Ministry in Context

As you know, Contextual Learning is going through a transition. Chris Scharen, the current director, has accepted a position at Auburn Theological Seminary and will start his new job on Sept. 1. We appreciate all that Chris has done at Luther Seminary and we will miss his expertise. We are grateful that Kathryn Ostlie-Olson will be the interim director as we begin the search for our next director. We have started the formal search process and hope to fill the position in the next four to six months. …

Finding God’s activity in the midst of our questions is a key discipline for ministers in context. What can be surprising is just how basic the reflective questions can be. Often times, the who, what, where, why, when, and how questions will lead to deep reflective praxis that unleashes remarkable evidence of a creative and redeeming God stirring in amongst everyday episodes of our lives.

Many students are considering the work of practical theologians as they engage in ministry sites through …

One of the side-road routes I take when driving from my home to the Luther Seminary campus takes me past an aging elementary school in St. Paul. It is neither the shortest route nor the quickest, but I drive that route because I like to look at that school.

I like the view because to me it looks like a school is supposed to look, meaning it looks like the schools I went to back in the mists of the ancient past. When my gaze falls on that school I know what the rooms look like and smell like and feel …

Twice per year in the fall and spring, all Internship supervisors and pastoral interns around the country are hosted by the nearest ELCA seminary for something called the "cluster meeting." At the cluster meeting, supervisors and pastoral interns enjoy a chance to meet, talk, ask questions, provide feedback, and learn from other partners in the Internship experience. These are valuable sessions and they contribute greatly to the Internship in both semesters. (They are also a fun way to get to know …

This past year has produced many changes in the health insurance industry which have affected Contextual Learning’s requirements and expectations for this component of congregational support in 2014-2015. The launch of the Affordable Care Act means that most students who are not covered through an employer’s policy now have the option to purchase individual coverage through a state-sponsored insurance marketplace, as an alternative to the policy currently offered through Luther Seminary. …

Over the past few years, Contextual Learning has developed a pattern of welcoming returning interns by listening to your stories, and inviting you to listen to each other's stories, about internship. This year we'll do this on Wednesday, September 3, from 1:30-5:00 p.m.

We know the return to campus can be rough. We know you've grown in your leadership, and have lived into the role of pastor through the experiences you've had on internship. We want to offer you an opportunity to continue reflecting …

Are you wrapping up Internship and/or preparing for approval? The ELCA has recently transitioned to a new Form D, now featuring a lengthier word count. Rather than 600 characters for summary paragraphs, new Forms D can include 900 characters!

Christian Public Leader is a short-term, part-time contextual education placement. Here, students can explore academic and theological questions in a real-world environment in dialog with contextual site educators. This program partners effectively with other tagged courses that require a contextual/immersion experience in a congregation- or community-based organization. Additionally, with this context as their primary conversation partner, students will critically reflect on themselves as leaders, …

Who are your neighbors here in the Twin Cities? How might relationships with members of diverse communities, cultures, and faith traditions transform your understanding of what it means to be a Christian in community in this time and place?

Luther students, staff, faculty are invited to join Cross-Cultural Education for Pray and Break Bread, four off-campus trips in which we will leave the Luther bubble; meet area community members, religiously-motivated activists, and faith leaders; break bread …

There will be a new SCUPE Public Theology in the City class starting this September, this time hosted by Pastor Chris Berthelsen at First Lutheran Church in St. Paul.  The dates are September 19-20, Oct. 17-18, and Dec 5-6.  Pastor Jim Erlandson will be team teaching this course.  The Public Theology in the City course will deal with poverty, race, and hunger issues in the Dayton's Bluff community of St. Paul. For more information, please contact Pastor Erlandson at Lutheran …