Rastaman Vibrations

“Upon This Rock: Repent, Confess, Rejoice”

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 11 Jul 2016 17:12:00 +0000

Yesterday it was my honor and privilege to deliver an essay to the 66th Regular Convention of The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod meeting in Milwaukee. A number of folks have asked if I might post it, a very humbling matter. And so, knowing all of the document's limitations, I place it here for those who might find some modest value in it.

LCMS Presidential Elections—Updated

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 15 Jun 2016 19:42:00 +0000

The announcement today of the re-election of the Rev. Dr. Matthew Harrison to a third term as president of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (http://blogs.lcms.org/2016/harrison-re-elected) led me back to a post I made in July 2013. In that post I tracked the results of LCMS presidential elections over the course of Missouri's "modern" history, 1973 to present (I use 1973 as the date, because in that year the LCMS changed its nomination procedure). With the disclaimer that this is a first run through and I need to do some further fact checking, here are the results showing the top two vote getters.

1973 - New Orleans

1^st ballot, JAO Preus 606, WIliam Kohn 340. 1,055 total votes. 57.44%

1975 - Anaheim

No presidential election

1977 - Dallas

2^nd ballot, JAO Preus 596, Charles Mueller 330. 1,083 total votes. 55.03%

1979 - Saint Louis

No presidential election

1981 - Saint Louis

4^th ballot, Ralph Bohlmann 722, Charles Mueller 338. 1,110 total votes. 65.04%

1983 - Saint Louis

1^st ballot, Ralph Bohlmann 844, Lloyd Behnken 95. 1,079 votes. 78.22%

1986 - Indianapolis

1^st ballot, Ralph Bohlmann 576, Robert Sauer 447. 1,029 total votes. 55.97%

1989 - Wichita

1^st ballot, Ralph Bohlmann 589, Robert Sauer 433. 1,124 total votes. 52.40%

1992 - Pittsburgh

4^th ballot, Alvin Barry 580, Ralph Bohlmann 568. 1,148 total votes. 50.52%

1995 - Saint Louis

1^st ballot, Alvin Barry 754, Richard Kapfer 290. 1,162 total votes. 64.88%

1998 - Saint Louis

1^st ballot, Alvin Barry 657, Glen O’Shoney 343. 1,161 total votes. 56.58%

2001 - Saint Louis

4^th ballot, Gerald Kieschnick 600, Dean Wenthe 582. 1,182 total votes. 50.76%

2004 - Saint Louis

1^st ballot, Gerald Kieschnick 653, Daniel Preus 391. 1,237 total votes. 52.78%

2007 - Houston

1^st ballot, Gerald Kieschnick 644, John Wohlrabe 514. 1,231 total votes. 52.31%

2010 - Houston

1^st ballot, Matthew Harrison 643, Gerald Kieschnick 527. 1,170 total votes. 54.95%

2013 - Electronic balloting (Saint Louis)

1^st ballot, Matthew Harrison 4,262, David Maier 1,906. 6,432 total votes. 66.26%

2016 - Electronic balloting (Milwaukee)

1^st ballot, Matthew Harrision 3,507, Dale Meyer 2,257. 6,157 total votes. 56.96%

Wuthnow on Polls

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 25 Jul 2015 21:59:00 +0000

I've always enjoyed the work of Robert Wuthnow. His book, The Restructuring of American Religion, has played a formative role in my thinking about The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod in the second third of the twentieth century.

And so when a friend tipped me off to his piece on religious polling, I had to take a look. I found this paragraph to be particularly gripping.

"As polling gradually gained popularity, it became increasingly lucrative, prompting significant expansion of a for-profit commercial industry as well as interest at universities.

I think you might find the remainder of the article engaging. You may find it at at the following link: http://www.firstthings.com/article/2015/08/in-polls-we-trust

The Rev. Dr. Alfred O. Rast

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 24 Jun 2015 22:28:00 +0000

Digging through some family history materials, I found the following biography of my grandfather, Pastor A. O. Rast. It seems to have appeared in the newsletter or bulletin of Immanuel Lutheran Church, Bristol, Connecticut around the time of his death.

