Owing to a lack of vacancies, and a very small district, I don’t have any newly-minted pastors to welcome to my own district this year. But that doesn’t mean that call day doesn’t make me think back to the early days of my own ministry.Cognitive learning theory in the classroom the most shocking thing to me early on: everything I’d learned in 4 grinding years of seminary studies was preached in my first six months of sermons.Cognitive learning theory in the classroom I was fresh out of information to convey. That was when I finally started digging into the texts and learning how to really preach.

But if I used the historic lectionary, I would have two different sets of luther (church and house postils.) so, when the well ran dry after six months, I starting drinking from a new spring.Cognitive learning theory in the classroom drinking deeply. And there is no better teacher outside of scripture. Practical without being shallow, deeply theological without being distant from the real struggles of the people in the pew, luther tops anyone else I have ever read.Cognitive learning theory in the classroom there are a lot of books that pastors should read annually, or at least review occasionally: law and gospel, sacred meditations, and hammer of god are some that I have heard and recommended myself.Cognitive learning theory in the classroom

But there is no book in my library so consistently used as luther’s house postils. At least monthly for the last 21 years I have read a sermon from luther.Cognitive learning theory in the classroom sometimes each week. A young pastor with nothing of his own to say can do far worse than just summarizing luther’s sermon. I did it a fair amount.Cognitive learning theory in the classroom each paragraph became a sentence in my sermon. I felt guilty at the time because I wasn’t actually writing my own sermon. What I didn’t realize then is that I had adopted an ancient method of learning from the masters.Cognitive learning theory in the classroom I was teaching myself how to exegete scripture and structure a sermon from the best there ever was, after the time of the apostles. And those lessons are still with me today.Cognitive learning theory in the classroom

My advice to young pastors: follow the historic lectionary for at least the first five years. These are the years when you will learn the most about preaching – even (and especially) when you don’t realize you are learning.Cognitive learning theory in the classroom and these formative years can not be better spent than in luther’s sermons. Added since those days is walther and gerhard. If your church has a budget for continuing ed, get those sermons first thing.Cognitive learning theory in the classroom read them as well as luther. The baker set of luther’s postils is no longer available. But luther’s house postils are available freely online in a late 19th century translation, as are the church postils. (google books is your friend!)

cognitive learning theory in the classroom

You can argue all you want about modern scholarship, exposing people to more of scripture long-term, about the value of the three year series, etc, etc.Cognitive learning theory in the classroom but the one argument that trumps them all in my mind is that, if you give yourself five years of studying the preaching style of luther, walther, & gerhard, then the rest of your ministry, you could preach on texts from the boston telephone directory and the sermons will be among the best offered in the church.Cognitive learning theory in the classroom because you will have been trained by the masters. At that point, switch to the three year if you wish. It won’t matter as much once you’ve learned from the best.Cognitive learning theory in the classroom

He wasn’t my district president. He served one term – and I was still in high school when it began. I would meet him eventually, 25 years later at a pastor’s conference.Cognitive learning theory in the classroom he could still speak clearly and forcefully for the sake of the gospel. And in that room of pastors – many younger than his grandchildren – he spoke humbly and eloquently.Cognitive learning theory in the classroom A man of god, under orders to speak the word of god at all times. He has now gone to his eternal rest, his heavenly home. The church triumphant has another loud voice praising the lamb.Cognitive learning theory in the classroom the church militant is the poorer for it.

When I say he spoke clearly and forcefully, yet humbly and eloquently, I’m not just making stuff up.Cognitive learning theory in the classroom he warned about the limits of the koinonia project when our district was gung-ho to head into battle. He was right in so many ways. The hardened heretics and their successors would not be swayed; their idolatry continues unabated.Cognitive learning theory in the classroom and pr. Orberheu’s warning “we tried this 25 years ago. It didn’t do any good then.” was an apt description of the frustrations we faced. The thing we all missed was that the seminex pastors of another era had almost entirely moved on.Cognitive learning theory in the classroom while many of them were replaced with men of like minds, a few were earnest and honest men, who would be faithful if they were only shown how.Cognitive learning theory in the classroom A chance to encourage those few was the benefit of the koinonia project. Whether that was worth all the effort and cost, only god can tell. But unity through the koinonia project was not to be.Cognitive learning theory in the classroom of that he was correct.

