Life of the WorldConcordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne

January 2008, Volume Twelve, Number One

Forthe

Pastoral Fitness under the CrossRev. Dr Albert B. Collver

Fit for MinistryRev. Dr. Harold L. Senkbeil

Devotional DiligenceRev. Kerry David Reese

For The LIFE of the World

F E A T U R E S

PRESIDENTRev. Dr. Dean O. Wenthe

PUBLISHER EDITORRev. Steven Cholak Rev. John Pless

COPY EDITOR ART DIRECTORTrudy Behning Steve Blakey

EDITORIAL ASSOCIATESRev. James Bushur � Dr. Charles Gieschen

Dr. Naomichi Masaki

For the Life of theWorld is published quarterly by Concordia Theological SeminaryPress, 6600 North Clinton Street, Fort Wayne, Indiana 46825. No portion of thispublication may be reproduced without the written consent of the publisher of Forthe Life of the World. Copyright 2008. Printed in the United States. Postage paidat Huntington, Indiana. For the Life of the World is mailed to all pastors andcongregations of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod in the United States andCanada and to anyone interested in the work of Concordia Theological Seminary,Fort Wayne, Indiana.

CONTENTS4 Pastoral Fitness under the Cross

by Rev. Dr. Albert B. CollverThere is no greater temptation than to doubt the promises ofJesus; likewise, there is no way to survive the cross than tocling to the promises of Jesus. In fact, the pastor in crisischases after Jesus and captures Him in the promises He gavehim as a Christian in Holy Baptism and as a pastor in HolyOrdination. Jesus loves to be captured in His promises.

14 Fit for Ministryby Rev. Dr. Harold L. SenkbeilMartin Luther’s paradigm for making theologians isn’ta bad model for spiritual fitness among pastors (and otherChristians too): Prayer, Meditation, and Affliction (spiritualstruggle). Besides vital spiritual self-care, pastors needshepherding too. Just as barbers need barbers or physiciansneed physicians, pastors need pastors.

22 Devotional Diligenceby Rev. Kerry David ReeseRanking at or near the top of a list of occupational hazardsfor ministers of the Gospel is succumbing to the tendency totreat Scriptures as an academic tool while neglecting itsdevotional use for the pastor’s spiritual strength and well-being. Being “in the Word” includes more than our hands-onapproach for preparing cogent sermons and Bible classes.

25 The Passive Pastorby Rev. John T. PlessPastoral fitness begins with pastoral passivity.We hear much about pastors “burning out”under increased demands often coupledwith confusion over what it is that pastorsare to do. Are pastors mainly counselors,managers, public relations experts, orcommunity organizers?

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Volume Twelve, Number One

CoverPhoto:RichAbrahamsonoftheFortCollinsColoradoan(EasterVigil,2007:PeaceWithChristLutheranChurch,FortCollins,CO)

JANUARY 2008 3

Do you have a good family physician? I hope you do. Our familyis blessed with a physician who exhibits remarkable care for hispatients. His medical knowledge is exemplary and

complemented by his readiness to refer to specialists if necessary. Henot only provides a diagnosis, but also communicates the reasons andrationale so the patient is fully informed. What is most impressive,however, is how he cares for the patient.

A recent project of the Carnegie Foundation was devoted toreviewing the roles and the contributions of the professions to oursociety. In a word, it urged that it was important that doctors retaintheir focus on patients rather than procedures and that attorneys attendto justice for clients more than to billable hours.

After reviewing the various aspects of pastoral work—preaching,teaching, counseling, etc.—it is noteworthy that the Carnegie studyaffirms the importance and centrality of interpreting God’s reality andpresence: “This suggests that questions about God or ultimatemeaning have everything to do with the capacity of persons andcommunities to foster and contribute to existentially coherent humanlife or to the greater common good in the face of fear, greed, chaos,uncertainty, and suffering of human existence. Interpreting God andGod-language, in other words, matters” (Charles R. Foster, Lisa E.Dahill, Lawrence A. Golemon, Barbara Wang Tolentino, EducatingClergy [Stanford, CA: The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancementof Teaching, 2006], 357-8).

To have a pastor who rightly describes the Triune God andfaithfully interprets Sacred Scripture is a great blessing and comfort,similar to having a good physician. Just as we treasure a physician whonot only knows medicine but also truly cares for his patients, wesimilarly value a pastor whose right knowledge of God is joined to acompassionate and caring heart. Lutheran theology has especiallyvalued Seelsorge, i.e., the care of souls.

If physicians devote themselves to the physical welfare of theirpatients, a faithful pastor guides and guards the souls under his carethat they might enjoy God’s grace and mercy in Christ now and enjoythe Blessed and Holy Trinity forever in eternity. Christ, the great goodShepherd, established the office of pastor precisely for the care andnurture and salvation of His people.

This aspect of pastoral work is captured in a paragraph by JohnWatson in John W. Doberstein’sMinister’s Prayer Book(Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1986), 211:

One’s heart goes back from this eager, restless, ambitious age tothe former days, and recalls with fond recollection the pastor ofhis youth, who had lived all his ministry in one place, and wasburied where he was ordained—who had baptized a child, andadmitted her to the sacrament, and married her and baptized herchildren—who knew all the ins and outs of his people’s

character, and carried family history for generations in hishead—who was ever thinking of his people, watching overthem, visiting their homes, till his familiar figure on the streetlinked together the past and the present, and heaven and earth,and opened a treasure house of sacred memories. He prayedwith a lad before he went away—his mother could almostrepeat the words; he was constantly inquiring about his welfare,so binding him to his faith and home by silken ties; he was inthe house on the day of his return, to see how it had fared withhim in the outer world. People turned to him as by an instinct intheir joys and sorrows; men consulted him in the crises of life,and, as they lay a-dying, committed their wives and children tohis care. He was a head to every widow, and a father to theorphans, and the friend of all lowly, discouraged, unsuccessfulsouls. Ten miles away people did not know his name, but hisown congregation regarded no other, and in the Lord’s presenceit was well known, it was often mentioned; when he laid downhis trust, and arrived on the other side, many whom he had fedand guided, and restored and comforted, till he saw themthrough the gates, were waiting to receive their shepherd-minister, and as they stood around him before the Lord, he, ofall men, could say without shame, “Behold, Lord, thine under-shepherd, and the flock thou didst give me.”

However long a pastor serves, it is this model of spiritual care thatConcordia Theological Seminary cherishes. Rather than the trendy andmanipulative, we embrace authenticity, integrity, and charity as themarks of faithful pastoral care.

We believe that our graduates—exhibiting such a life and suchcare—will give their congregations and the soul of each memberwonderful assurance and comfort, assurance that their sins are forgivenand comfort that in Christ even death is no more.

Permeating such a faithful pastor’s life is also a longing for the lostand a constant effort to reach them as our mission statement captures:“Concordia Theological Seminary forms students in Jesus Christ toteach the faithful, to reach the lost, and to care for all.”

Enjoy this issue of For the Life of theWorld with its focus onpastoral care, and pray for us and support us as we continue to preparesuch pastors.

Sincerely yours, in Christ,

Rev. Dr. Dean O. WenthePresident, Concordia Theological Seminary

FROM THE

PRESIDENTDear Friends of Concordia Theological Seminary:

Pastoral Care—Seelsorge

There is no greater temptationthan to doubt the promises ofJesus; likewise, there is no way tosurvive the cross than to cling tothe promises of Jesus. In fact, thepastor in crisis chases after Jesusand captures Him in the promisesHe gave him as a Christian in HolyBaptism and as a pastor in HolyOrdination. Jesus loves to becaptured in His promises.

Pastoral Fitnessunder theCross

By The Rev. Dr. B. Albert Collver

4 For the Life of the World

“… before time began God preordained what sort of crosses and sufferings he woulduse to conform each one of his elect to ‘the image of his Son,’ and that the cross ofeach should and must ‘work together for the good’ of that person …”

(FC SD XI, 49; KW, 648)

What happens when the dream becomes a nightmare?Aman, who longed and dreamed to become a pastor,found himself in an impossible situation. The

excitement of Call day is shattered by problems in the parish.Imagine arriving at a congregation with divisions andarguments over leadership, a congregation that tolerates grosssin and immorality, a congregation involved in lawsuitsagainst each other, a congregation with disagreements overthe practice of Holy Communion, a congregation in disputeover the proper role of women, a congregation with quarrelsover worship, and even a congregation that has doubts aboutthe resurrection from the dead. Some might be identifyingwith individual problems; others might be thanking God thattheir congregation is not as bad as others, or find it hard tobelieve a single congregation could have all of theseproblems. Yet this is exactly the situation Saint Paulencountered as a pastor in Corinth.

Lutheran Service Book Cross (c) 2006 Concordia Publishing House. Used with permission.

