Education
Degrees
Ph.D. 1997, Emory University
Atlanta, Ga.
M.Div. 1984, Wartburg Theological Seminary
Dubuque, Iowa
B.A. 1978, Pacific Lutheran University
Tacoma, Wash.
Dissertation
Local Theologies in American Protestantism: Proposals toward a Method for Research
Awards
George W. Woodruff Fellow for Graduate Study
Emory University
Ecclesial
Ordination
The American Lutheran Church, 1985
Ministries
Pastor, 1985-1989
Iñupiaq Lutheran Church
Anchorage, Alaska |
Executive Director, 1985-1989
Native Outreach Ministry
Anchorage, Alaska |
Licensed Minister, 1984-1985
Zion Lutheran Church
Clayton Center, Iowa
Synod
New England Synod
Evangelical Lutheran Church of America
Academic
Institutions
Academic Dean, 2011-
Professor of Practical Theology, 2005-
Hartford Seminary, Hartford Institute for Religion Research
Hartford, Conn.
Professor of Homiletics, 1992-2004
Wartburg Theological Seminary
Dubuque, Iowa
Organizations
American Academy of Religion
Academy of Homiletics
Association of Practical Theology
Academy of Religious Leadership
International Academy of Practical Theology
Societas Homiletica
Leadership
Co-convener, Practical Theology group, American Academy of Religion, 2006-2008
Co-convener, Hermeneutics and Biblical Study group, Academy of Homiletics, 2005-2010
Secretary, International Academy of Practical Theology, 2005-2009
Board of Directors, The Louisville Institute, 2004-
Editorial board, Journal of Religious Leadership, 2002-2005
English language managing editor, International Journal of Practical Theology, 2002-
President, Association of Practical Theology, 2002-2004
Executive Committee, Association of Practical Theology, 2001-2006
Publications
Books
Knowing the Context: Frames, Tools, and Signs for Preaching, Fortress Elements of Preaching, ed. O. Wesley Allen, Jr. (Minneapolis: Fortress Press, forthcoming 2008).
Church, Identity, and Change: Theology and Denominational Structures in Unsettled Times (Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2005), co-edited with David A. Roozen.
Preaching to Every Pew: Cross-Cultural Strategies (Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2001), co-authored with Thomas G. Rogers.
Articles
“Congregational Studies,” in The Blackwell Companion to Practical Theology, ed. Bonnie Miller-McLemore (Oxford: Blackwell Publishing, 2011), xxx-xxx.
“On the Dynamic Relation between Ecclesiology and Congregational Studies ,” in Theological Studies 70/3 (September 2009): 577-599, co-authored with Roger Haight.
“Theology in the Sermon,” in New Interpreter’s Bible Handbook of Preaching (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2008), 489-493.
“Career Path, Life Stage,” in New Interpreter’s Bible Handbook of Preaching (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2008), 257-258.
“The Idea of Practice and Why It Matters in the Teaching of Preaching,” in Teaching Theology and Religion 11/3 (July 2008): 123-133.
“‘Liturgy and Life’: An Account of Teaching Ritual Practice,” in For Life Abundant: Practical Theology and the Education and Formation of Ministers, ed. Craig Dykstra and Dorothy C. Bass (Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2008), 150-167.
“Mapping the Field of Practical Theology,” in For Life Abundant: Practical Theology and the Education and Formation of Ministers, ed. Craig Dykstra and Dorothy C. Bass (Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2008), 62-85, co-authored with Kathleen A. Cahalan.
“The Idea of Practice and Why It Matters in the Teaching of Preaching,” in Teaching Preaching as a Christian Practice: A New Approach to Homiletical Pedagogy, ed. Nora T. Tisdale and Thomas G. Long (Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 2008), 18-40.
“What Good Are Denominations?” Zion’s Herald 179/6 (November/December 2005): 35-36, 43.
“The Theological Work of Denominations,” in Church, Identity, and Change: Theology and Denominational Structures in Unsettled Times, ed. David A. Roozen and James R. Nieman (Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2005), 625-653.
“Introduction,” in Church, Identity, and Change: Theology and Denominational Structures in Unsettled Times, ed. David A. Roozen and James R. Nieman (Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2005), 1-34, co-authored with David A. Roozen.
“An Ecclesiological Perspective on the Role of Scripture for Preaching,” in Papers of the Academy of Homiletics 38th Annual Meeting (Claremont: 4-6 December 2003), 62-66.
“Preaching as Words of God in a Multi-Faith Society,” The Clergy Journal 80/2 (November/ December 2003): 3-5.
“Attending Locally: Theologies in Congregations,” International Journal of Practical Theology 6/2 (fall 2002): 198-225.