I have also in my archives a letter he sent to one of my predecessors – a man who was also unfaithful, and who would eventually be removed for false doctrine.Cognitive learning theory in the classroom there was a cost for the removal – my congregation was split, and the ELCA church in town still stands as testimony to that once-upon-a-time false teacher.Cognitive learning theory in the classroom but pr. Oberheu’s letter to him is an example of pastoral care and concern, joined with a firm resolve not to flee in the presence of a wolf.Cognitive learning theory in the classroom I’ve never seen anything like it, and I would guess you haven’t either. A transfer letter that is a rallying cry to the word of god, not just a pro-forma bit of paperwork.Cognitive learning theory in the classroom the love for god’s word, his holy church, and for the sheep entrusted to his care are all clearly evident in this letter. On the occasion of his translation to the church triumphant, I think the church would be edified by it.Cognitive learning theory in the classroom and so here it is:

Enclosed with this letter is the transfer of church membership for ____. It is with reluctance that this transfer is sent simply because of your activity and involvement with the divisive and rebellious group called ELIM.Cognitive learning theory in the classroom I discussed this with the pastor (sic) of the worland circuit and was advised by them that the transfer should be sent, but with the stated reasons of reluctance.Cognitive learning theory in the classroom we pray that ____ and his wife will be a blessing to you and your congregation.

Marvin, you stated in your letter, in which you requested the transfer for ____, that you pray that the holy spirit will establish unity in his church and that he leads us to acknowledge jesus christ as lord and make us one in praising the glory of his grace.Cognitive learning theory in the classroom our church was of one mind and has always acknowledged jesus as lord and did raise one voice in praising and glorifying him until man – in their puffed-up theological conceit and in their arrogant rebellion against all established order and against our church’s elected officials – have torn the church apart until we are no longer one.Cognitive learning theory in the classroom as long as ELIM and its followers – and let me remind you that this organization has been repudiated by synod’s board of directors and by our own district as being a divisive movement within synod – as long as they continue to rebel and to operate as a church within a church there can and there will be no unity.Cognitive learning theory in the classroom the unity must be under the authority and on the basis of the word of god – all of god’s word. When man reuse (sic) to submit to that, there can be no unity.Cognitive learning theory in the classroom let’s face it marv, there are two theologies within our church and the two will not be united.

You know, marv, I’m not angry at you – sorry and saddened because of your stated position regarding the divisive ELIM movement yes – but not angry.Cognitive learning theory in the classroom I only hope and pray that as you study his word that you will submit to it and accept ALL of it in faith and as the WORD OF GOD. I plead with you to simply proclaim jesus and the simplicity of his word – his love – his grace – and his forgiveness.Cognitive learning theory in the classroom that’s what the people want and that’s exactly what the people need!

The twisting was entirely of man’s design. His fellow “churchmen” in fact.Cognitive learning theory in the classroom by the time I went through college, it was all old news. The battles he fought were pretty much over. A few final skirmishes remained in which ralph bohlman would take down robert preus, but himself be dethroned.Cognitive learning theory in the classroom but the battle for the bible had been won. He was left in the dust. The man who had sounded the alarm for those in the pew more clearly and consistently than any other, was gas-lighted to a degree that would do the CIA proud.Cognitive learning theory in the classroom recently there was an article about “mobbing” in the church. Whether it still happens, it certainly happened to him:

A faculty that revoked certification for ministry against the bylaws of synod.Cognitive learning theory in the classroom synod officials that ignored their own doctrine, changed bylaws ex post facto, refused to acknowledge or honor their own process when it ruled in his favor, and then refused to even commune a pastor of their fellowship because he was an undesirable – it was enough to push any pastor over the edge.Cognitive learning theory in the classroom

Herman otten poured his energies into publishing. His goal was to bring down those who were changing the doctrine. Not for revenge, but because he loved christ’s church, and they were bent on its destruction.Cognitive learning theory in the classroom that his methods were beyond the pale was not entirely his fault. He had been defrauded first by those who should have protected him and rallied to his cause.Cognitive learning theory in the classroom but his demeanor worked against him. And his methods grew ever more into the image of those who opposed him. What they did in secret, he did in the light.Cognitive learning theory in the classroom

