The Institute of Lutheran Theology October 4-5, 2014 Des Moines, Iowa Exploring what it means to proclaim the gospel in today's world.

Speakers Rev. Kip Tyler talked about the challenges of mobilizing the church to evangelize in the community. ILT Seminary graduates Dave Wollan, John Lewis, and Becky Hand, led breakout response sessions to each of the key speakers. Dr. Dennis Bielfeldt discussed the philosophical challenges the gospel message faces in this culture. Dr. Eugene Bunkowske shared his experiences in Africa and addressed what it means to tell the gospel story within a specific cultural context. 2

Key Message Take a Ways Dr. Dennis Bielfeldt - Impediments to Hearing the Gospel in a Post-modern Context The Secular World - First Day Questions of Students The movement towards relativism makes difficult the hearing of Christian claims Dr. Eugene Bunkowske - Announcing the Faith A “Saul of Tarsus” spread the faith among the Yala people. God uses people like you and me in molding biblical transformation. As God moves with you and your congregation what ordered steps in engaging, relating and investigating are important now? What information and inspiration needs to be shared? What renewing, enlightenment, reorganization and transformation should be anticipated, prayed for and promoted through word and deed? Rev. Kip Tyler – What does it mean to be a Lutheran? A Call for Confessional Discipleship "You are witnesses." (Acts 1:8) As Christians, we are witnesses. That's the bottom line. The talk includes Good Stuff drawn from: Scripture, Mark Mattes, Gerhard O. Forde, Gustaf Wingren, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Jaynan Clark, and Martin Luther 3

Resources A DVD containing the videos and files of the presentations. Will be available for use in classes Will be put in the library, so it can be checked out for personal viewing. 4

Additional ILT Events/Resources House of StudiesHouse of Studies: Topic -- 1 John: God’s Truth, Love & Joy in Action January 5-9 St. Paul’s House of Studies, El Paso, Texas Professor Timothy Rynearson, chair of pastoral theology, will lead students through the book of 1 John, the Epistle reading for the 2015 Easter Season. Word at Work Events Topic -- “Being Real, Being Christian: Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s Witness to Jesus Christ” Zion's Epiphany Speaker Series January 11-14, 2015 Dr. Jonathan Sorum ILT Opens Library Services to Pastors Word at Work Courses for Congregations Available Courses: Ten Commandments New Testament Survey Learning to Follow Upcoming Courses: Communication & Relationships 5

Zion’s Next Steps The Going Viral with the Gospel seminar provides Zion with content to help find and bring today’s “Sauls of Tarsus” to Christ! We do this by growing as disciples in Christ’s church. As disciples we witness the truth of Christ’s Gospel to our family, friends, and community. Zion’s Plans for using the Going Viral with the Gospel DVD We are planning to hold classes. The DVD will be put in the library to check out for your personal use. 6