JANUARY 2008 5

For the Life of the World6

Pastors with troubled congregationsare often tempted to curse the sheep thatthe Lord has entrusted them to shepherd.Yet notice how Saint Paul greets histroubled congregation, “To the church ofGod that is in Corinth, to those sanctifiedin Christ Jesus, called to be saints …”(1 Cor. 1:2). Saint Paul believes that theholy Christian church exists in Corinthand he calls them “saints.” With thesewords Paul is making a confession offaith just as in the Creed. A pastor underthe cross needs to confess the Creed, “Ibelieve in the holy Christian church andthe communion of saints …” He needs tobe reminded of the promises of Jesus thatboth the church and the saints are locatedwhere the Gospel is proclaimed andwhere His forgiving gifts are bestowed.Another temptation a pastor in crisis

experiences is to lose his faith in thepromises given to him by Jesus. Atordination a candidate hears the wordsand promises of Jesus: “You did notchoose Me, but I chose you …” (John15:16), “And surely I will be with youalways, to the end of the age” (Matt.28:20). When crisis comes in the parish,it is easy to forget that the Lord chosethe pastor for that congregation. Boththe pastor and the parish forget thispromise of Jesus. At times both may feelas if Jesus is not with them but hasabandoned them.There is no greater temptation than to

doubt the promises of Jesus; likewise,there is no way to survive the cross thanto cling to the promises of Jesus. In fact,the pastor in crisis chases after Jesus andcaptures Him in the promises He gavehim as a Christian in Holy Baptism andas a pastor in Holy Ordination. Jesusloves to be captured in His promises.A counter-intuitive promise that our

Lord has made is that our sufferings,trials, and crosses were predestinedbefore the foundation of the world for usso that nothing would happen in our lives

that could take us from Jesus. This iswhat we confess in Formula of ConcordIX and is what Saint Paul wrote inRomans 8, that all things work for good.In the course of the trials we face in ourlives and in our vocations, the Lordconforms us into the image of His Son,that is, He puts to death our sinful natureand removes whatever is in our lives thatwould take us away from Him. We haveHis promise that no trial, suffering, orcross will take us away from Him.Saint Paul also shows how to

approach difficult problems in thecongregation. The simple answer is aproper division of the Law and theGospel. The art is to preach the Gospelto the weak, to those Christians whohaven’t been taught and are resistingbecause something the pastor says is newor threatening to them. To the strong, tothose who know, Saint Paul preaches theLaw. Ultimately, through patience, love,and teaching the pastor suffers with hissheep as they work through the trials andproblems set before the congregation.Remembering the promises of Jesus

and capturing Jesus in His promises willsustain the weary pastor, his family, andthe congregation he serves. The cross isnot easy to bear, but each cross servesthe good the Lord intended. Jesus isfaithful to His word and He has boundHimself to His promises. Jesus will neverfail you.

The Rev. Dr.Albert B. Collveris the ExecutivePastoral Assistantto the ExecutiveDirector, LCMSWorld Relief andHuman Care, St.Louis, Missouri.

Remembering the promises ofJesus and capturing Jesus in Hispromises will sustain the wearypastor, his family, and thecongregation he serves. Thecross is not easy to bear, buteach cross serves the good theLord intended. Jesus is faithfulto His word and He has boundHimself to His promises. Jesuswill never fail you.

7JANUARY 2008

6600 N. Clinton St. � Fort Wayne, IN 46825 � 800-481-2155

Phoebe?

Referenced in Scripture as a female servant of the churchby the Apostle Paul (Rom. 16:1–2), Phoebe has becomean icon for the Deaconess Program at Concordia

Theological Seminary (CTS). Phoebe, along with other womenthroughout history, dedicated herself to a life of service to thepoor and needy for the sake of the Gospel. Deaconessesprepare people to hear, believe in, and be comforted by ourLord and Savior, Jesus Christ, through acts of mercy. Manyfemale saints embody service (diaconia). Their exampleshapes the training of our women, which employs the theologyof service in The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, as theyfollow our chief servant, Jesus Christ.“We love, because He first loved us.” I John 4:19

Phoebe Academy College RetreatBorn out of the male counterpart (Christ Academy

College), Phoebe Academy College Retreat invites all currentundergraduate women to come and experience what CTSoffers in theological and diaconal training. This extendedweekend retreat will provide PACR participants the chance tosit in on classes, informal lectures, and to talk with professorsand deaconesses. The primary opportunity is for PACR to becentered around God’s Word and Sacraments in KramerChapel with deaconess students, seminarians, and ChristAcademy participants. Various activities and fellowship willaccompany the weekend retreat. While a focus of the retreat isinforming women about the service of deaconesses, werecognize that there may be an interest to explore aMaster of Arts degree in theology. We invitewomen with that curiosity to come as well. CTSwelcomes you to consider attending the PACRretreat this February 14-17, 2008.“Contribute to the needs of the saints and

seek to show hospitality.” Romans 12:13

Phoebe Academy College RetreatFebruary 14-17, 2008

Direction and VocationHow do you know if deaconess studies are right for you?

With a focus that is distinctly Lutheran, the PACR explores themany facets that diaconal ministry offers women and itsapplication in the real world.“Bear one another's burdens and thus fulfill the Law of

Christ.” Galatians 6:2

Opportunities are diverse and bountiful for deaconesses inareas such as hospitals, schools, mission work, prisons,parishes, military, campus ministry, music, nursing homes,groups homes, and so on. Deaconesses of the LCMS arecarrying on a longstanding, biblical, and feminine tradition ofservice to reach, teach, and care for the needy.

Phoebe Academy College RetreatIncludes (at No Cost):� Housing on campus� All meals in Katherine Luther Dining Hall� A complimentary PACR T-shirt� Aweekend of seminary life and theological reflection inthe classroom and in fellowship

� Daily Chapel Services� Shuttle transportation from airport to Seminary� Need-based financial assistance

Contact Information:Melissa DeGroot

Phone: 1.800.481.2155Fax: 260.452.2227degrootma@ctsfw.edu

For more information please visit our website,www.ctsfw.edu/admission/pacr/index.php. Pleasecomplete the online application to reserve yourattendance at Phoebe Academy College Retreat.

Opportunities to Refresh and Renew at CTSApril 4-5 Real Men Follow JesusThis men’s retreat, led by Dr. GaryW. Zieroth of St.Paul’s Lutheran Church, Kingsville, Maryland, isdesigned to re-engage men in their local congregations.Today’s churches, without even realizing it, may createan environment where women and tots thrive but menfeel hesitant and restrained. Can the local church be aplace where the average guy can connect with God?This retreat will focus on God’sWord regarding suchtopics as masculinity, spiritual leadership, and thefuture of men in the church. In addition to the meatyBible Study, we’ll have basketball (3 on 3, if you’re upfor that, and on the big screen—it is NCAAFinal Fourweekend, after all!), burgers, brats, and Lutheranbeverage. Retreat Fee: $100 (includes Friday eveningand Saturday meals and on-campus housing on Fridaynight). Saturday night lodging is available for $25.

April 18 LutherfestJoin fellowLutherans on campus for a wonderful Germandinner! Tickets are $7 for adults and $3 for children 12and under.More details on the program to follow.

April 19 Christians andthe Challenge of IslamMark your calendars! On Saturday, April 19,a team of internationally recognized scholars andmissionaries will converge on the seminary campusfor a day-seminar on the theme: Christians and theChallenge of Islam. Formal information sessions willcover a wide array of topics such as the history andtheology of Islam, contemporary Islamic movements,and Christian approaches to Muslims. In addition,

there will be several opportunities to interactpersonally with our panel of experts as we all cometogether to think through the challenge of Islam. Youwon’t want to miss this unique opportunity. SeminarFee: $50 (includes lunch and refreshments).

April 25-27 Confirmation RetreatThe Lord’s Prayer: What in the Worldare We Praying For?Because Jesus gave us this prayer, it must be veryimportant and, of course, it is. But do we reallyknow what we are praying for? Some things in theLord’s Prayer are clear ... but other things ... well,maybe they are not so clear. In this catechismretreat we will be talking about the importance ofprayer and specifically what we are praying for inthe Lord’s Prayer. Might be a few surprises alongthe way! Come and join us as we talk about an oftenneglected part of our lives: prayer ... and especiallythe Lord’s Prayer. This Confirmation Retreat, ledby the Rev. Ernie Lassman of Messiah LutheranChurch, Seattle, Washington, is designed for youthwho are currently receiving Confirmationinstruction in their home parish. As with all ourConfirmation retreats, there will be time to enjoyworship in Kramer Chapel, a scavenger hunt, andrecreation time in the campus gymnasium. RetreatFee: $100 (includes on-campus housing and meals).

For additional information concerning CTSretreats, please go online to www.ctsfw.edu/events/retreat or phone 1-877-287-4338, ext. 2266.

2008 CTS Retreat Registration FormRetreat Name and Date:_________________________________________Name(s):_____________________________________________________Address: _____________________________________________________City/State/Zip: ________________________________________________Phone: ______________________________________________________E-mail: ______________________________________________________

Occupancy: �� Single �� Double(Note: Dorms are air conditioned.)

Register early to ensure your spot! Mailreservations to the following address: RetreatCoordinator, Concordia Theological Seminary,6600 N. Clinton St., Fort Wayne, IN 46825. Topay by credit card, please phone 260-452-2266.

8 For the Life of the World

2 0 0 8

6600 N. Clinton St. � Fort Wayne, IN 46825

Food and Clothing Co-op

God’s people, whether they are individuals, members of congregations or societies within congregations, or corporations, have blessed the Food and Clothing

Co-op this past year. This, then, becomes a blessing to thestudents who have made the commitment to preparethemselves to serve God in the parish.The “official” chicken of CTS Fort Wayne continues to

be Brakebush Brothers from Westfield, Wisconsin. Theykeep our students supplied with various varieties of chicken.Many LWML societies from around Synod, as well as

District LWML Mission grants, sustain us on an ongoingbasis. Because of the gifts of these dear ladies, our studentshave fresh fruits and vegetables, milk, cheese, and otherperishable food items on a regular basis. Many quiltinggroups in congregations, as well as individual ladies in theirhomes, make blankets and quilts so that each student canreceive one at Christmastime.

