Nebraska Synod ELCA
Event
In his book, The Kingdom, the Power and the Glory, author Tim Alberta brings his personal experience and his personal faith as an evangelical Christian to a critical examination of the alignment between most of American evangelicalism and the personality cult of former president Donald Trump. This thought-provoking book not only holds a magnifying glass before that slice of the American electorate; it holds a mirror up to any who proclaim a personal faith and who wrestle with what that means for participating in a civil society. This book and our discussion of it are not intended as merely a means for bashing an individual or a group. Rather, our intent is to wrestle with our role in accommodating such a radical shift within a portion of the Church, to critically review what we in the ELCA are bringing to this moment in our national history, and to discern together what we might do to counter the powerful and well-resourced forces that continue to drive us to ever-deeper polarization. Expect to be surprised, challenged and affirmed by the reading and the conversation.
Participants may find listening to the Fresh Aire interview with Terry Cross and Tim Alberta a helpful introduction to the book.
Rev. Brian Maas is Vice President for Mission & Spiritual Care at Immanuel, a Nebraska Synod Serving Arms ministry providing senior housing and healthcare as well as grant support for congregational ministries through its Immanuel Vision Foundation. He served as pastor of congregations in Tekamah, Kansas City and Lincoln and as bishop of the Nebraska Synod. He is married to Debbie, a therapist in private practice in Omaha. They have two adult children and a new grandson. Brian enjoys reading, writing, preaching, teaching, gardening, antique farm equipment and above all, time with family.
Target Audience:
This study is for those who are concerned about the increasing combativeness in America’s political sphere and the ways in which faith is weaponized in that combat. It’s for those who take their faith seriously and for those who are willing to dig deeply into the questions, “how did we get here?” and “where do we go from here?” It’s for those willing to engage respectfully in dialog, disagreement and discernment.
Course Details:
Dates: Fridays, September 20 and 27 and October 4 and 11
Time: 11:30 am-1:00 pm Central/10:30 am – 12:00 noon Mountain
Format: The Emmaus course is offered online using Zoom. A link and additional information will be sent to participants September 3, 2024
Materials: Participants need a copy of The Kingdom, the Power and the Glory: American Evangelicals in an Age of Extremism by Tim Alberta
Costs: $25.00/person
Participants are responsible for securing the book. Cost of the book is not included in the fee.
Registration Deadline: September 16, 2024
No refunds after September 2, 2024. This is an online course.
Please note: To ensure participants have opportunity to participate fully, the course has a minimum of 8 and a maximum of 15 registrations.
Continuing Education Credits: 6 hours of contact for 6 hours of continuing education credit (PMAs must follow PMA guidelines to receive credit)
Tim Alberta’s book, The Kingdom, The Power and The Glory, is a sobering read. But it has helped me gain an understanding of how Christian Nationalism has come to hold such power and influence in our time. I’m grateful that the synod made this study opportunity available. It is time for followers of Jesus’ Way to step up and BE the body of Christ in ways the world needs us to be. Read this book and take part in the conversation through Emmaus: Lifelong Learning.
– Diane Harpster