My interest in the life and thought of Albert Schweitzer as a guiding principle came via a circuitous route. For some time I had been aware of considerable social and economic change and turmoil in the world. It seemed to me that we, as a society, were losing what I call “mutual regard,” i.e., a […]
Welcome to Let’s Talk
We invite submission of papers and talks from members of the Metropolitan Chicago Synod of the ELCA, talks given to members of the Metropolitan Chicago Synod, or articles from other pastors and theologians, not limited to ELCA. Send submissions in Word docx. to fcsenn70@gmail.com.
Jazz and Our Calling
In his congregation’s newsletter, Pr. Peter Marty of St. Paul Lutheran Church, Davenport, Iowa, describes being struck by the way a summer camp counselor spoke of her role as a “memory-maker for kids.” He comments that this young woman did not have a summer job, she had a calling—a wonderful experience that can happen to […]
On the Way: Vision for Ecumenism
In 1983 in Vancouver, the Assembly of the World Council of Churches articulated a “eucharistic” vision which …unites our two profoundest ecumenical concerns: the unity and renewal of the church and the healing and destiny of the human community. Church unity is vital to the health of the church and to the future of the […]
Lament in the Ministry: Public, Pastoral, Personal
“Thee, thee and thee, but not me,” Dr. Kubler-Ross used to say about death and dying.It happens to everyone else but not to me. So it is with tragedy and lament in the ministry. Things happen in other communities, but not here; things happen to other pastors but not to me. And then it happens. […]
A Personal Journey Into Lament
In the aftermath of September 11, 2001, there has been renewed attention to the role of lament in public and private life. Lament involves the recognition that we are not in control. It is a healthy corrective in a culture which focuses on success (presumed to be attainable) and on being in control of our […]
Book Review: Spirituality of the Psalms
by Walter Brueggemann Minneapolis: Fortress, 2002. 75 pp. $6.00 Reviewed/excerpted by Joyce M. Bowers Walter Brueggemann is the William Marcellus McPheeters Professor of Old Testament at Columbia Theological Seminary, Decatur, Georgia. He is a prolific author; many of his books have been published by Fortress Press, notably Theology of the Old Testament: Testimony, Dispute, Advocacy […]
How to Argue with God: An Example Based on the Law-Court Pattern of Prayer
The theme of this article is “The Law-Court Pattern of Prayer.” This pattern is used by the poets in accounts about Abraham, Moses, and Elijah, and is present in about fifty Psalms, in Jeremiah and in Job. In all of these texts the poets wrestle with the experience of innocent suffering. We will look at […]
Lament and Nostalgia
I. We lament death. We grieve and we mourn. “Blessed are those who mourn,” said Jesus, “for they shall be comforted.” In this beatitude many people take refuge. I have heard people call this the principal beatitude of their lives. What are we lamenting? We lament death. Death means change. Death disrupts what we have […]
8.2 Reader’s Response
Gerald L. Lundby responded to Frank Senn’s column “As I See It … The Need to Observe the Rubrics” in Volume 7, Issue 2 as follows: Pastor Senn’s comments on the proper use of the liturgy were scholarly and appreciated. I sometimes find that the “contemporary liturgies” popping up all over our synod congregations leave […]
As I See It: Judaism and the Land of Israel
This is off the beaten path for me, but the situation in the Holy Land has been an interest of mine since I was privileged to travel to Israel and Palestine in the summer of 1998 in the Christian Clergy Traveling Seminar sponsored by the Chicago Chapter of the American Jewish Committee. I’m grateful that […]
“A DramaticMixture of Brokenness and Grace”
Faithful Conversation: Christian Perspectives on Homosexuality, ed.James M. Childs Jr. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2003. viii + 132pp. $9.00. A Commentary by way of a Review I had intended to write a review, not a commentary flowing from a review. Furthermore, the review taking shape in my head was negative. I now begin this review fully aware […]
A “Yes” in Kansas City
ALPB Conference on Christian Sexuality, Ruskin Heights Lutheran Church, Kansas City, MO, October 2002 Report and Reflections by Wayne R. Cowell They came to the heartland from every state except Hawaii, and some from Canada. Conference organizer Russell Saltzman had been clear about what they should expect. In his announcement (Forum Letter, Vol. 31, No. […]
A Conservative Case for Recognition of Gay Relationships in the Church
So far, I have been very dissatisfied with the discussion of the proposals for same-sex holy unions and ordination of sexually active homosexual clergy in the ELCA. The discussion keeps being presented as a debate between “liberals” and “conservatives” or between “progressives” and “traditionalists,” with the former supposed to be in support of the radical […]
Reflections on Experiencing Leadership of Gay Clergy
Ross Merkel is the pastor of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Oakland, California. Saint Paul, an ELCA congregation, is a growing, joyful church with outstanding worship, education, fellowship, and service to the community. I have been a member of St. Paul’s for five years. About a year ago, in the middle of a dialogue sermon, […]
Recognizing God’s Blessings: Holy Unions and the Ordination of Women and Men in Same-Sex Relationships
In 1991 the ELCA voted to welcome all people regardless of their sexual orientation into membership in their congregations. This was reaffirmed in 1995. In 1993, the Metropolitan Chicago Synod became a “Reconciling in Christ” Synod, by affirming that “gay and lesbian people share with all others the worth that comes from being loved and […]
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