Lutheran Theological Center in Atlanta, LTCA
Report to the ELCA Southeastern Synod Assembly
May 2015
Lutheran Theological Center in Atlanta, LTCA Everett Flanigan, PhD Director of Evangelical Mission, Assistant to the Bishop and Administrative Dean of the Center The Lutheran Center prepares, engages and nourishes congregational leaders to be robust in their witness to the well- being of God’s people through the Gospel, their faith, and in the pursuit of justice, for the sake of the world. Since April, 2011 the Lutheran Theological Center in Atlanta, LTCA, embarked on a pathway of accompaniment for the development and formation of leaders for the ELCA. We are engaged in the unceasing work to extend reconciliation won by Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit to all people for all times. The Center endeavors to teach and coach in ways of speaking and using language which reflect and embody God’s love. Using the Three Great Listeningslistening to God, listening to congregations and members of this synod, and listening to our communities, The Center is able to gather the Lutheran community in Southeastern Synod around Biblical studies and theological education opportunities. Focus Areas of the Lutheran Center We focus on five areas at the Center. They are: Lutheran Formation and Pilot Project (Lutheran Studies); TEEM or theological education for emerging ministries; A certificated Lay Theological education program The Sending of the 70 and a continuing education component and finally a Lutheran Identity, Outreach and Congregational training program. The Priesthood of all believers We re-opened the Center in September, 2011 following a year of inactivity. Participation rates (seats) in Center’s programs between September, 2011 and May, 2015 include more than 1600 persons (or seats). Said one participant: The topics covered in our sessions are both timely, practical and “faith deepening”. Seminary students and faculty, rostered leaders, community workers and lay professionals under an umbrella of the priesthood of all believers and in consideration of their vocations. LTCA is conceived as a ministry of all the baptized as agents for teaching, learning and leading and ambassadors of the faith. Profile of the Lutheran Center The Center is multicultural and enrolls students (fellows) of European, African, Korean and Hispanic American descent. During the period of August, 2014 to May 31, 2015, seventy-one (71) persons took classes for either academic credit, to meet ELCA candidacy requirements; for faith-deepening enrichment or to learn new ways to practice or live into their faith. The learning modules and classes are typically led by professors and leaders from the Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary, Candler, St. John Lutheran Church, Southeastern Synod, Trinity Lutheran Seminary, Luther Seminary, Southern Seminary, Newberry College, and the Interdenominational Theological Center, and St. Paul Lutheran Church and the Congregational & Synodical Missions unit of the ELCA. During this same time frame, Columbia Theological Seminary and Candler School of Theology awarded academic credit to their students who completed the Lutheran Worship and Lectionary Class taught by LTCA adjunct, Dr. Stephen Hawkins with Pastor Nancy Christensen. C-4
Covenant of Agreement The covenant of Agreement for operation of the Lutheran Center expires on May 31, 2015. The covenant was developed between the Southeastern Synod, Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary and the ELCA, through the churchwide Congregational & Synodical Missions unit. This covenant also designated Southeastern Synod as the administrative entity for the Lutheran Center. The covenant was initially signed in June, 2012 for a period of three years. A proposal is now before the synod council for renewal of the Covenant of Agreement for another three years. The newly proposed 2015-2018 Covenant has been approved and signed off by the churchwide unit, and by Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary and now awaits approval by Southeastern Synod. Finances for the Lutheran Center We began the 2014-2015 year with financial challenges. Measures were put in place which allowed the Center to reduce spending and to slow cash flow as a means of addressing the lack of expected additional funding for the short term. At the same time, appeals to various Churchwide units generating increased levels of grants allow the Center to address these short term funding issues. With the support from the Office of the Presiding Bishop and the Multicultural Team, income for the 2015-16 year is