Readers who have slogged through the Church and Chicanery listserve material realize that Parlow likes to post his motto: "Dream big, the Word works."
First of all, if the Word works, why is it necessary to dream? The motto combines conflicting thoughts. The Pentecostals dream and imagine the Holy Spirit speaks directly to them, as long as others confirm it was really God speaking. That might be called modified, limited, group-confirmed inspiration.
If the Word works, then the ministers and members should accept the cross that accompanies the Word. But the theology of glory Lutherans do not want the cross. Copying their leader at Willow Creek, they shun the cross.
Secondly, if the Word works, then why not trust Biblical sermons created by the pastor's own study? Parlow and Kelm are known for copying the sermons of false teachers, preaching these emotional and manipulative messages, and posting them as their own work on the church website. When a minister believes in the efficacy of the Word alone, he preaches his own sermons with an effort to be as faithful as possible, without regard to popularity.
Thirdly, if the Word works, why is it necessary to run off to the training camps of the Babtists? Parlow posed proudly with one of the thespians above at the Drive 08 Re-Education Camp of Andy Stanley. Ski was there too, perhaps coveting the sub-woofers in Andy's theatre.
I call it a re-education camp because the idea behind these conferences is changing the mindset of the participants. The CG Enthusiasts of Missouri, WELS, ELCA, and the Little Sect on the Prairie have all sipped the Kool-Aid of Fuller, Willow Creek, and Emerging Church leaders like Leonard Sweet. WELS did nothing about the Sweet C and C conference, and they will do nothing but express concern about the Stetzer Babtist conference hosted by C and C - who happen to be the leaders of Perish Services at The Love Shack, WELS Headquarters.
Fourth, if the Word works, why does Parlow have his hand out for all the grant money? Did he really need $50,000 to start life-coaching at his congregation? Why is St. Mark Depere grabbing money for themselves when so many smaller congregations could use some help?
Fifth, if the Word works, why did Parlow work with Kelm? Kelm is famous for denigrating the efficacy of the Word alone. As anyone can see from the Kelm quotations below, the Word needs man's help (the Deformed view) to be effective. That is why Bruce Becker (C and C buddy) hired him to turn more Lutherans away from the Confessions as a Love Shack Consultant.
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QUOTATIONS BY AND ABOUT PASTOR PAUL KELM (WELS)
"TELL has served the church faithfully for 15 years. Three editors have served; Ronald Roth (1977-84), Paul Kelm (1985-88), and the undersigned since 1989...The lead article in the first issue of TELL was titled 'Church Growth - Worthwhile for WELS.'...The author of this article in April 1988 issue of TELL concludes, 'It's obvious by now that I believe we in WELS can profit greatly from the writings of the church-growth leaders.' ... TELL as a separate publication ends with this issue. Nevertheless, the focus of The Evangelism Life Line will continue for years to come as an integral part of the new Board for Parish Services journal - PARISH LEADERSHIP.
Rev. Robert Hartman TELL (WELS Evangelism) Summer, 1992.
"The Network of WELS Small Group Leaders. 1. Information on active/interested small group leaders. 2. The Resource Sharing Network led by Divine Savior in Indianapolis, Indiana [Pastor Dan Kelm]." WELS Campus Pastors, Small Group Training Conference, Jan. 7-9, 1991, Madison. p. 19. Finding the Receptive: People in Transition, by James Witt - "The Bible illustrates the people-in-transition receptivity principle very well. Converts such as Naaman, a leper; Ruth, a widow; the woman at the well, a five-time divorcee; the thief on the cross, a convict near death; were all people who in a period of transition were receptive to hearing the Gospel. The Receptivity-Rating Scale shown at left... Paul Kelm, editor, The Evangelism Handbook, WELS Evangelism Appendix III,
"MOTIVATING AND ORGANIZING THE CONGREGATION AROUND THE GREAT COMMISSION" [This is the Donald Abdon view of relating all church structures to evangelism, as noted in Valleskey's PT notes.]
