|
Post by stlvufan on Aug 11, 2008 21:17:12 GMT -5
I disagree that more conservative schools, such as Wheaton, are on the fringe. I think a good case could be made that it is the ECLA, by virtue of its position on gay marriage, that is on the fringe. Certainly the substantial loss of membership the ELCA has experienced over the past several years would suggest many of its own members have decided the church's position on gay marriage is not mainstream. (Although many ELCA higher ups give several possible explanations for membership defection, they rarely--if ever--consider the possibility that its position on gay marriage is a reason.) Paul There are already denominations that have declared gay marriage as something which enjoys God's blessing. Compared to the MCC for example (unless I'm remembering incorrectly), the ELCA is considered rather tardy and not yet joining the movement (just sort of peering in the door to see how it looks). The ELCA has historically been wishy-washy if anything. Certainly there has been a faction within the leadership that has been pushing hard for acceptance, but at the end of the day, the ELCA -- if anything -- has tried to have its cake and eat it too for the most part, hardly a definitive stance.
|
|
|
Post by agibson on Aug 12, 2008 2:23:30 GMT -5
I went on the internet and learned that in March of this year the ELCA indicated that if the government supports gay marriage, so should the church. ELCA head guy Mark Hanson has suggested recently that those who want to secure our borders and end illegal immigration are "biblically illiterate." See Christian Newswire, March 13, 2008, at Christiannewswire.com. Interestingly, the ELCA has also experienced a substantial decline in membership, while fundamental churches have seen an increase in membership. Why does VU want to strengthen its ties with the ELCA? What do stand to gain? And what do we stand to lose? Paul Hi Paul- What ELCA policy are you referring to? The ELCA's been moving fairly slowly and deliberately on sexuality issues. They've been talking about them for some years now. They've been awaiting the conclusion of an internal study on human sexuality. They don't have any ELCA-wide sanction of same-sex blessings, they haven't developed or published any liturgies, etc, etc. Frankly, the ELCA's a pretty big tent. There are plenty in the ELCA who, on the conservative-liberal spectrum, would fit comfortably in the LCMS. So, wary of some sort of fission (like the LCMS, and many earlier Lutheran bodies have experienced), the ELCA's moving slowly. Sure, the ELCA's membership has been declining. So has the LCMS'. So has pretty much every other historical protestant church in the US. For the lutheran churches, a lot of it has to do with demographic trends. People are moving out of the traditional Lutheran strongholds. There are a lot of Lutheran parishes in the Dakotas, in Nebraska, probably in Missouri, that are greying quickly (well, they're probably grey already, now maybe they're combining into multi-point parishes and wondering how long they'll keep their doors open). Their grandkids live in other states. Or else have left the church. What does Valpo have to gain by reaching out the ELCA? One thing is sheer numbers. The ELCA is twice the size of the LCMS. Do some ELCA kids come to Valpo? Sure. Does Valpo have the name recognition in the ELCA it does in the LCMS? No. The ELCA does a fair job of publicizing its dozens of church affiliated colleges and universities. Valpo's left out of that - so it has to work on its own to reach out to the same potential students. There are historical ties as well. Valpo people have a lot to do with the whole Seminex - AELC side of Lutheranism, which of course has a lot to do with the ELCA. Valpo also has a lot to offer the ELCA. I don't know all of the ELCA colleges - there are dozens, many of them smaller. But, Valpo's better academically than many (most?) of them. Certainly better athletically. And, Valpo's Christian, Lutheran, and religious component seems much more present in university and student life than is the case at some (many? most?) of the historically ELCA schools.
|
|
|
Post by vu72 on Aug 12, 2008 7:28:27 GMT -5
There are a lot of Lutheran parishes in the Dakotas, in Nebraska, probably in Missouri, that are greying quickly (well, they're probably grey already, now maybe they're combining into multi-point parishes and wondering how long they'll keep their doors open). Their grandkids live in other states. Or else have left the church. Actually agibson, the most Lutherans live in Minnesota. This may shock you all but there as as many Lutherans as Catholics in the Twin Cities! My congregation (ELCA) is certainly not declining. In the suburb of Eden Prairie there are FIVE Lutheran churches. One LCMS, one Wisconsin and three ELCA. This is fertile ground. When I have done Lutheran college fairs here in the Twin Cities I feel like a "rock star" at times! Kids and parents are lined up to find out more about Valpo! We need to close those deals! If Valpo is percieved as the Notre Dame of Lutheranism thenkids should aspire to go to Valpo first and then, if they can't get in, "settle" for another Lutheran school. Valpo has a national reputation unmatched by any other Lutheran college. This is because of a combination of academics and athletic publicity. One of the primary issues remains cost and Valpo is clearly one of the least costly. However we need to do more via scholarships and that relates to the endowment. Expect a push to raise the endowment level up in the next few years. How some of the LCMS schoos will survive with endowments in the 20-40 million level is a mystery to me. Edited to fix quote.
|
|
|
Post by okinawatyphoon on Aug 16, 2008 14:44:43 GMT -5
Looking at the webcam, it appears that Chapel Drive between the Christopher Center and the new Union has been repaved. Is there any more new news within the past couple weeks? I can't wait to go back to Valpo next weekend. The North Loop Road project should have started, or start soon.
|
|
|
Post by okinawatyphoon on Aug 18, 2008 11:34:27 GMT -5
Speaking of the new Union... www.post-trib.com/news/1112602,vunion.article Union not quite ready for students VALPARAISO -- Contrary to popular rumor, the new Student Union at Valparaiso University will not open early. The building is on schedule to open this January, though, school officials say, and is far enough along students will get to see it free of almost all the former construction gates when they come back for school. "If you were to walk through it today, you would be asking 'can we move into it next week?'" Fred Plant, executive director of facilities management, said. "For the casual observer, it looks like it's very nearly done." The majority of the work on the outside of the $74 million building is finished, with about 5 percent left, Larry Mosher, director of the union, said. .........
|
|
|
Post by vufan75 on Aug 18, 2008 12:51:18 GMT -5
Looking at the webcam, it appears that Chapel Drive between the Christopher Center and the new Union has been repaved. Is there any more new news within the past couple weeks? I can't wait to go back to Valpo next weekend. The North Loop Road project should have started, or start soon. I hope it was repaved, but, given the high cost of oil and related products like asphalt, maybe it was just sealcoated?
|
|
|
Post by okinawatyphoon on Aug 23, 2008 15:01:16 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by unionguy on Aug 24, 2008 12:58:43 GMT -5
The outside is looking great as is the inside. Moving right along. I would say we are 6-70 % complete. Both dinging area are really moving along and coming together. They began putting in the new Welcome Desk this week and they are almost finished. They are completing the installation of the floor in the Atrium Lobby. It will be a great building when completed. Thanks for the posting of the up to date pictures. You all will be proud.
|
|