2012 Family Camp
July 1-6, 2012
Bishop David Zellmer & Dr. Anna Madsen & Paul Tietjan
Topic: Biblical Rifts or Biblical Riffs? Interpreting the Bible Reverently and Relevantly.
We have heard and know Bible stories. But what does one do with them? What if what I think a story means is different than what my neighbor in the pew thinks it means, which happens to be different than what my neighbor on the street thinks it means? What happens if even theologians disagree? What do Bible stories mean, in the end? Come this week to hear Bishop Dave Zellmer and Rev. Dr. [that's for you, Dave] Anna Madsen talk Bible and theology. Taking a handful of texts, we'll consider the art of Biblical interpretation, and how it can broaden and deepen your faith and your life.
Bishop David B. Zellmer has served congregations across South Dakota for more than a quarter of a century. A graduate of Luther Seminary, St. Paul, Minnesota, Zellmer was ordained in 1981 and began his ministry in Aberdeen, South Dakota. Wherever he has served, he has earned a reputation for reaching out to the community as a whole, not just to Lutheran congregations, and for his presence in both civic and religious arenas. Bishop Zellmer has been a participant in Outlaw Ranch Family Camp for over twenty years; he now comes to camp with his children and grandchildren.
Rev. Dr. Anna Madsen is an ordained Lutheran pastor with a Ph.D. in systematic theology from the University of Regensburg, Germany. After experiencing profound loss in her own life, Madsen realized that there is a need for a safe place to inquire about matters of religious conviction. In response, Madsen started OMG: Center for Theological Conversation. OMG is for those who seek to explore questions about faith, religion, the Bible, and God; those who share the belief that faith and questioning are entirely compatible; those who wonder about God and suffering, loneliness, history, politics, doubt, world religions, biblical interpretation, addictions, science, families, grief, truth, poverty, divorce, art, agnosticism, atheism, personal finances…and who want to talk about it; those who seek the possibility of some answers, assuredly responses. Madsen lives in Sioux Falls, SD with her two children Else and Karl and her husband Dr. Reynold Nesiba.
Paul Tietjenhas been sharing music with congregations, camps, and youth events all over the United States for the past 14 years. Formerly a youth director, he is currently a musician and graphic designer. Paul’s favorite part about music ministry is the people that he meets as he travels. Paul and his wife, Danielle, are leaders of the Haiti Mission Project (HMP). Through partnerships, HMP supports Haitians working to help other Haitians through orphanages, hospitals, education programs, and trade schools in Haiti while connecting people in America with opportunities to give and serve. http://haitimissionproject.org. He lives in Minneapolis, MN, with his wife and two children.
July 8-13, 2012
Pastor Kris Linner & James Hersch & David Lee Brown
Topic: Jesus, The Storyteller
Jesus was a masterful storyteller. He captivated crowds and changed lives with his ability to use examples of everyday life to explain the Kingdom of God. By looking at the parables of Jesus, we will explore how Jesus, the storyteller, impacts our daily lives.
Pastor Kris Linner is an ELCA pastor who has worked as a chaplain in various settings including hospitals, long term care and hospice with an expertise in helping people through the transitions of dying and grief. Pastor Kris currently serves as the bereavement coordinator at St. Jude Hospice in Oakdale, MN. Pastor Kris loves to use stories as she teaches others about grief. She also loves to write stories. She is the author of two books, My Brother Dave, Living through the Death of a Loved One and Women and the Word.
James Hersch and David Lee Brown are long time Family Camp musicians and friends. They are teaming up this week to offer an amazing musical journey for all ages!
James Hersch has a rare mixture of straight-forward musical talent, humor and sensitivity that allows him to create songs that speak to what is common in all of us. James, a native Minnesotan, has eight album credits to his name and has been nominated National NACA Coffeehouse Entertainer of the Year several times as well as a finalist at the international Kerrville Folk Festival. James and his 'REACH' program received the 1997 Harry Chapin Award for Contributions to Humanity from the National Association for Campus Activities. www.reachwithme.com
David Lee Brown has a long history with LOSD starting in 1979 as a counselor and working at all the camps. Most notably, he has provided musical leadership through Dakota Road music and was integral in starting the Artist in Residence program at Outlaw Family Camp. He has been on the SD Arts Council's Touring Arts and Artist in Residence roster. David and his wife, Lisa, live just one mile down the road from Outlaw Ranch.
July 15-20, 2012
Dr. Ken Sundet Jones & River's Voice
Topic: The Lutheran Toolbox
Trying to understand your place in God’s creation can be hard work: Who are you? What’s your purpose? What is God up to here? What does Jesus have to do with it all? Martin Luther’s way of thinking provides some handy tools that can clear things up. This week we’ll grab hold of a few and play around with them – even some divine power tools like Law and Gospel, Vocation and Justification. With a little training you’ll be able to work the tools and become more than an apprentice at faith.
Dr. Ken Sundet Jones is Professor and Chair of Philosophy and Religion at Grand View University, an ELCA college in Des Moines, Iowa. He has served congregations in South Dakota and Iowa and has published numerous reviews, articles and translations. He has no interest in being a boring academic and loves connecting the Gospel with life in the trenches. This will be Ken’s fifth year as a resource person, part of his 40-year history with Outlaw Ranch.