Paul Kelm, editor, The Evangelism Handbook, WELS Evangelism
"Don't let the world paint us into a corner of antiquarianism on subjects like a six-day creation or verbal inspiration."
Rev. Paul Kelm, "How to Make Sound Doctrine Sound Good to Mission Prospects," p. 13.
"Thesis Seven: Sound Apologetics Can Make Sound Doctrine Sound Good...Logic never converted anyone; but Christianity is logically defensible, once one makes reason ministerial to God and His Word...Read C.S. Lewis, Francis Schaeffer and Josh McDowell for practical apologetic tools. In fact, lend your copy to the prospect whose intelligence and education have become his curse. Once you've read Josh McDowell's 'Lord, Liar, or Lunatic' argument for the deity of Christ, you'll find yourself using it."
Rev. Paul Kelm, "How to Make Sound Doctrine Sound Good to Mission Prospects," p. 14. "PLANNING, long-range or short-range, should be S-M-A-R-T...specific...measurable...accepted...realistic...timed...." Paul Kelm, editor, The Evangelism Handbook, WELS Evangelism p. 3.
"A last word on sound doctrine is in place. Sound doctrine must be distinguished from tradition, praxis and preference. The liturgy, translation of the Bible, vestments and organizational policies of the church are not equatable with sound doctrine." Rev. Paul Kelm, "How to Make Sound Doctrine Sound Good to Mission Prospects," p. 3. "Doctrines in controversy and applications to those doctrines are a disciple's meat. They are swallowed only after patient doses of discipling milk. The art of mission work is to preserve that sequence despite a prospect's desire to chew what he can't swallow."
Rev. Paul Kelm, "How to Make Sound Doctrine Sound Good to Mission Prospects," p. 3.
"Non-Christians usually become good prospects for personal reasons or as I like to say: 'They come for sociological reasons and stay for theological reasons.'" [Note: this is the felt needs approach of Fuller, also endorsed by Pastor Forrest Bivens, now a professor at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary: "I went to Fuller Seminary and I happen to believe we can use sociological methods to bring people to church so we can apply the Means of Grace." Midland circuit get together, attended by Pastor - now DP - John Seifert.]
Rev. Paul Kelm, "How to Make Sound Doctrine Sound Good to Mission Prospects," p. 4.
"Thesis One: Sound Doctrine Sounds Good When Good People Sound it. Normally, people respond to other people before they respond to doctrine."
Rev. Paul Kelm, "How to Make Sound Doctrine Sound Good to Mission Prospects," p. 7.
WELS Mission Counselors' NEWSLETTER, April, 1992: authors are - James Woodworth, Disciples of Christ; "Net Results," March, 1991; Roger K. Guy, Disciples of Christ; Arnell P. C. Arn, American Baptist Church; Jane Easter Bahls, Presbyterian; C. Jeff Woods, freelance writer and minister; Lyle Schaller, United Methodist; Pastor Paul Kelm; Pastor Jim Mumm, WELS; Pastor Peter Panitzke, WELS; Pastor Randall Cutter and Mark Freier, WELS; First Congretional Church, Winchester, MA."
Pastor Jim Radloff, editor, WELS Mission Counselors' NEWSLETTER, April, '92, 2929 Mayfair Road Milwaukee, WI 53222
"The mistaken announcement by a reporter from another Lutheran body was clearly repudiated in the March 15, 1992 issues of The Northwestern Lutheran. Yet you boldly state that the WELS continues to be a part of this project, in which it never participated. Dr. Jackson, I ask you to repent of your slanderous lie and retract it publicly. Galatians 6:1-2 leads me to ask this of you, for the sake of your spiritual life. Titus 3:10 urges me to ask this of you for the sake of the church. cc: District President Robert Mueller, Vice President Paul Kuske, Vice President Gerald Schroer, Rev. David Grundmeier, Rev. Gary Baumler."
