to continue to steward our I We’re in the second year of our Jubilee Scholarship, a resources in such a way that we can adapt and respond program that provides all incoming Master of Divinity and faithfully to the Holy Spirit’s movement. Thank you so much Master of Arts students a full-tuition scholarship. Since it for your continued support and prayers—you have made all began, the average graduate debt has fallen 19%, putting us this possible. well on track to meet our goal of reducing the indebtedness of Together, we can ensure that Luther Seminary is poised to Luther Seminary graduates by one-third by 2023. educate passionate students well into the future! The momentum is growing in our admissions efforts as well. In May 2019, 129 students graduated, and then we Faithfully yours, welcomed 153 students in the new school year—including the first cohort of our MDivX pilot, who will be able to complete their M.Div. programs in just 24 consecutive months. This will enable MDivX graduates to enter parish ministry sooner—and Robin J. Steinke because their theological education is fully funded, they’ll President graduate without taking on additional debt. Financially, we continue to see stability and growth. It’s with immense gratitude that I can announce that in 2019 we balanced the budget and ended the fiscal year with a surplus. This puts us in a healthy financial position for the foreseeable future. Together with our plans to create a campus footprint that will allow us to be more nimble and responsive to the WINTER 2019 9 MEET KATIE AND ALAZAR

BY THE NUMBERS • 500 students enrolled at Luther Seminary during the 2018–19 academic year. • Master of Arts students made up 22% of enrolled students. • ELCA members accounted for 74% of the student body. Forty-one denominations made up the remaining 26% of students. • When accounting for on-campus living expenses, a year of study costs approximately $39,122.

Katie O’Connell ‘22 M.A., who is pursuing a Master of Arts degree in children, youth, and family ministry at Luther Seminary, hopes to work in a church or outdoor ministry setting with the goal of giving youth a safe place to ask questions, explore their faith, and deepen their10 beliefs.STORY DURING THE 2018–19 FISCAL YEAR: Approximately 48% Donor sources made up 85% of Luther Seminary of students graduated 129 students Luther Seminary’s operating revenue had 52 international without seminary debt. graduated when combining individual donor students from For the others, median May 19. support, the endowment, and church 23 countries. debt was $39,994. and synod appropriations.

AT A GLANCE • Financial aid covered approximately 88% of the cost of tuition and fees for students like Alazar. • As a scholarship recipient, Alazar received part of the $4.4 million awarded during the 2018–19 academic year. On average, Alazar Lemu ‘22 M.Div., students receive $8,030 in who is pursuing his scholarships and grants from Luther Seminary. Master of Divinity degree in systematic • Alazar was among the 58% theology, is interested in of students who pursued an working within Christian M.Div. degree in 2018–19. ministry to strengthen • Alazar received one of 463 theological understanding scholarships awarded in and relationships 2018–19. across cultural and denominational lines. WINTER 2019 11 6% Finances 2018–19 9% Luther Seminary and Foundation consolidated balance sheets 10% as of June 30, 2019 and June 30, 2018 50% Assets 2019 2018 Current Assets 25% Cash and Cash Equivalents $14,385,909 $9,500,995 Other Current Assets 714,998 296,767 26% Total Current Assets $15,100,907 $9,797,762 Non-Current Assets Unrestricted Other Assets $2,141,224 $1,498,020 Operating Income Investments 110,301,270 110,216,347  Donor Support $8,211,989 Student Notes Receivable, Net 2,430,663 2,669,576 Land, Buildings, and Equipment, Net 12,087,723 11,473,549  Endowment Draw 4,121,344 Total Other Assets $126,960,880 $125,857,492  Churchwide and Synod Support 1,680,594 Total Assets $142,061,787 $135,655,254  Net Tuition and Fees 1,446,908 Liabilities and Net Assets  Auxiliary Enterprises 1,061,757 Current Liabilities Total Unrestricted Other Current Liabilities $2,781,683 $2,358,697 Operating Income $16,522,592 Notes Payable and Line of Credit, Current Portion 2,824,109 2,518,806 Total Current Liabilities $5,605,792 $4,877,503 4% 5% Long-Term Liabilities Other Long-Term Liabilities $7,266,634 $7,190,619 7% Notes Payable, Net of Current Portion 4,797,763 4,921,872 Total Long-Term Liabilities $12,064,397 $12,112,491 39% 13% Total Liabilities $17,670,189 $16,989,994 17% Net Assets Without Donor Restrictions $6,007,917 $5,704,877 With Donor Restrictions 118,383,681 112,960,383 32% Total Net Assets $124,391,598 $118,665,260 Total Liabilities and Net Assets $142,061,787 $135,655,254 Unrestricted Endowment Operating Expenses Total Market Value (as of 6/30/19)* $109.1 million  Institutional Support $6,421,780 Investment Returns  Student Instruction 5,246,921 1-year 7.35%  Physical Plant and 3-year 6.22% Maintenance 2,142,483 5-year 7.6%  Academic Support 1,171,165