River's Voice is comprised of Trish and Richard Bruxvoort Colligan, independent musicians and leaders from Strawberry Point, Iowa. Trish is a spiritual director, trained in St. Paul, MN. She currently directs her own training program, Spirations Institute for Interspiritual Formation. Richard is a publisher of post-modern worship songs, liturgist, and worship leader at First Lutheran Church in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. This will be their 12th summer at Outlaw. http://www.riversvoice.com/
July 22-27, 2012
Dr. Jacqueline Bussie & Nate Houge
Topic: Christian Life, Laughter, and World Religions in the 21st Century
In the 21st century, responsible Christians face numerous challenges, including how to live and love creatively in a religiously diverse world, as well as in a world where suffering abounds. Interactive discussion and lectures will focus on the following questions: What should Christians know about other world religions? What, for example, do Christians and Muslims have in common, and Christians and Buddhists? Why is it important to understand the similarities and differences between world religions, and not rely solely on media depictions? How can we better understand our religious neighbors? What can we learn from other religions about laughter and its role in our spiritual life? How is laughter necessary to our lives of faith, and how can laughter help us cultivate hope in a world of hurt?
Dr. Jacqueline Bussie, Associate Professor of Religion at Concordia College and Director of the Forum on Faith and Life, teaches and publishes in the areas of theology, problem of evil studies, Christian ethics, and faith and public life. She has traveled with students extensively on global service-learning trips to South Africa, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and the Dominican Republic. Her first book The Laughter of the Oppressed (2007) was the winner of the national Trinity Prize. Jacqueline is a life-long Lutheran, a supply pastor of the ELCA, an award-winning teacher, and the president of the Midwest American Academy of Religion. Her passions include interfaith dialogue, running, reading, traveling, ballroom dance with her husband, and of course, laughing.
Nate Houge provocative roots, rock style hits on themes of redemption, social justice, relationships, and unconditional love, all delivered with understated insight and a casual sense of humor. His ability to engage an audience serves him well as his venues range from church to club, from coffee house to preschool. In fact, his record is doing three of those four in two states and three cities, in an eight hour span. Yep. In the last few years Nate has released three albums highlighting his work as a performing singer songwriter, congregational song leader, and children's musician. Nate also writes Sunday School, VBS, and other materials for Augsburg Fortress and Sparkhouse. He lives in St. Paul, MN with his wife, Jodi, who is a pastor and their daughter. http://natehouge.com/
July 29-August 3, 2012
Dr. David Lose & Tangled Blue
Topic: Learning to Read Ourselves into Scripture
Would you be surprised to discover that you are one of the main characters in the Bible? That may sound hard to believe, since the Bible tells stories of people and events that happened thousands of years ago. But it's true nevertheless, as the main point of Scripture is to encounter you with the claims and promises of the living God. Join us as we learn how to read the Bible in a way that draws us into the ongoing story of God's work to love, bless, and save the whole world.
Dr. David Lose is the Director of the Center for Biblical Preaching at Luther Seminary where he also teaches with amazing students and colleagues and, once upon a time, served as Academic Dean. He is the author of Making Sense of the Christian Faith (2010), Making Sense of Scripture (2009), and Confessing Jesus Christ: Preaching in a Postmodern World (2003). Dr. Lose speaks throughout the US and abroad on preaching, leadership, Christian faith in a postmodern world, and Biblical interpretation. But his favorite thing to do is hang out with his family in St. Paul, MN, where he can play tennis, cross-country ski, mourn the fate of the Vikings, or get wrapped up in a game of Settlers of Catan with his kids.
Tangled Blue (Joel & Aimee Pakan) have a unique sound that incorporates two-part vocals, Latin and electronic percussion, as well as acoustic and electronic guitars. Their music was created largely in front of audiences, so it is designed to engage the listener. Hearing these troubadours in concert with their infectious melodies is an experience the listener won’t soon forget. Self described “church geeks”, they have been writing musical pieces to renew the liturgy and song of the church. Check out Joel and Amiee at www.tangledblue.com
August 5-10, 2012
Karoline Lewis & Dakota Road
Topic: "The Book of Revelation: Final Tribulation or Testament to Hope?"
The book of Revelation is the most misunderstood book in the Bible, yet for its first readers it was a book of profound faith. This Bible study will dispel the myths and misinterpretations that surround the last book of the Bible and help us to hear Revelation as a message of hope even today.
Dr. Karoline M. Lewis is Assistant Professor of Preaching at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, MN. She received her PhD in New Testament with an emphasis in homiletics from Emory University in Atlanta. She is a regular contributor to the “Sermon Brainwave” podcast on workingpreacher.org. As a teacher of preachers, Dr. Lewis believes that those who will stand in the pulpits of the future church need to renew their trust in the Bible. She believes ta Biblical text ought to be something more than a jumping-off point to doctrine or other topics in a sermon. She says, "I think the future of homiletics is Biblical preaching and being able to interpret Biblical texts into the lives of congregations so that the text becomes the shaping, forming, living word of God that I think it's meant to be." A native Californian and a lifelong Lutheran from a family full of pastors, including both her parents, she now resides in the Twin Cities with her husband, who is a pastor, and their two sons.
Dakota Road (Larry Olson & Karol Baer) has become known nationally for their stirring original music and playful performance style. They craft powerful stories of life and faith woven in colorful musical styles ranging from acoustic ballads to rocking anthems. Their songs of struggle and hope connect with people of all ages and walks of life. Individually and as a band Dakota Road has released over fifteen recordings with many of their songs being sung all across the U.S. & beyond. Their songs, ranging from sacred to silly, touch people of all ages and walks of life. www.dakotaroadmusic.com