The children of our students havethe opportunity to shop for gifts fortheir parents, or siblings, or perhapsgrandparents at ChristmasMarketplace. New items donated to the Co-op are organized anddisplayed for the children to choosejust the right thing for the people ontheir list. We had over 130 childrenregistered to shop for familymembers at the Marketplace.Generous people from around thecountry collect gift cards for us to

share with students. We received over $17,000.00 in and forgift cards to be given to students (and more are in route).Each student also received a CPH Bookstore gift card aswell as other vendor cards. What a blessing. They can shopat a retail store, or perhaps have a meal in a nice restaurantor put fuel in their car, all because the people of God lovetheir future pastors and deaconesses.The Co-op is ongoing throughout the year. The only

time it is closed,is when the seminary campus is closed. We thank God for the people who continue to support thestudents as they prepare to work for Him.If you would like any other information about the Co-op,

you can contact the Director, Karen Fuelling, at 260-452-2168 or e-mail karen.fuelling@ctsfw.edu or click on the Co-op link on our website ctsfw.edu.

Alaskan Cruise!

Come explore The Splendor of God’s Creation withPresident and Mrs. Dean O. Wenthe and Rev. andMrs. Wayne E. Graumann, Chairman of the Board of

Regents, aboard Holland America’s cruise ship, ms Westerdam.Take in the breathtaking natural wonders of Alaska: soaringeagles…breaching whales…shimmering glaciers. Enjoy, too, the charming coastal towns and fascinating glimpses of native culture. While at sea, there will be severalopportunities to join the Wenthes and other fellow Lutherans for Bible study and reflection on God’s creation.

Sunday, August 24 – Depart Seattle, WA – Sceniccruising of Puget Sound

Monday, August 25 – At sea – Enjoy the beautifulviews and all that the cruise ship has to offer

Tuesday, August 26 – Scenic cruising and Glacier BayNational Park

Wednesday, August 27 – Juneau, AKThursday, August 28 – Sitka, AKFriday, August 29 – Ketchikan, AKSaturday, August 30 – Scenic cruising of VancouverIsland, then an evening in Victoria, British Columbia

Sunday, August 31 – Return to Seattle, WA

Whether you are looking for adventure and want topartake in some of the myriad onshore excursionsavailable, or whether you are looking to get away from itall and want simply to relax, this cruise has it all!

Prices begin at $1229per person!(based on double occupancy)

If you’ve ever wanted to cruise to Alaska, now is thetime to do it! Not only can you take advantage of thegroup rate, but Holland America will give $50 toConcordia Theological Seminary for each cabin booked.For more information, check our website at

www.ctsfw.edu/tours/alaska/index.php, call 260-452-2266,or e-mail retreats@ctsfw.edu.

August 24-31, 2008

9JANUARY 2008

Students help stock the generous chicken donations from Brakebush Brothers.

10 For the Life of the World

The Lord calls men from all walks of life to the seminaryin order that they might be formed into His servants. So it is no surprise that He would lead former middle

school math teacher Daniel Brege from teaching in Michiganto studying at Concordia Theological Seminary.A father of seven and grandfather of

six, the Reverend Daniel Brege wasraised in Michigan and Illinois. He thenattended college, pursuing an educationin engineering and mathematics. Theson of a pastor, Brege eventuallydecided on attending the seminary. Sowith his wife, Lynn, and their children,the family moved to Indiana.His classes no longer focused on

numbers and equations, but Brege doveright in. With regard to teachers, “Dr.Preus and Professor Saleska were twofavorites.” Added to that, “Dr. DavidScaer [was also] influential, but therewere others who were tremendous sourcesof encouragement and who greatlyinfluenced my pastoral development aswell. I appreciated those professors whomingled with the students.”“The professors make a conscious

effort to have Christ at the center of alldiscussions, classes, and theology,” henotes. A former teacher himself, heobserved that, “The faculty strives forexcellence, an excellence drawn from andbased on God’s Word. We had a superbfaculty when I attended, and I believetoday’s faculty is probably even better!”Another helpful aspect was the sense

of community cultivated by the studentsand faculty, and it did not go unnoticedby Brege’s family. “We were assisted alittle by the Adopt-a-Student Program,and in our last year at the seminary, wemade use of the Food [Co-op]. Thatespecially helped our growing family.”Reverend Brege was even able to takepart in the first season of the King’sMen basketball team, which was formedduring his second year.The “seminary gave me the tools—

unified doctrine, tools for biblicalunderstanding, practical guidelines—then I had to put these into practice,”

Brege says. Practice came in the form ofvicarage in Cheyenne, Wyoming. It wasan exciting time, but over the course ofthe year, Reverend Brege learned that“There is a tremendous amount of workthat goes into being a good pastor. I alsolearned that caring for God’s people isof the utmost importance. I alsodiscovered (and am still discovering)that a pastor can never anticipate orfully solve some of the practicalsituations he will encounter.”And he is still learning and growing.

After finishing his fourth year at theseminary, he was called to St. PaulLutheran Church of Preble (Decatur),Indiana, and has been there for his entiretwenty-five year ministry. “I have beentruly blessed to serve the Lord here at St. Paul Lutheran Church of Preble andto remain close to the seminary—geographically and personally,” he says.Now no longer the math teacher

considering the ministry, he is now ableto speak to those young men who mightbe considering attending the seminary,whether they are bankers or constructionworkers or insurance salesmen. To themhe asks, “Are you ready to stand up—and suffer—for the Gospel of Christ?Read the pastoral epistles (I and IITimothy, Titus) and apply them toyourself. Love God’s Word, and love Hispeople. The rest will follow. If you loveGod’s Word, you will love our Lutherantheology, and if you love God’s people,you will workrightly to applythat Word to themand for them,”which, it is clear,is the exact thingthe ReverendDaniel Bregehimself does.

Applying the Word

“Love God’s Word, andlove His people. The restwill follow. If you loveGod’s Word, you will loveour Lutheran theology,and if you love God’speople, you will workrightly to apply that Wordto them and for them.”

11JANUARY 2008

� Worship with theseminary community at chapel services heldfour times a day.

� Visit seminary classesto experience firsthandthe dynamic learningenvironment.

� Learn more about financial aidfor your specific situation bymeeting with our Director of Financial Aid.

� Explore the affordable FortWayne housing market by meeting one on one withour Relocation Coordinator, reviewing the homesavailable for sale from other seminary families, andvisiting local neighborhoods and apartment complexes.

� Locate Lutheran andpublic schools withresources provided by ourRelocation Coordinatorand by visiting the schoolsthemselves.

� Identify potential employers,schools, real estate agents,insurance agents, health careservices, and campus resources

at the Display Fair.� Acclimate yourself to the campus andlearn about its architecture with a tour of thechapel, the classroom buildings, the Foodand Clothing Co-op, Christ’s Child LearningCorner, and the gymnasium.

� Enjoy multiple opportunities for fellowship with ourPresident, faculty, staff, and students.

SpringInvitational CampusVisitMarch 26-28, 2008

For more information, contact the Office of Admission at the following address and phone number:

6600 N. Clinton St. � Fort Wayne, IN 46825-49961-800-481-2155 �www.ctsfw.edu �Admission@ctsfw.edu

Dr. Fickenscher has earned an M.B.A. and evenworked for a United States senator, but eventually heand his family ended up in Fort Wayne, and he enrolledat CTS. “I came here wanting to be a pastor, and I lefthere wanting to be a pastor,” he notes. “Theology herewas never strictly an academic thing. It was alwaysvery clearly delivered to us that the pastoral ministrywas for theology and theology was for the pastoralministry.” After serving two congregations, Fickenscher

went on to get his Ph.D. at SouthwestBaptist Seminary.

After receiving his one-of-a-kinddegree, he brought his family (wife,Claire, and children, Rachel, Daniel,and Gabriel) back to CTS where heaccepted a teaching position. Today heteaches all of the preaching courses and

serves as the Dean of PastoralEducation and Placement. “It

was very exciting to mebecause I did still havethat memory of thisbeing a place whereyou had very sharp

people teachingwho were

very interested in the students and the pastoral ministry. And I have not been disappointed at all. What I hadobserved and remembered to be true as a student wasthe same when I came back.”At the same time, he admits, it was a bit different

getting to teach alongside former classmates as well asformer professors. “Dr. Wenthe and Dr. Scaer wereboth on the faculty when I was a student, so mycolleagues now were my teachers. It took me a goodwhile to call Dr. Marquart Kurt and Dr. Scaer David. It was such a tremendous honor to come teach here, but I still had the highest honor for my professors.”But now, as a teacher himself, he is able to

encourage students in the same manner in which hisesteemed professors once did for him. “God equips asmall percentage of men in His Church to be pastors,and that’s by His wonderful design. Some menwonder, ‘Does God want me to be a pastor?’ There’sno way to answer that without checking it out. Butwhen a man is finished here and receives a call into acongregation, then there is no question, because Godhas said, ‘You’re My man in this specific place at thisspecific church.’”The training and formation in Christ that takes

place at the seminary is very unique, and Dr.Fickenscher is thankful to be a part of that. “Asstudents and teachers, we have a very strongcommitment to the Scriptures and the Confessions. Itis the fact that we share the same faith in Christ Jesusand the same understanding of what Scriptures tellsus about Him that makes us all so close.” At the endof the day, he smiles, “I ask God to use my verylimited wisdom, and I ask Him to bring about Hisperfect will, and I know that He does.”