* Includes $428,572 invested by the endowment into Luther  Student Services 827,849 Seminary  Auxiliary Enterprises 653,982 Total Expenses $16,464,180

Luther Seminary’s annual report numbers are also available at luthersem.edu/annualreport. Learn more about giving to support future church leaders at luthersem.edu/giving.

12 STORY Study Bonhoeffer as Book your own travel, arrive by June 20, and Youth Worker in Berlin meet the small intensive class in Europe.

June 21–25, 2020 $1,500+ for Luther Seminary Children, Youth, and Family Ministry students • Study at Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s house. $1,850+ for other Luther • See historical sites in Berlin. Seminary students $2,000+ for alumni and • Learn through lectures, discussions, nonstudents and tours. Prices include lodging in double rooms, • Students earn seminary credit. tours, and some meals. Prices do not include airfare or tuition for academic This unique intensive course is credit. led by Luther Seminary Professor Andrew Root, author of “Bonhoeffer as Youth Worker: A Theological Vision for Discipleship and Life Together.”

Save your spot now. • Email [email protected] to register for CY4566 Summer 2020 course. • This trip is available for 12 current students and eight additional travelers.

WINTER 2019 13 How art as a spiritual practice deepens community bonds

Deb Gelerter ’21 M.Div. doesn’t remember a time when she wasn’t making art. From her first foray into artmaking—a book about a porcupine that she wrote and illustrated at the age of 4—to the present moment as a second- (or is it third- or fourth-?) career seminarian, she has been captivated by painting, drawing, and writing. Still, it was only recently that she began to understand that art was more than a profession or even a vocation; it was a spiritual practice, a way of entering into conversation with and listening to God. What’s more, she began to discern that God was calling her to use her gifts as an artist to form and strengthen Christian communities. Hearing the call Gelerter was raised in rural Connecticut. When she was 12, her

14 STORY By Katie Langston ’21 M.Div.

How art as a spiritual practice deepens community bonds SPIRIT parents drove her into New York City to Making art in that time, she became an instructor see a Vincent van Gogh exhibit at the and developed a course on painting Metropolitan Museum of Art. “I connect community and drawing for students who were not this experience with my call,” Gelerter Gelerter was trained as a studio painter majoring in art. said, remembering the way she was at Elmira College, a small liberal arts “To be honest, I liked teaching non- captivated by the thick brushwork school in upstate New York, Reading majors better than majors because and finely detailed ink drawings of her University in England, and Syracuse of the variety of perspectives and then-favorite painter. University, where she received a Master experience levels,” Gelerter said. “What Afterward, the family was enjoying of Fine Arts degree in painting. During struck me is that even if you’ve never lunch at a nearby pizza parlor when she

saw a man come into the restaurant Deb Gelerter ‘21 M.Div. and pick through the garbage. Gelerter recalled the story: “I asked my mom, ‘Why is that man eating out of the garbage?’ Mom replied, ‘Because he’s hungry.’ And I thought, ‘How could a whole restaurant of people look right through him like he’s not there? Why isn’t someone offering him something to eat?’” That image remained with her for years, and it ultimately fueled her sense of vocation. “They went together,” she said, “the painting and the call to people at the margins.”

WINTER 2019 15 Top: ©Deborah Gelerter, Ruth. Oil on canvas, 12 x 16 inches. Bottom: ©Deborah Gelerter, Job. Oil on canvas, 12 x 16 inches. All artwork used with permission.

