LWF on President Kieschnick's Visit

Here is a report from the Lutheran World Federation on International Lutheran Council (ILC) Chairman and LCMS President Kieschnick's visit to the recent LWF assembly in Stuttgart.

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Rev. Gerald Kieschnick, president of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod and chairman of the International Lutheran Council, brings greetings to the Eleventh Assembly. © LWF/Erick Coll

24.07.2010

International Lutheran Council head concerned that Reformation, scriptural truth being lost

Kieschnick nonetheless grateful for ties with LWF

STUTTGART, 24 July 2010 (LWI) – The chairman of the International Lutheran Council expressed thanks for the relationships developed between The Lutheran World Federation (LWF), while at the same time lamenting the directions taken on matters of sexuality by some LWF member churches.

The Rev. Gerald Kieschnick, who is also president of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, a denomination in the United States, addressed the Eleventh Assembly of the LWF here and said he feared that “many of the sacred scriptural truths which precipitated the Reformation are in danger of being lost.”

Kieschnick said that challenges to Christian truth have “first been tolerated, then accepted, and now affirmed.” Christians today, he added, have no “general consensus of broad concurrence, not to mention complete agreement on what constitutes marriage in the eyes of God, or what is acceptable or non-acceptable sexual behavior.”

The ILC president was referring to on-going controversies in Lutheranism and other denominations over whether to bless same sex unions or allow non-celibate homosexuals to serve as pastors and other church workers.

The ILC, a fellowship of conservative Lutheran church bodies around the world, adopted a statement last year which regards “homosexuality as a violation of the will of God,” Kieschnick said. Some of the 34 churches that are in the ILC have associate membership in the LWF. Some LWF member churches have taken steps to endorse same sex unions and allow people who are gay and lesbian and in committed relationships to serve as pastors.

“I share these words with this Assembly neither to stand in judgment, nor ignoring the logs in my own eye,” he said, “but with a heavy heart.” Kieschnick said that such controversies can lead to “significant internal strife, serious spiritual conflict and even organic schism.”

Despite his concern that Reformation principles and biblical truth was in danger in some LWF churches, Kieschnick referred to LWF President Mark Hanson as “my brother in Christ” and expressed gratitude for his friendship. “While we do not agree on numerous matter of faith and life,” he said, “I have genuinely appreciated your fraternal collegiality and gentle spirit and pray God’s blessings on your future endeavors.”

Kieschnick’s term as president of the 2.3 million member LC-MS is at an end, for although he was a candidate for re-election, the Rev. Matthew Harrison was elected president by a slim margin, when the church met in convention this month. (397 words)

Abendmahl fur Hunde?

Years ago Charles Merritt Nielsen wrote “Abendmahl fur Hunde (‘Communion for Dogs’),” which  appeared in Perspectives in Religious Studies10.1 (1983).  It was a rather humorous article.  Guess what?  It's now happened!

http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/article/838717--can-a-dog-receive-communion?bn=1


Can a dog receive communion?
Embarrassed reverend says it won’t happen again

Published On Thu Jul 22 2010

Noor JavedStaff Reporter

St. Peter’s Anglican Church has long been known as an open and inclusive place.

So open, it seems, they won’t turn anyone away. Not even a dog.

That’s how a blessed canine ended up receiving communion from interim priest Rev. Marguerite Rea during a morning service the last Sunday in June.

According to those in attendance at the historical church at 188 Carlton St. in downtown Toronto, it was a spontaneous gesture, one intended to make both the dog and its owner – a first timer at the church — feel welcomed. But at least one parishioner saw the act as an affront to the rules and regulations of the Anglican Church. He filed a complaint with the reverend and with the Anglican Diocese of Toronto about the incident – and has since left the church.

“I wrote back to the parishioner that it is not the policy of the Anglican Church to give communion to animals,” said Bishop Patrick Yu, the area bishop of York-Scarborough responsible for St. Peter’s, who received the complaint in early July. “I can see why people would be offended. It is a strange and shocking thing, and I have never heard of it happening before.

“I think the reverend was overcome by what I consider a misguided gesture of welcoming.”

Rev. Rea was contacted numerous times about the incident, but did not want to comment.

“She is quite embarrassed by it,” said Yu.