Pastor Paul Kelm (WELS), Letter to Gregory L. Jackson, 9-23-92.
"Your September 21 article in Christian News perpetuates a lie, slanders leaders of your church and risks spiritual offense to weak brothers and sisters. You describe a conference on leadership in which fellowship lines were clearly drawn and at which testimony to the truths which separate Lutherans was publicly given as 'a joint ministry conference with a liberal agenda.' Then you add, 'Months later, the three groups [ELCA, LCMS, WELS] joyfully announced a joint religious radio show, Joy, also funded by Lutheran insurance money. WELS participated in 'Joy' from the beginning and continues to be a part of the project.'"
Pastor Paul Kelm (WELS), Letter to Gregory L. Jackson, 9-23-92.
"Small churches need not be small thinkers, but small-thinking churches will always remain small. Churches and people seldom go/grow beyond their expectations."
Rev. Paul Kelm, "How to Make Sound Doctrine Sound Good to Mission Prospects," See Waldo Werning and Robert Schuller for the same thought. Did the Apostles know this? p. 6.
"Small thinking churches typically budget to remain small."
Rev. Paul Kelm, "How to Make Sound Doctrine Sound Good to Mission Prospects," See Waldo Werning and Robert Schuller for the same thought. Did the Apostles know this? p. 7.
"Evangelism upside-down is starting with the subjective issues of perceived reality and working back to God's objective truths of ultimate reality - sin and grace. It's offering the attendant blessings of salvation as the 'hook' to gain an audience for God's plan of salvation." [felt needs used to sell the Gospel]
Paul Kelm The Evangelism Life Line (WELS), Fall, 1985 p. 4.
"Upside-down evangelism may begin with different diagnostic questions. What do you want out of life? lets the other person pick the path for witness. How do you feel about where our society is heading? uncovers fears and needs without becoming too personal. What makes people happy (or unhappy) do you think? allows someone to express preceived [sic] needs in the third person."
Paul Kelm The Evangelism Life Line (WELS), Fall, 1985 p. 5.
"Upside-down evangelism doesn't begin with personal sin and guilt, but rather with the consequences of sin. Societal consequences (for which each day's newspaper provides evidence) are the 'perceived need' door to understanding the alienation of life and people from God."
Paul Kelm The Evangelism Life Line (WELS), Fall, 1985 p. 5.
"It's just easier for many people to work backwards from the subjective to the objective in their thinking. In fact, upside-down evangelism may start with gospel and work back to law, stating the solution as a prelude to the problem and clarifying both at the cross." [This is Moravian Pietism, as shown by Walther's Law and Gospel.] Paul Kelm The Evangelism Life Line (WELS), Fall, 1985 p. 5.
"Upside-down evangelism follows the path of least resistance to the God of gracious acceptance." Paul Kelm The Evangelism Life Line (WELS), Fall, 1985 p. 5.
"Lifestyle evangelism is the merger of visual and verbal witness, by the people Jesus intended, in the way that He modeled. It's the primary element in a church's strategy to win the lost." [Other endorsements from Rev. Burton Bundy, Church of the Lutheran Brethren, and Dr. Erwin Kolb, LCMS] Rev. Paul Kelm, Evangelism, WELS
Your Invitation! Kent Hunter, (D.Min., Fuller; S.T.D., LSTC) Church Growth Center, Corunna, Indiana 46730 Phone 219-281-2452 Invitation for Heart to Heart Workshop,
"When planning the service, Rev. [Dan] Kelm and the worship committee decided immediately that there wouldn't be any organ music and that the usual Lutheran liturgy wouldn't be used."