Spotlight on the

FACULTYO

nly one man in the entire Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod has received a Ph.D. in homiletics: Dr. Carl Fickenscher. It’s not necessarily a natural progression from an undergraduate degree in political science, but it works pretty well for him. In fact, he loves it.

Dr. Fickenscher announces names ofcandidates for the office of the holy ministryduring Call Service 2007.

12 For the Life of the World

Paper Features Professor fromConcordia Theological Seminary

Doctoral dissertations on dead theologians are a dime a dozen. But a thesis thatfocuses on someone still actively teaching is far more rare. So it came as a bitof a surprise when Dr. David Scaer—Scaer Chair of Systematic and Biblical

Theology at Concordia Theological Seminary—learned that he was to be the focus of apaper written by a professor in Sweden. Tom Nygren, lecturer in systematic theology at Johannelunds Theological Seminary

at the University of Lund in Sweden, needed a dissertation topic. So he picked threewell-known Lutheran theologians to analyze, his interest being in each man’s uniquetheological perspective. In the end, Nygren decided to spotlight three contemporaryLutheran observations on Law and Gospel. With the meaty title “Law and Gospel asTalk about God—An Analysis of the View of Law and Gospel in Some ContemporaryLutheran Theologians: Pannenberg, Wingren, and Scaer,” Nygren’s final argument wasthat Lutherans today see Law and Gospel in one of three particular ways.Nygren focused on the theological views of three specific Lutherans: Wolfhart

Pannenberg, Gustaf Wingren, and Dr. David Scaer. Each had a distinctive yet differingviewpoint on the topic. After intensive study,Nygren decided that his research led to onlyone conclusion: both Pannenberg’s andWingren’s understandings of Law and Gospelwere objectionable. Dr. Scaer’s was not. In theend, Nygren was heartened to find that Dr.Scaer’s writings matched his own beliefs. As such, it is with the help of men like Dr.

David Scaer, himself helpful in preparing menfor the ministry, that Concordia TheologicalSeminary exists to form servants in JesusChrist who teach the faithful, reach the lost,and care for all. Professors like Dr. Scaerassist in doing just that, not only toseminarians on the campus in Fort Wayne butaround the world . . . and even in Sweden.

New Book on Women’s Ordination

A collection of essays on the ordination of women, WomenPastors? The Ordination of Women in Biblical LutheranPerspective, edited by Matthew C. Harrison and John T. Pless,

has been published by Concordia Publishing House and is available for $26.99. Thisanthology of essays includes several classic studies by European scholars Bo Giertz,Reinhard Slenzcka, and Hermann Sasse as well as contemporary essays by JohnKleinig, Gregory Lockwood, David Scaer, William Weinrich, Louis Brighton, CharlesGieschen, Roland Ziegler, and others. Of special interest is a short essay by the lateLouis Smith, an ELCA clergyman, entitled “How I Changed My Mind.” This volumewill prove important for Lutherans not only in North America but in Africa, Asia, andEurope who are under increasing pressure by the Lutheran World Federation to setaside the biblical teaching in favor of cultural forces. The Reverend Matthew C.Harrison is Executive Director of the LCMS Board for World Relief and HumanCare. The Reverend John T. Pless is Assistant Professor of Pastoral Ministry andMissions at Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne.

Luther StatueReplica Available

Have a replica of a unique pieceof art. Bible clenched to hischest and yet open for all the

world to see, the ConcordiaTheological Seminary Luther Statueis unique in its design and its travels.A combination of both the youngerand the older Luther stands inconfidence of the Word which he soproudly presents. This Luther first hadits home in Springfield, Illinois whenthe seminary was located there and isone of few items that made the trek toFort Wayne to be displayed on thecurrent campus. If you are interestedin having your very own copy ofConcordia Theological Seminary’sLuther for your desk or shelf, contactthe Office of InstitutionalAdvancement at 1-800-481-2155 ext.2212 to receive your statue.

JANUARY 2008 13

14 For the Life of the World

FitforMinistry

Himself seasoned by spiritualstruggle, the apostle Paul gave thiscounsel to his young protégé, Timothy:“… train yourself for godliness; forwhile bodily training is of some value,godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come” (I Tim.4:7b-8).Pastors may be God’s servants and

stewards of His sacred mysteries, butthey’re only human after all. They’resubject to the same temptations, spiritualand emotional struggles as everyone else.Like their parishioners, they too jugglethe responsibilities of home, family, andwork—24/7. Always on call, pastorsmust be ready to provide spiritual care to hurting parishioners on a moment’snotice. That kind of readiness calls forspiritual fitness. Yet all too often, whilegiving careful attention to the spiritualneeds of others, pastors don’t practice

what they preach. Sadly, they neglect tomaintain their own spiritual health andemotional equilibrium.So how can pastors be spiritually fit?Martin Luther’s paradigm for making

theologians isn’t a bad model for spiritualfitness among pastors (and other Christians,too): Prayer, Meditation, and Affliction(spiritual struggle). The affliction takes careof itself. It goes with the territory in a fallenworld. Where Christ builds His kingdom,Satan attacks with fury. It will always betough sledding for those who seriouslywant to serve the Lord Jesus. Under such affliction, God’s grace is seen all the more clearly.But prayer and meditation are quite

another matter. These need orderedattention, especially in the frenzied world we live in. Meditation as Lutherenvisioned it is not just ordinary Biblereading, but slow, deliberate oral readingin which a particular text is read over and

The fitness craze is everywhere. And none too soon, bythe looks of things. Evidence shows obesity runningrampant throughout our society. And pastors are among

the most vulnerable. Huge chunks of their time are spent just sitting around—doing important things, to be sure—butsitting just the same. The sedentary lifestyle, lack of exercise,and high calorie and fat intake is a recipe for looming healthproblems. Most pastors could stand to get off their chairs,lose a few pounds, and get in better physical condition.Even more importantly, they need to be spiritually fit.

JANUARY 2008 15

By The Rev. Dr. Harold L. Senkbeil

Martin Luther’s paradigm formaking theologians isn’t a badmodel for spiritual fitness amongpastors (and other Christians,too): Prayer, Meditation, andAffliction (spiritual struggle).Besides vital spiritual self-care,pastors need shepherding too.

FitforMinistry

over aloud, pondering and mulling overthose words deeply until they resonatenot only in the ear but in mind and heartas well.Then there’s prayer. Prayer about

anything and everything that may beweighing down the soul, to be sure, butespecially prayer as answering speech inwhich the soul gives answer to what ithears in the living Word of God. InLuther’s model, prayer is a wreathwoven out of the strands of God’s ownWord. Therefore prayer starts withreflecting and echoing back what Godsays in a specific text of Scripture,thanking Him for what He gives orteaches there, confessing sins against thatWord, then finally asking for what Godcommands or promises in that same text.Since Christ is present in His Word, thisstructured discipline of meditation andprayer provides strength and peace in themidst of on-going ministry, its inherentchallenges and the ensuing emotionaland spiritual turmoil it brings to theconscientious pastor.But besides this vital spiritual self-

care, pastors need shepherding too. Justas barbers need barbers or physiciansneed physicians, pastors need pastors. Abrother or father confessor is importantfor the pastor’s spiritual well being: afellow pastor to whom he can go forspiritual help like pastoral conversation,prayer, or an absolution for hispersonal confession.In order to advance spiritual

fitness among pastors and providethem with advanced skills incounseling and the art of the cure ofsouls, a new Recognized Service

Organization of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod has been formed.DOXOLOGY, The Lutheran Center forSpiritual Care and Counsel, will providetraining in a number of retreat settingsaround the country beginning in July2008. A generous grant from the LCMSBoard of World Relief and Human Caregreatly reduces the cost of the program to participating congregations.DOXOLOGY’s program of study

and reflection includes training in theclassic art of soul care as well as insightsfrom contemporary Christianpsychology. The executive directors of the program are Dr. Beverly Yahnke,licensed psychologist and Director of Christian Counseling Services,Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, and Dr. HaroldSenkbeil, Associate Professor of PastoralMinistry and Missions at ConcordiaTheological Seminary.The program also addresses parish

support for pastoral work; one phase of the program trains laity in how thecongregation can support its pastor in hisvital work of providing them withspiritual care and emotional counsel.To learn more and to access registration

information, visit the DOXOLOGYwebsite: www.doxology.us

The Rev. Dr. Harold L. Senkbeil is an Associate Professor of Pastoral

Ministry and Missionsand the D.Min.Supervisor at ConcordiaTheological Seminary,Fort Wayne, Indiana.

For the Life of the World16

Just as barbers need barbers orphysicians need physicians,pastors need pastors. A brother or father confessor is importantfor the pastor’s spiritual wellbeing: a fellow pastor to whom hecan go for spiritual help likepastoral conversation, prayer, oran absolution for his personalconfession.

