Conference Pastors Gathering - April 20

Conference Pastors Gathering in Battle Lake, MN, Thursday, April 20

I recently accompanied President Bliese to a conference of pastors gathering in Battle Lake, MN. Each ELCA synod is divided into conferences, smaller geographic areas within the synod, in order to facilitate better communication and cooperation within a synod. On a regular basis pastors within a conference gather for worship, fellowship, a meal, and education (most often a speaker). Dr. Bliese was invited to be the speaker for this particular gathering.

The group included active and retired pastors (many serving interims) as well as a number of interns from Luther Seminary. It was wonderful to meet the interns in this context and to hear how their placements were going. My internship supervisor was there. It was nice to see his continued commitment to mentoring up-and-coming pastors.

President Bliese took this opportunity to introduce himself to the group, give an update on what is happening at Luther Seminary and field questions. This group had a sincere interest in the Seminary and their questions and comments reflected their hopes that the Seminary will continue to strive for excellence in all areas.

I also had an opportunity to introduce myself and lift up the partnership that we share in raising up leaders for the church.

It felt good to be amongst colleagues in this type of setting and to rejoice in my own heart at the ministry that is being done in and through these pastors and their congregations. May God grant them continued faithfulness in their callings and may the Holy Spirit continue to stir the hearts and minds of the people they serve.

Spring has sprung

Spring has finally sprung on the campus of Luther Seminary. And if feels & looks GREAT! Trees are beginning to bud, birds are singing, flowers sprouting, the air is warm and not a pile of snow to be seen. Students have been taking advantage of the wonderful weather as well, and are seen in the photo below enjoying their lunch in the garden area outside the cafeteria.

This change in the seasons makes me mindful of the changes we will encounter this week--Holy Week. Just as we move from the darkness and dead of winter to the light and aliveness of spring, so too we move from the darkness and tomb of Good Friday to the brighness and aliveness of Easter. Let the jouney begin!

TriOta Spring Retreat, March 30-April 1

Students involved in Lutheran Campus Ministry programs at Universities in North and South Dakota and Minnesota (TriOta) gathered on the campus of North Dakota State University, Fargo for their annual spring retreat.



It was a huge gathering of students (see picture, can you find me?). The theme centered on the topic of "vocation" and living out your call wherever God places you. I was invited to preach on Friday night, 10:45 PM at night I might add, and to host a workshop entitled "Seminary 101." I am not sure I was the best choice of preacher for that late at night, but I relied on the fact that the Holy Spirit would at least be awake. And the two workshops I hosted were very enjoyable. I was able to share helpful information about seminary study and fielded good questions.

Hats off to Shera Hill and the entire TriOta board for putting together a wonderful retreat with a very appropriate theme. I hope all the students who participated left with a fuller knowledge of what it means to live out one’s calling as a child of God. "I have plans for you, says the Lord, plans for peace and not calamity, to give you a future and a hope." Jeremiah 29:11.

(By the way I am in the second from the bottom row, from the left, fourth person in.)