But congregants of the church say the act wasn’t meant to be controversial. Peggy Needham, the deputy people’s warden was sitting near the front of the church when the dog was given the wafer.

It was the first time Needham had seen the man and his dog in church. He had been invited to the service after an incident where police heckled him as he sat peacefully on the steps of the church early one morning during the G20 weekend.

Angry over the experience, he called the church to vent. They invited him to come to church, and he did, bringing his dog with him.

When it was time for communion, the man went up to receive the bread and the wine, with the dog. “I am sure for Marguerite that was a surprise, like it was for all of us,” said Needham. “But nobody felt like it was a big deal, because it wasn’t a big deal.”

According to the account Yu heard, the man asked the reverend to give the dog a wafer. But Needham says she doesn’t recall the man making such a request. Instead, she said Rev. Rea instinctively leaned over and placed a wafer on the dog’s wagging tongue.

“I think it was this natural reaction: here’s this dog, and he’s just looking up, and she’s giving the wafers to people and she just gave one to him,” said Needham. “Anybody might have done that. It’s not like she’s trying to create a revolution.”

Days later, the church and diocese received a complaint from one parishioner, who felt the church offended the sacred ritual. The bread and wine are meant to represent the body and blood of Jesus Christ and are only to be given to those who have been baptized.

Yu said when he spoke to Rev. Rea, she apologized for what she had done and said she would not do it again.

“Unless there is any further evidence that she is giving communion to animals, the matter is closed . . . we are after all, in the forgiveness and repair business,” he said.

Needham said the church has always been open to animals and once a year conducts a service to bless pets. Which is why the incident hardly caused a stir among the congregants – except for one.

“In his email, the man’s argument was that Christ wouldn’t have liked it,” said Needham. “But in my opinion, Christ would have thought it was neat. It was just being human. And it made everyone smile.”

Music for the Church Militant

After a few days of triumphalism all over the place, certain events have reminded me that we do still live in the church militant.  In honor of this, I have changed the music on my blog over to military marches.  Enjoy!

http://lrast.blogspot.com/2010/07/music-for-church-militant.html

Krauth on the Overthrow of Error

My favorite American Lutheran theologian is Charles Porterfield Krauth (1823-1883).  He lived and worked in challenging circumstances as he sought to lead his synod (Pennsylvania) and church body (the General Council) to a doctrine and practice consistent with the Lutheran Confessions and the church catholic.  Many of the congregations and pastors that he sought to influence had little or no familiarity with confessional Lutheran theology and practice.  They had been catechized in a form of  Lutheranism that intentionally sought to accommodate American culture.  He succeeded in some ways, and, perhaps, not in others.  That notwithstanding, his The Conservative Reformation and Its Theology (recently reprinted by Concordia Publishing House with an intro by yours truly) remains the most influential book on the nature and character of Lutheranism that I have ever read (with thanks to Robert Preus, who directed me to it).  And my favorite part of my favorite work is this:

"The spirit of the Reformation was no destroying angel, who sat and scowled with a malignant joy over the desolation which spread around.  It was overshadowed by the wings of that Spirit who brooded indeed on the waste of waters and the wilderness of chaos, but only that he might unfold the germs of life that lay hidden there, and bring forth light and order from the darkness of the yet formless void of creation.  It is vastly more important, then, to know what the Reformation retained than what it overthrew; for the overthrow of error, though often an indispensable prerequisite to the establishment of truth, is not truth itself; it may clear the foundation, simply to substitute one error for another, perhaps a greater for a less.  Profoundly important, indeed, is the history of that which the Reformation accomplished against the errors of Romanism, yet it is as nothing to the history of that which it accomplished for itself. The overthrow of Romanism was not its primary object; in a certain sense it was not its object at all.  Its object was to establish truth, no matter what might rise or fall in the effort.... The mightiest weapon which the Reformation employed against Rome was, not Rome's errors, but Rome's truths."

Charles Porterfield Krauth, The Conservative Reformation and Its Theology, intro Lawrence R. Rast, Jr. (Saint Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 2007), 202-203.

http://www.cph.org/p-661-the-conservative-reformation-and-its-theology.aspx

Christianity Today on the LCMS Convention

The Christianity Today blog has some interesting reflections on the recent events at the convention of The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod.  The text follows.  For the original of the article, click here.