painted before, if you’re encouraged long before she discerned a call to and given the opportunity, progress Word and Sacrament ministry. happens. Work comes out of it. It’s an “I kind of thought I’d have to put the amazing and surprising gift to hear artist away,” Gelerter said, admitting students say, ‘Look at what I’ve made!’” that she left all her paintings and She took this experience with her to supplies in storage when she moved Dunedin, Florida, where she opened across the country to attend Luther a small working studio and gallery. Seminary in 2017. Yet God wouldn’t let In addition to showcasing her own her creativity stay dormant for long. paintings, she featured work from local In Summer 2019, she took a course on artists. “A community began to build the Book of Job, and Gelerter asked up around the gallery,” she said. Elva B. Lovell Chair of Old Testament Her experiences led her to seek Kathryn Schifferdecker, the professor other ways of sharing art. She began teaching the course, if she could volunteering at a soup kitchen with paint for the required final project. people experiencing homelessness and Schifferdecker agreed. brought photocopy paper, pencils, and “For the first time I saw how my markers to place on the dining tables. creative process has always been a “I put the supplies on the tables way of connecting with the Holy Spirit,” discreetly, not even sure what she said. “I hadn’t been able to see how would happen, but so many people I might reconcile being a pastor with participated,” Gelerter said. “I still have being a painter, but this project shifted the drawings. One man with multiple my outlook. When God calls us, God personality disorder made an abstract calls all of us.” drawing and had a conversation about it with others at the table. Another A creative experiment person created a landscape. I saw After that first painting of Job, the the same wondering, surprise, and floodgates opened; art began to pour delight happening at these tables out of her, often in response to biblical that happened in my studio. Art gave passages. “Art is a way the Holy Spirit people an opportunity to express their “Art is a can open Scripture for people,” she said. thoughts and feelings in community “Like Lectio Divina and meditation, it is an with one another.” way the expression of silence and prayer.” Connecting Gelerter began to consider how Holy Spirit others might benefit from art as a the threads spiritual practice. She raised the At the time, Gelerter was not a idea in a congregation she was can open churchgoer, yet the experience supporting through her studies. The touched her in a way that she knew church loved her idea and hosted Scripture was somehow connected to God. an intergenerational art event after Through the community she met at the worship one Sunday. Although the for people.” soup kitchen, she began to participate congregational culture didn’t usually in a local congregation. A few weeks involve much lingering after services, later she was baptized, and it wasn’t more than 70 people stayed for the

16 STORY Interested in experience, and 53 paintings emerged interested in or connected to church. experimenting out of it. In Gelerter’s words, “What if we with art as “They’re still doing it quarterly,” just invited people and gave them a a spiritual Gelerter added. “Now it’s still-life space to show up? A space where they practice in your drawing, wood and soap carving, could experience being surrounded congregation? and other media. Members of the by Christian community? A space to congregation are coming out of the feel welcome? A space to give voice to See Gelerter’s practice guide on woodwork to take turns leading, and what’s going on in their lives, the joy Faith+Lead with ideas for leading it’s not the same 10% who tend to run and the struggles and the grief and the your own intergenerational art event. everything in the church. It’s engaging searching? I trust that the Holy Spirit Visit faithlead.luthersem.edu/art. new and different people.” works through that.” Just as Gelerter had seen elsewhere, Even more, Gelerter sees value art opened space for a more in helping people unlock creative have conversations in a constructive, connected community. potential they didn’t know they had. supportive way, we’ll be ministering to “There’s a real pride and joy that people effectively.” comes from realizing, ‘Maybe there’s Inviting people in After all, she added with a smile, something more to me that I don’t Gelerter is convinced that art as a “God is a God who is ever creating, and even know about, a sort of hidden spiritual practice is a way of reaching the creative process is one in which all reserve.’ If we can build a bridge and people who might not otherwise be are invited to participate.” come together, wonder together,

May 18–22, 2020 Atlanta Festival of HOMILETICS Preaching a New Earth: Climate and Creation

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Register now. festivalofhomiletics.com

WINTER 2019 17 THE GREAT DEPRESSION, WORLD WAR II, AND THE SHIFTING FORMS OF SEMINARY EDUCATION

By John Weirick

The middle decades of the 20th century served as proving grounds of Luther Seminary’s resilience and ability to adapt while staying true to its roots.

ark Granquist knows his way around history. He is the Lloyd and Annelotte Svendsbye Professor of the History of Christianity at Luther Seminary and serves as editor of Word & World and Mthe Journal of the Lutheran Historical Conference. Since personalities of institutional leaders navigating eras of his ordination in the ELCA in 1988, he has worked with social change? Without question. Is Granquist uniquely local congregations and Lutheran higher education in a capable of weaving the threads of such a history of multitude of roles. Lutheran higher education? Undoubtedly. Throughout his career, he has written the book— “Much of the primary source material had not been several, actually—on the history of Lutheranism, from used in this focused way prior to his research,” said Martin Luther and Scandinavian movements of the past Paul Daniels, head of arts and archives at Luther two centuries to the development of Lutheran faith and Seminary. A curator as well as an archivist for the nine practice in North America until present day. Now, on the synods of ELCA Region 3, Daniels recognizes the scope occasion of the seminary’s 150th anniversary, Granquist and value of composing such a volume. “With this book, has published “A History of Luther Seminary: 1869–2019” Dr. Granquist has made an important contribution to the (December 2019, Fortress Press). study of American Lutheranism and, specifically, to the Is it ambitious to catalog the 150-year narrative understanding of one of its leading theological schools. He of contentions between Lutheran denominations, the has created a much-needed comprehensive narrative of particulars of their theological convictions, and the this 150-year-old school, using large amounts of textual