Dedication of the Wayne and Barbara Kroemer Library at Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 22 Jan 2015 22:40:00 +0000

Dedication of the Wayne and Barbara Kroemer Library at CTS–FW

For Immediate Release
January 22, 2015

FORT WAYNE, Ind.—Students, faculty and guests from all over the world filled the chapel and the library for the dedication of the Wayne and Barbara Kroemer Library on the campus of Concordia Theological Seminary (CTS–FW), Fort Wayne, Indiana, on January 22, 2015. The day began with prayer in Kramer Chapel and moved to the library where CTS–FW President Lawrence R. Rast Jr. opened the doors and led the crowd into the completed expansion. The expanded library complex allows for all volumes owned by the Seminary to be housed in one place and opens up additional areas for group and individual study. Click here to view a video of the dedication.

The guests of honor were Wayne and Barbara Kroemer of Zionsville, Indiana, who are longtime friends of the Seminary and very instrumental in the completion of the expansion. “We saw that this would be an opportunity for us to give back for the spiritual growth we feel we experience at the Seminary and to God for His many blessings. We are so pleased that many other donors felt as we do and that this beautiful and amazing library has been completed,” said the Kroemers. “There are no greater places in the Lutheran Church to support than it’s seminaries as this is where the future lies. This new, first-class building is a shining star for the Fort Wayne Seminary and will be an asset that keeps giving to the students and professors here in the years ahead.”

“Building a structure of this magnitude certainly requires the generous gifts of our donors and we are most thankful for their selfless giving. Just as important, it shows their deep commitment to supporting the continued formation of servants of Christ on the CTS–FW campus,” commented Rast. “The resources now available in the Wayne and Barbara Kroemer Library will serve to enhance the formation of future church workers as they prepare to teach the faithful, reach the lost and care for all.”

The building, its books, meeting spaces and electronic resources are available for use by alumni, theologians and laypeople. “Professional church workers of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod in need of a resource not locally available may find our extension service of benefit. Through this service, we extend our circulation and reference services to those who serve our congregations and schools,” explained the Rev. Prof. Robert V. Roethemeyer, CTS–FW director of Library and Information Services. “The library can also be a destination for church groups looking for a reflective place for a retreat. Reserve one of the large group rooms in the library and punctuate your retreat with worship time in Kramer Chapel.”

To learn more about the Wayne and Barbara Kroemer Library and the resources it offers, go to www.ctsfw.edu/Library or phone 260-452-2149.

Service of Worship and Praise - The Reverend A. O. Rast 40 Years in the Ministry 1924-1964

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 18 Dec 2014 21:09:00 +0000

My first cousin once removed recently posted a picture of my grandfather (his great grandfather) on Facebook and pointing out how cool it was. Right he was (and is)! Here is what he posted:

Of all the coincidences, at just about the same time I had stumbled across the bulletin to the service celebrating Grandpa Rast's 40th anniversary in the ministry. I promised my cousin I would post it, so here it is.

CTS Chapel Services Live Streamed

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 19 Sep 2014 15:31:00 +0000

https://www.ctsfw.edu/seminary-news/watch-cts-daily-chapel-services-live

Dr. Daniel Gard Elected President of Concordia University, Chicago

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 30 May 2014 22:29:00 +0000

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (CTS)—Today, Friday, May 30, the Board of Regents of Concordia University, Chicago unanimously elected the Rev. Dr. Daniel L. Gard to be the eleventh president of the university. Dr. Gard currently serves as professor of Exegetical Theology at Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Indiana, and as Rear Admiral in the United States Navy Reserve.

The seminary community congratulates Concordia University on choosing a leader whose breadth and depth of experience will serve the university well. Dr. Gard has proclaimed the Gospel and given a clear Christian witness in churches, the classroom and in the multicultural environment of today’s military. He has distinguished himself in each setting by his ability to work with people from all backgrounds.

“As an alumnus of Concordia University, Chicago, I am thrilled for my alma mater,” said CTS President, the Rev. Dr. Lawrence R. Rast, Jr. “Should Dr. Gard accept this call, we know that he would bring the same degree of professionalism and passion to his work there as he has at CTS."

Dr. Gard’s strong leadership enabled him to advance to the U.S. Navy Reserve's highest rank where he has shown visionary guidance in helping to redefine the chaplaincy as the military transitions away from a wartime footing. He has served the seminary and the nation faithfully and with excellence.

We invite all to join us in prayer for Dr. Gard and his family as he deliberates this call.