17JANUARY 2008

“It is in a veil of tears that Iinform you that Springs of LifeLutheran Church and MedicalClinic [have] suffered severedamage as rioters lootedeverything and then set it on fire.Our nursery school has also beenlooted and burned.”

Although it is only days into the new year, the Evangelical LutheranChurch of Kenya, a partner of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod,

is already experiencing danger of the deadliest kind. Following a tenuouspresidential election, the country is embroiled in rioting, fires, fighting, anddemonstrations. Thousands have been forced to flee, hundreds have beenkilled, and the remainder left without food, water, or shelter.

Kenyan Lutherans are not exemptfrom this political unrest. A recentgraduate of Concordia TheologicalSeminary, Reverend Dennis Meeker, and his wife, Deaconess Lorna Meeker,are serving at Springs of Life LutheranChurch in Kibera, a poor suburb ofNairobi. Experiencing the dangerfirsthand, both are now coping with thefact that their church, school, and clinicwere set on fire by angry looters. In an e-mail to concerned friends, ReverendMeeker wrote, “It is in a veil of tears that I inform you that Springs of LifeLutheran Church and Medical Clinic[have] suffered severe damage as rioterslooted everything and then set it on fire.Our nursery school has also been lootedand burned.” Another close friend ofConcordia Theological Seminary, BishopWalter Obare, head of the EvangelicalLutheran Church in Kenya, has beenthreatened as well. Both his safety andhome are in peril.Speaking on behalf of the entire

seminary, Dr. Lawrence Rast, AcademicDean of Concordia TheologicalSeminary, has been watching thesituation in Kenya unfold. He notes,“From my first visit to Kenya in 2000, I have been impressed with the integrityof the Evangelical Lutheran Church ofKenya in both its doctrine, practice, and desire to reach out with the Gospel.This church body, under the courageousleadership of Bishop Walter Obare, has been a strong voice for the biblicalmessage of salvation in Christ as rightlyconfessed by the Lutheran Church. Theirdeep roots in the Lutheran tradition haveprepared our brothers and sisters in

Kenya for the trying events of thepresent. They are faithful people whodaily live the theology of the cross.”In an effort to help those Lutherans

who have been affected by the situation,LCMS World Relief and Human Carehas offered its help. “ConcordiaTheological Seminary’s partner, LCMSWorld Relief and Human Care, is anexcellent means by which we can seek to serve and help our fellow Christians in Kenya,” says Dr. Rast. “The Lord isproviding us with a great opportunity to remember them in our prayers and to support them with the gifts that He has entrusted to us.” To that end, moneydesignated for the Kenya Relief Effortcan be donated via check or online atwww.lcms.org.

Right now, however, the Lutherans in Kenya need more than simply moneyor a new church or a school unmarred byflames and soot. They are in greater needof prayer. “Please continue to pray forus,” writes Reverend Meeker. “We thankGod our faith is not in materialpossessions. Our faith will stand firm,and we pray God’s intervention for thesake of Kenya. We rejoice in the fact that faith does not burn and the church is never destroyed.”

Photos courtesy of www.TheFriendsOfMercy.org; permission granted.

“Continue to Pray for Us”

Yes! I want to be a part of the wonderful things God is doing at Concordia Theological Seminary!

Enclosed is my gift of:�� $50 �� $100 �� $250 �� $500 Other $ _________Payment Options:�� Check is enclosed. �� Charge my credit card.�� MC �� VISA 3-digit security code (on card back):_____________Card #: ______________________________Exp. Date: _____________Signature: __________________________________________________

�� Donate online at www.ctsfw.eduName: _____________________________________________________Address: ___________________________________________________City: ____________________________ State: ____ Zip:____________Telephone:_____________)__ E-mail address: _____________________

Gift matching opportunity:�� Please send Thrivent forms.�� My Thrivent form is enclosed.�� My company has a matching gift plan.Please send me information on:�� Endowments. �� Including CTS in my will.�� Estate planning. �� Simply Giving.

Please detach, fill out, and mail back to:

6600 N. Clinton St. � Fort Wayne, IN 46825877-287-4338 Ext. 2212

One can easily give the overarchingtheological reasons for the question ofpain and suffering in the world, evenwhile the individual questions of whysuch things happen with far greaterfrequency to one person than anotherremain unanswered.But there is another, “Why me, Lord?”

that we’d like to address, that is, “Why

should I support Concordia TheologicalSeminary with my contributions?”There was a time… How often have

we heard that expression? There was a timewhen families ate together, when Sundayswere reserved for church and for the mostpart only essential businesses, such ashospitals, were open, when children couldplay ball in the street, and when people

worked at one job for their whole lives.There was also a time when the

seminary could rely on the support ofGod’s people from part of their Sundaymorning offerings. Like the things above,that is no longer the case, for a muchsmaller percentage of the Sundaymorning offerings now reaches oursynodical office, thus limiting what theSynod can do for the seminary to just atiny fraction of the annual budget. Thusthe seminary must rely far more on giftscoming directly from God’s peoplethroughout our church.But, “Why me, Lord?” Why not

someone else? Why not the person in thepew ahead of me? Why not the richperson who has money for everything?There are some blessings attached to

direct giving to the seminary that did nothappen years ago. Though everyone whogave to the congregation could feel thatpart of his or her offering helped ourseminaries, there was no direct contact.When one supports the seminary today, itopens donors to hearing the specificstories of our seminarians’ lives. Severaltimes a year as appeals are sent, the storyof their lives, their hopes, their dreams,their aspirations, and the difference theyare making in the world will be told.Donors see for themselves how ourstudents prepare for the office of the holyministry, how they participate in missionseven while they prepare, in places suchas New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina,in Madagascar, in Haiti, in places aroundthe globe, bringing the message of JesusChrist to blood-bought souls who do notyet know Him.

For the Life of the World18

Why Me, Lord?By the Rev. Ralph G. Schmidt, Vice President of Institutional Advancement

Some years ago a book was published with the title,“Why Bad Things Happen to Good People,” whichattempted to answer the age-old question, “Why me,

Lord?” Why am I suffering? Why did I lose my spouse soearly in life? Why have my children strayed from the path Itaught them? Etc., etc., etc.

JANUARY 2008

October 13 - 24, 2008

$3629 $3779from Chicago from St. Louis

per person/double occupancy

Have you ever longed to see the greatsights of Christian history? Rome,where St. Paul and St. Peter were

martyred for their witness to Christ; TheVatican Museums and the Sistine Chapelwhere Michelangelo placed his genius inservice to Christ; The Colosseum and RomanForum where Christians gave their lives forChrist; Florence, Assisi, Ravenna, Venice –where architects and artists createdmasterpieces of Christian art and constructedcaptivating churches.We invite you to enjoy all these sights

with knowledgeable guides and commentaryby your three hosts: Dr. Dale A. Meyer,President of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis,Missouri; Dr. L. Dean Hempelmann,Emeritus Executive Director of the Board forPastoral Education; and Dr. Dean O. Wenthe,President of Concordia Theological Seminary,Fort Wayne, Indiana.The Tour Cost Includes:•Round trip airfare from Chicago or St. Louis.•First class/Select hotels (including one nightin a Villa) with twin beds and private baths.•Continental breakfast daily plus a total ofeight evening dinners.•Comprehensive daily sightseeing by privatemotor coach.•Qualified driver and professional tour guide.•All admission fees and hotel taxes.•Automatic $100,000 flight insurance policy.

The 12 Day Itinerary Includes:•Venice •Rome•Ravenna •Vatican City•Florence •Pisa•Assisi •Sorrento•Pompeii

Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, and Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, present

Highlights of ItalyHosted by Dr. and Mrs. L. Dean Hempelmann,

Dr. and Mrs. Dale A. Meyer, and Dr. and Mrs. Dean O. Wenthe

Join us for the experience of a lifetime.

1-877-287-4338 x2241For a Tour Brochure and Registration Application, please complete this form and return it to: Katherine E. Ritter • Concordia Theological Seminary • 6600 N.Clinton St. • Fort Wayne, Indiana 46825 or visit www.ctsfw.edu/italy.

Name: ___________________________________________________________Address: _________________________________________________________ City: ____________________________ State: ______ Zip: ________________Phone Number: ____________________________________________________E-mail: ___________________________________________________________H

ighlights of Italy Tour

“Why me, Lord?” Because theseminary needs thousands of championswhose love for the Lord moves them torecognize they have an important role toplay in our Lord’s encouraging words,“Pray the Lord of the harvest that Hemay send laborers into the harvest.”Those whose support helps make itpossible for students to afford a seminaryeducation feel a deep and abidingsatisfaction in knowing they have joinedtheir generation to those generations tocome by helping those who will beproclaiming the timeless, unchangingWord of God. The sure and certain hopethey have felt as recipients of the Gospelmessage fills them with joy as they seethe source of that hope carried to thosewho follow them in years to come.“Why me, Lord?” Because I,

personally, have been blessed to be a partof the kingdom of God’s grace. I havebeen cleansed by the washing of HolyBaptism administered by a pastorequipped by the seminary years ago. Ihave been taught the faith by faithfulparents and pastors. I have beencomforted in times of distress, givenhope when things looked hopeless,encouraged to steadfast faithfulnesswhen the road became rocky. I,personally, want others, even those I donot know, to share the same blessingsthat have come to me through theministry of the church—and that happensthrough the work of the seminary.“Why me, Lord?” Of all the noble

causes I could support, this above allopens the door to eternal life. Giving tothe seminary enables me to partner withthose who teach and those who learn toproclaim Him who alone can save. Itjoins me to the greatest and noblestwork on earth. And as I contemplatethat reality, my question becomes not,“Why me, Lord?” but “Why not me?”