18 STORY THE GREAT DEPRESSION, WORLD WAR II,

Mark Granquist feels at home among the artwork, FROM ‘A HISTORY OF documents, photographs, and memorabilia of Luther Seminary’s archives. LUTHER SEMINARY: 1869-2019’

The educational life of a seminarian in the 1930s was generally laid out in fairly rigid schedule. Students were sent to Luther Seminary with the endorsement of their local and visual materials from the seminary and regional pastor and with the approval of the faculty. ... Students archive collections.” paid no tuition, as their education was provided by the While this book probes the past events that have NLCA [Norwegian Lutheran Church in America], but they led to the seminary’s present-day incarnation, it also were responsible for the costs of room and board and other provides a throughline of the institution’s character miscellaneous fees. During these hard economic times, and trajectory into the future. students would stay in seminary as long as their money “Luther Seminary has a long tradition of held out, and as long as they could find work to support innovation,” said President Robin Steinke. “In every themselves, usually summer employment in congregations if era when we’ve confronted cultural and institutional they could find it. Some students had to withdraw for periods changes, the community has learned to adapt. This of time because their funds ran out. Life in the Main building has always required being gospel-focused, student- was rather spartan, and students tried to stretch their limited centered, and open to the leadership of the Holy resources as best they could. Spirit in times of transition.” … It was quite literally a brotherhood. All the students Selected from Granquist’s book, here is an were men, virtually all unmarried, and they slept and ate, excerpt that describes seminary life and adaptations studied, and went to class in a single building. in such a time of significant transitions. (continued on next page) WINTER 2019 19 In the mid-1940s, the seminary graduated more than one Mark Granquist views a Luther Seminary archival photo. class per year to meet the U.S. military’s need for chaplains.

Married students were a rarity, usually older men who wartime issues of 1941–1945. During this generation in were going to seminary after working out in the world for seminary life, challenges pushed the seminary and its a number of years. Formal engagements to be married people to adapt. People had put many parts of their were frowned upon, but breaking an engagement was lives on hold “for the duration.” At the end of the war in cause for dismissal from the seminary. Some seminarians 1945, there was a strong desire in the country for things had “understandings” with young women about future to return to normal. But the postwar era brought with it a marriage plans but generally kept these arrangements whole new set of challenges and opportunities. Normal, it private. Toward the end of their educational career, seems, would have to wait a bit longer. students were expected to find a call, graduate, and One of the biggest challenges for the seminary find a wife in rather short order, for it was expected that was the flood of new students who wanted to enter a pastor would have a wife who would be an (unpaid) theological study after World War II. Enrollment in extension of his congregational ministry. the seminary had dipped during the middle of the A major change to the rhythms of seminary life came Depression but had rebounded to around 150 students during the depths of the Depression, in the middle of the on the eve of World War II. By the end of [T.F.] 1930s: the addition of an internship year between the Gullixson’s presidency in 1954, the total enrollment second and last year of coursework. … The pedagogical had surged to around four hundred students a year. explanation for this change was that it was necessary for Although these numbers were an issue unto themselves, students, most of whom had come to seminary directly the composition of the student body was also changing. from college, to have a sustained experience working as Many of the new students were older—men who had a pastor in a congregation. But there was another reason served in the armed forces during the war or who had for this change at this time: in the depths of the Great worked in defense plants. Not only were they older, but Depression, many congregations were without pastors many of them were married or soon to be married. The (and the funds to pay them), and too many graduating predominant “bachelor days” of the seminary were now seminarians could not find a call. This internship year a thing of the past. Housing for married students and even provided pastoral leadership to vacant congregations families was now a pressing issue. These men were often and stretched out the seminary process, thus reducing the very serious students and in quite a rush to get through number of students who graduated without call. In 1934, seminary and out into the parishes. the NLCA annual convention voted to require this change Pastors were also very much needed in the parishes in the seminary process, and the internship requirement of the church, renamed the Evangelical Lutheran Church was instituted for the 1935–36 academic year. (ELC) in 1946. Dropping the word Norwegian from the … From 1930 to 1945, the situation at Luther Seminary name of the denomination was a bit controversial and had been anything but normal, with the economic had to be finessed by church leaders, but it represented difficulties of the Great Depression followed by the the truth: this was no longer an immigrant or even a

Excerpt from “A History of Luther Seminary” by Mark Granquist; copyright © 2019 Fortress Press. Reproduced with permission.