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July 14, 2010 2:51PM

Missouri Synod Election Signals Shift Toward Denominational Distinctives

Defeat of evangelical-focused incumbent implies desire to refocus on Lutheran identity. (Corrected)

Jeremy Weber

Amid ongoing debate over the vitality or usefulness of denominations today, CT has observed that manydenominational meetings of late have debated the merits of reinforcing denominational distinctives vs. loosening them in favor of focusing on evangelism.

CT columnist Mollie Ziegler Hemingway sent a brief report on the latest case study, this time at the ongoing Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod convention:

The Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod (LCMS) elected as its new president the leader of the church’s World Relief and Human Care division. Matthew Harrison received 54 percent of the vote, defeating incumbent Gerald Kieschnick, who received 45 percent of the vote in his third re-election attempt.

The 2.3-million member LCMS is holding its triennial convention in Houston, where over 1,200 delegates are electing new officers and debating whether to restructure the synod.

While the conservative denomination does not face conflict over many hot-button cultural issues, the election of Harrison represents a shift from the Kieschnick administration’s support of evangelical programs and style to a more traditional Lutheran identity. While 54 percent – 50 votes more than the 593 votes needed to win – was not a huge mandate numerically, Harrison was elected on the first ballot at a convention that saw most issues narrowly won after lengthy debate.

“I realize this is a tumultuous change in the life of our synod,” Harrison said in his acceptance speech immediately after the vote. He asked delegates for forgiveness and prayers as he prepares to lead the synod through a new restructuring that streamlines operations at the national headquarters.

The Kieschnick administration, which served for the past nine years, encouraged congregations to adopt praise teams, coffee house worship and small group ministries. It had also overseen the cancellation of Issues, Etc., the synod’s only nationally syndicated broadcast ministry. Harrison’s first post-election interview was with the program, which re-launched outside the denominational structure.

Harrison, leader of the LCMS mercy arm and possessing multiple degrees from the denomination’s Concordia Theological Seminary, was also the preferred candidate of those in the church body that favor a return to traditional Lutheran identity of liturgical preaching, hymns that teach doctrine, and the placement of ordained missionaries overseas.

“There was a great deal of division on the direction things were going. Harrison has an opportunity, in a pastoral way, to bring back unity in [the LCMS] so that we can have stronger service in missions and outreach of the gospel,” said delegate Jeffrey Horn from Garrett, Indiana.

Harrison’s 643 votes yielded the largest margin of victory in a synodical presidential election since 1998.

Ugly, Vulgar, Hard, Hermetic, Hardly Eye-catching

WOW! Dutch football legend Johan Cruyff has really given it to the Netherlands team for their style of play in last Sunday's World Cup final.  Here is the story, which may be found here.


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Dutch football legend Johan Cruyff has launched a scathing attack on Netherlands' display in the World Cup final, deriding it as "anti-football".

The Dutch received nine yellow cards, and a red card for Johnny Heitinga, as they lost 1-0 to Spain in South Africa.

"Sadly, they played very dirty," Cruyff told Spanish newspaper El Periodico.

"This ugly, vulgar, hard, hermetic, hardly eye-catching, hardly football style... If with this they got satisfaction, fine, but they lost."

Cruyff was the symbol of 'Total Football', which earned the Dutch successive World Cup final appearances in 1974 and 1978.

Netherlands coach Bert van Marwijk appeared to opt for pragmatism over style as he led the Oranje to a third final in South Africa, but the result was the same, as Andres Iniesta scored an extra-time winner for Spain.

Cruyff, along with many others, believed Mark van Bommel and Nigel de Jong were lucky not to be sent off before half-time, Van Bommel for a tackle from behind on Iniesta and De Jong for kicking Xabi Alonso in the chest.But Sunday's game was also notable for Netherlands' surprisingly aggressive approach.

"They should have been down to nine immediately, then they made two [such] ugly and hard tackles that even I felt the damage," said the 63-year-old Cruyff.

"It hurts me that Holland chose an ugly path to aim for the title."

Cruyff brought his footballing philosophy to Barcelona in an eight-year spell as manager, and he is widely credited with the one-touch passing style still employed by the Catalan club, who provided the backbone of Spain's World Cup-winning squad.

However, in the Champions League semi-final last season, Pep Guardiola's side were upset by a defence-minded Inter Milan, coached by Jose Mourinho - a fact not lost on Cruyff.