now projected at $146,000, with expenses of just short of this figure. Our capacity to deliver programs in a timely and efficient manner is curtailed nevertheless, due to a lack of administrative and programmatic support. Sending of the Seventy- An Exciting New Initiative The goals of this training program include the identification, training and accompaniment of 70 Missioners (evangelizers) from across the Synod who will work in their respective congregations and communities, and who are able to articulate “Who God calls them to be;” who will live among God’s faithful people and proclaim the Good News through word and deed. The missioners will also be able to teach and nurture new believers, to serve all people following the example of Jesus Christ and to strive for justice and peace in all the earth. Classes for this program started in central Atlanta, GA, and are planned for Mobile, AL for the Gulf Coast, for middle TN and for northeast suburban Atlanta, GA. The Atlanta cohort held its
first its class meeting in May, 2015 with 10 students. The faculty and advisors for this certificated program include The Rev. Doctor Joy Blaylock, Pastor O. Dennis Mims, Dr. Andrea Green and Pastor Ann Bassett and Dr. Everett Flanigan. Pr. Gordon Straw will serve as a churchwide consultant. Acknowledgements Thanks be to God for the operating grants received from the Office of the ELCA Presiding Bishop, and the Reverend Doctor Wyvetta Bullock; for the support of Bishop H. Julian Gordy, from the Deans of the Southeastern Synod and for the many Pastors who almost always say yes to our requests; and to the Reverend Doctors Stephen Bouman and Albert Starr for continued support. Thanks be to God for the many congregations who have partnered with the Lutheran Center in its mission and to make classroom and facility space available: Church of the Redeemer, Atlanta; St. John’s Atlanta; Lutheran Church of the Messiah, Decatur; St. Paul, Decatur; St. Stephens, Decatur; Holy Trinity, Marietta, Shepherd of the Hills, Birmingham. Thanks for the Synod Council Working Team including: Dr. Andrea Green, Hilton Austin, Karen Boda and The Reverend Doctor Ruth Hamilton for their insights and hard work despite challenging schedules. And finally, thanks be to God for our volunteers, especially Gene Lewis, Annette Flanigan, Roxane Thompson, Mal Brown, and many others. C-4
May 2015
Lutheran Theological Center in Atlanta, LTCA Everett Flanigan, PhD Director of Evangelical Mission, Assistant to the Bishop and Administrative Dean of the Center The Lutheran Center prepares, engages and nourishes congregational leaders to be robust in their witness to the well- being of God’s people through the Gospel, their faith, and in the pursuit of justice, for the sake of the world. Since April, 2011 the Lutheran Theological Center in Atlanta, LTCA, embarked on a pathway of accompaniment for the development and formation of leaders for the ELCA. We are engaged in the unceasing work to extend reconciliation won by Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit to all people for all times. The Center endeavors to teach and coach in ways of speaking and using language which reflect and embody God’s love. Using the Three Great Listeningslistening to God, listening to congregations and members of this synod, and listening to our communities, The Center is able to gather the Lutheran community in Southeastern Synod around Biblical studies and theological education opportunities. Focus Areas of the Lutheran Center We focus on five areas at the Center. They are: Lutheran Formation and Pilot Project (Lutheran Studies); TEEM or theological education for emerging ministries; A certificated Lay Theological education program The Sending of the 70 and a continuing education component and finally a Lutheran Identity, Outreach and Congregational training program. The Priesthood of all believers We re-opened the Center in September, 2011 following a year of inactivity. Participation rates (seats) in Center’s programs between September, 2011 and May, 2015 include more than 1600 persons (or seats). Said one participant: The topics covered in our sessions are both timely, practical and “faith deepening”. Seminary students and faculty, rostered leaders, community workers and lay professionals under an umbrella of the priesthood of all believers and in consideration of their vocations. LTCA is conceived as a ministry of all the baptized as agents for teaching, learning and leading and ambassadors of the faith. Profile of the Lutheran Center The Center is multicultural and enrolls students (fellows) of European, African, Korean and Hispanic