20 STORY Archivist Paul Daniels displays an architectural rendering Daniels (left) and Granquist serve as co-chairs of the of Northwestern Hall from the seminary’s archive collection. Luther Seminary 150th Anniversary Committee.

hyphenated denomination but a wholly American church body in the Lutheran tradition. And it was an expanding Ever-evolving seminary denomination, growing rapidly and moving outside of its traditional upper-midwestern territory. After the war 1869 Augsburg Seminary begins in Americans were on the move, with great numbers moving Marshall, Wisconsin. to the southern and western states or leaving cities Norwegian Synod opens seminary for fast-growing new suburban areas. Like many of its 1876 in Madison, Wisconsin. Lutheran denominational partners, the ELC was founding mission congregations in these new areas as fast as they 1888 Seminary moves from Madison to could. Together, the American Lutheran denominations Minneapolis-St. Paul. were establishing hundreds of new congregations to serve the new “baby boom” (1946–1964), and existing 1930s Seminaries add internships as part of congregations grew as well. There was an incredible need educational program.

for pastors to serve these congregations and to replace Luther and Augsburg seminaries merge. the older generation of pastors, many of whom had 1963 extended their ministries because of the Depression and 1964 Luther Seminary admits first female war and now needed to retire. student (women are ordained beginning in 1970). 1982 Luther and Northwestern e again stand in the midst of cultural seminaries merge. churnings that affect both society MDivX accelerated degree and seminary: international conflicts 2019 program launches. and migration, decline in religious affiliation, political instability, Jubilee Scholarship offered to cover economic fluctuation, and an tuition for new M.A. and M.Div. students. Wimpending shortage in Christian public leaders equipped to lead local congregations. As in the past, faithful innovation requires allegiance to anchored tradition as well as active participation in the mission of the church as it unfolds around the world. GET THE BOOK “As we enter a new era in the life of Luther Seminary, as well “A History of Luther Seminary: 1869–2019” is as the broader church,” said Steinke, “we’ll draw on our legacy available from bookstores and online retailers of gospel-centered innovative leadership to ground our work beginning December 17, 2019. and look forward with hope to what God has in store for us!”

WINTER 2019 21 FAITH+LEAD: CONNECTING FAITHFUL LEADERS IN A SECULAR AGE New digital hub from Luther Seminary seeks to help leaders address the core challenges facing the church in the 21st century

By Katie Langston ’21 M.Div.

f you’ve spent any time in the church over the past THE CORE CHALLENGE Idecade or so, you’ve probably heard the statistics. So what’s causing the decline? Membership is decreasing. Average weekly worship Zscheile and colleague Michael attendance is plummeting. The only growing religious Binder ’17 Ph.D., affiliate faculty group in America are the so-called “nones,” those who member at Luther Seminary, name choose not to identify with any faith tradition at all. the root cause with three distinctions: These realities can feel 1. We live in a culture that stark—and, indeed, they makes it difficult for people to are. According to Dwight imagine and be led by God. Michael Binder Zscheile ’08 Ph.D., vice 2. As a church, we aren’t clear president of innovation about what’s distinctive about being Christian. at Luther Seminary, “The 3. For these reasons, the church isn’t helping many shifts we’re experiencing people make meaning of their lives.1 are more fundamental than “There’s a lack of deep formation of Christian identity just declining engagement Dwight Zscheile and practice for so many church members and even with church programs. leaders,” said Binder. “Quite frankly, people aren’t People are making meaning out of their lives without any participating in church because they see no compelling engagement with, or reference to, God. To the extent reason to be Christians.” we’ve used technical fixes to try to respond to such a It’s a problem that can’t be adequately addressed profound change in the culture, we’ve failed.” with cosmetic changes, like launching a new program or This might seem overly pessimistic, but for Zscheile it changing up a regular worship style. It doesn’t come from cynicism. “I know a lot of really smart, requires disruptive innovation—what faithful leaders who have poured their lives into this Associate Professor of Leadership effort,” he said. “The forces dismantling the established Terri Elton ’98 M.A., ’07 Ph.D. congregational and denominational systems are much has described as “new ideas and bigger than a lack of engagement in church programs. approaches that begin in particular Something deeper is at stake.” networks, take hold, and dislodge current patterns.”2 Terri Elton