“Practice Where You Preach: Conditions for Good Preachers,” in The Difficult but Indispensable Church, ed. Norma Cook Everist (Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2002), 105-113.
“Images for Preaching” [seventeen exegetical synopses of lectionary texts], in Sundays and Seasons: Worship Planning Guide, Cycle A, 1999, gen. ed. Frank Stoldt (Minneapolis: Augsburg Fortress Publishers, 1998), 50-129.
“What Is Preaching?” in What Is Changing in Eucharistic Practice? Open Questions in Worship, ed. Gordon Lathrop, vol. 5 (Minneapolis: Augsburg Fortress Publishers, 1995), 6-13.
“Three Thuds, Four D’s, and a Rubik’s Cube of Children’s Sermons,” Currents in Theology and Mission 22/4 (August 1995): 259-263.
“Preaching that Drives People from the Church,” Currents in Theology and Mission 20/2 (April 1993): 106-115. Reprinted in A Reader on Preaching: Making Connections, ed. David Day, Jeff Astley, and Leslie J. Francis (Aldershot, England: Ashgate Publishing Ltd., 2005), 247-254.
“A First Reading” [eleven exegetical synopses of lectionary texts], Currents in Theology and Mission 15/3 (June 1988): 302-317.
Reviews
Mary Clark Moschella, Ethnography as a Pastoral Practice: An Introduction, in Theology Today 67/1 (April 2010): 99-101.
Richard R. Osmer. Practical Theology: An Introduction, and John Reader. Reconstructing Practical Theology: The Impact of Globalization, in Homiletic 34/2 (December 2009): 80-82.
Roger Haight, SJ, Christian Community in History, vol. 3: Ecclesial Existence, in Reviews in Religion and Theology 16/3 (July 2009): 372-375.
Walter Brueggemann, The Word That Redescribes the World: The Bible and Discpleship, in Theology Today 66/4 (January 2009): 541-543.
John Swinton and Harriet Mowat, Practical Theology and Qualitative Research, in Reviews in Religion and Theology 14/2 (March 2007): 233-234.
David Lose, Confessing Jesus Christ: Preaching in a Postmodern World, in Lutheran Quarterly 20/3 (autumn 2006): 368-370.
Thomas G. Long, Testimony: Talking Ourselves into Being Christian, in Family Ministry 19/2 (summer 2005): 85-87.
Miroslav Volf, After Our Likeness: The Church as the Image of the Trinity, in Dialog 38/2 (spring 1999): 153-156.
Presentations
Lectures
“Current Denominational Funding Patterns and Issues,” two presentations for the Mission Capacity and Funding Consultation, ELCA Living into the Future Together Task Force, Chicago, Ill., (5-6 August 2010), co-presented with David A. Roozen.
“About Bodies and Christian Funerals,” keynote address for the Institute of Liturgical Studies, Valparaiso University, Vaparaiso, In., (13 April 2010), co-presented with Thomas Schattauer
“Response to Thomas G. Long, Accompany Them with Singing: The Christian Funeral,” panel presentation for the Consultation on Accompany Them with Singing sponsored by the Valparaiso Project on the Education and Formation of People in Faith, Louisville, Ky., (8 January 2010)
“Response to 'Perspectives of Churchgoing Volunteers on Their Voluntary Service,' by Henk de Roest and Herman Noordegraaf” and "Stimulating Examples of Ph.D. Research,” lectures for the “Human Flourishing: Exploring Protestant Goods in Changing Contexts” conference, Protestantse Theologische Universiteit, Kampen, The Netherlands (8-10 June 2009)
“Practical Theology and Teaching the Practices in Homiletics,” lecture at the Graduate School of Theology of Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea (29 May 2009)
“Search for a New Ecclesial-Congregational Identity of Small Churches” and “Ministerial Paradigm Shift from the Clerical to the Congregational,” lectures at the Seventh International Symposium of Practical Theology sponsored by the Graduate School of Practical Theology, Icheon, Korea (26-28 May 2009)
“Response to 'Does This Text Have a Future?' by Mary Hinkle Shore,” lecture for the Hein-Fry Lecture Series XIX at Emanuel Lutheran Church, Manchester, Conn. (22 Mar. 2009)
“Know Where You Preach: How Sermons Connect with Contexts,” presentation for Educational Outreach event, Hartford, Conn. (8 Oct. 2008)
“How can the church best foster a Christian way of life...?” panel presentation for the Christian Faith and Life / Religious Institutions Consultation at Louisville Institute, Louisville, Ky. (29-30 May 2008)