Dr. Roland Ziegler Named Holder of Preus Chair at CTS

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 23 May 2014 13:21:00 +0000

Dr. Roland Ziegler Named Holder of Preus Chair at CTS

For Immediate Release
May 22, 2014

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (CTS)—The Rev. Dr. Roland F. Ziegler, associate professor of Systematic Theology at Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Indiana, has been named holder of The Rev. Dr. Robert D. Preus Chair in Systematic Theology/Confessional Lutheran Studies. The Chair is endowed to honor the faithful service of Dr. Preus to this seminary and the church-at-large.

“I am honored and humbled by this appointment,” said Ziegler. “I take it as a call to me and to all of us to honor Dr. Preus by following his example in our vocations: to be faithful to the Scriptures as the inspired and inerrant Word of God, to join joyously in the confession of our Fathers as we find it in the Book of Concord, to honor the Fathers of the 17th century by reading and engaging them, to engage and confess the faith in the theological confusion of our time, to be a debtor of the Gospel to those among whom we live and to those abroad and, thus, to heed the admonition of the apostle and honor the motto of Concordia Theological Seminary: Preach the Word.”

Ziegler joined the faculty at CTS in 2000 and received his Dr.theol. from the Eberhard-Karls-Universität Tübingen in 2011. He is a native of Germany where he studied at the Universities of Tübingen, Erlangen, and at the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Oberursel. During his studies, he joined the Independent Evangelical Lutheran Church. A scholarship enabled him to study as an exchange student at Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne from 1990-1991 as a student of Dr. Preus. After finishing his studies, he served as a teaching assistant at the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Oberursel, a vicar in Berlin and a pastor in Konstanz.

###

Concordia Theological Seminary exists to form servants in Jesus Christ who teach the faithful, reach the lost, and care for all.

For additional information concerning educational opportunities and events at CTS, please contact: Jayne Sheafer, CTS Director of Public Relations, 260-452-2250 or PublicRelations@ctsfw.edu. If you no longer wish to receive these updates, you may opt-out.

http://www.ctsfw.edu/seminary-news/dr.-roland-ziegler-named-holder-of-preus-chair-at-cts

2014-05-07 - Dr. Quill Returns to Fort Wayne

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 08 May 2014 04:05:00 +0000

At about 11:00 p.m. this evening (May 7, 2014), Dr. Quill returned to Fort Wayne from Australia. We're deeply thankful to God that he has brought Tim this far along and look forward to Tim's continued recovery by the grace of God. We'll likely have [good] pictures and more shortly, but I simply wanted to get the message out as quickly as possible.

2014-04-23 - Update on Dr. Timothy Quill

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 23 Apr 2014 16:14:00 +0000

In this season as we celebrate the resurrection of Christ, it is with thanksgiving to the God of all mercy and comfort that we are able to announce that the Rev. Dr. Timothy Quill has been discharged from the hospital. His road to recovery will continue in Adelaide, Australia

Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, and The Office of International Mission of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod continue to give thanks for the marvelous care, both physical and spiritual, that the Quill family is receiving. We further encourage all to keep the Quill’s and those providing care for them in your prayers.

While a date has yet to be set for Dr. Quill’s return to the United States, we pray for his continued recovery and look forward to his homecoming.

2014-04-11 Update on Dr. Quill

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 11 Apr 2014 15:19:00 +0000

Timothy Quill Update

Adelaide, Australia, April 11, 2014

The Rev. Dr. Timothy Quill, Associate Professor of Pastoral Ministry and Missions at Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne (CTS) and Director of Theological Education for The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod’s (LCMS) Office of International Mission (OIM), remains in the Royal Adelaide Hospital in Adelaide, South Australia, where he underwent surgery for a brain aneurysm on April 3.

Quill’s condition has improved over the past several days. He has been released from the Intensive Care Unit and is now being cared for in the Neurology Ward. While he remains in serious condition, his condition is slowly improving.

Although the physicians have yet to provide a prognosis regarding Quill’s ultimate recovery, they have indicated that he is in the category of a more positive outcome for people who have suffered such an aneurysm. While physical therapy has begun, it is likely that Dr. Quill will remain in Australia for some time in preparation for his return to the United States.