22 STORY CROWDSOURCING SOLUTIONS Despite the challenges, Zscheile and FAITH+LEAD: Binder remain hopeful. “Fundamentally, we

believe that the Holy Spirit is moving in the COURTESYPHOTOS midst of these changes,” Binder said. CONNECTING “God is bringing forth new life even amid decline and death—that is our core story as the church,” Zscheile added. FAITHFUL LEADERS “Many of the answers are going to come from the grassroots. We want to harvest IN A SECULAR AGE and share those stories and lessons.” Binder stressed that despite the overall decline, there are pockets of hope: Christian communities growing and thriving, neighborhoods being transformed Faith+Lead has three core components: by the presence of engaged congregations, 1. The Faith+Leader, a digital publication that features pioneering and ministries forming faithful disciples of research, reflections, and resources for leaders in the changing Jesus Christ. church and world with an emphasis on practical experiments and “We need to go to those places, innovative action steps that can be implemented in congregations. discover what God is doing, and help 2. The Faith+Lead Learning Lab, a private social network for them share their learnings and successes leaders to connect, ask questions, share what’s working, and with the entire church,” said Binder. “It’s a receive support for what’s not. lot like crowdsourcing. The Holy Spirit is 3. Digital and in-person courses and events, such as the upcoming already at work, raising up communities Faithful Innovation Summit and an ongoing initiative to create that are forming deep faith in a 21st- digital courses featuring Luther Seminary faculty and other century, North American context. We have practitioners in the field. to find them and put them in touch with For Zscheile, Faith+Lead isn’t just a new project, but a new paradigm each other.” that places a premium on grassroots connections, information sharing, and cultivating Christian community among leaders in a digitally A NEW DIGITAL PLATFORM connected world. That’s where Faith+Lead (pronounced “No one has all the answers, but one congregation has some, and a faith lead), Luther Seminary’s new digital pastor across the country has another, and a lay leader two states over platform for ordained and lay leaders, has another,” said Zscheile. “By connecting leaders to resources and comes in. communities exploring how to cultivate Christian faith today, we believe “A lot of church leaders feel God will teach us how to deepen spiritual formation, form disciples, and discouraged, overwhelmed, and lonely,” create and manage new models of ministry together.” said Zscheile. “As part of our mission to educate leaders for Christian communities, and our vision to do so by leading faithful FAITH+LEAD AT A GLANCE faithlead.luthersem.edu innovation for the sake of the gospel of Launch date: May 1, 2019 Jesus Christ, we want to connect and equip Articles on The Faith+Leader: 500* leaders wherever and whenever they need Visits per month: 11,172 us—and digital media is one of the most Members in the Faith+Lead Learning Lab: 450 effective ways to do that.” *includes popular selections from past Luther Seminary digital properties

1 For a deeper dive on these trends and their causes, see Zscheile’s article, “Will the ELCA Be Gone in 30 Years?” at faithlead.luthersem.edu/decline. 2 See Elton’s article, “Innovation: From Buzzword to Renewal” at faithlead.luthersem.edu/innovation-renewal.