In later years it became a joke – he used file photos that were 40 years old, re-ran stories from the battle for the bible that had no relationship to current events, and sent provocative questionnaires to synod officials that asked if seminex sympathizers should remain on the roster – after most of them had retired.Cognitive learning theory in the classroom but it could never be a joke to him. Because he was still gaslighted and persecuted. Eventually, even many of his friends and those that admired him would be afraid to talk to him.Cognitive learning theory in the classroom I was never courageous enough to do so – and he did call a few times. I allowed him to re-post articles from my blog without complaint. But I will confess to timidity when it came to engaging him.Cognitive learning theory in the classroom I knew his brother well for a time, and consider him a friend. I know of those who talked to him. But herman would always remain just outside of my circle.Cognitive learning theory in the classroom it was my fear, more than anything. What would I do in similar circumstances? Would I have the courage to endure? Would I become even more bitter to those who rejected me?Cognitive learning theory in the classroom and would I say something to embarrass myself that might end up on the front page?

But make no mistake. We owe him a debt of gratitude. Because he was one of the first to sound the alarm – back in the days when things were calm in the synod, and there could be no thought of false teaching, no worry of idol altars in our midst.Cognitive learning theory in the classroom without his clarion call, the synod might have slumbered through it’s transformation into the ELCA. Without his indelicacy, we might have missed our own funeral.Cognitive learning theory in the classroom

He was a kingmaker. No president since 1969 was elected against his wishes. And, in extreme conditions, he could take one down, and had the ability to veto the replacement.Cognitive learning theory in the classroom barry and harrison made the pilgrimage to new haven. Wenthe did not. Bohlmann fired preus. It could be said without too much hyperbole that otten fired harms and bohlmann.Cognitive learning theory in the classroom

A couple of weeks ago, he endorsed maier – maier filled out the questionaire, harrison didn’t. It doesn’t matter that maier would allow and encourage much of what otten spent his life opposing.Cognitive learning theory in the classroom in the end, I think the strain got to him. The family name of old missouri, and a candidate willing to admit he existed was too strong a pull.Cognitive learning theory in the classroom for that was also to our shame – those who would court him in advance of an election always memory-holed him after. It was wrong. I admit my own weakness in this regard – but I never sought high office.Cognitive learning theory in the classroom I never sought him out. I just didn’t have the courage to speak to him, and I wanted to stay off the front page. Also, the questions he asked implied an influence I have never possessed.Cognitive learning theory in the classroom I have rarely spoken with rulers and counselors in the church. I don’t have their ear. I don’t know the players in the game, and I don’t have a desire to.Cognitive learning theory in the classroom the messages he left would have been answered with “I don’t know”. I am a pastor of a small church in a rural area, and it is sufficient for me.Cognitive learning theory in the classroom

But I have something he never had: the bureaucrats admit I am such. Herman never got that courtesy. When I wrote about him – which I did a few times – I called him pastor.Cognitive learning theory in the classroom because he was. Oddly, the men who refused him the same courtesy I often refer to as mister. For they are not pastors. They have been promoted above that pay grade.Cognitive learning theory in the classroom and they could call him mister all the live-long day. Christ called him as a pastor, and their refusal to recognize that changed nothing.

We owe him a debt we could never repay.Cognitive learning theory in the classroom and yet, the honors skipped in this life can not be made up for after the fact. Robert preus’s grave has already been whitewashed by many in the synod.Cognitive learning theory in the classroom whether herman’s will be remains to be seen. But it doesn’t matter. The crown of life given in the new kingdom is what matters. Herman saw that clearly, and in the end he knew it was all he would ever receive.Cognitive learning theory in the classroom

Cleansed for the sin that so easily entangles, and healed of scars of years of abuse by those who were supposed to minister to him, I look forward to seeing him the new kingdom.Cognitive learning theory in the classroom I suppose I should start with an apology. But in the new kingdom, there will be no need. All offenses are washed away. He knows that better than anyone.Cognitive learning theory in the classroom and his slow, 60 year matyrdom is finally over. I pray he finds the peace that was denied him in this life. Rest in peace, faithful soldier of the cross.Cognitive learning theory in the classroom