An Incomplete Field Guide to Ministry

The Future of Theological Education & and a Conversation with Pastor Carrie Ballenger

Our hosts Kimberly Wagner and Marvin Wickware reflect on some of the challenges and opportunities facing institutions, professors, and students within theological education today. How do we adjust to the economic and financial realities of current students? Do we imagine theological education as mainly vocational or mostly formational? Please note that this episode was recorded before Russia invaded Ukraine. Our guest today Carrie Ballenger, assistant to the bishop at the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land, and Pastor to the English Speaking Congregation at Lutheran Church of the Redeemer in Jerusalem. Pastor Ballenger is also an LSTC Alum.Mentioned this episode:Dr. Ted Smith's 2021 Sprunt Lectures presentation entitled “No Longer Shall They Teach One Another: The End of Theological Education.” After Whiteness: An Education in Belonging by Willie JenningsKnit Purl Pray Preach, Carrie Ballenger's blog Carrie Ballenger's recorded sermons The Upper Room, an organization supporting Palestinian Christians, especially women and young people, to stay in Jerusalem.We'd love to hear from you! Send your questions or feedback to lstcpodcast@gmail.com.Our music is by Keith “Doc” Hampton. Thanks to Frantisek Janak and Michael Liotus for technology support. Our producer and editor is Eric Fowler.This podcast is brought to you by the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, a seminary of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America that seeks to build up the Body of Christ and work for a world of peace and justice that cares for the whole creation.If you or someone you know is interested in seminary, you can learn more about LSTC at lstc.edu/admissions

Trusting our Gifts in the Face of Overwhelm, with Dr. Eunyung Lim

Our hosts Kimberly Wagner and Marvin Wickware finish the series on Overwhelm, centering our inherent gifts and capacities in the face of a lie that we will never be enough or that we are failures for having limits. Our guest today is Dr. Eunyung Lim, Assistant Professor of New Testament at LSTC, and author or the recently published book Entering God's Kingdom (Not) Like a Little Child: Images of the Child in Matthew, 1 Corinthians, and Thomas.Mentioned this episode:Chicago Society of Biblical ResearchWe'd love to hear from you! Send your questions or feedback to lstcpodcast@gmail.com.Our music is by Keith “Doc” Hampton. Thanks to Frantisek Janak and Michael Liotus for technology support. Our producer and editor is Eric Fowler.This podcast is brought to you by the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, a seminary of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America that seeks to build up the Body of Christ and work for a world of peace and justice that cares for the whole creation. If you or someone you know is interested in seminary, you can learn more about LSTC at lstc.edu/admissions

Overwhelm, Isolation, and a Conversation with Emily Moentmann

Our hosts Kimberly Wagner and Marvin Wickware continue the series on Overwhelm, looking at the intersection of systemic evil and isolation. How does our drive towards competition and individualism impact overwhelm. What do we lose when isolation overshadows mutuality? Our guest today is Emily Moentmann, dual degree student at LSTC (MDiv) and The University of Chicago School of Social Service Administration (MSW).Mentioned this episode:The Door, which Emily co-edits with previous podcast guest and LSTC student Katie Mueller. Contact them at TheDoor@lstc.eduWe'd love to hear from you! Send your questions or feedback to lstcpodcast@gmail.com.Our music is by Keith “Doc” Hampton. Thanks to Frantisek Janak and Michael Liotus for technology support. Our producer and editor is Eric Fowler.This podcast is brought to you by the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, a seminary of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America that seeks to build up the Body of Christ and work for a world of peace and justice that cares for the whole creation.

Overwhelm and Intersectionality, with Vance Blackfox

Our hosts Kimberly Wagner and Marvin Wickware continue the series on Overwhelm, looking at intersecting oppressions and marginalizations, and ministry in the midst of different identities. How does our beautiful, expansive diversity as people also connect to divisions and isolation? Our guest today is Vance Blackfox, ELCA Desk Director, American Indian Alaska Native Tribal Nations, Founder and Director of Other+Wise, and LSTC alum.Mentioned this episode:Kimberlé CrenshawVine Deloria Jr. Theological Symposium: November 16 and 17We'd love to hear from you! Send your questions or feedback to lstcpodcast@gmail.com.Our music is by Keith “Doc” Hampton. Thanks to Frantisek Janak and Michael Liotus for technology support. Our producer and editor is Eric Fowler.This podcast is brought to you by the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, a seminary of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America that seeks to build up the Body of Christ and work for a world of peace and justice that cares for the whole creation.

Overwhelm and the Temptation of Control, with Franklin Golden and Veronica Mwakasungura.

Our hosts Kimberly Wagner and Marvin Wickware continue the series on Overwhelm. Today: Control will not save us. What does fear of losing control encourage us to do? What institutions and practices lure us with false promises of control? What if we imagine God's power as presence instead of control? How does an orientation of control encourage us to treat our bodies and those of others?What might our leadership and lives look like if we give up control?Our guests today are Pastor Franklin Golden of Durham Presbyterian Church in Durham, NC, and Pastor Veronica Mwakasungura, graduate and returning student of LSTC, ordained pastor with the Lutheran Church of Tanzania, serving with the Lutheran Church of Rwanda. Mentioned this episode:Willie James JenningsMichel FoucaultAaron Antonovsky and Salutogenesis We'd love to hear from you! Send your questions or feedback to lstcpodcast@gmail.com.Our music is by Keith “Doc” Hampton. Thanks to Frantisek Janak and Michael Liotus for technology support. Our producer and editor is Eric Fowler.This podcast is brought to you by the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, a seminary of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America that seeks to build up the Body of Christ and work for a world of peace and justice that cares for the whole creation.