Transforming Church

First, we got to know a little about those attending the gathering (listed below). Then, we took a look back at the key events in the history of lifelong learning in the ELCA. After that, we were invited to join in writing strategies to take our partnership into the future.

I raised the question of purpose, both the purpose of Lifelong Learning within the ELCA context, and the purpose of the partnership. In my work, strategy and goals flow out of organizational purpose, and I still was not clear. I had studied the criteria for joining the partnership, but, being a newcomer, did not know why we were gathering.

Deciding that the current statement of purpose did not provide the clarity we desired, we rewrote the statement. We agreed that learning for the Christian is centered on discipleship and our missional calling, and so incorporated the terms into the revised statement.

Statement of Purpose:
The purpose of the ELCA Lifelong Theological Education Partnership is to nurture, develop and support lifelong learning that equips the whole people of God for discipleship and their mission in the world.

Having clarified our purpose, we then articulated a draft mission for the partnership and then created goals and tactics to accomplish the mission. Here is the draft mission:

Draft Mission:
We are an interconnected network, supporting each other, sharing resources and best practices, raising awareness of lifelong learning opportunities across the ELCA, and collaborating to make the priesthood of all believers a reality.

It was fascinating to learn of the different ways participants create lifelong learning opportunities across the church. Many represented Lay Theological Education Centers and Synod Authorized Ministries. These programs are based on the fourfold approach that molds the seminary curriculum. I raised the question: "If seminaries are not turning out missional leaders, how can we expect to replicate the seminary approach in our lay centers and turn out missional leaders?"

Over the course of our dialog, it became evident to me that indeed several of these programs deepen the discipleship journey. Ray Bebee coordinates Diakonia in the Chicago area. The time I spent rooming and talking with Ray convinced me of the discipleship impact of this course.

I came away from the gathering enthused about the potential for the Lifelong Learning Partners to move discipleship forward in the ELCA. To that end, I wanted to make our community aware of the partnership and its work. Below you will find links to many of these partner organizations around the country. Attending the gathering were:

Ray Bebee
Diakonia
West Chicago, IL

Richard Bruesehoff
ELCA, Vocation and Education Unit
Chicago, IL

Gregg Burch
Editor
TransformingChurch.com
Roswell, GA

Paul Campbell
Spirit in the Desert
Lutheran Retreat Center
www.spiritinthedesert.org
Carefree, AZ

Jessica R. Crist
Northern Rockies Institute of Theology
Great Falls, MT

Marilyn Clark
Lutheran House of Studies
Lawrence, KS

Ward Cornett III
Director, Center for Continuing Education and Life Long Learning, Trinity Lutheran Seminary
Executive Producer, Select Multimedia Resources: Lutheran Voices for Leadership Formation
Columbus, OH

John Fortin
The Center for Lifelong Learning, Luther Seminary
The Center strengthens Christians for their callings in God’s world through residential courses, multimedia resources, and a congregational process that connects Sunday and Monday, faith and daily life.
St. Paul, MN

Bradley Hanson
Luther College, Grace Institute for Spiritual Formation
Decorah, IA

Jodi Hanson
ELCA South Dakota Synod Lay School of Theology/Select
Agustana College
Sioux Falls, South Dakota

Kathy Haueisen
The Melanchthon Institute
Houston, TX
A leadership institute for clergy and laity

Arland Jacobson
Concordia College, CHARIS Ecumenical Center for Church and Community
Moorhead, MN

Julie Josund
The Office of Church Relations
Pacific Lutheran University
Tacoma, WA
Has a grant to start a Transformational Leadership Academy

Gregory Kaufmann
Continuing Education Task Force of Wisconsin and Upper Michigan
Eau Claire, WI

Tom Morgan
Augsburg College
Minneapolis, MN

Gordon Peterson
Assistant to the Bishop, ELCA Pacifica Synod
Yorba Linda, CA
Starting a lay theological education program

Amy Ponomarev
Director of Communications
The Luther Institute
Galveston, TX
Our Mission

Rodney Schofield
Lutheran Center for Theological Studies - Rocky Mountain Region
Buena Vista, CO
www.effectivenessassociates.org

Jon Skogen
ELCA, Vocation and Education Unit
Chicago, IL

Phyllis Wiederhoeft
Association of Lutheran Development Executives
Madison, WI

Mark Wilhelm
ELCA, Vocation and Education unit
Chicago, IL

Marianne Wilkinson
Central States Synod Lifelong Learning Council
Lawrence, KS

Peggy Wvertle
ELCA Region 7 Staff
Philadelphia, PA