‘Thanks, bishop.’ A gift officer reflects on a lifelong ministry and a pastor’s legacy
“No need to take me up to the apartment,” he said. “I’ll wait here for my group. As I do, I pray for everyone who passes by here. Once a pastor, always a pastor,” he said, smiling. I nodded, thanked him for a lovely visit, and said I looked forward to the next time... And in that moment I thanked God for him, too, and his lifelong ministry, and for his enduring legacy.
(Summer 2020 Epistle magazine)
MDiv student Julie Grafe is ready for what comes next
“I am so grateful for the time at LSTC. I’m glad to be done with this and sad to be done with this. . . and I didn’t do it. It was God working through me. I’m not sure what comes next but I’m ready.”
(Summer 2020 Epistle magazine)
Pandemic has profound impact on Dalton Ruggieri’s internships
“I witnessed things that were good and weren’t so good, and how we responded. But I found that to be where I grew the most. It pushed me to grow into my pastoral identity, acting in ways that I didn’t have to in the past…"
(September 2020)
Troy Medlin & Ole Schenk: ‘Mutual flourishing’
“We’re committed to each other’s ministry that will likely be shared yet different,” Troy said. “We’ll let the other explore their vocation, and have one another to help us when we’re navigating uncertain challenges that will surely come up in ministry.”
(Summer 2020 Epistle magazine)
Horseback riding provides self care during internship marked by Covid-19
Seminarians are like thoroughbreds—known for their agility, speed and spirit on a racetrack.
Stephani Shumaker: “What a gift it is to be a thoroughbred, leading the pack, and challenged to have and give what is required."
(September 2020)
Togu Sihite: In the U.S. seminary classes ‘go deeper’
He calls LSTC a “small world,” because it is a small school with so much diversity, especially global students. He’s gotten to know lots of people from other countries, learn from them and get new perspectives. He believes God has things in store for him that he’s never even dreamed about.
(February 2020 FB student profile)
Kyle Duff: 'To be salt and light in the world'
Public Church curriculum and the Public Church Fellows program became the draw to LSTC. It fit with the strong emphasis within him during college: “to do good as a church, to be salt and light in the world… This is the type of pastoral ministry I feel called to.”
(January 2020 student FB profile)
William E. Flippin Jr. shares his 'My LSTC story'
“My goal and hope for Public Church Fellows is continuing the training of public theologians and urban practitioners who can be the headlights of social change and praxis.”
George Zachariah shares his 'My LSTC story'
“LSTC’s location on the South Side of Chicago is a constant reminder to be suspicious about the theological reflections, missional models, and ministerial practices that are coming from the locations of power and privilege. This prophetic suspicion is constructive as it re-forms theology and de-centers the Church.”