News Archives - 2008

Christensen Symposium focuses on citizenship and discipleship

What power can an individual have in a world of 6.5 billion people? Augsburg College encourages us all to consider the power of vision in a world of tension. The 2008-2009 convocation series offers an opportunity to hear today's outstanding leaders and visionaries who engage us in conversations that contribute to making the world a safer place for future generations.

This is the ninth annual series incorporating long-standing endowed and special programs of Augsburg College. The first convocation of the year is the Bernhard M. Christensen Symposium with lectures on October 6 and 7. The speaker is Martha E. Stortz, author and professor of historical theology and ethics at Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary/The Graduate Theological Union. Stortz will speak on "Costly Discipleship: Forgiveness as a Practice" and "Costly Citizenship: Regarding the Other in a Culture of Fear."

Stortz holds a BA from Carleton College and completed her MA and PhD at the University of Chicago. She serves on leadership team for the Wabash Center for Teaching and Learning, the Northern California Kaiser Permanente Institutional Review Board and the Augsburg Fortress Board, as well as the editorial boards for Dialog, Word and World, and the online journal for Lutheran ethics. She is also the author of "The Beatitudes: Compass for Christian Discipleship," a nine-month series in Lutheran Woman Today starting in September, 2008.

The Christensen Symposium is the first event in the series and was established by an endowment in 1990 honoring former Augsburg president Bernhard M. Christensen. The symposium reflects and reinforces his commitment to academic integrity, the Christian Gospel, and a mutually supportive relationship with the church community. The five lessons we learn from Bernhard M. Christensen include:

• Christian faith liberates minds and lives
• Diversity strengthens vital communities
• Interfaith friendships enrich learning
• The love of Christ draws us to God
• We are called to service in the world

The 2008 Bernard M. Christensen Symposium

Hoversten Chapel, Foss Center

October 6, 7:30 p.m.

"Costly Discipleship: Forgiveness as a Practice"

October 7, 11 a.m.

"Costly Citizenship: Regarding the Other in a Culture of Fear"

 

Class Schedule

Tuesday, October 7

1st Period 8:00-9:20

2nd Period 9:30-10:50

Convocation 11:00-12:00

3rd Period 12:10-1:20

Remaining classes follow regular schedule. See the Registrar's website for the complete 2008-2009 Convocation Class Schedule.