Summer 2005 Vol.21, No.2 www.luthersem.edu Also Inside: Commencement 2005 pages 2-4 A Heart Remembering Gerhard Forde for pages 12-13 Mission Professor Mons Teig Luther Seminary’s Retires New President pages 14-15 Richard Bliese is at heart a missionary and a pastor. Here’s why. pages 6-9 Commencement 2005 Luther Seminary Sends Out Newest Leaders for Mission uther Seminary conferred degrees Doctor of Ministry degrees, four on 159 newly prepared servant- Master of Theology degrees, and L leaders of the church at its four Doctor of Philosophy degrees. 136th Commencement, May 22, ELCA Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson at Central Lutheran Church, gave the commencement address. Minneapolis. He welcomed the class of 2005 as Luther Seminary conferred two colleagues in ministry, urged them in certificates, 52 Master of Arts degrees, their vocations, and presented ministry five Master of Sacred Music degrees, as “a gift of the Holy Spirit.” ● 84 Master of Divinity degrees, eight ELCA Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson gave the commencement address. M.A. graduate Theresa Endres receives her hood from Professor of Old Testament Mark Hillmer, acting The newly hooded director of the M.A./M.S.M. programs. Neeraj Ekka, Ph.D., beams after receiving his diploma. Awards for Academic Excellence ach year several awards for The G.M. and Minnie Bruce Award excellence are given to graduating in New Testament: Kendra Mohn students. The awards given this E The A.E. Hanson Prizes in Homiletics: year are: David LaMar, Andrea Hinderaker, The Graduate Preaching Fellowship: Jo Quanbeck, Edward Daniel Ruen Mark Williamson Luther Seminary Stewardship The John Milton Prize in Old Council Award: Nathan Aaseng Testament: Erik Gronberg 2 STORY Summer 2005 Frerichs and Smith Professors Emeriti William Smith and Receive Christus Lux Wendell Frerichs Mundi Award are recipients of the Christus Lux rofessors Emeriti Wendell Frerichs Mundi Award. and William Smith received the PChristus Lux Mundi Award during the 136th commencement ceremony, May 22. The Christus Lux Mundi Award is Luther Seminary’s most distinguished honor. Frerichs and Smith have prepared generations of church leaders to “go Frerichs earned the bachelor of arts State Hospital; The American and make disciples of all nations” degree from St. Olaf College (1948), Foundation of Religion and (Matthew 28:19), girding them with the bachelor of theology degree from Psychiatry in New York; and the disciplines of prayer and of Christian Luther Theological Seminary (1951), the Sloan-Kettering Institute. and biblical reflection and meditation. the master of sacred theology degree He was director of pastoral counseling from Oberlin Graduate School of endell Frerichs taught for 37 at Wilder Clinic, St. Paul, 1971-74, Theology, and the doctor of theology years at Luther Seminary as and director of community care degree from the University of Basel Wprofessor of Old Testament resources and associate director of in Switzerland. before his retirement in 1995. His training with the Wilder Foundation gift of prayer permeated campus. His Following ordination in 1951, Frerichs in 1974-78. He has been a supervisor straightforward, heartfelt supplications was pastor of Victory Lutheran Church with the Association for Clinical began each of his classes. The Luther in Cleveland, Ohio (1951-54), and Pastoral Education since 1968, and Seminary directory of students, faculty of Trinity Lutheran Church in established one of the first parish- and staff became his daily prayer guide. Stevens Point, Wis. (1954-56). based clinical pastoral education Frerichs was instrumental in developing centers in the country. a course in discipleship to add to the illiam Smith served as In 1973, he developed the Befriender seminary’s curriculum. The course professor of pastoral care program, a lay training program estab- stemmed from his concern about from 1971-1995. Although he W lished to equip laity to assist in the pas- students’ faith in daily life. Today, all retired officially 10 years ago, he toral care ministry of their congregations. master of arts, master of sacred music, continues to nurture seminarians, and master of divinity students meet encouraging their spiritual growth, He began his career at Luther Seminary weekly in discipleship groups. The and helping to strengthen them for in 1970 as a student counselor weekly gatherings include attention the challenges that lie ahead. He is before joining the faculty in 1971. to the word of God, prayer, fellowship, the spiritual director for many a encouragement of vocation, and service. One concern about students came church leader, a listening ear and to Smith's attention in 1982 while He is the author of Take it to the a centering spirit for those in need teaching a course on pre-marriage Lord, Prayer Laments for the Afflicted, of “soul care,” as Smith calls it. and marriage ministry. He was and Real Prayers, which is a treasury Ordained in 1954, he was pastor of unprepared for the number of students