"On Thursday they asked me from Holland 'Can we play like Inter? Can we stop Spain in the same way Mourinho eliminated Barca?'

"I said no, no way at all. I said no, not because I hate this style, I said no because I thought that my country wouldn't dare to and would never renounce their style. I said no because, without having great players like those of the past, the team has its own style.

"I was wrong. Of course I'm not hanging all 11 of them by the same rope, but almost. They didn't want the ball."

Cruyff also joined in the criticism of English referee Howard Webb,accusing him of being too soft with the players.

"A World Cup final deserves great refereeing and, above all, deserves a referee who dares to do everything it means to be a judge," he said.

Podcast on Oral History Project

Last week I had the profound honor of interviewing a number of LCMS pastors, teachers, and laymen and laywomen while at the LCMS Black Ministry Convocation.  This podcast gives a little intro to the overall project.  Enjoy!

Continuing Education Opportunity

Follow this link to further information: http://www.ctsfw.edu/Page.aspx?pid=705#seattle

Seattle, WA - Registration is still open!
August 16–20, 2010
History and Theology of the LCMS
Dr. Lawrence Rast, Jr., Ph.D.
Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Indiana

This course is an extended consideration of the history of the LCMS with a focus on the last 40 years. (3 CEU)
Contact Person:
Rev. Ernie Lassman
206-524-0024
elassman@aol.com

Messiah Lutheran Church
7050 35th Avenue NE
Seattle,WA 98115

1955 - Pennsylvania Railroad - "Opening a New Frontier"

1951 - Pennsylvania RailRoad - "Wheels Of Steel"

Punish the Refs!

Okay, I see that my earlier post about punishing the floppers had one profoundly flawed assumption in it--namely that Refs are competent to make calls at all.  The missed calls in Germany/England and Mexico/Argentina were simply outrageous!  Will Fifa ever get its act together?  Don't respond, I already know the answer.

Here's the distressing video:

Lampard makes the goal--but it's disallowed!



Tevez is WAY offside--but goal is allowed!

Fun Little Song

I like trains and I like Dan Tyminski's voice.  There you have it!

Punish the Floppers!

"If you’re tired of seeing generally fit, strong players writhe on the field like a wounded duck after a phantom touch, only to have one of their wincing eyes peeking at the referee, then Bradley feels your, ah, pain.So says US Soccer coach Bill Bradley."
The solution, says Bradley, is to have reviews of the flops after the game and penalties assessed.  I couldn't agree more, but it won't happen.

Here's the full story.
http://g.sports.yahoo.com/soccer/world-cup/news/bradley-punish-the-floppers--fbintl_dw-flopping062510.html

National Cathedral on the Economic Rocks

A few years back Union Theological Seminary in New York City nearly went under.  Through the leadership of Joe Hough, it saved itself, but at a great cost.  For one thing, it had to rework its library operations at its Burke Theological Library completely.  "Union's Turnaround 1999-2008," Union News (Summer 2008--Special Issue): 6 (http://www.utsnyc.edu/Document.Doc?id=329), describes that arrangement this way: "A cooperative library management agreement...transferred ownership of the Burke Collections to Columbia University.  Columbia assumed all costs of operating Burke Library, except for one half the acquisitions budget and the maintenance of the building--with the understanding that the collections in Burke Library remain in the building except when moves are necessary for preservation or to enlarge capacity for new acquisitions.  This agreement has removed more than a million dollars of operating costs from Union's annual operating budget."

A few years back the LCMS International Center ceased operation of its library and its wonderful, targeted collection was dispersed, for the most part, to Concordia Seminary, Concordia Historical Institute, and Concordia Theological Seminary.  

Now the National Cathedral is in trouble and how is it thinking of making ends meet?  Sell the books! 

"The cathedral's rare book library...can no longer be considered a 'core function' in the current economic climate,' said Kathleen Cox, the cathedral's chief operating officer. 'In tough times, you start having to pull away so you can make sure that worship continues,' she said. 'So once that happens, you have to make sure that you are doing the best by those assets.'"

You can find the complete article here: http://www.christiancentury.org/article.lasso?id=8535

More on Slowness

Check out this blog: http://www.tortoiseknowsbest.com/international-day-of-slowness/

It has some great suggestions on slowing down.

