Thanks for sharing these important letters from our LCMS Seminary Presidents. This could be subtitled “Much Ado About Something.” Both Presidents bring up valid concerns. Both indicate in their own way, “We’ve got this,” whether it’s by squelching a rumor deemed false concerning the closure of the SMP/alternate route programs toward ordi…
Thanks for sharing these important letters from our LCMS Seminary Presidents. This could be subtitled “Much Ado About Something.” Both Presidents bring up valid concerns. Both indicate in their own way, “We’ve got this,” whether it’s by squelching a rumor deemed false concerning the closure of the SMP/alternate route programs toward ordination or continuing to guarantee the Lutheran-ness of graduates.
At the same time; both letters are reactive in the main, attempting to thwart or kick to the curb any further action or conversation, along the lines of “nothing to see here - keep moving.” Of course there is something wrong here, and it’s a good time to engage with the stakeholders - some up to many of whom are ex-seminary professors - on the substance of the concerns for the church ody and indeed for the Church when it comes to the content of training and formation of spiritual leaders.
Ask the question - why would the seminaries NOT want to meet with those with concerns about the missional emphasis of training and formation? What’s the true threat? Insufficiently Lutheran? Many of those involved are the same folks who put through generations of pastors. Too edgy? Is it really too edgy to consider alternative worship formats? Really? How dyed-in-the-wool are we?
The fact that some of the larger/largest congregations in the denomination want to be involved in the conversation - that’s a bad thing? Are there not lessons to be learned from large worshiping Missouri Synod Lutheran congregations in leadership development? Come on.
What is called for - because this is much ado about something - is a most serious effort to include a wide band of stakeholders in the future of the denomination in active and ongoing conversation about formation, training and - yes - best practices for stemming the tide of diminution of membership. That course of action would be more than a pleasant surprise. It would be the breath of the Spirit.
Thanks for sharing these important letters from our LCMS Seminary Presidents. This could be subtitled “Much Ado About Something.” Both Presidents bring up valid concerns. Both indicate in their own way, “We’ve got this,” whether it’s by squelching a rumor deemed false concerning the closure of the SMP/alternate route programs toward ordination or continuing to guarantee the Lutheran-ness of graduates.
At the same time; both letters are reactive in the main, attempting to thwart or kick to the curb any further action or conversation, along the lines of “nothing to see here - keep moving.” Of course there is something wrong here, and it’s a good time to engage with the stakeholders - some up to many of whom are ex-seminary professors - on the substance of the concerns for the church ody and indeed for the Church when it comes to the content of training and formation of spiritual leaders.
Ask the question - why would the seminaries NOT want to meet with those with concerns about the missional emphasis of training and formation? What’s the true threat? Insufficiently Lutheran? Many of those involved are the same folks who put through generations of pastors. Too edgy? Is it really too edgy to consider alternative worship formats? Really? How dyed-in-the-wool are we?
The fact that some of the larger/largest congregations in the denomination want to be involved in the conversation - that’s a bad thing? Are there not lessons to be learned from large worshiping Missouri Synod Lutheran congregations in leadership development? Come on.
What is called for - because this is much ado about something - is a most serious effort to include a wide band of stakeholders in the future of the denomination in active and ongoing conversation about formation, training and - yes - best practices for stemming the tide of diminution of membership. That course of action would be more than a pleasant surprise. It would be the breath of the Spirit.
Dave, on this we agree heartily (see my post).