Carol Elrod, "Pastor Hopes Seeks Will Find Way to Special Church Service," Indianapolis Star, May 12, 1990 printed in CN
"The role model for this carefully choreographed and rehearsed service, referred to by Rev. [Dan] Kelm as a 'seeker service,' is Willow Creek Community Church in Barrington, Ill., near Chicago, an independent congregation formed 14 years ago...Rev. Kelm said he viewed a videotape of a service at the Chicago-area church before planning the first seeker service for Divine Savior, which is affiliated with the Milwaukee-based Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod."
Carol Elrod, "Pastor Hopes Seeks Will Find Way to Special Church Service," Indianapolis Star, May 12, 1990 Reprinted in CN
"Our synod now has a fulltime executive secretary for evangelism. He's the Rev. Paul Kelm; and we need him. We need him to be our evangelism advocate."
Rev. Ron Roth, The Evangelism Life Line (WELS), Winter, 1985 p. 2.
"Church growth theory suggests the need for seven fellowship groups for every 100 members."
Pastor Paul E. Kelm, The Evangelism Life Line (WELS), Winter, 1985, p. 4.
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WISCONSIN LUTHERAN COLLEGE
Milwaukee, WI
THE 211: The Christian Faith and Life (3 credits)
Pastor Paul Kelm, Home Phone 784-0492 (Consultation by appointment)
I. COURSE DESCRIPTION
A biblical study of the Christian’s relationship with God~ self and others, with a particular focus on the ministry and fellowship of Christians gathered to be Christ’s church.
II. COURSE OBJECTIVES
A. That students develop a more personal relationship with their God through Bible
study, reflection and discussion.
B. That students develop a clearer understanding of themselves and their gifts, as well as Christian skills for coping with life and using their gifts.
C. That students become familiar with the nature and mission of Christ’s Church,
together with the challenges and opportunities confronting contemporary churches.
D. That students evaluate several significant issues and functions of confessional Lutheran churches.
III. COURSE METHODOLOGY AND MATERIALS
A. Three distinct areas outline the content of the course: Skills of Christian Living, Is sues of Personal Christianity and Principles of Church Leadership. Sometimes students will be asked to prepare for class discussion, especially by thoughtful study of a chapter of the Bible during the “issues of personal Christianity” subjects. Most classes will be guided by a handout prepared by the instructor. Lecture, question and answer, focused discussion and small-group interaction will be the methodology employed. Students are invited to raise related issues for discussion.
B. Each student will develop a Bible study, based on a specific chapter of the Bible and for a specific audience. Chapter and audience options are listed later in this syllabus. Bible studies will be graded according to the following criteria: 1) How well did this study bring out the main truths of the chapter in a detailed outline or narrative that both explained and illustrated these truths? 2) Is this study relevant to the audience selected? 3) Does this study involve the audience in the study through effective questions, discussion starters, action involvement, etc.? 4) How clear and practical are the applications of the chapter’s truths to life? 5) Does this study clearly relate Jesus Christ to the chapter and to the Christian’s life? 6) How creative and engaging is this study? Bible studies are to be turned in no later than September 23.
C. Each student will deliver an oral book review of six minutes in class. Book choices are listed later in this syllabus. The book review should include: the title of the book and a brief introduction of the author; a clear statement of the major premise/point/purpose of the book; at least four significant secondary or supporting arguments the author raises: an explanation of what value the book has to a Christian life and/or a church leader: a theological evaluation of the book (Is it biblically accurate and doctrinally correct?). Finally, the book review must convince the instructor that you actually read the book. The book review is due on or before Wednesday, October 21.
D. Students will complete an interview, analysis and summary project in teams of two. Options are listed later in this syllabus. Students must register their choice of project with the instructor by Wednesday, September 30, and must submit the written summary - no less than four typed, double-spaced pages with interview sheets attached - by Wednesday, November 18.
E. A research paper on one issue or aspect of congregational life and ministry is due on or before Wednesday, December 9. This paper must be not less than five typed, double-spaced pages of original composition. Two copies must be submitted, one of which will be returned. The paper should combine research, evaluation and the clear presentation of a thesis or strategy. Research should include interviews, essays, articles and books. At least five different sources must be cited in the bibliography. A list of suggested subjects is included in this syllabus. However, students may choose their own subject, with the approval of the instructor. The subject matter of each student’s research paper must be established with the instructor by Wednesday, November 4.