A Big "Oops" for Italy

http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/soccer/general/view/20100624italian_pol_apologizes/

"Italian politician Umberto Bossi apologized for his much-criticized remarks that Italy would 'buy' a victory in a crucial World Cup group match against Slovakia.  The comments by Bossi, a Cabinet minister, drew a sharp rebuke from the national soccer federation and fellow politicians.  'I apologize to the national team,' Federal Reforms Minister Bossi told the ANSA news agency. He said his comments were meant as a 'joke' and that he hopes Italy wins the World Cup.

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I wonder what the "Federal Reforms Minister" in Italy does?  Regardless, unfortunately for Bossi, Italy is now out of the World Cup.  That's right, the defending champions didn't make it out of the Group Stage.  I'm trying to drum up some pathos for them.  Well, that didn't work :)

Welcome to Slow Society

"Welcome to Slow Society," reads the intro to the blog.  It continues: "We live in a society obsessed with high speeds, quick decisions, and economic growth. Our common habitat has never been more threatened. Our common future has never been more uncertain. The need for slowness and reflection has never been greater."


Having run through perhaps the busiest three months of my life lately, I'm ready to sign up!  The problem is, I already missed International Slowness Day, which was June 21.  Oh well, then I'll just have to wait until next year. :)

Bad News for the Great Lakes

An Asian Carp has been found in Lake Calumet in Chicago--that's Lake Michigan's doorstep.  This could be very bad news for the Great Lakes.

http://www.chicagobreakingnews.com/2010/06/officials-asian-carp-found-in-chicago-waterway-system.html

http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2010/06/23/general-us-asian-carp-great-lakes_7714552.html?boxes=Homepagebusinessnews

Unsafe Soccer?

One of the great concerns about the World Cup being in South Africa was the safety of the fans.  Well, SA has provided, from most accounts, a wonderful atmosphere for the Cup.

However, you might want to think twice about attending the opening of the Philadelphia Union's new soccer stadium.  Follow this link for the unsettling story.

http://www.philly.com/inquirer/front_page/20100622_Chester_violence_clouds_soccer_stadium_s_opener.html#axzz0raC41Z6d

Second Place?!?

Foreign Policy magazine had a hard decision on its hands: Who is the worse dictator--North Korea's Kim Jong-Il or Zimbabwe's Robert Mugabe?   Kim Jong-Il won out--but it had to be a close race!


For the article, follow this link: http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2010/06/21/the_worst_of_the_worst


I just finished reading Martin Meredith's Mugabe: Power, Plunder, and the Struggle for Zimbabwe's Future.  I'm now deeply into Meredith's The Fate of Africa for the second time.  Depressing.  Time to get out my vuvuzela

No Class

Happily, the French have been sent packing from the World Cup.  Sadly, they've done so with what has become a characteristic lack of class.  They got into the tournament by cheating (a handball by Thierry Henry against Ireland) in the first place, so there's no big surprise there.  However, the disrespect they showed to the host nation (South Africa) and its team (Bafana Bafana) is simply shameful.  Good riddance!

http://g.sports.yahoo.com/soccer/world-cup/blog/dirty-tackle/post/Domenech-refuses-to-shake-Parriera-s-hand-wags-?urn=sow,250450

Is the U.S. Finally Getting Interested?

A nice take on the controversy surrounding the waved off goal in the U.S.'s match last Friday.  Perhaps Americans are finally getting fired up about soccer.

http://www.socceramerica.com/article/38567/thank-you-koman-coulibaly.html

Thank you, Koman Coulibaly

by Paul Kennedy, June 19th, 2010 12:55AM

[MY VIEW] There is a positive to Koman Coulibaly's blown call that cost the USA a win over Slovenia. He accomplished what no one else could in more than 100 years. He made Americans care passionately about soccer. Talk shows throughout the day and evening led with the Coulibaly's call that negated Maurice Edu's call --  ahead of second round of the U.S. Open golf tournament, reaction to Game 7 of the NBA finals, and baseball. It didn't matter that just about everyone knew nothing about soccer or the World Cup or Coulibaly -- where's Mali? -- they all had an opinion on the game and soccer and FIFA. Much of the anger was directed at FIFA, which now has a big problem on its hands because it is perceived as a joke in the one country where it needs for soccer to take hold. It would have been one thing if Coulibaly's call had cost the USA a 1-0 win, but the call cost the USA a historic comeback victory over Slovenia. Only a couple of days earlier, these same talk show hosts and fans -- the neophytes -- were ready to give up on the World Cup, which could never possibly live up the hype of the ESPN promotional machine tournament. The World Cup was oversold and underdelivered with a string of low-scoring and frankly boring games The second-half comeback from 2-0 down drew all these neophyte fans into the U.S. team, the World Cup and soccer. They were hooked, and they felt robbed.