The CTS “Support Our Military CarePackage Project” is rapidly growingacross the nation. We have received

donations from all across the countryincluding Arizona, Connecticut, Florida,and Idaho. We received such a largedonation from Connecticut that we wereable to expand our project by sendingextra boxes to LCMS Chaplains who areserving in the war zones. In this way weare able to help our Chaplains reach outto many who are serving in the militaryin addition to sending packages to ourseminary family and friends. Many ofthose whom the Chaplains are able toreach through these packages are eitherfallen-away Christians or non-Christians… a wonderful outreach mission.In addition to the national growth,

local support for the project is also on therise, which includes both on- and off-campus groups. Seminary departmentsfrom as diverse areas such as the ClothingCo-op and Accounting Department havemade wonderful individual and groupdonations and helped other aspects of theproject. Assistance from the campuspostal mistress and her staff has beeninvaluable. Off campus, the LWMLDecatur Zone and The Bethlehem Ladies,

who have always supported the seminaryand seminary projects, have beengenerous with their gifts and support.Only a few weeks ago, our November

shipment was a record number of parcelsshipped. We sent 39 individual packagesfull of baby wipes, toothbrushes, toothpaste, beef jerky, nuts, crackers, oatmeal,and a variety of candies, along withdevotional items. An additional 30 boxeswere sent to the Chaplains, and theChaplains report that the contents aregreatly appreciated and are dispersed tograteful soldiers incredibly quickly.Due to the encouraging responses and

reflection of how much appreciation thetroops have for our efforts, we arewelcoming and continuing the expansionof our project by sending even moreitems to our Chaplains—many of thesame items above, but as we have enteredAdvent, we are also including Christmasdecorations and lights in the packages.We are only able to continue this great

work through the great support from ourchurch members. By your continuedsupport we are able to maintain supportto our friends and families serving in thewar zone and broaden our support toothers serving in the war zones.

To start your own project you maybegin by:

� Setting parameters for who shallreceive care packages. At theseminary, our relatives and familymembers who are currently in warzones are eligible to receive packages.

� Compile a list of military personnel.Make sure you keep contactinformation for the persons requesting the package in case you need to contact them.

� Set drop-off spot(s) and dates openfor drop off.

� Notify the public and volunteers with dates and an item list for specific items suggested.

� Set shipping dates and assembly dates.� We send packages four times a year.

For further information on “How toSet up a Military Project,” please see thecontact information below so a completelist can be sent to you.If you would like to add a name to

our mailing list, please contact theMilitary Project Coordinator, ReneeMoshier, at military project@ctsfw.edu orcall 492-8739.

Continued and Emphatic Support for Our Military

Members of the CTS community gather to assemble military packages.

For the Life of the World20

Fort Wayne Seminary Offers Free Calendars

Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, is pleased to offer free 13-monthcalendars. Each month contains Scripture reading notations, liturgical colorcodes, seminary events, along with featuring artwork from our beautiful Eero

Saarinen designed campus. If you would like a complimentary 2008 ConcordiaTheological Seminary calendar, please e-mail calendars@ctsfw.edu.

21JANUARY 2008

MusicPassion Choral VespersSunday, March 9, 4 p.m.Seminary Schola CantorumKramer Chapel1-877-287-4338, ext. 2224

Easter Choral VespersSunday, March 30, 4:00 p.m.Seminary KantoreiKramer Chapel1-877-287-4338, ext. 2224

RetreatsMen’s Retreat“Real Men Follow Jesus”April 4-5, 20081-877-287-4338, ext. 2241

Confirmation Retreat“The Lord’s Prayer: What in the World Are We Praying For?”April 25-271-877-287-4338, ext. 2241

Lutherhostel Retreat“Christians and theChallenge of Islam”October 30-November 31-877-287-4338, ext. 2241

EventsExegetical and Confessions SymposiaJanuary 15-18, 20081-877-287-4338, ext. 2241

Lenten PreachingWorkshopJanuary 14, 20081-877-287-4338, ext. 2224

First Sunday BrunchFebruary 3, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.March 2, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.Katherine Luther Dining Hall1-877-287-4338, ext. 2223

Christ Academy College February 14-17, 2008

Phoebe Academy College RetreatFebruary 14-17, 2008Invitational Campus VisitMarch 26-29, 20081-800-481-2155

Lutherfest April 18-19, 2008

Italy TourOctober 13-24, 2008

CONCORDIA THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY

Calendar of Events

22 For the Life of the World

Conversations can be formative for directing one towardpaths leading to genuine pastoral growth and renewal.I was fortunate enough to have had one of the more

helpful of those chats while serving on vicarage in upstateNew York. During evening banter in the living room of adelightful couple who had invited my wife and me to dinner,‘Jim’ steered the course of our musings to the topic ofhermeneutics—or so I thought. I was a bit too naïve at thetime to realize the man had a deeper point in mind (he hadseen some twenty vicars come and go before me) when heinquired, “How do you go about preparing for a sermon?”

Devotional Diligence

Relentless rigors of parish dutiesmake for a perfect storm that cansend (pastors) adrift on mountingwaves of stress and confusion.

JANUARY 2008 23

‘Jim’ listened patiently for some twenty minutesas I dug the hole for my personal burial deeper anddeeper with every shovel full of verbiage I threw intothe air about the dozen or so steps of exegesis-leading-to-oration I had diligently learned atseminary. I must have sounded as meticulous in theworkings of sermon-craft as a chemist might go abouthis laboratory labors. Fortunately [no ‘sic’-ness here]for me, ‘Jim’ had a keen flare for the dramatic,knowing his point was being made more memorablethe longer he waited to hit me with the punch line.The blow finally landed after the pregnant pause

that followed my oral dissertation, but for thatmoment of awkward silence and catching a glance at‘Jim’s’ stoic demeanor I shockingly realized I musthave left some vital element out of the equation forsermon production, but what? After commending mefor my thorough academic grasp of the subject ofbiblical preaching, my host erupted with thepenetrating reason for his questioning. “What aboutprayer?” he quizzed. “When does prayer enter into

the process of your sermonpreparation? I would have thoughtit to be one of the first things youwould do as you set upon your task.”‘Jim’ will forgive me for approximating his exact

words in that last line of quotation, but he will bepleased to know that I have never forgotten his pungentpoint. He continued to give me some of the finestspiritual advice I have ever had the privilege to receiveand employ in the course of doing the faithful work of apastor in Christ’s Church. I am happy to pass alongwhat I received in what remains of this article.Ranking at or near the top of a list of occupational

hazards for ministers of the Gospel is succumbing tothe tendency to treat Scriptures as an academic toolwhile neglecting its devotional use for the pastor’sspiritual strength and well-being. Being “in the Word”includes more than our hands-on approach forpreparing cogent sermons and Bible classes. Certainlythose important tasks require due diligence instudying and coming to understand God’s Word if

Ranking at or near the top of a listof occupational hazards forministers of the Gospel issuccumbing to the tendency totreat Scriptures as an academictool while neglecting itsdevotional use for the pastor’sspiritual strength and well-being.Being “in the Word” includesmore than our hands-on approachfor preparing cogent sermons andBible classes.

Devotional DiligenceBy The Rev. Kerry David Reese

18 For the Life of the World1824

one is to proclaim and teach hearersproperly and faithfully. Nevertheless,when the pastor neglects his need forhaving God touch him personallythrough his own reading and reflectingon Scriptures in daily devotions, hisheart may grow cold toward his workeven though he mouths the correctformulations of faith and doctrine.Pastors who do not take time out of

each day for reading the Scriptures fortheir own sake without pretext or agendarisk becoming mired in despair as theylose their sense of joy in serving theLord despite bringing the Gospel toothers. Relentless rigors of parish dutiesmake for a perfect storm that can sendthem adrift on mounting waves of stressand confusion. We know this to betrue—intellectually, at least. As our LordJesus took many occasions to separateHimself from the crowds for prayer,so we who carry on our pastoral workin His stead and by His command dowell to go and do likewise. More thanthat, working as means of grace,God’s Word acts as the food whichnourishes us from within, so that wehave more to give the people we servein Christ’s name.

I wish I could say that I immediatelytook ‘Jim’s’ words to heart and appliedthem without fail throughout the courseof ministry. Alas, I was not so smart asthat. Like many other servants, for atime I allowed my devotional reading tolapse while buying into the myth that allof my other handling of Scriptures inthe ways already related were enough tomaintain the joy and spiritualperspective we otherwise require.Wrong. Sometimes conversations areinsufficient means to drive a pointhome; when words fail or fade,experiences of stress can teach thelesson again how urgently we need tohear the still small voice of the Lord inScriptures. Learn well. Pastoral wellnessis served by devotional diligence. Wecan thank all the ‘Jims’ we may meetfor pointing this out.

The Rev. KerryDavid Reese is pastorof Shepherd of theHills LutheranChurch, Snohomish(Maltby), Washington.

