More than 120 pastors, laypersons, district presidents and staff, and other interested parties representing 20 districts from around the LCMS met January 7-8 at Faith Community Lutheran Church in Las Vegas, NV in a collegial “Koinonia” gathering, focusing on discussion of LCMS pastoral formation perspectives.
As stated on the LCMS website’s Koinonia Project webpage, “The Koinonia Project is an effort through which we pray God will give greater harmony in our Synod’s ‘Life Together.’” The gathering and framework provide a forum where we as Synod and brothers and sisters in Christ could come together to fraternally discuss issues and topics were there are differing viewpoints.
Beginning with worship, confession and absolution, attendees spent significant time together in discussion at tables, sharing ideas and insights in response to presentations by several speakers with contrasting positions.
Representatives from each table also presented to the entire assembly areas of agreement, disagreement, bearing of Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions on the topic, and ideas on next steps based on the discussions. Topics discussed include:
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Benefits of residential seminary as the standard pastoral formation option
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Online seminary as an effective option in addition to residential seminary
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History of Synod resolutions related to pastoral formation
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Types of pastors congregations and district presidents are looking for and whyresidential or online seminary options fulfill those needs
Actively listening and gaining understanding of differing viewpoints were important goals of the gathering, along with achieving greater unity and harmony as Synod. Attendee comments indicate that these goals were met. We praise God for this blessing, and pray that these types of gatherings can occur in more locations.
Post Event Resources
Schedule
Subject to change
Wednesday, January 7 | ||
Noon | Check In | |
12:15 PM | Welcome | Devotion | Setting the stage and Koinonia discussion | Rev. Dr. Mike Gibson, President, Pacific Southwest District – LCMS |
1:00 PM | One Congregation and Pastor’s Position | Rev. Dr. Tim Ahlman, Christ Greenfield Lutheran Church and School, Gilbert, AZ |
1:20 PM | Table Talk - Discussion | |
1:40 PM | Break | |
2:00 PM | Why residential seminary education is “the standard” for pastoral formation | Rev. Heath Curtis, President, Southern Illinois District – LCMS |
2:20 PM | Table Talk - Discussion | |
2:40 PM | Why online education is an effective option for pastoral formation | Rev. Dr. Jeffrey Kloha, Dean, The Center for Missional & Pastoral Leadership |
3:00 PM | Table Talk - Discussion | |
3:20 PM | Table Talk - Discussion on the two presentations | |
3:40 PM | Large Group Discussion | |
Break | ||
4:15 PM | A review of convention resolutions that have shaped pastoral formation throughout LCMS history | Rev. Robert Sundquist, Faith Community Lutheran Church, Las Vegas, NV |
5:00 PM | Table Talk - Discussion | |
5:45 PM | Large Group Discussion | Share recommendations for evening informal discussion | |
6:00 PM | Dinner | Fellowship | Continued Discussion | |
Thursday, January 8 | ||
8:30 AM | Devotion | |
8:45 AM | Table Talk | Large Group Discussion | |
9:30 AM | What kind of pastors are congregations and DPs looking for and why an online MDiv would be a helpful option to accomplish it. | Rev. Waldemar Vinovskis, President, SELC District – LCMS |
9:50 AM | Table Talk - Discussion | |
10:15 AM | What kind of pastors are congregations and DPs looking for and why residential seminary is the way to accomplish it | Rev. Dr. Nathan Meador President, South Wisconsin District – LCMS |
10:35 AM | Table Talk - Discussion | |
10:55 AM | Large Group Discussion | |
11:30 AM | Prayer at Tables | |
11:40 AM | Sending |