Annette and Kati, Quill's wife and daughter, are in Adelaide, lending invaluable emotional support. OIM staff and pastors from the Lutheran Church of Australia will remain with the Quill’s throughout the recovery period to provide spiritual and logistical support. The CTS community is also actively engaged in supporting and caring for the Quill family during this challenging time.

Updates on Dr. Quill’s recovery will be provided as information becomes available. Please keep Tim, his family, and his medical and pastoral care teams in your prayers.

Update on Dr. Quill in Australia

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 05 Apr 2014 13:10:00 +0000

Dr Quill at Ghana Seminary Dedication (Collver and Rothemeyer in background) courtesy of Erik Lunsford

Update on Dr. Quill in Australia

5 April 2014 — For Immediate Release

The Rev. Dr. Timothy Quill, Dean of International Studies at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne (www.ctsfw.edu) and Director of Theological Education for the LCMS Office of International Mission (www.lcms.org), fell ill on Wednesday, April 2, in Adelaide, Australia. Quill was taken to Royal Adelaide Hospital, where he was diagnosed with a brain aneurysm (subarachnoid hemorrhage). An immediate procedure (craniotomy) to relieve the pressure was followed within twenty-four hours by surgery to repair the aneurysm (surgical clipping). The first week after the surgery is critical and he is being carefully monitored by the medical team. Quill remains in the Intensive Care Unit.

Dr. Quill was traveling with Mr. Darin Storkson, LCMS South Asia and Oceania Regional Director, to visit Australian Lutheran College (www.alc.edu.au ) in Adelaide. After Australia, Quill along with CTS Professor Robert Roethemeyer, Director of Library and Information Services and Director of Institutional Planning and Assessment, were to travel to Papua New Guinea to visit Timothy Lutheran Seminary in Birip and Martin Luther Seminary in Lae for the Chemnitz Library Initiative.

Mr. Storkson, along with Rev. Neville Otto, Secretary and Mission Director for the Lutheran Church of Australia, found Dr. Quill unresponsive on Wednesday before Lenten Vespers and called the ambulance. Professor Robert Roethemeyer, who was enroute to Australia, joined them on Thursday morning before the surgery. Rev. Dr. John Kleinig, professor emeritus of Australian Lutheran College (ALC), prayed with Quill before his surgery. Rev. Dr. Gregory Lockwood, professor emeritus at ALC, and Rev. Dr. Andrew Pfeiffer, Director of Pastoral Education at ALC, also visited Quill in the ICU. Pastors of the Lutheran Church in Australia (LCA) have been wonderfully supportive and helpful during this trying time. Quill’s wife, Annette, and daughter, Katie, arrived in Adelaide on Friday morning after the surgery, followed by Dr. Albert Collver, LCMS Director of Church Relations/Regional Operations, and Missionary Jeffrey Horn, Papua New Guinea.

Quill remains at the Royal Adelaide Hospital. Doctors are currently establishing a timeline for his convalescence and his return to the United States. Dr. Quill, his family, Concordia Theological Seminary, and the LCMS Office of International Mission are grateful for the care provided by the Royal Adelaide Hospital, by the Lutheran Church of Australia, and the many people around the world who have expressed concern and offered prayers on his behalf.

An Important Resource for Thinking about What Universities Should Be and Do

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 31 Mar 2014 17:40:00 +0000

In preparation for the CUS Think Tank meeting, we were encouraged to read Dr. Reinhard Hütter's "Polytechnic Utiliversity." Like all of his work it is dense and demands much from the reader. However, it is worth the effort.

You can find the link at the following link: http://www.firstthings.com/article/2013/11/polytechnic-utiliversity

Dr. Dean O. Wenthe Installed as President of the Concordia University System

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 31 Mar 2014 16:06:00 +0000

It was a real delight to be present at the installation of my predecessor and mentor as president of Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Dr. Dean O. Wenthe, as president of the Concordia University System of The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod. As President Harrison stated in his sermon, Dean is the right man for this position, called to it for this moment. What a blessing he will be!

The bulletin for Dr. Wenthe's installation follows:

A New Lutheran Journal for Missions

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 25 Mar 2014 16:40:00 +0000

For the original post of this, click here

Is there really a uniquely LCMS approach to mission?

That question is at the heart of the Journal of Lutheran Mission, a new e-publication available for your use from the Synod’s Offices of National and International Mission.

