CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Using Web-based and interactive video technology, high- school and college-age Lutherans from across the United States will engage in a month-long "faith journey" on the Internet beginning Jan. 10 and two real-time video conferences on Feb. 24 and Mar. 3. The virtual forum is called "Paths Unknown: Where is God Leading Me?"
The forum is sponsored by universities and seminaries of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), the Faith and Life Forum of the ELCA and Lutheran Brotherhood, a fraternal benefits organization based in Minneapolis.
"The forum is an innovative way for high-school and college-age Lutherans to explore their future using the latest in Web-based and video technology," said the Rev. Reginald Schultz-Akerson, assistant to the president, church relations, California Lutheran University, Thousand Oaks, Calif. California Lutheran University is one of 28 colleges and universities of the ELCA.
"The forum will help students everywhere learn what it means to be a child of God and how their career is a ministry -- a calling by God to serve others," Schultz-Akerson said. "It is designed to help participants understand that as they continue their education and discern their call, they will have opportunities to bear witness to the Gospel and the love of God in daily life."
Beginning Jan. 10, students will enter http://www.Godleading.com to engage in a variety of activities designed to prepare them for the video conference. The Web site contains a five-session course or retreat on vocation and call; a career and spiritual gifts inventory survey; a brief history on Martin Luther -- a 16th century German church reformer -- and his teachings on vocation; a suggested reading list; and chat rooms. The video conference will feature guest speakers, conversation in small group settings, drama presentations, games, worship and more.
"We hope students will leave the conference with a clear understanding that God has called them to ministry in daily life through Baptism. They are witnesses for God's purpose in the world," Schultz-Akers= on said.
The video conference on Feb. 24 will feature the Rev. Roland D. Martinson, a professor of pastoral care at Luther Seminary, St. Paul, Minn., and the Rev. Jane E. Strohl, a professor of Reformation history and theology, Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary (PLTS), Berkeley, Calif. Luther and PLTS are two of eight seminaries of the ELCA. The speakers will address vocation as "a call to live our faith by serving God and others," said Schultz-Akerson.
Students will gather at Concordia University, Portland, Ore.; Luther Seminary; Pacific Lutheran University, Tacoma, Wash.; St. Mark's Lutheran Church, Spokane, Wash; and Trinity Lutheran College, Issaquah, Wash.
Presenters at the video conference on Mar. 3 include Dr. Mary Hess, assistant professor of educational leadership, Luther Seminary, and Dr. Alan Briskin, author of the book, "Bringing Your Soul to Work: An Everyday Practice" and "The Stirring of Soul in the Workplace." Students will gather at Concordia University, Irvine, Calif.; Luther Seminary; PLTS; and Spirit in the Desert Retreat Center, Carefree, Ariz.
For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or firstname.lastname@example.org
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About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:
The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with 2.8 million members in more than 8,500 worshiping communities across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of "God's work. Our hands.," the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA's roots are in the writings of the German church reformer Martin Luther.
For information contact:
Candice Hill Buchbinder
Public Relations Manager