Sharing stories, experiences, resources, hopes, dreams, and prayers.
-
Mark Roger Olson
- Male
- Walker, MN
- United States
- Share
- Blog Posts
- Discussions (5)
- Events
- Groups
- Photos
- Photo Albums
- Videos
Mark Roger Olson's Discussions
Theory vs. Practice
6 Replies
Started this discussion. Last reply by Rev.Jason Derr Nov 8.
Mark R. Olson, Pastor
Latest Activity
I share your frustration of the 'pulpit/pew' gap. But like otehrs have said I do not see this as a failure of theological education vrs the local congregation, but a failure to help congregations engage theology. We have denominational magazines, ma…
I too believed out of seminary that "Joe six-pack" (I'm never totally comfortable with that label) didn't want to learn this or that theological/Biblical concept. But, I've found that we underestimate people. There is a lot of anti-intellectualism i…
Mark Douglass says it well when referencing what he calls "street-level theology-making." A graduate-level professor is often insulated by graduate-level students--and that is not the same culture that exists in most congregations. It's an insular c…
A lot of good things have already been said.
I would take the time to emphasize the need, I say need, for better formation of people who come out of seminary to lead churches. And I do turn it back on who we call to teach at seminaries. My best rol…
I am an intern so bear with me as this is my first foray into the church and out of the sem.
I think one of the first things to remember is that Seminary faculty are people of faith. Unlike professors in other fields I think we sometimes forget tha…
I hear sermons from non-theologically-educated pastors all the time, and I've never been very impressed with the results. They all boil down to "you're a sinner; you're going to hell; accept Jesus and be saved." Or, they turn into pop-psychology sel…
I'm copying a post I shared on a Congregational Mission and Leadership discussion group on Facebook (below). This is especially relevant to "emerging" ministries that seem to fly under the radar of seminary--more organic, responsive, relevant, nimbl…
Comment Wall (4 comments)
- At 4:12am on June 22, 2009,
Leila Pacheco said…
- Wanna view my cam?, come see me here We'll really have some fun! freelocalcams.info
- At 10:40am on December 17, 2008,
Benjamin Morris said…
- review present amendments, not a recantation but perhaps a clarification
- At 10:34am on December 17, 2008,
Benjamin Morris said…
- ah, please let the nuance speak, "in some ways" plus I wrote that a whiles back when I was still trying to understand Hope and some of the "growth" things that I was hearing. I recall the article that you gave to us about the church size and the programs it offers. That Hope is transitioning through a program sized church and moving beyond. Things like Wednesday Night worship, and its format lend to a megachurchish style of programming. Not in the negative sense but in the meet.your.needs. kinds church.
point taken on use of language and how it can be recieved to people not familiar with Hope.
- At 4:51pm on December 16, 2008,
Benjamin Morris said…
- Hey boss.
Profile Information
- Hometown:
- Park Rapids, MN
- About Me:
- Serving Hope Lutheran in Walker, MN (ELCA)
Wife Sara is a Physical Therapist--two boys, Boysen (kindergarten) and Palmer John (3 yrs)
2nd Year in Luther Seminary's D.Min Program, Congregational Mission and Leadership
Horizon Site Supervisor: Multicultural site w/ St. John's Episcopal on the Leech Lake (Ojibwe) Reservation.
Training Officer on the Walker Fire Dept.
I love planting trees, outdoor baseball, x-c skiing, and camping with my family.
- Personal Website:
- http://www.hopelutheranchurch-walker.com/
- Prefered Network (link to your facebook, myspace, blogger profile):
- http://facebook
- Who am I? (Many ways to answer this -- be as creative as you want, or not.)
- A domesticated "Alexander Supertramp"
- How did I get into "emerging ministry"?
- Reading Alan Hirsch, and other "missional church" titles through the D.Min program at Luther. Referral by Ben Morris, student at Wartburg Seminary, and our current Horizon Intern.
- Say a little bit about the community you share life with...
- The Leech Lake area is a study in contrasts. Wealthy suburban executives dream of retiring "Up North" while residents enjoy three months of plenty, and nine months of famine. Half of the kids in the Walker-Hackensack-Akeley School District receive free or reduced cost lunches--and others don't apply.
- What are the most pressing questions (both theological and practical) you and your community have?
- What is God up to in Walker/Onigum?
How can we follow?
Can established mainline/ELCA Lutheran congregations become missional, or must the existing "Temple" be torn down?
I think table fellowship (1 Cor. 11:17-34) and the attending controversies are foundational to relationships. 11:27 is one of the most misunderstood passages the Bible. It's not so much about right theology (real presence) as it is about right relationships (welcoming the stranger--commensality).
About
Badge
© 2009 Created by Thomas Knoll on Ning. Create a Ning Network!
