Date of Award
Winter 12-16-2025
Document Type
Major Applied Project
Degree Name
Doctor of Ministry (DMin)
Department
Practical Theology
First Advisor
Glenn Nielsen
Scripture References in this Resource
Luke 19:1-10; Luke 15:11-32; Luke 10:25-37; Luke 10:38-42; Luke 16:10-13
Abstract
Anderson, Luke J. “Authentic Relationships among the Body of Christ: Naming the Obstacles that Hinder Authentic Relationships and Expressing a Gospel-centered Path toward Overcoming Them.” Doctor of Ministry. Major Applied Project, Concordia Seminary, 2025. 157 pp.
St. Paul Lutheran Church in Grafton, Wisconsin, recently underwent a vision process in which they proposed five values to define their congregational living. One of these values is authentic relationships. Those who crafted this vision, as well as the entire body who adopted it, recognized this value as primarily aspirational in nature. While some relational connectedness existed, all sought to better define this value and more fully express it.
This project, therefore, intends to provide an answer to the question, “How can a sermon series, informed by secular and scriptural wisdom, better enable the people of St. Paul Lutheran Church to articulate the obstacles that hinder authentic relationships and express a Gospel-centered response toward building greater authentic relationships in the congregation?”
In order to answer this question, I researched five major obstacles that hinder authentic relationships: individualism, physical distance, convenience, time, and technology. Additionally, I explored biblical and theology resources to highlight a Gospel-centered solution to these obstacles. Upon compiling this data, I crafted a five-week sermon series and preached it during the 2025 Lenten season. Interviews were then conducted with members of the congregation to provide a response to the project question.
Recommended Citation
Anderson, Luke J., "Authentic Relationships Among the Body of Christ: Naming the Obstacles That Hinder Authentic Relationships and Expressing a Gospel-Centered Path Toward Overcoming Them" (2025). Doctor of Ministry Major Applied Project. 244.
https://scholar.csl.edu/dmin/244
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.
Included in
Biblical Studies Commons, Christian Denominations and Sects Commons, Christianity Commons, History of Christianity Commons, Liturgy and Worship Commons, Practical Theology Commons, Religious Thought, Theology and Philosophy of Religion Commons
