Join us and discover, reflect on our Life Together…in order to transform our response to the news of our times.
…in a study led by Professor Craig L. Nessan of Wartburg seminary.
Craig L Nessan of Wartburg Theological Seminary in Dubuque, Iowa and I have been working to put on a Zoom seminar titled:
“Intentionally Christian: A Study Guide to Bonhoeffer’s Writings for an Underground Seminary”
The seminar is intended for individual church members, entire congregations, deacons, and pastors — all are welcome. We will be meeting online at 4pm on Sunday afternoons for six sessions in the weeks following Easter.
The dates of the sessions will be:
April 26 – @ 4pm (Central);
May 3 – @ 4pm (Central);
May 10 – @ 4pm (Central);
<2 Week Pause>,
May 31 – @ 4pm (Central);
June 7 – @ 4pm (Central);
June 14 – @ 4pm (Central);
Description of the content:
Of the study, Professor Nessan writes:
This study guide of Life Together is for Christian people to discover the riches of the thought of Dietrich Bonhoeffer on what it means to be the church in our time.
I am convinced this is a time when we as a church need to devote ourselves to being intentionally Christian through:
1) soul care: deepening one’s own spiritual roots through the exercise of personal prayer, Bible study, meditation, and the practice of classical spiritual disciplines (Bonhoeffer’s life alone), and
2) mutual care: taking time for the conversation, encouragement, and consolation of the sisters and brothers by meeting together for worship, study, prayer, and support (Bonhoeffer’s day together).
Only by stewarding well our “life together” as a church (Heb 10:24-25) will we be prepared for the demands of neighbor care (Heb 13:2): serving the needs of others, especially those persons most endangered in contemporary society, trusting the message that Jesus Christ truly promises to meet us in the least of these, who are his sisters and brothers (Mt 25:40).
This study guide is based on the classic writings of Bonhoeffer, Life Together and Discipleship, books which retain their abiding significance for the life, ministry, and mission of the church today in uncanny ways. Bonhoeffer makes two strong claims:
1) The church as body of Christ really is “Christ existing as community.”
2) The church only fulfills its calling when it exists as the “church for others.”
These core convictions remain as timely now as in their original context. This study guide aims to remember how the church’s identity and mission are rightly grounded only in devotion to and service of Jesus Christ.
More information – including how to sign up – will be forthcoming.
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