WINTER 2019 23 FACULTY AND STAFF NOTES Catrina Ciccone ’04 M.Div., ’19 Ph.D., Mary Hess, professor of educational Rolf Jacobson ’91 M.Div., professor of contextual learning coordinator for leadership, delivered the annual Old Testament and Alvin N. Rogness Luther Seminary’s MDivX program, religious education lecture at Boston Chair of Scripture, Theology, and was promoted to associate director College in October: “Finding Faith Ministry, lectured at the “Power in of the Learning Pastoral Imagination in the Maelstrom: Storytelling as a the Spirit” conference for the ELCA’s Project, a longitudinal study of how Course of Hope.” In addition, she Virginia Synod in July. In November, pastors learn the practice of ministry gave a presentation at the Religious he delivered a paper, “How One Monk over time. Luther Seminary was the Education Association meeting in Read the Psalms and Changed the home of the LPI Project for many years Toronto, “Accessing the Sacred, World,” in the Book of Psalms Section and is one of the 10 institutions that Opening to Diversity, and Engendering at the Society of Biblical Literature nominated graduates to participate in Hope,” and spoke on a panel about Annual Meeting in San Diego. the study. LPI is embarking on a new content creation and intellectual ______round of interviews with the 50 pastors property at the American Academy of it has followed for the past decade. Religion meeting in November. Hess Craig Koester ’80 M.Div., professor The study’s findings at the five-year also participated as a commentator and Asher O. and Carrie Nasby Chair mark were published as an Auburn in Jeffrey Schein’s latest book, of New Testament, published “The Studies report. “Jewish Resources for Understanding, Healing at the Pool of Bethesda Embracing, and Challenging Our (John 5:1–18): A Study in Light of ______Evolving Digital Identity.” the Archaeological Evidence From Frederick Gonnerman, creator Bethesda, Jewish and Greco- ______and director of Luther Seminary’s Roman Practice, and the Johannine public relations office, passed away Arland Hultgren, professor emeritus Narrative” in the publication August 28 in Northfield, Minnesota. of New Testament, has written three Expressions of the Johannine He previously received a DeRose- articles: “The Ethical Reorientation Kerygma in John 2:23–5:18, edited Hinkhouse Award of Excellence and of Paul: From the Law of Moses to by R. Alan Culpepper and Jörg Frey. the Best in Class award for writing by the Law of Christ,” in Essays in Honor In June, he lectured on the book of the Religion Communicators Council of Walter F. Taylor Jr., Currents in Revelation at the Joseph A. Fitzmyer, in 2003 for his book, “Getting the Theology and Mission; “The Pastoral S.J. Institute of Sacred Scripture at Word Out: The Alban Guide to Church Epistles and the Scriptures of Israel,” Georgetown University. He also gave Communications.” He also received in Paul and Scripture, edited by presentations at the meetings of the the 2004 Gold Pen Award, given by Stanley E. Porter and Christopher D. Society for New Testament Studies the Metro Lutheran newspaper of the Land; and “Paul, Romans, and the in Marburg, Germany, and at the Twin Cities. His memoir, “The Work of Christians at Rome,” in the summer Colloquium Ioanneum in Our Hands: The Life and Death of the issue of Word & World. Eisenach, Germany. Small Family Farm,” was published in 2016. Gonnerman was 86 years old.

24 STORY Catherine Malotky ’86 M.Div., grant Later” in the Summer 2019 edition of travel abroad course “Bonhoeffer as and project manager of the Center Word & World; and “Barth and the Youth Worker” to Germany in June. The for Stewardship Leaders, published a Barmen Declaration” in the T&T Clark course will include studies at Dietrich book, “Carrying Them With Us: Living Handbook of Political Theology, edited Bonhoeffer’s Berlin home, lectures, Through Pregnancy or Infant Loss,” by Ruben Rosario-Rodriguez. local tours, expert guests, and seminar with co-writer and husband, David discussions around core course readings. ______Engelstad ’82 M.Div. Drawing on their ______own loss, the writers offer themselves Kathryn Ulviden Moen, who served as companions to parents who struggle in the dual role of organist and Matthew Skinner, professor of New with the end of an eagerly anticipated choirmaster, passed away May 16 in Testament, will release a new book, pregnancy or the death of a joyfully St. Paul, Minnesota. She used her “Acts: Catching Up With the Spirit,” in welcomed baby. talents at Northwestern Seminary in March. The Acts of the Apostles is a St. Paul, one of the institutions that crucial book that chronicles the story of ______merged with Luther Seminary. Moen God’s grace flooding out to the world

In August, Amy Marga, associate was a member of the faculty at Luther through the lives of the apostles in the professor of systematic theology, and Augsburg University, and she was decades immediately following Christ’s taught on race and Protestantism at also a faculty member at the University ascension into heaven. The book the Outlaw Ranch Lutherans Outdoors of Wisconsin—River Falls for 32 years. explores six key themes that illustrate Camp in Custer, South Dakota. She was 99 years old. the ways in which reading Acts is She also published “Martin Luther capable of igniting one’s imagination ______at the Women’s March? Maybe” in about the character of the Christian Theology Today; “Karl Barth’s Romans Andrew Root, professor and Carrie message, the work of the church, and Commentary 1919: A Document to Olson Baalson Chair of Youth and the challenges of living faithfully in a the Living God, One Hundred Years Family Ministry, will be leading the complex and changing world.

Discover and embrace breakthrough practices to prepare leaders, expand community, and cultivate Christian identity. See you at the summit.