Couldn't happen to a nicer team...

The French World Cup team is completely falling apart.  What a shame!  Given that they had no business being in the tournament in the first place, I simply can't drum up any sympathy.  Instant Karma anyone?

http://g.sports.yahoo.com/soccer/world-cup/blog/dirty-tackle/post/France-continue-infighting-refuse-to-train-dir?urn=sow,249880

Honing Your Vuvuzela Skills

Here's some advice on how to become the best vuvuzela player on your block.

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Vuvuleza: There's no excuse for making a din when you've been taught by the experts

Rob Sharp gets a lesson from one of Britain's professional vuvuzela teachers

Tuesday, 15 June 2010

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TERI PENGILLEY

Rob Sharp with the must-have accessory for this year's World Cup

I tooted in my bedroom. I parped out of my window at evening dog-walkers. I regaled flatmates with toe-tapping accompaniments to Louis Armstrong that segued into staccato bars of B-flat. Who knew that an instrument which produces a wet, flatulent sound could be so enchanting.

Fifteen hours after taking delivery of my metre-long yellow plastic vuvuzela, I had still only been able to create a noise akin to someone propelling saliva down a pipe. So I enlisted the help of one of Britain's few professional vuvuzela teachers, Steven Haynes, to take me through my paces. After an hour-long lesson I hoped to be the best vuvuzela player in the office.

Vuvuzelas are the must-have accessory for this year's World Cup. They are cheap (£2 from Sainsbury's) and sonorous, and they boast a certain amount of cultural heritage. Some say they were adapted from the horn of a kudu, a South African antelope, traditionally used to call South African villagers to a meeting. The more likely explanation is that a South African football fan customised a bicycle horn in the 1960s, and it took off from there. There are no holes, no slides or buttons. Even an idiot – one whose sole musical qualification is the ownership of a "piano tie" – could use one.

"It's designed to produce a B-flat pitch which is the same as the rest note – the note that you produce if you don't do anything on a trumpet or trombone," says Haynes, tutoring me in his garage-cum-practice studio.

"British fans are just going to take these to see a team play and make as much noise as possible. It's like a call to arms, creates an atmosphere."

So how do you play one? First, the warm-up. It's all about the breathing, apparently. When you're tense, your stomach muscles tighten and force breathing up in to the chest region, meaning you can't inhale and exhale to your full capacity. So relax.

Next step is to shape your mouth as you would for pronouncing an "M". The perfect embouchure is created by holding your facial muscles between a pout and a smile. Vibrate the central section of your mouth, so you're not expending energy on anything that doesn't make a sound. Don't inflate your cheeks – you aren't Dizzy Gillespie. Bingo, you're ready to perform. Let's make this sucker sing.

Outside, faced with my discordant blasts, small children run for cover. Women with infants cross the street. The British still require some "conditioning" to this latest addition to our orchestral repertoire.

What to do with your instrument when the World Cup is over? They seem likely to become the scourge of English football grounds. Also suitable as beer-funnelling device.

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Follow this link to the original.

What's wrong with the vuvuzela?

We are having a running battle in my World Cup insane household over whether the vuvuzela is a good or a bad thing.  I'm all for it!  In fact, I can't get enough of that wonderful bzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

So check out http://www.vuvuzela.fm/

Statue of Jesus is Struck by Lightning and Burns

Huge statue of Jesus catches fire and burns.  You can find the whole story here.  However, anyone who has driven to Cincinnati down I-75 has likely seen the statue of Jesus at Solid Rock Church.  On June 14, 2010, it was struck by lightening and perished.  Some want to rebuild it.  We'll see...

Philosopher's World Cup

I'm shamelessly stealing this from Greg Alms's "Incarnatus Est" blog.  It is totally hilarious!

