Bethany News
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7/12-14/10
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Annual Summer Institute
The annual summer institute of Bethany Lutheran Theological Seminary has been held in various locations throughout the country in order to make it possible for more of our pastors to attend. This year the institute took place on the seminary campus in Mankato, July 12–14.
The first portion of the institute was a presentation entitled “Leadership in the Parish – Leading the Flock, Following the Shepherd” by the Rev David Russow. Pastor Russow explained the concept of “transformational leadership” and how it could be adapted and applied to the pastoral ministry. The lives and ministries of St. Paul, Nehemiah, and other heroes of faith were offered as examples of transformational leaders. The Christian leader will be loving and self-sacrificing, washing feet as his Savior, and allowing the Good Shepherd to lead through him.
The other segment of the institute was a presentation on “God Qualifies Me for the ‘Noble Task’ – A Look at the Background and Meaning of 1 Timothy 3:1-7” by Prof. Michael Smith. After a brief examination of isagogical information on the pastoral epistles, focusing on Paul’s authorship, Prof. Smith led the attendees through a detailed exegesis of 1 Timothy 1:3-7. In these verses the pastors were encouraged to look to God for strength in helping them meet the requirements Paul lists for the pastoral ministry.
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6/20/10
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Seminary Commencement Exercises
On June 20, 2010, Bethany Lutheran Theological Seminary, Mankato, Minnesota, officially concluded their 2009-2010 academic year with their annual Graduation service. At the service seven men received the Master of Divinity (M.Div.) degree having successfully completed the prescribed course of study at the seminary and having been found to be fit for the office of the ministry in the Evangelical Lutheran Synod. Pres. Gaylin R. Schmeling presided over the service, the Rev. Dr. J. Kincaid Smith, representing the seminary Board of Regents, assisted with the distribution of diplomas, and Prof. Michael K. Smith preached the sermon based on Hebrews 12:1-2, "Look Forward to Your Future Ministry."
This year's graduating class consisted of Mark Faugstad, Samuel Gullixson, Daniel Hartwig, Jeffery Merseth, Nicholas Proksch, Trent Saari, and Joshua Skogen. May God continue to bless these men as He sends them out to do His sacred work.
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5/13/10
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BLTS/BLC Call Day 2010
On May 13, 2010, after a day of presentations from last year's vicars and other synodical officials, the Bethany Lutheran Theological Seminary community gathered at Bethany Lutheran College's Trinity Chapel for the annual Evangelical Lutheran Synod (ELS) Call Service to find out where the new Candidates of Theology, vicars, and teachers were assigned. The Rev. Gaylin Schmeling, seminary president, presided over the divine service and the Rev. John Moldstad, synod president, preached.
Teacher:
Eva Voss - Teacher, Lakewood Lutheran School, Lakewood, Washington
Candidates:
Mark Faugstad - Awaiting Assignment
Samuel Gullixson - Awaiting Assignment
Daniel Hartwig - Awaiting Assignment
Jeffery Merseth - Awaiting Assignment
Nicholas Proksch - Pastor, Lord of Life Ev. Luth. Church, Holland, MI
Trent Saari - Pastor, Our Saviour Ev. Luth. Church, Lake Havasu City, AZ
Joshua Skogen - Pastor, King of Grace Ev. Luth. Church, Waukon, IA
Vicars:
James Kassera - Our Savior's Ev. Luth. Church, Albert Lea, MN
David Locklair - Grace Ev. Luth. Church, Vero Beach, FL
Michael Moldstad - St. Paul Ev. Luth. Church, North Mankato, MN
Update:
Since Call Day the following candidate has been assigned:
Jeffery Merseth- Pastor, Our Savior's Ev. Luth. Church, Roseau, MN
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7/12-14/10
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2010 Summer Pastors' Institute
Bethany Lutheran Theological Seminary is again conducting a Summer Pastors' Institute, July 12–14, 2010. The institute will begin at 1 p.m. on Monday, July 12, and conclude at noon on Wednesday, July 14. Pastor David Russow (Redeeming Grace Ev. Luth. Church, Rogers, MN) will present a lecture on Leadership in the Parish – Leading the Flock, Following the Shepherd and Professor Michael Smith (BLTS) will give a presentation on God Qualifies Me for the “Noble Task” – A Look at the Background and Meaning of 1 Timothy 3:1-7. Our aim is to make this institute interesting, instructive, edifying, and helpful for the public ministry. Those wishing to attend should contact the seminary at elsa.ferkenstad@blc.edu.
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5/13/10
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Annual Vicar Workshop, Call Day, and Seminary Graduation
Our annual vicar workshop will be held on Thursday, May 13, 2010. This year we will have seven returning vicars: Mark Faugstad, Samuel Gullixson, Daniel Hartwig, Jeff Merseth, Nicholas Proksch, Trent Saari, and Joshua Skogen. They will report on certain phases of their vicarage. President John Moldstad (ELS) will give a presentation on the pastor and his relationship to the synod. Brief presentations also will be given on our synod’s pension fund, insurance plan, and deferred giving. At 3:15, the Call Service will be held in Trinity Chapel with Pres. John Moldstad preaching. Our vicars will receive their permanent calls and the seniors will receive their vicar calls. The three seniors, who will soon begin their vicarages, are James Kassera, David Locklair, and Michael Moldstad. Seminary graduation will take place on Synod Sunday, June 20, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. in Trinity Chapel. At this service, the Rev. Michael Smith will preach and Pres. Gaylin Schmeling will serve as liturgist.