“A Voice in the Wilderness? Preaching and Its Publics” and “On the Green, on the Margin: Congregations in Public,” presentations for the Institute of Liturgical Studies at Valparaiso University, Valparaiso, Ind. (31 Mar.-2 Apr. 2008)
“Theology in Congregations and How They Are Studied,” presentation for the “Ecclesiology and Ethnography: Exploring the Emerging Conversation Between Theology and Congregational Studies” conference at Yale Divinity School, New Haven, Conn. (27-29 Sept. 2007)
“John 8:31-36 and Reformation Day,” presentation at the ELCA New England Synod Bishop’s Convocation, Worcester, Mass. (24 Oct. 2006)
“Denominational Challenges, Theological Identity, and Mutual Gifts in the ELCA” two presentations for the ELCA Church Council, Lisle, Ill. (28-30 July 2006)
“What We Have Seen and Heard: Preaching in the Stream,” three presentations at the ELCA New England Synod Spring Theological Convocation, Manchester, Conn. (20 Apr. 2006)
“Resounding Faith: Formation, Catechesis, and Preaching,” presentation for the Central Iowa Continuing Education Form, Ankeny, Iowa (20 Jan. 2004)
“Kent Knutson Memorial Lectures,” four presentations for the GIFTS program of the ELCA Western North Dakota Synod, Minot, N.Dak. (26-27 Sept. 2003)
“The Future Shape of Congregational Studies,” panel presentation for the “Congregational Studies: Roots Reaching to the Future” event, Hartford, Conn. (12 Sept. 2003)
“Summary Remarks on Theology in Denominations,” presentation for the final reporting session of the “Organizing Religious Work” project, Hartford, Conn. (10 July 2002)
“Preaching and Worship in a Time of Crisis,” presentation for the “Ministry in the Heartland in the Midst of Global Tragedy” event, Dubuque, Iowa (20 Oct. 2001)
“Attending Locally: Theologies in Congregations,” presentation for the “Teaching Leadership, Administration, and Finance at Theological Schools” conference, Chicago, Ill. (29 Apr. 2001)
“Sun of Justice, Come: The Winter Cycle, Its Time and Texts,” continuing education event for the Tri-State Forum, Dubuque, Iowa (2 Nov. 2000)
“Theologies in Congregations” lecture for the biennial Congregational Studies Institute, Hartford, Conn. (2000-2004)
“Local Catholicity and the Marks of the Church,” presentation for the Lutheran World Federation teleconference on “Communion, Community, Society” (18 Sept. 1999)
“Common Signs: Local Expressions of the Whole Church” continuing education event for the South West Area Ministry, Castle Rock, Wisc. (26 Jan. 1999)
“The Challenge of Multicultural Preaching,” presentation to cluster meeting of the Lutheran School of Theology in Chicago D.Min. program, Dubuque, Iowa (30 Nov. 1998)
“Preaching as a Social Act,” lectures for Core III seminar for three years of the ACTS D.Min. in Preaching program, Chicago, Ill. (1998-2001)
“Wisdom and Preaching,” panel presentation for the annual meeting of the Association of Practical Theology, St. Louis, Mo. (18 Apr. 1998)
“Local Theologies,” first call continuing education event for the ELCA Minneapolis and St. Paul Area Synods, St. Paul, Minn. (16 Apr. 1997)
“Thinking Your Way through Your Cultural Context,” certification school for the Center for Youth Ministries, Dubuque, Iowa (5 June 1995)
“Literary Genres and Preaching on Luke,” continuing education event for the L’Chaim: Iowa Center for Theology and Life, Waverly, Iowa (8 Nov. 1994)
“Preaching, Children’s Sermons, and the Word,” presentation for five certification schools for the Center for Youth Ministries, Dubuque, Iowa (1994-1997)
Essays
"Four descriptive tasks" prepared for the "Living into the Future Together: Renewing the Ecology of the ELCA" task force on synods, Chicago, Ill.
"As well known yet unknown" prepared for the "Living into the Future Together: Renewing the Ecology of the ELCA" task force on synods, Chicago, Ill.
"What then should we do?" prepared for the "Living into the Future Together: Renewing the Ecology of the ELCA" task force on synods, Chicago, Ill.
"Synods, but what kind?" prepared for the "Living into the Future Together: Renewing the Ecology of the ELCA" task force on synods, Chicago, Ill.
"An Account of Teaching Practices," prepared for the "Seminar on Practical Theology and Christian Ministry," Indianapolis, Ind.
"Why Practices Matter in the Teaching of Preaching," prepared for the "Consultation on Teaching Homiletics," Crawfordsville, Ind.