F. There will be no exams.
G. Texts for this course are available in the bookstore and include:
THE HOLY BIBLE
IV. EVALUATION AND GRADE
Completion of all course requirements assures a C. Grading above a C will be based on the level of thoroughness, thought and clarity in each area of course requirement. The grade will be compiled with approximately 20% weight attributed to each of five areas: the Bible study, the book review, the team interview project, the research paper, and class contribution. Failure to complete all of the course requirements will result in an F. Late submission of any required assignment will lower the final grade by as much as one-half of a grade point (A to AB, AR to B, etc.) for each week or portion thereof overdue.
Because class preparation and discussion rather than examinations are an essential means of evaluation as well as education, each unacceptable absence from class will lower the final grade by as much as one-half of a grade point.
Plagiarism and other forms of academic dishonesty will mean failure of this class, and may result in expulsion from the college. Academic integrity means that you will not attempt to use one paper for two classes without prior agreement with both professors.
[GJ - One of my friends heard Kelm and Peter Kruschel give the same devotion, verbatim, days apart. He was not sure who plagiarized whom.]
V. ATTENDANCE POLICY
Attendance at each class period is expected.
Absence from class must be excused with the instructor, in person. prior to the class to be missed where anticipated or in the following class when unanticipated.
Illness, family crisis and participation on in college-sponsored extra-curricular events are acceptable excuses. Issues of personal discipline and responsibilities to other educators or employers are not in themselves acceptable excuses for absence.
Habitual absence or dishonesty in reporting absence can result in a failing grade. Repeated late arrival is a disruption of the class and an expression of poor sell-discipline. Without prior explanation, repeated late arrival will be treated as an absence.
VI. COURSE OUTLINE
Week One:
Week Two:
Week Three:
Week Four:
Week Five:
A. Instruction and overview
B. SKILLS: Personal Bible Study
B. SKILLS: Christian Prayer Life
A. SKILLS: Christian Encouragement B. SKILLS: Christian Conflict Resolution
A. SKILLS: Christian Values Choices
B. SKILLS: Christian Witness
A. SKILLS: Apologetics
B. SKILLS: Christian Decision Making
Week Six:
A. ISSUES: Repentance. Psalm 51
B. ISSUES: Sell-Image. Psalm 139
Week Seven:
Week Eight:
ISSUES:Sanctification. Romans 6-7
B. ISSUES: Character Formation. H Peter 1
A. ISSUES: Christian Hope. Romans 8
B. ISSUES: Christian Sexuality. I Corinthians 6:9 - 7:18
Week Nine: A. ISSUES: Christian Giving II Corinthians 8 and 9
(B. ISSUES: Being Sure John 3)
Week Ten:
A. Book Reviews B. Book Reviews
Week Eleven: A. LEADERSHIP: What’s A Leader?
B. LEADERSHIP: Understanding Ministry
Week Twelve: A. LEADERSHIP: Mission and Vision
B. LEADERSHIP: Analyzing a Church
Week Thirteen: A. LEADERSHIP: Philosophy of Ministry
B. LEADERSHIP: Organizing Ministry
Week Fourteen: A. Interview and Summary Sharing
B. LEADERSHIP: Involving Members in Ministry
Week Fifteen: A. LEADERSHIP: Small Group Ministry
B. LEADERSHIP: Leading Change
VII. OPTIONS FOR THE BIBLE STUDY ASSIGNMENT:
Audience Options:
high school-aged youth; college students: young adult singles; married couples; families with children aged 4-10; and adult Bible class at your church; young mothers; business men and women; a men’s Bible class; a women’s Bible class; seniors.
