The idea for this new venture of a theological journal got its start at the last Metropolitan Chicago Synod Assembly where some delegates shared their observation that the most significant discussions of important matters before the Synod seldom reach the floor of the assembly. Instead, they happen informally in the corridors, during coffee breaks, and around the Augsburg Fortress bookstore display.
Yet many of us go to synod assembly just for this: to see friends and talk about important things. Many more of us are eager for any forum we can find in which to reflect together on changes in society that impact on the church’s life and mission in the light of the Bible, theology, or personal experience. We realize there is now too little real opportunity for the kind of prolonged discussion or debate on issues that impact our church life. There is too little opportunity for discourse that can produce the kind of consensus that prompted the first synod leader in the church, St. James of Jerusalem, to conclude that the decision reached “seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us” (Acts 15:28).
This is why we have launched Let’s Talk.
- In this journal we will will seek to carry on discussion of significant issues in our synod, congregations, and the ELCA from a theological perspective–we being the pastors and lay persons who are members of the Metropolitan Chicago Synod.
- This will not be a vehicle for promoting the latest program or recipe for ministry, but we will critique and debate the fundamental theological assumptions that inform ministry.
- This publication will serve the Synod (Bishop Kenneth Olsen has given his endorsement and will from time to time contribute articles, and the Synod is providing seed money and running contributions to Let’s Talk through its books.) but will remain editorially independent.
- We will encourage expressions of the vital diversity of perspective that makes our Synod great. We intend that your voice will be among the voices heard in this publication.
So the group that has started this journal is looking to draw you into the conversation.
We hope to publish four to six times a year. Each issue will focus on a central topic, but articles may also be published that do not follow the theme. We will be asking our colleagues in the MCS (and an occasional outsider) to write articles. We also hope to host a lively forum for letters to keep the conversation going.
We cannot pay for submissions or solicited articles.
See the publication information box for information on contributing letters or articles. Note too that we rely on voluntary contributions (sent through the Synod office) to keep us going.
Let’s Talk will go out initially to all rostered members of the Synod. We hope to add other non-rostered people who are interested in the publication to this list, so please send us your request along with your mailing address. Meanwhile, feel free to reproduce and distribute this journal, in part or in its entirety, as long as you cite us as the source on all copies.
Please join us in the discussion. Let’s talk!
The Editorial Council