The scholarly journal, published digitally, exists to encourage discussion between you and those you serve, pastors, colleagues and social media friends on the interwoven nature of mission and Church.
Why take the time to read this journal? “The journal matters because mission matters,” said Rev. Bart Day, executive director of the Office of National Mission. “Christ has given all things to the Church, and the Church shares those gifts with the world.”

In addition, “The desire of the Journal of Lutheran Mission is to move beyond words (a missiology of rhetoric) to reflect the work of Christ through His Church globally,” explains the Rev. Randy Golter, executive director of the Office of National Mission. “His words are performative, and so the mission exists, is ongoing and is accomplishing His purpose. In this lies the confidence of Lutheran mission and every Lutheran missionary.”

The journal’s list of contributing editors is extensive, including faculty from both seminaries; clergy from Germany to Madagascar, Ethiopia to Siberia; Synod staff as well as two district presidents. Day and Golter serve as executive editors.

The debut issue of the journal features papers from the Synod’s Summit on Lutheran Mission, held in San Antonio, Texas, in November 2013. A first-of-its-kind event, the conference served as a venue to discuss the question, “What is our Lutheran identity when it comes to mission?”
Published three times a year, the journal can be downloaded in a variety of formats at www.lcms.org/journaloflutheranmission. Individual articles from the journal are also available so that you can share them – and continue the conversation – through social media.

“It is our desire to follow the tradition of mission that led to the founding of the Missouri Synod, to highlight and expound good examples of Lutheran missiology and to raise the height and breadth of discussion on mission so that every member of the Missouri Synod prays for the mission of the church, engages in it him/herself and supports it each according to their vocation,” explained LCMS President Matthew C. Harrison.

We hope you’ll join in the discussion. Download the journal, share it with your friends and email your thoughts to the editors at journaloflutheranmission@lcms.org.

Kantor Resch Announces Retirement

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 25 Mar 2014 15:20:00 +0000

I announced this to the faculty last week with great joy for the marvelous contributions and central role that Kantor Resch has played at Concordia Theological Seminary over the last 30 years. But I did so with sadness, admitting to Richard that this was the one retirement that I never wanted to think about.

Thank you, Richard, for all of your faithful service over the years!

Dr. Al Collver's WMLT Blog Post on Ghana Seminary Dedication

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 03 Feb 2014 12:39:00 +0000

The original of the following may be found here
********************************************************

LCMS President Rev. Dr . Matthew C. Harrison and the ELCG Rt. Rev. Dr. Paul Kofi Fynn dedicate the Lutheran Theological Seminary of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Ghana on Sunday, Feb. 2, 2014, in Greater Accra, Ghana. LCMS Communications/Erik M. Lunsford[/caption] On 2 February 2013, approximately 650 people gathered for the dedication of the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Accra, Ghana. After the dedication service, President Matthew C. Harrison, LCMS President, and Bishop Paul Fynn, Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Ghana, cut the ribbon, officially opening the seminary for use.

Pastors and Evangelists process to the service and dedication of the Lutheran Theological Seminary of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Ghana on Sunday, Feb. 2, 2014, in Greater Accra, Ghana. LCMS Communications/Erik M. Lunsford[/caption] More than 50 Ghanian pastors attended the dedication service, praising God for the completion of a seminary building where more pastors can be trained.

The ELCG Rt. Rev Dr. Paul Kofi Fynn addresses the audience during the service and dedication of the Lutheran Theological Seminary of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Ghana on Sunday, Feb. 2, 2014, in Greater Accra, Ghana. LCMS Communications/Erik M. Lunsford[/caption] Bishop Paul Fynn spoke how the construction and completion of the seminary has been his dream for more than 25 years. When the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Ghana began in 1957, there was only one pastor. Today, the ELCG has more than 150 pastors with more needed. Bishop Fynn said that as each seminarian graduates, he is tasked with planting at least one new congregation. Bishop Fynn described the many challenges that delayed the construction of the seminary. In fact, Bishop Fynn identified how Satan hindered the seminary at every turn because he hates the gospel and wants to prevent its preaching in the world. (Dr. Lawrence Rast reflecting upon Bishop's Fynn's clear identification of the seminary delays as "Satanic," noted that Western Christians have been so influenced by rationalism that they are unable to see building delays, funding problems, land title issues, and such as anything but "normal" delays or the cost of doing business. Dr. Rast noted that like Bishop Fynn, Dr. Martin Luther, would have regarded all of these events as troubles, trials, and hinderances caused by the devil to prevent the preaching of the Gospel.)

