The Synod of the West
The Synod of the West

Author: H. Gene Straatmeyer

Publisher: Trafford Publishing

Published: 2016-06-27

Total Pages: 423

ISBN-13: 1490774181

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In the mid 19th century many Germans migrated to the Midwestern United States. Many of them were influenced by the Reformation as well as the theology of John Calvin. When many of them settled in Illinois, Wisconsin, Missouri, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska and South Dakota, Adrian Van Vliet, a minister of First Presbyterian Church in Dubuque, Iowa made it his mission to train ministers for these new immigrants. Out of this effort came the University of Dubuque and the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary. A second result was the banding together of 85 churches who formed the German speaking Synod of the West under the authority of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA). For nearly 47 years these churches reached out to the new immigrants and acted as an agent of change to not only evangelize them but also to introduce them into the American way of life and the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) This is the story of that 47 year journey, from 1912 1959. Layout and Photographs by Jean E. Straatmeyer

The Broadening Church
The Broadening Church

Author: Lefferts A. Loetscher

Publisher: University of Pennsylvania Press

Published: 2016-11-11

Total Pages: 208

ISBN-13: 151280374X

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The far-reaching social and intellectual changes in the United States since the Civil War have had a definite effect upon the religious thought of American churches. In this volume, a distinguished scholar and theologian has undertaken an inductive study of theological issues in one of the major denominations, the Presbyterian church in the United States of America. Since this church was in the thick of the social and intellectual ferment that changed the living and thinking habits of Americans, much that transpired in it finds broad parallels in other leading American churches. Thus, the story of the Presbyterian church is, in essence, a kind of theological barometer of American history. Avoiding sweeping generalizations, Lefferts A. Loetscher briefly traces the history of the Presbyterian church from its founding by New England Puritans on Long Island in the 1640s to the disruption of 1837 and the "wedding day" of Old School and New School Presbyterians in 1870, following the reunion of 1869. From this point, he examines in detail the development of the church, analyzing the controversies that occurred over the years, interpreting the various theological issues that led to disputes.

Growing Young
Growing Young

Author: Kara Powell

Publisher: Baker Books

Published: 2016-09-20

Total Pages: 336

ISBN-13: 1493405829

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Unleashing the Passion of Young People in Your Church Is Possible! Churches are losing both members and vitality as increasing numbers of young people disengage. Based on groundbreaking research with over 250 of the nation's leading congregations, Growing Young provides a strategy any church can use to involve and retain teenagers and young adults. It profiles innovative churches that are engaging 15- to 29-year-olds and as a result are growing--spiritually, emotionally, missionally, and numerically. Packed with both research and practical ideas, Growing Young shows pastors and ministry leaders how to position their churches to engage younger generations in a way that breathes vitality, life, and energy into the whole church. Visit www.churchesgrowingyoung.org for more information.