Unique Course on Rural Preaching

EARTHKEEPING NEWS
A NEWSLETTER OF THE NORTH AMERICAN COALITION FOR CHRISTIANITY AND ECOLOGY

Volume Five, Number Two
November/December 1995

SEMINARY CONSORTIUM OFFERS UNIQUE COURSE ON RURAL PREACHING

How can pastors enable people in the rural areas to connect their religious beliefs with the issues that affect them? It is one thing for rural church members to form a committee, or join an ecumenical group, to address the problems of environmental degradation, or the rise of militias, or divisive farm issues in their community. It is quite another thing for the minister to stand in the pulpit and bring biblical values to the discussion of those issues, and to some of the deeper problems, such as individualism and racism, that have led to the current situation.

The Minnesota Consortium of Theological Schools (Luther Seminary, Bethel Seminary, United Theological Seminary, St. Paul Seminary School of Divinity and St. John's Seminary, Collegeville) is asking students to do just that in a new course, Preaching in a Rural Context, funded in part by a grant from the Bremer Foundation.

Nine students from seven denominations, enrolled in three of the Consortium seminaries are participating in this four day course held at Bethel Seminary in St. Paul.

For each of the four days, course coordinator Fr. James Motl has chosen a team of one presenter from the academic community and one pastoral responder active in rural ministry, who also gives a model homily. Faculty come from the Consortium seminaries as well as North Dakota, Iowa and Wisconsin.

The course begins with the global context — world food needs, environmental concerns and the Christian responsibility for the land. The second session deals with frustration and conflict, family violence, the rise of militias, and hatred of government.

This is followed by the subject of change — the merging of rural and urban mindsets and populations, or to use instructor Rev. Martin Giese's phrase, "Rurbanization." The last topics to be addressed are rural poverty and individualism . Student homilies on rural issues and worship plans conclude the course.

In a local parish, focusing the sermon on rural issues will not be easy. Blocks to preaching on these topics are many. It is easier and safer to stick to the lectionary, and not go beyond personal salvation to focus on the community dimension of the biblical mandate to care for the whole of creation.

For more, contact Fr. James R. Motl, St. Paul Seminary School of Divinity, 2216 Summit Ave., St. Paul MN 55105, 612/962-5067.