Assume that the class for which you are preparing your study consists of ten people, is lay-led, and runs for 45 minutes.
Bible Chapter Options:
Genesis 3: Genesis 15; Exodus 3; Numbers 14: Deuteronomy 6; Joshua 24;
II Samuel 7; Nehemiah 9; Psalm 40; Ecclesiastes 9; Isaiah 40; ‘Jeremiah. 31;
Ezekiel 3; Hosea 11; Matthew 13; Luke 10; John 6; Galatians 3;
Ephesians 2; Philippians 3; Colossians 3; 1 Thessalonians 4: I
Timothy 6; Hebrews 12: James 1; I Peter 4; I John 4; Revelation 22.
Viii. BOCK (sic) REVIEW OPTIONS
Generating Hope by Jimmy Long (InterVarsity Press)
The Purpose Driven Church by Rick Warren (Zondervan)
The Contemporary Christian by John Stott (InterVarsity Press)
Renewal for The 21st Century Church by Waldo Werning (Concordia)
The Body by Charles Colson
A Church For The 21st Century by Leith Anderson (Bethany House)
Inside Out by Larry Crabb (NavPress)
Entertainment Evangelism by Walt Kallestad (Abingdon)
Effective Church Leadership by Kennon Callahan (Harper and Row)
Church Without Walls by Jim Petersen (NavPress)
Getting Together by Em Griffin (InterVarsity Press)
Christ Esteem by Don Matzat (Harvest House)
Ordering Your Private World by Gordon MacDonald (Olive Nelson)
Fit Bodies Fat Minds by Os Guinness (Baker).
The Once and Future Church by Loren Mead (The Alban Institute)
Why Nobody Learns Much. of Anvtbinng At Church and How To Fix jt
by Thomas Schultz (Group)
Three Generations by Gary Mcintosh (Fleming Revell)
Effective Church Leadership: A Practical Sou,rce Book by Lee Harris
It’s A Different World by Lyle Schaller (Abingdon)
Reflections ot a Contrarion by Lyle Schaller (Abingdon)
Strategies For Change by Lyle Schalller (Abingdon)
A Primer on Postmodernism by Stanley Grenz (Eerdmans)
Gentle Persuasion by Joseph Aldrich
User Friendly Churches by George Barna (Regal Books)
Darwin On Trial by Philip Johnson
Connecting by Paul Stanley and J. Robert Clinton (NavPress)
XI. OPTIONS FOR INTERVIEW AND ANALYSTS
1. Interview 15 or more students at an urban university to determine religious attitudes and beliefs, with a view toward analyzing how to do evangelism with young adults. Teams will develop a questionnaire, interview students face-to-face, summarize conclusions and suggest implications for evangelism.
2. Interview 12 or more high school juniors or seniors who no longer attend church, though they were confirmed, to determine why they dropped out and how the church might better serve them. Teams will get names from churches or pastors, develop a questionnaire (for personal or phone interview), conduct interviews, and draw conclusions re why dropout occurs and how the church can better prevent it.
3. Attend a voters meeting in 3 different churches, then interview the pastor and two
key lay leaders from each church to determine what is effective and what is ineffective in the decision-making process of churches. The written summary will be based on the interviews and personal observation.
4. Conduct a door-to-door canvass until 12 or more unchurched people have been located for interviews to determine what about the church turns unchurched people off. Teams will develop an interview or questionnaire format (while open-ended questioning should be included; multiple choice questions will assure some meaningful response), conduct the canvass and interviews, summarize and prioritize reasons why the unchurched remain so, and draw conclusions for the church’s mission today.
5. Interview 12 or more elderly church members, 4 in nursing homes, 4 in senior
apartments and 4 in their own homes, to determine what are their spiritual perspectives and personal needs and how the church can better serve its elderly.
Teams will develop a basic interview format (personal or phone), gather the names of elderly members from one or more pastors, conduct interviews, compare responses and summarize.
