Mark Granquist, Lloyd and Annelotte Svendsbye Chair in Church History, organized an international conference at Luther Seminary with scholars from the seminary and from VID Specialized University in Stavanger, Norway. Held October 15–17, 2024, the “Types and Varieties of Ministry” conference featured Terri Elton ’98 M.A., ’07 Ph.D., dean of academic affairs; Gracia Grindal, emeritus professor of rhetoric; Mary Jane Haemig, emeritus professor of the history of Christianity; Ph.D. candidate Bryant Kumlin; Jennifer Pietz ’13 M.Div., assistant professor of New Testament; Mark Tranvik ’92 Th.D., professor of Reformation history and theology; Jennifer Wojciechowski ’19 Ph.D., assistant professor of church history; alumni Al Aakre ’22 M.Div. and Mark Nygard ’76 M.Div, ’09 Ph.D.; and faculty from VID Specialized University.

This fall, scholars put history into context, gathering in the United States’ first Norwegian Lutheran church (top) and participating in thought-provoking discussions (bottom). (Courtesy photos)

---

On December 29, 2024, the Working Preacher team at Luther Seminary posted its 1,000th episode of the Sermon Brainwave podcast. Featuring Rolf Jacobson ’91 M.Div., dean of the faculty; Karoline Lewis, Marbury E. Anderson Chair of Biblical Preaching; Matthew Skinner, Asher O. and Carrie Nasby Chair of New Testament; and former faculty member Joy J. Moore, this long-running podcast launched in May 2008 and has been broadcast weekly for more than 16 years. The episode was also the last for Moore and marked the return of Jacobson to Sermon Brainwave after a three-year hiatus. Catch Sermon Brainwave and other Working Preacher podcasts at workingpreacher.org/podcasts.

---

Dirk Lange, Frederik A. Schiotz Chair of Christian Missions and the Lutheran World Federation assistant secretary for ecumenical relations, was one of 16 ecumenical delegates who joined Roman Catholic leaders at the Vatican in October 2024 for a meeting on reform of the Catholic Church.

---

Joy J. Moore, former professor of biblical preaching at Luther Seminary, was named president of Northern Seminary in Lisle, Illinois, in November 2024.

---

Matthew Skinner is the author of “Acts: An Interpretation Bible Commentary,” published by Westminster John Knox Press in April. He also contributed an essay, “The Acts of the Apostles,” to the recently published volume, “The Cambridge Companion to Biblical Narrative.”

---

Jennifer Wojciechowski is the author of “Tending the Garden: A History of Christian Mysticism,” published by Fortress Press in February.

---

Dwight Zscheile ‘08 Ph.D., vice president of innovation and professor of congregational mission and leadership, is the co-author of “Embracing the Mixed Ecology: Inherited and New Forms of Christian Community Flourishing Together,” forthcoming from Seabury Books in June. He was also the keynote speaker at the Water and the Word conference in the Episcopal Diocese of Southwest Florida and led a clergy training for the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia in February.