Family Week 9

Jesus as Culture Warrior

Peter addresses his first letter to “God’s chosen ones, strangers in the world.” Christians who once felt relatively “at home” in an American culture shaped largely by Judeo-Christian values, increasingly feel like “aliens and strangers” in a foreign and hostile land. But Peter also gives us crucial Christ- and cross-centered insights into how we can bear witness to the Gospel, faithfully and fruitfully as God’s people, even in the most challenging social and cultural circumstances.

Joel Lehenbauer, St. Louis, MO , Dean

Joel Lehenbauer has served for more than 20 years on the staff of the Commission on Theology and Church Relations of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. He speaks frequently throughout the synod on theological and societal issues facing the church. He is the theological advisor for the 2013 National Youth Gathering of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, the third time he has served in this role. This is his second opportunity to share his insights at Arcadia.

Five American Christians We Should Know

The history of Christianity in North America is a multi-faceted story of opportunities and challenges, conflict and competition, division and expansion. Yet, in our unique “marketplace” of religious ideas and movements, American Christianity has remained remarkably dynamic and influential – at personal, institutional, and societal levels. Key to such century-spanning resiliency have been leaders who emerged at crucial times to play important, transformative roles in the Kingdom of God. We will meet five such individuals together!

Kirk Farney, La Grange, IL, Lecturer

For more than 25 years, Kirk Farney worked as an international banker with J. P. Morgan Securities (and its predecessor firms), serving most recently as global head of asset-backed finance. In 2008, he stepped down from these duties to pursue a doctorate in American religious history at Notre Dame. In addition to this recent academic pursuit, Kirk holds an M.B.A. in Marketing (Northwestern), and a master’s degree in Historical Theology (Wheaton).