of prayers he has written and prayed Navarino (Wis.) Parish (1954-56), who talked about the stress in their over the years. He also produced a own marriages. biblical prayer workbook. and of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Minneapolis (1956-1971). Smith and his wife Anita sought Frerichs has studied Jewish-Christian relationships and taught courses on the He earned both the bachelor of divinity advice from well-respected marriage subject. He has written a manuscript and master of theology degrees from counselors who helped them develop to help Christians understand what Luther Theological Seminary (1954 Luther Seminary's Marriage Care it means to live as a Jew, not simply and 1968). He completed supervisory program, where couples help each describing Jewish beliefs. For years training in clinical pastoral education other in small ongoing support groups. he led Luther’s annual chapel at Fairview Hospital, Minneapolis; Since 1982, 900 couples have partic- service on Yom Hasho'ah, a day Willmar (Minn.) State Hospital; ipated in Marriage Care while they of remembrance of the Holocaust. Menninger Clinic at the Topeka (Kan.) have been at the seminary. ● 3 STORY Summer 2005 Marbury Anderson Chair in Biblical Preaching Announced resident Emeritus David Tiede as such a surprise,” said Anderson announced the newly created of the chair. PMarbury Anderson Chair in Biblical Preaching at this year’s Pastor Anderson and his wife, Sylvia, commencement ceremony. It is given have been married for 57 years and by Bradbury and Janet Anderson have a son and daughter, and a son in honor of Brad’s father, the who died in 1992. They have five Rev. Marbury E. Anderson. The chair grandchildren. reflects the Andersons’ love of excellent Janet Anderson, a retired social preaching and their belief that biblical Sylvia and Marbury Anderson are worker, is chair of Luther Seminary’s preaching is the cornerstone of a recognized at the announcement Foundation Board of Trustees. Brad vital, healthy church. of the Marbury E. Anderson Chair Anderson is CEO of Best Buy, Inc., in Biblical Preaching established by A graduate of Augustana Theological headquartered in the Twin Cities. their son Brad and his wife Janet. Seminary, Rock Island, Ill., Pastor The Andersons have two sons, Anderson actively served for 43 years Eric and Jeremy. Dr. David J. Lose, associate professor in Lutheran congregations in Illinois, of homiletics and newly named Texas, Colorado and Minnesota. His academic dean, was named to the fine preaching continues to inspire chair. ● and challenge parishioners. “Having felt through the years that President Emeritus David Tiede the greatest challenge and most congratulates David Lose, who was important work as a pastor was the named to the Marbury E. Anderson sermon, I’m especially thrilled by Chair in Biblical Preaching. Brad and Janet’s action, which came Pastor Paul Youngdahl Honored summer camp, Cathedral of the Pines. Youngdahl, along with Pastor Steve with Good Shepherd Award Cornils and Pastor Mary Brown,’91, began Previews at Luther Seminary astor Paul Youngdahl of Mount The honor awarded his deep in 1992. The Previews program Olivet Lutheran Church, commitment to the vocations of invites pastors from around the state Minneapolis, Minn., received young people. Ministry to children P of Minnesota to bring select high the first Good Shepherd Award and young people has been at the school youth to Luther Seminary to during this year’s commencement. heart of his pastoral work. He has explore church vocation and attending mentored thousands of seminary. In the 13 years Previews youth during summers has been held, approximately 2,500 spent at Mount Olivet’s students and pastors have taken part, and congregations throughout Pastor Paul Youngdahl the Midwest have been represented. is given the first Good Many students enrolled at Luther Shepherd Award by President Seminary today had their first seminary Emeritus David Tiede in experience as a part of Previews. ● honor of Youngdahl’s deep commitment to the vocations of young people. 4 STORY Summer 2005 Notes from the Mission Field Leaders with a Heart for Mission “ hat are you searching for?” Finally, we began the search last What is the answer to the various (John 1:38). These are the year for leaders who might join as searches in John’s gospel? In 1:35-51 Wfirst words of Jesus in the teachers and mentors. Four responded we have the essential dynamic of the fourth gospel, and they point to a to the call. call to discipleship: “coming and seeing” central theme. Throughout the gospel (v. 39). In response to the disciples’ Andrew Root (Assistant Professor people are searching for something; question to find out where Jesus is of Youth and Family) His special for the way to God, for healing, for staying, Jesus responds, “come and see.” gifts lie in the area of grounding meaning in a world of persecution youth and family work upon a rich and suffering, for abundant life, for The invitation of Jesus to “come and theological foundation.