American descent. During the period of August, 2014 to May 31, 2015, seventy-one (71) persons took classes for either academic credit, to meet ELCA candidacy requirements; for faith-deepening enrichment or to learn new ways to practice or live into their faith. The learning modules and classes are typically led by professors and leaders from the Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary, Candler, St. John Lutheran Church, Southeastern Synod, Trinity Lutheran Seminary, Luther Seminary, Southern Seminary, Newberry College, and the Interdenominational Theological Center, and St. Paul Lutheran Church and the Congregational & Synodical Missions unit of the ELCA. During this same time frame, Columbia Theological Seminary and Candler School of Theology awarded academic credit to their students who completed the Lutheran Worship and Lectionary Class taught by LTCA adjunct, Dr. Stephen Hawkins with Pastor Nancy Christensen. C-4
Covenant of Agreement The covenant of Agreement for operation of the Lutheran Center expires on May 31, 2015. The covenant was developed between the Southeastern Synod, Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary and the ELCA, through the churchwide Congregational & Synodical Missions unit. This covenant also designated Southeastern Synod as the administrative entity for the Lutheran Center. The covenant was initially signed in June, 2012 for a period of three years. A proposal is now before the synod council for renewal of the Covenant of Agreement for another three years. The newly proposed 2015-2018 Covenant has been approved and signed off by the churchwide unit, and by Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary and now awaits approval by Southeastern Synod. Finances for the Lutheran Center We began the 2014-2015 year with financial challenges. Measures were put in place which allowed the Center to reduce spending and to slow cash flow as a means of addressing the lack of expected additional funding for the short term. At the same time, appeals to various Churchwide units generating increased levels of grants allow the Center to address these short term funding issues. With the support from the Office of the Presiding Bishop and the Multicultural Team, income for the 2015-16 year is now projected at $146,000, with expenses of just short of this figure. Our capacity to deliver programs in a timely and efficient manner is curtailed nevertheless, due to a lack of administrative and programmatic support. Sending of the Seventy- An Exciting New Initiative The goals of this training program include the identification, training and accompaniment of 70 Missioners (evangelizers) from across the Synod who will work in their respective congregations and communities, and who are able to articulate “Who God calls them to be;” who will live among God’s faithful people and proclaim the Good News through word and deed. The missioners will also be able to teach and nurture new believers, to serve all people following the example of Jesus Christ and to strive for justice and peace in all the earth. Classes for this program started in central Atlanta, GA, and are planned for Mobile, AL for the Gulf Coast, for middle TN and for northeast suburban Atlanta, GA. The Atlanta cohort held its
first its class meeting in May, 2015 with 10 students. The faculty and advisors for this certificated program include The Rev. Doctor Joy Blaylock, Pastor O. Dennis Mims, Dr. Andrea Green and Pastor Ann Bassett and Dr. Everett Flanigan. Pr. Gordon Straw will serve as a churchwide consultant. Acknowledgements Thanks be to God for the operating grants received from the Office of the ELCA Presiding Bishop, and the Reverend Doctor Wyvetta Bullock; for the support of Bishop H. Julian Gordy, from the Deans of the Southeastern Synod and for the many Pastors who almost always say yes to our requests; and to the Reverend Doctors Stephen Bouman and Albert Starr for continued support. Thanks be to God for the many congregations who have partnered with the Lutheran Center in its mission and to make classroom and facility space available: Church of the Redeemer, Atlanta; St. John’s Atlanta; Lutheran Church of the Messiah, Decatur; St. Paul, Decatur; St. Stephens, Decatur; Holy Trinity, Marietta, Shepherd of the Hills, Birmingham. Thanks for the Synod Council Working Team including: Dr. Andrea Green, Hilton Austin, Karen Boda and The Reverend Doctor Ruth Hamilton for their insights and hard work despite challenging schedules. And finally, thanks be to God for our volunteers, especially Gene Lewis, Annette Flanigan, Roxane Thompson, Mal Brown, and many others. C-4