June 24–26, 2020 Sign up now for early bird pricing. Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota luthersem.edu/summit

WINTER 2019 25 ALUMNI NEWS 1990s Submit your own alumni news at In September, Ed Treat ’95 M.Div. organized the Addiction LUTHERSEM.EDU/ALUMNI and Faith conference in Bloomington, Minnesota. Eric Berg ’99 M.A. was voted president of the MacMurray College faculty for a three-year term. He is a professor of 1950s philosophy at MacMurray, where he has taught since 2005. James Christensen ’51 M.Div. passed away June 21, 2019. 2000s Heidi (Helling) Barr ’06 M.A. published “Cold Spring 1960s Hallelujah” in November. Kyle Schiefelbein-Guerrero ’07 M.Div. has been appointed Howard Stewart ’61 M.Div. passed away April 28, 2019. assistant professor of worship and liturgy at United Lutheran In February, Neal Snider ’64 M.Div., ’84 Th.M. published Seminary in Pennsylvania. “Sincerely, Luther: Narrative Letters of the Great Reformer.”

Roger David Aus ’67 B.D. published the article “Isaiah 10:34 and the ‘Ambiguous Oracle’ in Josephus, Bellum 6.312–313” 2010s in the Review of Rabbinic Judaism, Volumes 21–22. Reed Carlson ’12 M.A. was appointed assistant professor of biblical studies at United Lutheran Seminary in Pennsylvania.

Angela Denker ’13 M.Div. published “Red State Christians” 1970s in August. David Larson ’74 M.Div. passed away October 9, 2019. Aaron Fuller ’13 M.Div. completed an assignment in Germany working with Navy members who returned from deployments. He is now serving in the Navy Chief of 1980s Chaplains Office in the Pentagon, developing a Center for David Engelstad ’82 M.Div. published “Carrying Them Spirituality and Spiritual Readiness for the U.S. Marines. With Us: Living Through Pregnancy or Infant Loss” along Brach Jennings ’17 Th.M. has been accepted to the Th.D. with co-writer and wife, Catherine Malotky ’86 M.Div. program in systematic theology at Eberhard Karls University Karen Hanson ’85 M.Div. retired from pastoral ministry of Tübingen, Germany. He is currently working on his and health care chaplaincy at Mayo Clinic Health doctoral dissertation. System in Red Wing, Minnesota, where she had worked Kelly Sandin ’17 M.Div. has served as associate pastor at since 2004. House of Prayer Lutheran Church in Richfield, Minnesota, On August 9, Dan Selbo ’86 M.Div., ’13 D.Min. was since her ordination in April. elected bishop of the North American Lutheran Church. Jennifer Simonson ’17 M.A. is a hospice chaplain at Essentia Gordon John Straw ’86 M.Div. passed away January 5, 2019. Health in Duluth, Minnesota, and music director at Our Savior’s Evangelical Lutheran Church. She was ordained as a deacon in the ELCA October 26. The listings in this publication include notifications received before November 1. Elisa Berndt ’19 M.Div. accepted her first call to Trinity Lutheran Church in Arlington, South Dakota.

26 STORY ALUMNI NEWS “In friendship and in loyalty to Luther Seminary’s mission.”

That’s what June Cavert wrote to the seminary several years ago.

June and Mead Cavert were dear FRIENDSHIP friends and dedicated stewards who chose to honor Luther Seminary through their estate plan.

The Caverts grasped the ANDLOYALTY importance of equipping graduates to lead faithful innovation in the church. They also understood that God called Luther Seminary to develop leaders who are rooted in the gospel and can form Christian community. That’s why they supported the seminary’s mission through their annual giving and included the seminary in their will. CONTACT US TO Their estate gift supported the fund for the Fredrik A. Schiotz Chair in LEARN MORE ABOUT LEAVING A LEGACY Christian Missions, currently held by Associate Professor of Worship WITH LUTHER SEMINARY. Dirk Lange. This position provides guidance and inspiration for future generations of church leaders. Tim Larson Seminary Relations [email protected] 888-358-8437 | 651-641-3503 legacy.luthersem.edu YOUR DECISIONS TODAY HELP US GROW BEYOND TOMORROW. Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID 2481 Como Avenue | St. Paul, MN 55108 Twin Cities, Minn. Permit No. 794

Thank you for Giving It Back!

You made Give Day 2019 a big success. The Luther Seminary community deserves many thanks for making gifts to the Sustaining Fund. The generosity of donors and community support made our fourth annual Give Day the best one yet.

HIGHLIGHTS FROM GIVE DAY:

total gifts unlocked the Give It Back 423 Challenge for a $25,000 Board Match. alumni gave to unlock the $10,000 Board 132 of Directors Alum Challenge Match. faculty or staff gave for 75% participation, unlocking the $10,000 Board of Directors 70 Faculty Staff Challenge Match.

current students gave for a $5,000 grant to be awarded to the Luther Seminary 56 Student Council.

was raised on Give Day this $139,714 year. Thank you!