LCMS President Rev. Dr . Matthew C. Harrison gives the sermon at the service and dedication of the Lutheran Theological Seminary of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Ghana on Sunday, Feb. 2, 2014, in Greater Accra, Ghana. LCMS Communications/Erik M. Lunsford[/caption] President Matthew C. Harrison preached at the seminary dedication. His sermon theme was, "Jesus ye oudia," or "Jesus is for you!" Harrison noted how Jesus taught because we need to be taught the truths of God because they are not obvious or knowable to our natural nature. Jesus taught his disciples for 3 years. This is the purpose of the seminary -- to teach men to become pastors, to teach men the Holy Scriptures. That Jesus is the God-Man, who became incarnate in the flesh must be taught! That babies need to be Baptized must be taught! That Christ gives his true Body and Blood in Holy Communion must be taught! The Creed, the Catechism, worship must be taught! Saint Paul says that a pastor must be apt to teach. This is what the seminary does, teaches men and assesses their aptness to teach. Jesus also taught with authority and not as the scribes and the pharisees. Pastors must only teach from the inspired Word of God, which is the source of their teaching's authority. Nothing must ever be taught which would contradict the inspired Word of God. Nothing should come out of a pastor's mouth that causes his hearers to doubt the Word of God. Pastors are to proclaim the Word of God. The seminary teaches men to proclaim the Word of God. The Word of God is not mere information, rather it delivers forgiveness and eternal life. Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead. How? Did Jesus say, "Lazarus, I've done all that I could for you! If you want to rise, come out!" NO! Jesus called out, "Lazarus, Come Out!" by the power and authority of the Word of God. When the Lord proclaims, it happens... "Behold, a virgin shall conceive.. The Word shall become flesh... Your sins are forgiven. Pray to the Lord of the harvest to send workers who proclaim that Jesus is for you.

After President Harrison's sermon, the Ghana Lutheran Church Mass Choir

The Rev. Dr. Lawrence Rast, Jr., president of Concordia Theological Seminary in Ft. Wayne, Ind., gives the Old Testament reading during the service and dedication of the Lutheran Theological Seminary of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Ghana on Sunday, Feb. 2, 2014, in Greater Accra, Ghana. LCMS Communications/Erik M. Lunsford[/caption] Dr. Lawrence Rast, President of Concordia Theological Seminary Fort Wayne, participated in the Ghana Theological Seminary dedication. Dr. Rast, Prof. Roethemeyer, and Dr. Quill greatly assisted the completion of the Ghana seminary by providing library and accreditation consultation through the Chemnitz Library Initiative, a joint partnership between Concordia Theological Seminary and the International Luther Council.

The Rev. Dr. Timothy Quill, director of International Studies for Concordia Theological Seminary in Ft. Wayne, Ind., and Director of Global Seminary Education for the LCMS Office of International Mission, gives the Gospel lesson during the service and dedication of the Lutheran Theological Seminary of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Ghana on Sunday, Feb. 2, 2014, in Greater Accra, Ghana. LCMS Communications/Erik M. Lunsford[/caption] After the service, Dr. Timothy Quill, Director of International Studies at Concordia Theological Seminary and Director of Theological Education for the LCMS, gave an address for the dedication of the seminary. He told a story about his time in Nigeria when Pres. Fynn was a young seminary student. One day Quill's four year old brother was riding his little bike down the big hill behind the seminary and did a complete summersault. Paul Fynn picked him up and carried him home in his arms. Today's celebration of the new seminary campus in Ghana also experienced a sever bump in the road when construction was halted. Someone needed to pick things up and bring the task home to completion. This was done by the joint efforts of Dr. Fynn, the generous donors from the LCMS, the LCMS Office of International Mission. Quill encouraged the members of the ELCG to now care for their seminary and their dedicated faculty, including sending their finest young men to study theology and be prepared as pastors for their churches and missions.