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2/28/10
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Spring Seminary Recruitment Night
On Sunday, February 28, 2010 from 5:30 – 7:00 pm, Bethany Lutheran Theological Seminary, Mankato, Minnesota, will present their annual spring Recruitment night. Pres. Schmeling will give a presentation entitled, “What’s the Seminary All About?” Dinner will be provided and men of all ages are invited to attend and learn more about what goes on at Bethany Seminary.
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2/19-22/10
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Marriage Seminar - 2010
The Seminary Marriage & Parsonage Seminar took place on February 19–20, 2010. Dr. and Mrs. William Kessel gave a presentation concerning “Crisis in the Christian Marriage.” Pres. and Mrs. John Moldstad gave a presentation on “The Pastor and His Children.” Prof. Michael and Anita Smith coordinated the seminar, including arranging for a “date night.” The purpose of this seminar is to prepare the students and their families better for life in the parsonage and to increase their awareness of Christian service.
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12/10/09
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Special Call Service for Indian Students
At the end of first semester, the seminary said farewell to our two students from India, Kalyan Gollapalli and Pradeep Lingala. They have completed their three-year course of study at the seminary and will begin vicaring in India in February. The purpose of the vicar year is to give students practical experience in ministerial duties, under the direction of a supervising pastor. The Rev. Solomon Mamidi and the Rev. Ananda Raju will serve as the supervisors for the two Indian students. The India Vicar Assignment Service occurred on December 10, 2009 in Trinity Chapel at Bethany Lutheran College. The Rev. Steven Petersen, the World Outreach Administrator of the ELS, was the preacher and Adolph Harstad, Michael Smith and Gaylin Schmeling participated in the service. In the sermon, based on Mark 3:14–15, Pastor Petersen noted the challenges of Christian ministry among the Hindu and Muslim population in India. He encouraged them to return to their homeland to preach the true Gospel of Christ, who lived, died and rose to win forgiveness for all sin. Kalyan Gollapalli will be vicaring in the Rajahmundry District, and Pradeep Lingala will be vicaring in the Hyderabad District. We wish them the Lord’s richest blessings as they proclaim the Gospel of the Christ Child in their homeland.
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10/29-30/09
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Reformation Lectures 2009
The forty-second annual Reformation Lectures were held at the Ylvisaker Fine Arts Center, Mankato, Minnesota, on October 29–30, 2009. These lectures are sponsored jointly by Bethany Lutheran College and Bethany Lutheran Theological Seminary.
This year there were two presenters. The first lecture was given by Dr. Adam S. Francisco, who is assistant professor of Historical Theology at Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Indiana. The second presenter was Dr. Roland Cap Ehlke of Concordia University–Wisconsin.
The theme of the lectures was “Lutheranism and Islam.” The first lecture, given by Dr. Adam Francisco, was entitled “Martin Luther and Islam.” The second lecture, presented by Dr. Roland Cap Ehlke, was entitled “Christianity and Islam in a Pluralistic Society.”
The Reformation Lectures centered on the relationship between Lutheranism and Islam. Here Islam and Christianity, in particular Lutheranism, were compared and contrasted. On the one hand, the adherents of Islam use the Qur’an as their ultimate authority. They believe that their life and their work following the principles of the Qur’an will earn acceptance into paradise with Allah. Lutheran Christians, on the other hand, confess a faith in the Triune God, God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit, revealed in the inspired Holy Scriptures, the Bible. The Bible declares that salvation for mankind can only be found in the incarnate Christ, who has redeemed all people through His salvific work.
The complete lectures will be published in the March issue of the Lutheran Synod Quarterly.
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10/25/09
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Bethany Seminary 2009 Fall Recruitment Night
On Sunday, October 25, 2009 from 5:30 – 7:00 pm, Bethany Lutheran Theological Seminary, Mankato, Minnesota, presented their annual fall Recruitment night. The special guest was Dr. William Kessel of Bethany Lutheran College, Mankato, Minnesota, and he presented on "Bible Study in the Local Congregation." Dinner was provided and many young men attended to learn more about what goes on at Bethany Seminary.
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10/1/09
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Bethany Seminary to Host Greece Tour
Dr. William Kessel (Bethany Lutheran College, Mankato, MN) and Prof. Adolph Harstad (Bethany Lutheran Theological Seminary) will lead a study of St. Paul’s Second Missionary Journey with visits to the best sites of Greece between May 17-27, 2010. Greece and Turkey were ground zero for the earliest Christian mission work. The tour will visit nearly a dozen biblical sites in Greece where St. Paul and others “labored in the Lord.” Participants will gain theological understanding as well as an appreciation of the political, economic and cultural context. The tour will follow in exact order the footsteps of St. Paul through Greece on his second missionary journey. In addition, the tour will explore three early Christian churches and monasteries to understand the joy, commitment and challenges of early believers. The tour includes stops in Thessaloniki, Philippi, Berea, Meteora, Delphi, Athens and Corinth, as well as a Greek island cruise.
Total cost for this trip, including airfare from Minneapolis, is $3,340 per person (less $75 before November 15). For more information and brochure, contact Professor A. Harstad, 6 Browns Court, Mankato MN 56001 or 507-344-7373 or aharstad@blc.edu.
After this trip in May 2010, Bible lands study tours will continue on a three-year cycle: Israel in 2011, Turkey in 2012, Greece in 2013. A generous donor will match dollar for dollar up to $30,000 per year in gifts given to Bethany Lutheran College in support of these study tours, including the 2010 trip to Greece.
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