"The Concept, Adequacy, and Use of Frames/Lenses," prepared for the semiannual meeting of the Congregational Studies Project Team, Cape Cod, Mass.
"Research Strategies for Denominational Theologies," prepared for the "Organizing Religious Work" project, Hartford, Conn.
"What Counts as Theology?" prepared for the "Organizing Religious Work" project, Hartford, Conn.
"The Use and Limits of Narrative for Congregational Studies," prepared for the "Congregations in Changing Communities" project, Atlanta, Ga.
"A New Way to Do Theology Locally," prepared for the Center for Theology and Land, Dubuque, Iowa
Projects
Grants
Recipient and director of the "Planning New Resources and Audiences for Engaged Scholars Studying Congregations" grant from the Lilly Endowment, Inc. (2011)
Recipient and director of the "Enlarging the Conversation of Engaged Scholars Studying Congregations" grant from the Lilly Endowment, Inc. (2008-2011)
Recipient and director of the "Discerning Theologies: New Methods for Studying Congregations" grant from the Lilly Endowment, Inc. (2006-2008)
Recipient and director of the "Learning Communities: Pedagogies for Congregational Change" grant from the Wabash Center for Teaching and Learning (2002-2003)
Recipient and director of the "Common Signs: Local Expressions of the Whole Church" grant from the Louisville Institute (1998-1999)
Collaboration
Consultant and facilitator for the "Living into the Future Together: Renewing the Ecology of the ELCA" task force on synods, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Chicago, Ill. (4 Mar. 2011-1 Aug. 2012)
Presider for the “Political Aspects of Practical Theology” session sponsored by the Practical Theology group, Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Religion, Washington, D.C. (20 Nov. 2006)
Participant in the “Seminar on Practical Theology and Christian Ministry” co-convened by Dorothy C. Bass and Craig Dykstra through The Valparaiso Project on the Education and Formation of People in Faith, Indianapolis, Ind. (2004-2006)
Presider for the “Horizons in Practical Theology: Religious Practices as a Context for Interreligious Engagement” session sponsored by the Association of Practical Theology, Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Religion, San Antonio, Tex. (20 Nov. 2004)
Consultant to the “Faith as a Way of Life” grant program, Yale Center for Faith and Culture, New Haven, Conn. (24 Sept. 2004)
Participant in the “Consultation on Teaching Homiletics” co-convened by Thomas Long and Nora Tubbs Tisdale, Wabash Center for Teaching and Learning, Crawfordsville, Ind. (2002-2004)
Consultant to the Health Task Force of the General Board of Pension and Health Benefits of the United Methodist Church, facilitated by Criterion Consulting, Evanston, Ill. (22 Mar. 2002)
Organizer and convener for the “International Conference of Lutheran Scholars of Homiletics” held at the Wittenberg Center of the ELCA, Wittenberg, Germany (15-17 Sept. 2000)
Theological consultant to the “National Congregational Studies Seminar” project directed by Carl S. Dudley, Hartford Institute for Religion Research, Hartford, Conn. (Apr. 2000)
Participant in the “Teaching the Practices of Ministry” consultation co-convened by Herbert Anderson and Lucinda Huffaker, Wabash Center for Teaching and Learning, Crawfordsville, Ind. (1999-2001)
Coordinator of theological case writers for the “Organizing Religious Work” project directed by Nancy T. Ammerman, Adair T. Lummis, and David A. Roozen, Hartford Institute for Religion Research, Hartford, Conn. (1998-2002)
Service
Committees
Faculty Representative, Board of Trustees, 2007-2011
Hartford Seminary
Chair, Academic Policies Committee, 2006-2011
Hartford Seminary
Steering committee, “Cultivating Pastoral Leadership Grounded in Mission and Directed Toward Mission” grant, directed by Craig L. Nessan, Wartburg Theological Seminary, 1999-2001
Chair, Educational Technologies Committee, 1995-1998
Wartburg Theological Seminary
Chair, Globalization Committee, 1992-1998
Wartburg Theological Seminary
Programs
Director, Doctor of Ministry degree program, 2005-2011
Hartford Seminary
Chair, Ministry Division of the faculty, 2001-2004
Wartburg Theological Seminary
Coordinator, Master of Sacred Theology degree program, 2000-2004
Wartburg Theological Seminary
Community
Synodical Candidacy Committee, 2006-2011
New England Synod, ELCA
Review Board for the Protection of Minors, 2002-2005
Archdiocese of Dubuque, Dubuque, Iowa
Chair, Dubuque Area Parents and Friends of Talented and Gifted, 1997-1998
Dubuque, Iowa
District Review Committee, Talented and Gifted Program, 1997
Dubuque Community School District, Dubuque, Iowa