Interior photograph of the Lutheran Theological Seminary of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Ghana on Sunday, Feb. 2, 2014, in Greater Accra, Ghana. LCMS Communications/Erik M. Lunsford[/caption] Inside the seminary after the dedication, guests gathered for a tour and for refreshments. The Ghana Lutheran Theological Seminary is among the best Lutheran seminaries in Africa. The Ghanian seminary fits into the theological education strategy for West Africa. The theological library at the Ghana seminary is among the best in Africa, along with Nigeria and Kenya.

The program for the seminary dedication and the service participants.

ELCG Seminary Dedication Feb 2, 2014 by brandy99

Posted by Rev. Dr. Albert B. Collver, Director of Church Relations / Regional Operations on 3 February 2014.

Ghana Lutheran Church Mass Choir

Ghana Seminary Dedication

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 03 Feb 2014 06:30:00 +0000

The following is the most recent newsletter of my colleague and friend, David Erber, longtime missionary in West Africa. It features some pictures from the wonderful service of celebration and dedication of the Lutheran Church of Ghana's new seminary, which occurred on February 2, 2014.

The Wittenberg Project

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 31 Jan 2014 11:24:00 +0000

A group of us just completed a series of meetings in Wittenberg in the run up to the Reformation celebration of 2017. One key element of the International Lutheran Council's recognition of this event will be the opening, in advance of 2017, of the "Old Latin School" as a center that will resource Lutheran and Christian visitors to Wittenberg, as well as reach out with the Gospel of Christ to those who have yet to be incorporated into the Body of Christ.

It was good to work with colleagues like Bruce Kintz (of CPH) and David Mahsmann (of the LCMS OIM).

What is coming should be an incredible blessing, under God's grace. You may view the entire slideshow here.

The Value of Seminaries

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 23 Dec 2013 23:57:00 +0000

We are incredibly blessed in the LCMS with two of the finest Lutheran seminaries in the world. Here's some video shot at last summer's LCMS convention that underscores this fact.

A New Theological Library for Ghana

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 23 Nov 2013 02:31:00 +0000

LCMS Presidential Elections

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 06 Jul 2013 14:59:00 +0000

The announcement today of the reelection of the Rev. Dr. Matthew Harrison to the presidency of The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod (http://blogs.lcms.org/2013/harrison-elected-to-second-term) got me thinking about presidential elections over the course of Missouri's "modern" history (1973 to present. I use 1973 as the date, because in that year the LCMS changed its nomination procedure). With the disclaimer that this is a first run through and I need to do some fact checking, here are the results showing the top two vote getters, without note or comment.

1973

1^st ballot, JAO Preus 606, WIliam Kohn 340. 1,055 total votes. 57%

1977

2^nd ballot, JAO Preus 596, Charles Mueller 330. 1,083 total votes. 55%

1981

4^th ballot, Ralph Bohlmann 722, Charles Mueller 338. 1,110 total votes. 65%

1983

1^st ballot, Ralph Bohlmann 844, Lloyd Behnken 95. 1,079 votes. 78%

1986

1^st ballot, Ralph Bohlmann 576, Robert Sauer 447. 1,029 total votes. 56%

1989

1^st ballot, Ralph Bohlmann 589, Robert Sauer 433. 1,124 total votes. 52%

1992

4^th ballot, Alvin Barry 580, Ralph Bohlmann 568. 1,148 total votes. 50.5%

1995

1^st ballot, Alvin Barry 754, Richard Kapfer 290. 1,162 total votes. 65%

1998

1^st ballot, Alvin Barry 657, Glen O’Shoney 343. 1,161 total votes. 56%

2001

4^th ballot, Gerald Kieschnick 600, Dean Wenthe 582. 1,182 total votes. 50.7%

2004

1^st ballot, Gerald Kieschnick 653, Daniel Preus 391. 1,237 total votes. 53%

2007

1^st ballot, Gerald Kieschnick 644, John Wohlrabe 514. 1,231 total votes. 52%

2010

1^st ballot, Matthew Harrison 643, Gerald Kieschnick 527. 1,170 total votes. 55%

2013

1^st ballot, Matthew Harrison 4,262, David Maier 1,906. 6,432 total votes. 66%

Revised D.Min. at the Fort Wayne Seminary

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 18:39:00 +0000

Christ Is Risen! He Is Risen Indeed!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 31 Mar 2013 13:45:00 +0000