Fall Theological Conference
For the rostered leaders and spouses, synodically authorized ministers, seminarian interns,
and directors of youth and family ministry of the Northeastern Minnesota Synod.
and directors of youth and family ministry of the Northeastern Minnesota Synod.
Faith and Firearms
September 25,26,27, 2016
Ruttger's Sugar Lake Lodge
Grand Rapids, Minnesota
Ruttger's Sugar Lake Lodge
Grand Rapids, Minnesota
Information
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Tentative Conference Schedule
Sunday, September 25th
4:00-6:00pm Registration-Alexander Foyer 6:00-7:00pm Evening Meal-Dining Room 7:15 pm Worship followed by welcome, introductions, and social time Monday, September 26th 7:00-8:00am Breakfast-Dining Room 8:30am Morning Prayer 9:00am Session I 10:30am Break 11:00-11:15am Tamela Wahlhoff: Director of Lutheran Advocacy-MN 11:15-11:30am Paul Daniels: Region 3 ELCA Archives 11:30-11:45am Synod Staff Updates Noon Lunch-Dining Room 1:00-2:00pm Session II 2:30-3:00pm Bishop Aitken-Synod Update 3:00-6:30pm Free Time 6:30 pm Evening Prayer 7:00pm Evening Meal-Dining Room Tuesday, September 27th 7:00-8:00am Breakfast-Dining Room 8:45-10:00am Session III 10:30am Worship-Holy Communion following Checkout |
PROGRAM SYNOPSIS |
PRESENTER |
Faith and Firearms
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America is in a fight over its guns. And, as is often the case in American Society, religion factors into the dispute.
Although offensive to some. for many "gun enthusiasts" it is quite natural to weave together, "God," "faith," "church," and "Jesus" in the same sentence as "guns," "firearms," and "weapons." For others, faith provides a rich resource for critically addressing gun violence issues in society. It is no surprise that guns have been integrated in to discourses about faith, for guns, like religion, deal with profound human realities of life, death, will, power, and freedom. The conversation around guns in America, however, suffers from a lack of deep listening productive conversation, especially when it comes to talking with those on the "other side." As people of faith, it is all the more important that we learn how to engage in contentious conversations in ways that are respectful, loving and productive. As leaders in the church, we have an obligation to ask what this means for us as theologians of the cross. In these presentations, we will examine qualitative research, and will seek to use that research as a starting point for conversations among ourselves about the role of guns in American society and the Church. Finally, space will be made to think about what it means to be a Christian in a country whose history, mythology, and significant tragedies are shaped by guns. |
Michael Chan joined the Luther Seminary Bible Division in July 2013. Prior to this appointment, he spent a year at the University of Helsinki, Finland and in many of the world's greatest museums.
Chan has taught in many settings, congregational and academic. He served as youth pastor at Grace Lutheran Church (Kingman, AZ) and Van Nuys Korean United Methodist Church (Van Nuys, California). He and his wife were also responsible for compus ministry at Pacific Lutheran University (Tacoma, Washington). In college he served as chaplain in Glacier National Park as part of a Christian Ministry in the National Parks. Chan has also taught numerous courses at Emory University, University of Helsinki, and North Central University. In addition to teaching, Chan has also published numerous articles ,essays, reference entries, and reviews in journals. Currently, Chan is co-editing with Brent Strawn a volume of Terrence Fretheim's essays: God, World, and Suffering:Collected essat of Terrence Fretheim (Siphrut: Literature and Theology of the Hebrew Scriptures; Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, forthcoming.) He is also co-author with Eric Barreto of the book Exploring the Bible , Fortress Press due out in August 2016. Dr. Chan and his wife Katherine are the proud parents of a beautiful daughter, Eden. |
This year's theme is a timely one. Faith and Firearms will be presented by Dr. Michael Chan, Assistant Professor of Old Testament at Luther Seminary. Dr. Chan's presentations, along with our conversation, will assist leaders in practical and biblical ways of listening and engaging our people in difficult conversations regarding faith, firearms, and politics.
The Rev. Thomas M. Aitken
Bishop of the Northeastern Minnesota Synod Talking through tough social issues as Christians means respectful yet passionate dialogue from the perspective of faith they share. Together they seek to understand and clarify the issue, its causes, dimensions and consequences. They take into account their personal and community experiences of the issue, as well as Scripture, church tradition and teachings, human knowledge and reason.
Talking Together as Christians
about Tough Social Issues We finally meet one another-not in our agreements or disagreements-but at the foot of the cross where God is faithful, where Christ is present, where by the power of the Holy Spirit, we are one in Christ.
The Rev. Mark S. Hanson
Former Presiding Bishop of the ELCA 
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