Pastors who do not take time outof each day for reading theScriptures for their own sakewithout pretext or agenda riskbecoming mired in despair as theylose their sense of joy in servingthe Lord despite bringing theGospel to others.

JANUARY 2008 25

Pastoral fitness begins with pastoral passivity. We hear much about pastors “burning out” underincreased demands often coupled with confusion over what it is that pastors are to do. Arepastors mainly counselors, managers, public relations experts, or community organizers? How

does one man balance so many required skill sets? How does he attend to his vocation ashusband/father while attending to the diverse needs of a congregation and the community that he isexpected to evangelize?Pastoral passivity is certainly not laziness; it is not inactivity. Luther speaks of the passive life as

the receptive life. Pastors always called upon to give must ever and always be on the receiving end ofGod’s work and gifts.Here the insights of Oswald Bayer in his recently translated book, Theology

the Lutheran Way, are particularly striking. In a wonderful discussion of theDivine Service as the context for theology, Bayer observes that “Divine service(Gotttesdienst) is first and last God’s service to us, the sacrifice he made for us inChrist, which he distributes to us in the particular divine service: ‘Take and eat! Iam here for you!’ (compare I Cor. 11:24 with Gen. 2:16). We misunderstand thisdivine service, which is meant to delight us, if we want to give as a work what weare meant to take as a gift. Here we ‘are not offering a good work, we are notactively receiving the Lord’s Supper,’ as if our actions could bring about the self-realization of the church. Rather, we receive through the ‘priest,’ as the servant of the divine word, ‘thepromise and the sign, and we receive the Lord’s Supper passively.’ The sacramental gift-giving word isnot a prayer; and the gifts we receive are not to be offered to God as a sacrifice. The Lord’s Supper isnot a ‘sacrifice that we offer to God.’ Rather, God in his gracious condescension and self-surrendergives himself to us in this meal. We are the recipients; we simply receive his sacrifice” (Theology theLutheran Way, Eerdmans, 2007, p. 90).In fact, Bayer shows that Luther’s triad of oratio, meditatio, tentatio renders the pastor passive,

that is, he is divested of his attempts to run the verbs. Christ Jesus speaks His words of spirit and lifeinto our ears. He causes His words to dwell in us richly. The pastor is made receptive as his posture isa servant of the Word. He can only speak the words which he has received. Through the suffering ofthe tentatio, the pastor is ever driven back to the promises of God and away from his own resourcesand devices that tempt him as guarantees for a “successful ministry.” In other words, the ThirdCommandment also applies to the pastor. To paraphrase Luther’s catechetical hymn, we lay aside thework we do so God can do His work in us:

“You shall observe the worship dayThat peace may fill your home and pray,And put aside the work you do,So that God may work in you. Have mercy, Lord!” (LSB 581:4)

Relaxing under the righteousness of Christ Jesus we are delivered from frantic activity as thoughthe burden of the world’s salvation rested on our shoulders. It does not. Christ alone is the Lamb ofGod who takes away the sins of the world. It is given to His servants to hear that Gospel forthemselves and then to speak it faithfully and fully to all who have ears to hear.

The Rev. John T. Pless is an Assistant Professor of Pastoral Ministry and Missions atConcordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Indiana, and Editor of For the Life of the World.

The Passive Pastor

What Does This

MEAN?What Does This

MEAN?

�� Please contact me with more information.

�� We have enclosed our yearly $25.00 check for our group to be an Affiliate Guild.

�� I have enclosed my yearly $10.00 check to be an individual affiliate member.

�� Donation Day gift.

A f f i l i a t e G u i l d R e g i s t r a t i o n

�� Yes, we are interested in becoming an Affiliate Guild. Please send more information to:Name: __________________________________________________________________Organization: ____________________________________________________________Address: _______________________________________________________________City: ________________________________ State: ________ Zip: _________________

�� We are enclosing a donation payable to Concordia Theological Seminary Guild, C/O Delores Scheumann, 413 Bittersweet Ln, Ossian, IN. 46777.

This is a question we as Christians often ponder. As Luther rightlystated, even changing a baby’s diaper is a God pleasing act! No oneis being asked to change diapers, but there is a variety of ways to

help when it comes to the Fort Wayne Seminary Guild.PRAYERS:We should never cease in praying forthe saints. We can pray daily for our ministerialstudents and deaconess students and their families,both for their spiritual and physical needs.

PARTICIPATION: The Seminary Guild hasseveral areas in which you could prayerfullyconsider participating. At present we are in needof a seamstress to sew T-shirts that are given tobabies born to our students. Single students enjoyreceiving homemade cakes, cookies, or browniesfor their birthday while they are away from home.The seminary Food and Clothing Co-op is inconstant need of items. If you live within closeproximity of the seminary, we would love to haveyou attend our meetings that take place the secondTuesday in September, November, December,February, March, and April; with our annualDonation Day event the third week in October.

PLAN ON ATTENDING Lutherfest which isscheduled for April 18, 2008! You will enjoy a delicious meal and opportunity to share infellowship with others concerned about ourseminary and her students. Donations from this event will go towards our most recent project, The Tunnel Time Line, a look into the past.

The mission of the Fort Wayne ConcordiaTheological Seminary Guild is to serve God bycommunicating the needs and encouragingsupport of the seminary and its students. TheGuild strives to be inclusive of ladies of all ages,professions, and cultures. In doing so, we reflectour student body where men, and now women, ofall ages, different professional backgrounds, anddiverse ethnicity study together in order tobecome servants of the Lord as pastors ordeaconesses. We invite and encourage individualsand groups from our LCMS congregations toparticipate with us in this service. For additionalinformation about the Seminary Guild, go towww.csfw.edu, select About CTS, and then select Seminary Guild.

What would you have me do?

26 For the Life of the World

JANUARY 2008 27

What is Christ Academy College?

Christ Academy College is intended for all college agemen, from both state and private institutions, who areseeking the Office of Holy Ministry. The weekend

includes classroom observation in the seminary, uniquelectures specifically for CAC students, and an opportunity to visit with both students and professors at the seminary. We look forward to seeing you at the upcoming CAC retreat, and we welcome you to our seminary community.

What’s Included?� All meals in Katherine Luther Dining Hall.� Housing on campus during the retreat.� A complimentary CAC polo shirt.� A weekend of seminary life and theological reflection inclassroom and lectures.

� Reimbursement may be available for travel. Pleaseinquire. Note: Please identify your need forreimbursement when present at CAC weekend. We willneed your travel receipts to properly refund expenses.

Contact Information:Rev. John M. Dreyer - Director of CACE-mail: John.Dreyer@ctsfw.eduPhone: 260-452-3139 or 800-481-2155Sam Schuldheisz - Assistant Director CACE-mail: CACollege@ctsfw.eduFor more information please visit our website,

www.ctsfw.edu/admission/academy/college.php. Pleasecomplete this online application to reserve your attendanceat CAC 2008.

February 15-17, 2008

ItineraryWednesday—February 13: Arrival day at seminary for CAC weekend, Fort Wayne cityvisitation, and class observation (optional)Thursday—February 14: Arrival day for CAC weekend and free time to relax or get acquainted7:30 a.m. Matins (Kramer Chapel)10:00 a.m. Chapel (Kramer Chapel)4:30 p.m. Vespers (Kramer Chapel)9:30 p.m. Evening Offices (Kramer Chapel)Friday—February 15: 7:30 a.m. Matins (Kramer Chapel)8:00-8:55 a.m. Class Visit9:00-9:55 a.m. Class Visit10:00 a.m. Chapel (Kramer Chapel)11:00-11:55 a.m. Class Visit12:00 p.m. Lunch1:00-1:55 p.m. Class Visit2:00-2:55 p.m. Class Visit3:00-3:55 p.m. Class Visit4:00 p.m. Vespers4:30 p.m. Gemuetlichkeit5:00-6:00 p.m. Dinner7:00 p.m. Reception Saturday—February 16:8:00 a.m. Matins (Kramer Chapel)8:30-9:00 a.m. Continental Breakfast9:00 a.m.-noon Lecture12:00-1:30 p.m. Lunch2:00-5:00 p.m. Lecture5:00-6:00 p.m. Dinner7:00-9:00 p.m. Fireside Chat9:30 p.m. ComplineSunday—February 17:Worship at historic St. Paul’s Lutheran ChurchDay for departure

28 For the Life of the World

Concordia Theological Seminary: Touching Lives Across the Globe

In the spring, an air of excitement encompasses ConcordiaTheological Seminary. Call night is close at hand, and eachseminarian ready for placement wonders whether he’ll end

up in the sunshine of California, the corn fields of Iowa, or thescenic forests of Maine. But every now and then, one or twostudents wonder what it will be like when they return to theirhomes outside of the United States.Markus Pöyry and his wife, Raakel, came to CTS from

Finland, where he had earned his Master of Theology from the

University of Helsinski. “The teaching there is very academicand scholarly but unfortunately almost totally lacks theconfessional Lutheran understanding of the Word of God anddoes not equip you well to serve as pastor,” says Pöyry. Buttaking classes in the Master of Sacred Theology program at CTS“remarkably deepened my understanding of the Bible and theLutheran theology,” remarks Pöyry. “In the classroom and in thedaily chapel services, I got both theological and practical toolsthat I really need as I serve the church of Christ in Finland.”