Big News from the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania

This special announcement below arrived this evening from the Pennsylvania Railroad Technical and Historical Society Keystone e-News.  The Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania is already a "must visit" attraction.  These additions will make it one of the most significant sites on the East Coast.  

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GOVERNOR RENDELL ANNOUNCES RELEASE

OF $5 MILLION FOR RAILROAD MUSEUM OF

PENNSYLVANIA EXHIBITS AND

ROUNDHOUSE

Governor Edward G. Rendell announced today that $5 million in state capital funds have been released to the Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission and the Department of General Services for new exhibits and the design of a roundhouse at the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania.

"The improvements planned for this facility are critical to the preservation and the interpretation of the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania's world-class collection of more than 100 historic locomotives and railroad cars," says Museum director Charles Fox.

The Governor's Office of the Budget has designated $500,000 for the design of a 16,000-square-foot roundhouse in the outdoor yard, to be located at the Museum's existing turntable. A significant number of the Museum's collection of historic locomotives and rolling stock, many of which are listed on the National Register of Historic Places and are the last of their kind in the world, currently reside outdoors and are deteriorating from exposure to the elements.

The addition of a roundhouse at the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania will provide permanent, climate-controlled storage for these historic artifacts. Bid proposals have been released by the Department of General Services for the architectural design of the roundhouse. The Governor's Office of the Budget anticipates releasing an additional $6.1 million for the actual construction of the roundhouse in the next fiscal year.

The Governor's Office of the Budget also has released $4.5 million for the design, fabrication and installation of new permanent exhibits to be located throughout the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania. The Hilferty Design firm of Athens, Ohio has been selected to work with Museum and Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission staff on the exhibit design. Planning is already underway.

"The new exhibits will allow us to examine Pennsylvania's railroading history from its earliest beginnings to the present day in a thorough and comprehensive manner. The exhibits will explore the social, economic and technological history of Pennsylvania railroading, using the Museum's outstanding collection of artifacts and  rolling

"Both of these projects represent major steps forward for the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania," Fox points out, "allowing us to raise the standards of our already world-class institution even higher. Once they are in place, and in conjunction with the completion of a new geothermal HVAC system in the Museum, the entire interpretive experience we offer to visitors will have been reshaped and improved, and we will have become much more effective caretakers of this unequalled collection of American railroading artifacts."

First female bishop for Finnish Lutheran church

http://www.eni.ch/featured/article.php?id=4137

First female bishop for Finnish Lutheran church

Stephen Brown

Geneva/Helsinki (ENI). The Rev. Irja Askola has become the first woman to be elected as a bishop in the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland, a step described as a "milestone" by the general secretary of the Lutheran World Federation.

"It is an important sign that a woman has been elected to the office of bishop in yet another LWF member church," said the Rev. Ishmael Noko, general secretary of the Geneva-based Lutheran federation, after the 3 June vote.

Askola received 591 votes to 567 for her rival Matti Poutiainen, the Finnish church council communications centre said.

The Helsinki Times reported that one of the differences between the two candidates concerned marriage, with Askola being willing to bless same-sex couples, whereas Poutiainen holds that marriage is solely between a man and a woman.

The church said 57-year-old Askola will take office on 1 September, following the retirement of Eero Huovinen, Helsinki's bishop since 1991. Her ordination as a bishop has been set for 12 September.

The Lutheran church has about 4.5 million members, accounting for more than 80 percent of Finland's population.

Askola is currently a special assistant in theological affairs to Bishop Mikko Heikka of Espoo. She graduated with a master's in theology in 1975, and was ordained in 1988. From 1991 to 1999, Askola worked in Geneva for the Conference of European Churches.

The Rev. Viorel Ionita, acting general secretary of CEC, said, "The contribution of CEC for promoting the witness of women in church and society after the political changes in Central and Eastern Europe is unthinkable without the contribution of our former colleague from Finland."

The LWF noted that women have been ordained in the Finnish Lutheran church since 1986. While some have been previously nominated as bishops, including Askola, none had made it to the final ballot.

Askola's election came in a second round of voting, following a first round in May. A second round was necessary because neither Askola nor Poutiainen received more than 50 percent of votes in the first round, when five candidates stood for the post.


