Comments for The Fluegge Family in Africa

Comment on Commemoration of Dr. Kreiss by Steven Kreiss

Steven Kreiss — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 20:36:36 +0000

Dr. Kreiss was a cousin of my father Paul Kreiss. I met Wilbert only a few times over the course of my life and as your article points out this “white haired” man always had a a strength and agility to really share the gospel with whomever he met. A constant smile and wonderful persona. My father actually accompanied Wilbert on one of his many mission trips to Africa. It is people like Wilbert and other well targeted choices like my godparents, and other followers of Christ in my life, that God has used to help ground me in my Christian faith and the mighty fortress of Christ’s saving Grace. My father was able to reconnect with Wilbert a few weeks ago on a trip to Europe and I know he is grateful to God for granting him those moments. He plans to return for the funeral. Thank you for this insightful article on his work in Africa.

Sincerely,
Steven Kreiss

Comment on Fluegge Family Letter 23-March-2011 by Susan

Susan — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 10:54:01 +0000

Thanks Steph,

Totally agree. Samuel knows all there is to know about Rugby (or will shortly) and Caleb knows everything about Cricket. I have been really “bugged” by this “movement” by people in the U.S. to preserve “culture”. I realized that 80% of “culture” is outside influence. Stuff that I just don’t have much control over. \”/

Comment on Fluegge Family Letter 23-March-2011 by Stephanie Schulte

Stephanie Schulte — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 16:06:21 +0000

Hi Susan,

Samuel may not know much about basketball but his world is so much bigger than kids his age here in the U.S. Growing up as a third culture kid has real advantages and our kids wouldn’t trade their time in Africa for anything. I know I’m not telling you anything you don’t already know, just wanted to encourage you not to worry about what the kids are missing out on but celebrate the totally awesome stuff they do get to do!

Love,
Steph

Comment on Seminary or University? by Nancy Ebel

Nancy Ebel — Wed, 24 Nov 2010 17:44:09 +0000

Thanks for the review and the goal. I do hope that the dream does not dry in the near future as you look for God to open a way for a seminary to show the way.

The cold is keeping us inside, so there is a basketfull of extra time to try new things and learn what is out there.

Blessings

Comment on Seminary Education – The “Paideia” of the Lord? Or not? by Glenn

Glenn — Sat, 23 Oct 2010 11:05:27 +0000

Thanks, Faith. You’ve made some good suggestions and I think almost all of them could be adapted to a seminary education. Most would say that this happens during the “vicarage” or “internship” year, but does it really happen? And should we wait for the internship to see theology become alive? In my studies on Education I encountered quite a bit of literature on education in the medical field – much of it focused on “problem-based learning.” It was intriguing. I tried to use some of this in a course I taught a while back on the Lutheran Confessions. I mixed and matched methods, but the point was to bring the content of these important confessions into the real lives of the students. Did it work? I’m not sure. I only did it once and would need to teach it several more times and adjust the methodology here and there before being able to tell for sure. Blessings, Faith.

Comment on Seminary Education – The “Paideia” of the Lord? Or not? by Glenn

Glenn — Sat, 23 Oct 2010 10:56:02 +0000

Tentatio is not something we inflict upon ourselves. Good point. God does this. But does it follow that it cannot be part of the seminary curriculum (again, using that word in the wide sense)? As you point out, tentatio is happening to us and all around us all the time. Should not our seminary studies purposefully interact with this tentatio?

I realize that Luther’s/Melanchthon’s proposals for reform at the University of Wittenberg did not insert Oratio, Meditatio, and Tentatio as structural changes in the curriculum. But they were there. Luther’s lectures in later life (on Genesis) read more like sermons than lectures! Perhaps we need to be more intentional about it since we come after the heavy influences of Rationalism.

Also, there may be ways in which we can prepare our students to interact with tentatio in the future. See Faith Chisum’s comments on training for medical students. I realize this is a bit artificial, but, in a way, all training/formation/education is a bit artificial. I also realize that this is normally relegated to “pastoral theology” classes. But is it healthy for seminaries to fragmentize theological education so much that we dare not ask students to respond to real life situations and perhaps even preach a sermon or two in a systematic theology course?

Thanks for your comments. It’s caused me to re-think what role tentatio can play in the curriculum. Blessings, Rex.

Comment on Seminary Education – The “Paideia” of the Lord? Or not? by Glenn Fluegge

Glenn Fluegge — Sat, 23 Oct 2010 10:38:21 +0000

I think you make a good point – some may and should turn back. Being a minister in the church is not a “right,” but rather a “privilege.” And with it comes heavy responsibility. Seminary education must be able to give students the opportunity to ask themselves the hard question: “Is this something I really want to do?” It also must give the seminary and church leaders the opportunity to ask a similarly hard question: “Is this person fit for the Holy Office of the Ministry?” We cannot just be about numbers (getting as many students as we can for boasting rights), but must be about providing the church with well-trained, excellent pastors.

Comment on This and That from Samuel by Oma

Oma — Sat, 23 Oct 2010 04:38:39 +0000

I am glad you had fun with your friends. Staying up all night would make me very cranky the next day. Sounds like you are indeed enjoying Pretoria; that is good! We are going to a Birthday/Halloween Party for Uncle Duane’s 40th Birthday on October 30. It sounds like it will be fun; you have to wear a costume though…..do not really have a clue what to wear. Aunt Charity is going as a “bee”! It is 9:37 p.m. here – Opa is asleep on the couch, Charity is watching a movie and I am writing to you. I think I will go get myself some ice cream – chocolate! Bye, Love you Lots, Oma

Comment on Abigail’s contribution by Oma

Oma — Sat, 23 Oct 2010 04:31:34 +0000

Everything is pretty much the same here in CA. We are getting ready to vote soon. We recently had some thunder, lightning and heavy showers; I loved it! Aunt Faith and Aunt Grace are putting a party on for Uncle Duane’s 40th Birthday. It will be a combination Birthday/Halloween Party on October 30. Aunt Charity is going dressed as a “bee”! Opa and I ……….. not sure what we will be wearing. Gotta go – Love you Lots! Oma

Comment on Seminary Education – The “Paideia” of the Lord? Or not? by Stephen Rizzo

Stephen Rizzo — Sat, 23 Oct 2010 02:13:37 +0000

Wow, Glenn, I feel like we’re back in class again. So, let me say there are so many directions I could go with this. One has to do with a personal struggle in my life that I’ll save for a private email in the near future.

You said something interesting to me when you said that you send your theological students out to “then expect the tentatio to come afterwards when they are in the parish.” Now, I’m not a theology student, thought I did take some undergraduate and graduate religion class and have an MM in Church Music. But, whatever area you’re talking about your comment reminds me of what instructors in many disciplines talk about when they say there should be a class in Real World 101.

In this case, I’d say you’re talking about Real Spirituality 101. So, let me turn the question for you. How did our first Rabbi do it? How did Jesus disciple His first followers.

But here’s a caution for you. To modify an old saying: When the going gets tough, the tough stay and the others go. Remember when many of Jesus’ followers turned back and followed Him no more and He turned to the 12 and asked if they would go also. If you have the words of life as Jesus did, those few will stay. But, it might be that some may turn back, maybe not from following Christ, but possibly from a calling or what they mistook for a calling. Zeal and calling sometimes are confused. So this is not necessarily a bad thing, but it might send shock waves through institutions as many of their students decided not to stick it out. But, better to learn this during the discipling process than out there on the front line in a parish.

Just some thoughts from a fellow believer and disciple and educator, but not necessarily a theologian.