Concordia Theological Seminary STM student Markus Pöyry (far right) is ordained in the church in Finland.

In the lastdecade WaltherLibrary hassupported theeducation ofpastors in Haiti, Russia,Kenya, Lithuania,Madagascar,South Africa, andnow Ethiopia bysending resourcesfor the seminarylibraries in thosecountries.Each year we receive numerous

donations of books from retiring ordeceased pastors. The books aresorted and considered according towhat is needed in our collection andthen what is needed for our sisterseminaries. After that the books areboxed and set aside for what hasbecome an annual book sale. Walther Library does not have a

lot of space to handle the donationswe receive. The process is spreadover different floors and often spillsover onto carts parked in public areas.But what we lack in space, we makeup for in people. During the breakbetween winter and spring quarterslast year, librarians and student staffworked through over 70 boxes ofdonated books. The student staff alsodonated their time to set up the booksale in Luther Hall.The book sale is a win-win-win

situation. First, we get rid of thedonated books we don’t need and areable to clear our shelves for the nextbatch of donations. Second, the

students can buythe books atgreatly reducedprices. Third, andmost importantly,we raise moneyto ship the booksto whatever sisterseminary we aresupporting thatyear and oftenhave money leftover to purchasenew books oraccess to

electronic resources for that seminary.Last year we earned enough to sendeight boxes of Lutheran materials toSouth Africa, including a newHebrew textbook and lexicon foreach of their 25 students. The difficulty in working with

seminaries overseas is getting themthe materials they need. It would dono good to just send books. We takethe time to make contacts and findout what their particular needs are. Attimes we have been able to hire aninternational student in the library andhave him select materials from ourgift books. In a few cases we have setup a database and taught basic librarycataloging so he can continue toupdate and maintain the collectionback home, when his studies arecompleted in Fort Wayne.This fall we earned money to

send books selected by current librarystudent worker and Ph.D. student theRev. Berhanu Arsse to a LutheranSeminary in his home country of Ethiopia.

On Saturday, May 26 of 2000, a tornado hit campus. In the immediateaftermath the campus was closed but the library was open. It had to beopen. The following Monday was our last day to assemble books for a

shipment to Haiti. We took over the library’s main level and went through thedonated library from the late professor Heino Kadai. This became the core ofthe seminary library in Haiti. By 1:30 p.m. 18 boxes were packed and ready tobe shipped. They contained 488 titles and over 90 volumes of Lutheranjournals. On a day when most of the campus was dealing with ripped up trees,broken windows, and scattered debris, the library was focused on missions.

JANUARY 2008 29

Taking the Library into All the World:Providing Physical Materials forForeign Lutheran Seminaries

After completing his time at CTS,Pöyry and his wife returned toFinland, where he was installed to

serve at Luukas-koinonia in Seinäjoki.With the entire Church, ConcordiaTheological Seminary rejoices with thePöyrys as one of its own serves to bringthe gifts of God to His people in Finland.

Space is at a premium due to the ongoing success of CTS’s book donation program.

For the Life of the World30

Prof. Pless noted “thestudents selected for thistrip represent some of ourseminary’s finest and mostpromising students. Thetime they spend among our Malagasy Lutheranbrothers and sisters willdeepen in them atheological understanding of how thechurch ministers to human need. Theywill grow in their awareness of howLutherans living daily with the challengesof poverty, suffering, and disease are able to respond with compassion andcompetency. These men will come backto the States better equipped to interpretthe work of LCMS World Relief andHuman Care to their peers at theseminary and ultimately to thecongregations where they will serve as pastors.” Several of the students also reflected

on what they anticipate from the trip.Daniel Pezzica commented, “During my

vicarage in Baltimore, mydesire to spread the Gospelto those who have neverheard the good news grewtremendously. Missionwork has grown fromsomething that was foreignand intimidating to me, tonow being one of the most

exciting aspects of the ministry. Theprimary reason I am so excited abouttraveling to Madagascar is to see a goodexample of how mission work can bedone so effectively.” Jacob Corzine said,“I know that every community,congregation, and individual come withtheir own complex human history. As apastor it will be my task to speak theforgiveness of Jesus Christ into thathistory, providing an anchor in otherwisevery rough waters. I believe that myexperiences with other churches andother cultures have helped prepareme for this task. I believe thatthe Mercy Mission Expedition

to Madagascar will help me to continueto grow in this area.” Prior to the trip students will have the

opportunity to read and reflect onmaterials on the theology of mercyproduced by World Relief and HumanCare as well as Beyond Charity:Reformation Initiatives for the Poor.While in Madagascar, the students willvisit churches, a school for the blind, aseminary, several hospitals, tobys(literally “encampments of mercy” spreadthrough the country to care for theneedy), and the Good Samaritan Centerfor the Poor. As has been the case withthe previous two expeditions, the studentswill select a human care project tosupport once they return home. The 2006CTS group raised enough money toconstruct a kitchen at the Good SamaritanCenter. Last year’s group is gatheringfunds to support human care projects at aregional seminary of the MalagasyLutheran Church.“Leading the Mercy Mission

Expeditions to Madagascar is the yearlyhighpoint of my work as a teacher oftheology. On these trips, our students aregiven wonderful opportunities to seeLutheran theology informing and shapingthe vitality of the Malagasy Lutheran’switness in word and deed to the mercy ofGod in Christ Jesus. I’m grateful to

LCMS World Relief andHuman Care for makingit possible for mystudents to have sucha rich experience”said Pless.

Prof. John T. Pless of Concordia Theological Seminary announced that sixministerial students have been selected to accompany him on the third MercyMission Expedition to Madagascar in February. The six students are Jacob

Corzine (Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church, Peoria, IL), Samuel Janssen (Trinity LutheranChurch, Urbana, IL), Michael Meyer (University Lutheran Chapel, Minneapolis,MN), Terry O’Brien (Living Word Lutheran Church, The Woodlands, TX), DanielPezzica (St. James Lutheran Church, Overlea, MD), and Samuel Schuldheisz (St. Michael Lutheran Church, Portland, OR). The Mercy Mission Expedition toMadagascar is sponsored by LCMS World Relief and Human Care. The trip will give students the opportunity to see how Malagasy Lutherans coordinate the church’slife of corporate mercy for people with profound human need with the proclamationof the Gospel. After the completion of the trip each student will make at least tenpresentations to church groups to share their experiences and raise awareness ofhuman care needs in Madagascar.

Front Row (Left to Right): Prof. John Pless, Daniel Pezzica, Samuel Janssen, and Samuel Schuldheisz. Back Row: Michael Meyer, Jacob Corzine

Six CTS Students Selected for the 2008Mercy Mission Expedition to Madagascar

31JANUARY 2008

ApplicationPlease type or print in ink all information. The form must be completed in every detail. Answer “N/A”for all items that do not apply to you.

Personal InformationName ___________________________________________________________________

First Middle Last

Permanent Address ________________________________________________________Street, Route, Box #

City _________________________________ State _______ Zip _________________Phone ( _____ ) _____ – _______ E-Mail Address_______________________________Date of Birth ____ / ____ / _____ Year of High School Graduation_________________T-Shirt Size__________ Musical Experience___________________________Do you play an instrument?______ If yes, what instrument?________________________

Church Membership InformationHome Congregation _____________________________________________________Church Address ________________________________________________________City ___________________________________ State _______ Zip ____________Church Phone ( _____ ) _____ – ________ Year of Baptism__________________Year of Confirmation___________________ Years as LCMS Member____________Pastor’s Name _____________________________ LCMS District ______________“I, (Pastor):_____________________________________, give my recommendation and approval for (Student):____________________________________ to attend the Christ Academy at Concordia Theological Seminary. He has shown interest in the Academy and in learning more about theology and the Holy Ministry.”Signed: Rev.__________________________________________ Date ___/___/___

On a separate sheet of paper, please answer the followingquestions: (Please fold and mail with application.)1. What is the Gospel?2. What is the mission of the church?3. Why do you seek to attend Christ Academy?

Please return this form to:Admission/Christ Academy Registration, Concordia Theological Seminary,

6600 North Clinton Street, Fort Wayne, Indiana 46825-4996

June 15-28, 2008

Christ Academy is a two-weekresidential program for high-school-aged men, founded by

Concordia Theological Seminary, FortWayne. It is a place where students canstudy about Christ who is present in HisWord and Sacraments and who died thattheir sins would be forgiven. It is a placewhere students can experience seminarylife. It is a place where students canexplore the possibility of one daybecoming a pastor.� Worship, theCenter of the Experience� Life-Changing Studies � Clarity of Direction� Fun Activities

10th annual

For more information, please call:

1-800-481-2155www.ctsfw.edu christacademy@ctsfw.edu

�

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6600 North Clinton Street �Fort W

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Huntington, IN

Christ Academy is a two-week residential program for high-school-aged men, founded by Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne.It is a place where students can study about Christ who is present in

His Word and Sacraments and who died that their sins would be forgiven. Itis a place where students can experience seminary life. It is a place wherestudents can explore the possibility of one day becoming a pastor.

� Worship, the Center of the Experience� Life-Changing Studies� Clarity of Direction� Fun Activities

For more information, please call:

1-800-481-2155www.ctsfw.edu christacademy@ctsfw.edu

Join us for the 10thannual CHRIST ACADEMY

at Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Indiana

June 15-28, 2008