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Concordia Irvine Chooses New President

Concordia University, Irvine has chosen its new president and he has accepted. It is Dr. Kurt Krueger, currently of the LCMS Board for University Education and previously provost at Irvine. Kurt is an excellent choice who will provide fine leadership to the university! Read about all of it here.

In the interest of full disclosure, I had been one of the finalists. I am very honored to have been considered by the university and am deeply thankful for the collegial manner in which I was welcomed to the campus by faculty, staff, students and administration. It was a terrific experience for me. At the same time, I'm delighted at the choice of Kurt. He'll continue to be in my prayers as he transitions from 1333 S. Kirkwood to Concordia Irvine!

γνῶθι σεαυτόν

Amy, my wife, pointed me to a very interesting review of a book by Annie Murphy Paul titled, The Cult of Personality: How Personality Tests Are Leading Us to Miseducate Our Children, Mismanage Our Companies, and Misunderstand Ourselves. (Free Press, 2004). She found this after we had long discussion on the accuracy/usefulness/interesting character of such tests. The review is worth reading in full, which you can do here, but below are a few key paragraphs.

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What is the allure of personality tests? They provide ''an unwavering self-conception, a foundation for relating to others, a plan for success and an excuse for failure,'' Paul concludes. But, alas, the virtues of tests that try to assess personality types are illusory: research shows that a single person's scores are unstable, often changing over the course of years, weeks, even hours (a subject may be ''a good intuitive thinker in the afternoon but not in the morning,'' some researchers have noted). And, worse, there is little evidence of the correlation of test scores with school performance, managerial effectiveness, team building or career counseling.

On a deeper level, enthusiasm for testing may be a particularly American phenomenon. After all, a society that extols freedom and self-determination is one whose citizens have choices. And with choices come anxieties -- about educational options, career paths, even mate selection. Better self-understanding and advice are thus welcome, if not eagerly sought. Besides, what could be more attractive to a society as individualistic as ours than devices that explore and exalt our perceived uniqueness?

THE paradox, Paul is quick to emphasize, is that personality tests ultimately give us a cramped vision of ourselves; instead of opening opportunities, they may confine people by identifying weaknesses that are either not there or that can be overcome. When personality typing is applied to children, Paul writes, it imposes ''limiting labels on young people who are still developing a sense of themselves and their capacities.'' Attempts to fit people into manageable categories end up being the best evidence -- if any were needed -- that we encounter the world in highly idiosyncratic ways.

A New Day at Man U?

My son Karl just passed the news along, so I had to look it up for myself. SAF may step down from Man U next year, and his replacement could be...

Jose Mourinho!

http://www.manutd.com/default.sps?pagegid={C7DF7CEC-3BC3-4859-A3FD-FE4AAD215DD8}&newsid=6648276

Papers: One more year?
19/04/2010 08:30

Ferguson out, Mourinho in
Sir Alex Ferguson will quit Manchester United at the end of next season – and Jose Mourinho will succeed him. Ferguson aims to complete an unprecedented 25 seasons in charge at Old Trafford before calling time on the most successful managerial career in history. By then, the man who took over in November 1986, hopes to have steered United to a record number of title wins and, hopefully, a third Champions League success. Starsport understands United have already lined up the charismatic Mourinho, currently in charge of Inter Milan. Ferguson, who will be 69 on December 31, has been involved in discussions about his successor for the past few years.
Bill Thornton, Daily Star

Gary Neville reveals that Sir Alex got his players charged up for Saturday's game by asking his men: "Do you want to win this title?"

The Star, and most other newspapers, run with the picture of Neville giving Paul Scholes a big kiss in the derby celebrations on Saturday. Not for the feint-hearted!

The Guardian praises United's ability to "keep cool when the heat is on, trusting their passing game when others would resort to kick-and-hope".

Round up by Ben Hibbs



http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Jose-Mourinho-to-replace-Sir-Alex-Ferguson-at-Manchester-United-article397601.html

Jose Mourinho is being lined up by Manchester United to replace Sir Alex Ferguson, according to reports.

The Inter Milan boss, who has recently been linked with United's rivals Liverpool and Manchester City, is wanted by Old Trafford chiefs at the end of next season.

That is when they expect Fergie to finally step down, especially if he has met his targets of a record number of league wins and three Champions League victories.

It is thought Ferguson has been involved for a number of seasons in discussions about his successor and he is an admirer of Mourinho.