6. Interview 12 or more new members (joined within the last year) from at least 3 churches. 4 transfers from sister churches, 4 who had been members of a different Christian church and 4 who were new to Christianity, to determine how well they have been assimilated into their churches and what facilitates assimilation of new members. Teams will, gather names and addresses and phone numbers from three or more pastors, develop an interview format, conduct interviews, compare responses from the three groups, summarize conclusions and draft suggestions for churches,
7. Interview 12 or more young, single members of at least 3 churches, with a balance of male and female as well as those who are members of the congregation in which they grew up and those who’ve recently joined a different church, to determine the level of involvement of young singles and what they believe would make the church more effective at involving young singles. Teams will gather names and addresses or phone numbers from three or more pastors, develop an interview format, conduct interviews, summarize and compare responses, and develop suggestions for the church.
8. Interview 10 or more Christian business leaders or professionals to determine what are the challenges facing Christian leaders in the business world, what are the ways in which they witness their faith, how can they best serve their churches, and how they balance the responsibilities to family, work; church and community. Teams will gather the names and addresses or phone numbers of business leaders - both male and female, draw up an interview format, conduct the interviews, compare and summarize responses, and draw conclusions for future Christian business leaders and for the church.
9. Interview 10 or more Christian public school teachers to determine what are the challenges to Christianity they’ve encountered, the ways in which they witness their faith, and what they believe the church can do to reach the non-Christian children they teach. Teams will gather the names and addresses or phone numbers of teachers, draw up an interview format, conduct the interviews, and summarize findings.
10. Interview 10 or more home missionaries to determine the challenges in church planting, the strategies that have been successful, and the kind of support or assistance that the church can best provide. Teams will gather the names and phone numbers of missionaries, develop an interview format, compile and compare responses, and draft conclusions for the church.
11. Interview 8 or more Christian psychologists or social workers to determine their assessment of the most significant problems facing families, children and adults, as well as what they believe the church could do to more effectively prepare people for these problems. Teams will gather the names and addresses or phone numbers of Christian psychologists or social workers, develop the interview format, conduct the interviews, and summarize findings.
12. Students may propose additional interview, analysis and summary projects, but must have instructor approval before proceeding.
NOTE: WLC students are NOT to be included in the people you interview.
X. SUGGESTED SUBJECTS FOR RESEARCH PAPER
1. “Staff Ministry” what’s the future?
2. The Parish Nurse: real holistic health.
3. The Lutheran Deaconess - past and future.
4. Why do para-church agencies develop and are they a good idea?
5 Family Ministry: who’s doing what, how?
6. The annual stewardship program - what it is and if it works.
7. Programmatic approaches to evangelism - pros and cons.
8. Keys to cross~cu1tural ministry.
9. Ministry among the urban poor - how are we doing?
10. Peer counseling programs in the church - possibilities and pitfalls.
11.Prison Ministry: Describe several working models.
12. The “Mega-Church’ is bigger better?
13 Lutheran confirmation should it be changed?
14. Campus ministry: can a regular congregation do it?
15. Church-planting strategies: what’s new and what works?
16. Special ministries for the handicapped - what and how.
17. 12-Step programs in the church - pros and cons.
18. Deferred giving: is this the answer to the church s financial crunch?
19. Why the Sunday school is in decline and what should be done about it.
20. Tuition in the Lutheran Elementary School - trends and implications.
21. “Seeker Service” - definition and evaluation.
22. Assimilation and retention - principles and methods.
23. The Church Growth Movement: can we lean anything from it?
24. Does the church have a place in cyber- space?
25. Religious publishing: Should the market drive decisions?
26. Religious broadcasting - issues and trends that affect the future.
27. Christian day care - issues and questions confronting congregations who are
considering it
28. Legal issues and concerns confronting churches in a litigious and secular society.
29. Conflict in the church: avoiding it and resolving it.
30. YOUR IDEA. with instructor’s approval
