The Summer Institute of Theology is designed to provide continuing theological and ministry education to lay people, pastors, and friends of the Association of Free Lutheran Congregations.

Many of this year's sessions revolve around practical instruction for congregational leadership. If you are a lay leader in your church and have never attended SIT before, this would be a great year to jump in and see what it's about.

Sessions:

Session A (Plenary)
~History and Aims in the AFLC (Dr. Martin Horn)

Session B (Choose 1)
~Philosophy for Faith (Dr. Jonathan Strand)
~Studies in the Psalms (Pr. James R. Johnson)

Session C (Choose 1)
~Seminars in Congregational Leadership: (various)
↳Monday The Board Chair (Dr. Wade Mobley)
↳Tuesday Embracing Conflict (Pr. Micah Hjermstad)
↳Wednesday What Servant Leadership Means (Dr. James Molstre)
↳Thursday Emotional Health for Congregational Leaders (Dr. Wade Mobley)
~The Systems of Systematic Theology (Dr. Jason Gudim)

See full Schedule

Course Summaries

History and Aims in the AFLC – Pr. Martin Horn 

This seminar will survey both the history of the AFLC as well as its particular concerns and emphases. The first half of the seminar will examine the history of the AFLC as well as its historical roots in Norway and in the United States. The seminar will pay attention to Georg Sverdrup and Sven Oftedal, the founders of the Lutheran Free Church movement in America. 

The second half of the seminar will focus on the particular emphases and concerns of the AFLC. These lectures will include, but will not be limited to the issues of the inerrancy of Scripture, the AFLC’s Lutheran and confessional position, its “low-church” emphasis, and personal piety. This part of the seminar will focus particularly on Georg Sverdrup’s theology of the local congregation and his concept of “free and living Congregations.”  

Philosophy for Faith – Jonathan Strand 

Knowledge and tools developed in various academic disciplines are extremely useful for the understanding and articulation of our faith. Linguistic studies of ancient languages help us better-understand the Bible. The work of historians and archaeologists help us better-understand the events recorded in the Bible. Scientists help us understand how “the heavens declare the glory of God.” In fact, theology is largely the application of knowledge and tools from other disciplines to the understanding and articulation of our faith. Similarly, philosophers have developed ways of thinking that can help us better understand, articulate, and defend “the faith delivered once for all to the saints.” Theologians have long used philosophical concepts to articulate and understand the faith. The tools of logic are extremely useful in identifying logical errors committed by opponents of the faith. And believing philosophers have explained in great detail how disbelief is “without excuse.” This course is an introduction, then, to the insights and conceptual tools of philosophy that are useful for the understanding, articulation, and defense of the Christian faith. Reference will be made to how these things can be applied to current controversial issues—such as those regarding sexuality and gender. 

Studies in the Psalms – Pr. James R. Johnson 

Each session of the class will focus on studying a particular Psalm. The selected Psalms will include a variety of styles – Psalms of praise, lament, imprecation, and prayer, for example. Some will be familiar favorites and some less so. The desire is for the class to be interactive, together studying and applying God’s word in both personal life and pastoral ministry. 

The Systems of Systematic Theology – Dr. Jason Gudim 

Most people tend to think of systematic theology in terms of an encyclopedic ordering of all theological topics. This class will explore the themes and specific paradigms within Lutheran theology that help us think better and more biblically about theology. Topics covered will include the cross, tension and paradox, the structure of the catechism, law and gospel, two kinds of righteousness, and the two realms. 

Seminars in Congregational Leadership 

The Board Chair – Dr. Wade Mobley

What if board or church council service was something so rewarding that when people left they looked back on it as some of the best investment of time, treasure, and talent they have ever made? This is not only possible, but it is a necessary goal if our congregations are to function as healthy avenues for precious, eternal human souls to hear and receive the gospel of Jesus Christ. Pastor Wade Mobley has benefited from serving under many excellent board chairs in the past few decades and will share several insights to help you be an effective board chair, or a great board member.

Embracing Conflict – Pr. Micah Hjermstad 

Conflict inevitably finds every leader. Sometimes the conflict involves the leader personally, and sometimes they are called to resolve problems between two or more of the people they serve. To make a difficult situation worse, our instinct is to avoid conflict, sometimes “at all costs.” However, avoiding the problem doesn’t tend to solve it. Thankfully, the way of Christ gives us a path for resolution and hope for real healing. This session will explore what that conflict resolution looks like and how you can encourage it in your leadership role. 

What Servant Leadership Means – Dr. James Molstre 

This session will help church leaders understand the balance between leadership in the church while serving the congregation. The session will especially draw from 1 Timothy and Titus to define the role of Pastor as Servant leader.

Emotional Health for Congregational Leaders – Dr. Wade Mobley 

Whether as a pastor, or a counselor, or as a lay leader in a congregation, we are all in helping professions. Sometimes we are asked to help people in times and ways that leave us lacking; How can we help when we hurt? In this session Pastor Wade Mobley will help us ask ourselves healing questions and leave us with a selection of tools that may be helpful as we help others. 

Our Speakers