Date: August 2 - August 6
Theme: “Christ Centered Preaching and Worship”
The Summer Institute of Theology (SIT) provides an opportunity for continuing education for pastors and lay people. A variety of abbreviated courses and workshops are offered, taught by the Free Lutheran Bible College and Seminary faculty members and guest instructors.
"Here's Your Chance" an Invitation from Dr. Wade Mobley
Click here to read an invitation from Dr. Wade Mobley.
Promotional Resources
Schedule
Click here for a PDF of the schedule
Course Descriptions
Session I | Monday - Wednesday Morning
- Christ Centered Preaching (Dr. Bryan Chapell)
- The goal of every sermon is to deliver Christ to the congregation through the preaching of God’s Word. Dr. Bryan Chapell, author of Christ-centered Preaching, will teach us the art and science of proclaiming Christ as presented in God’s Word.
Session II | Wednesday Afternoon - Friday
- Option 1: Christ Centered Worship (Dr. Zac Hicks)
- Centering worship on Christ is so much more than singing songs about Jesus and the cross. It affects the language of our prayers, the structure of our services, the architecture of our spaces, and the habits of our planning and leading. In this course, we will explore the mindset and practices of a pastoral worship leader who wants to take Christ-centeredness seriously.
- Option 2: First and Second Peter (Pr. Gary Jorgenson)
- This series on Peter's epistles will consider the topic of hope. The saying goes, “Hope springs eternal.” But, depending upon what hope is based on or in, hope may be “iffy” at best, and downright hopeless at worst. Only hope based in God’s Word is sure and certain. 1 and 2 Peter were written to remind us of this truth and to center our hope in God’s Word. Then, no matter what trials we may face, hope will keep us encouraged.
- Option 3: Ethics and the Follower of Christ (Dr. Nathan Olson)
- Ethics is primarily concerned with answering the question: "How do we live?" As conservative and biblical Lutherans, we answer that question with an emphasis on the new life in Christ and its manifestation through our vocations. Therefore, this course will be a study of Christian conduct and its relevance to every area of life.
Speaker Bios
Dr. Zac Hicks (D.Min., Knox Theological Seminary; M.Div., Denver Seminary; B.A., Biola University) is Canon for Liturgy and Worship at Cathedral Church of the Advent (Birmingham, AL) and author of The Worship Pastor (Zondervan, 2016). He grew up in Hawaii, studied music in Los Angeles, trained in Philosophy and Biblical Studies at Denver Seminary, and recently completed doctoral work in the theology and worship of the English Reformation. His thesis traces reformer Thomas Cranmer’s application of the doctrine of justification by faith alone through his architecture of the Book of Common Prayer. Zac’s interests include the intersection of old and new in worship, the pastoral dimensions of worship leading, and the centrality of the gospel in worship. He is a songwriter and producer, most currently with Advent Birmingham Music. Zac has contributed articles and posts to Worship Leader Magazine, Reformed Worship, Desiring God, The Gospel Coalition, and Doxology & Theology. Zac has been married for nearly twenty years to his wife, Abby, and they have four children—Joel, Jesse, Brody, and Bronwyn.
Dr. Bryan Chapell, Ph.D. is Pastor Emeritus of the historic Grace Presbyterian Church and President Emeritus of Covenant Theological Seminary. He now leads the Administrative Committee of the Presbyterian Church in America. His preaching and teaching are broadcast in many nations through Unlimited Grace Media, and are also available at unlimitedgrace.com. He is the author of many books, including Unlimited Grace, Each for the Other, Holiness by Grace, Praying Backwards, The Gospel According to Daniel, The Hardest Sermons You’ll Ever Have to Preach, and Christ-centered Preaching, a preaching textbook now in multiple editions and many languages. He and his wife, Kathy, have four adult children, and a growing number of grandchildren.
Dr. Nathan Olson has served as pastor at Living Word Lutheran in Eagan, MN since 2017. Previously, he served Gloria Dei Free Lutheran Church in St. Louis, MO while completing his PhD in Doctrinal Theology at Concordia Seminary. He is married to Emily (Hoops, of Deshler, NE). Together they have four children, Josiah (age 7), Caleb (age 5), Anna (age 3), and Rhoda (age 1).
Pr. Gary Jorgenson currently serves as the Assistant to the President of the AFLC. He has served in that capacity for four years. Prior to that he served as a parish pastor for thirty-five years, serving congregations in North Dakota, Illinois, Oklahoma and Minnesota. Pastor Jorgenson is married and his wife, Jeanne, have four children, all married, and ten grandchildren. He loves to fish, enjoys walking, reading and spending time with family.