VOLUME xur NUMBER :‘ Published by Augsbu rg College and Theological Seminary. Minneapolis. Minnesota. A Lutheran BULLETIN MARCH 1951 A Letter from President Christensen to all Alumni Dear Augsburg Alumnus: Today, as is well known to most of us, the colleges of Our country are facing grave... Show moreVOLUME xur NUMBER :‘ Published by Augsbu rg College and Theological Seminary. Minneapolis. Minnesota. A Lutheran BULLETIN MARCH 1951 A Letter from President Christensen to all Alumni Dear Augsburg Alumnus: Today, as is well known to most of us, the colleges of Our country are facing grave difficulties, caused by the international situation. Reduced enrollments plus inflation have added to previous financial stringencies to produce a real "crisis in the colleges.” As a result, all the private and church colleges are appealing to their alumni and friends to come to their help in a special way at a critical time. As these lines are being written, the government has announced a new policy which will probably permit many more young men to remain in college next year. For this we are grateful. But for the present year, the situation remains unchanged; and almost everywhere there are dangerously unbalanced budgets. One educational leader has estimated that the Lutheran colleges will be short on an average of from $20,000 to $70,000 for the year’s operations. At Augsburg we shall need approximately $20,000 to $25,000. The Augsburg Foundation is our channel for alumni giving to current expenses. It is the work- ing arm of the Alumni Association. Regular memberships cost $10 per year,- but gifts are gladly received in any amount. And every gift is a real lift in this time of need. We deeply appreciate the efforts being put forth by many Alumni in this project, which will help carry Augsburg through another difficult period. The Church does its part year by year. It is an additional inspiration now again to sense the rallying support also of the alumni group. It is planned to begin soon regular Foundation meetings far united prayer and counsel among Augsburg friends for the purpose of solving Augsburg’s problems. All who can are cordially in- vited to participate. The first session will be announced at the Twin Cities Foundation Rally to be held in April. We need one another more than ever today. There is a great work to be done for Christ in Education at Augsburg. The times challenge each of us today as perhaps never before, to both deeper understanding and deeper commitment to the service of our country and of all mankind. Let us give of our best to the cause that unites us! Yours for Augsburg, (5mm MM BERNHARD CHRISTENSEN Show less
Institutional Chaplaincy Service ALEXANDER BORREVIK, Institutional Chaplain The work of the Chaplaincy Department of the Lutheran Welfare Society of Minnesota has become well known to the Lutherans of this aiea since its activities were accelerated by the appointment of Rev. Frederick Norstad to... Show moreInstitutional Chaplaincy Service ALEXANDER BORREVIK, Institutional Chaplain The work of the Chaplaincy Department of the Lutheran Welfare Society of Minnesota has become well known to the Lutherans of this aiea since its activities were accelerated by the appointment of Rev. Frederick Norstad to the directorship of the department in 1949. In addition to training Lutheran pastors to serve as hospital chaplains in larger urban areas of Minnesota, Mr. Narstad is also giving clinical training to others who Will be serving in the state hospitals for the mentally ill. Rev. Aleyander Borrevik, an alumnus of Augsburg College and Seminary, is one of the chaplains serving through Lutheran Wel— fare Society. His work consists in serving Lutherans in the hospitals, sanitariums, and correctional institutions of the Duluth area. In the article which follows, Mr. Borrevik gives an insight into the reason for the need of such service and the type of training required. —E. T. “General cure of souls seems at times about as eHective as putting drops into a patient‘s ey es from a third-story window . . . Unless we come to the ground floor with our 'drops“ and get new life into our personal cure of souls, it is very evident that the people at large will be left with- out our ministry." So writes E. G. Culien, Bishop of Tampere. Finland. What pastor hasn't felt his inadequacy in dealing with the people who have special needs? It may be an emotionally disturbed child in the parish. Often it is the family in which there is an inadequate r'llild. or it may be a mentally ill person. In every com- munity there are multitudes of alcoholics who need the friendship and constructive help of a counsellor. Occa- sionally an unwed mother finds herself desperately in need of counselling and sympathetic understanding. Then there is the delinquent youth, probably the fruit of a broken home, who needs help. In every congregation there are a number of repressed persons who find them- selves in deep water continually because of a fundamental lack of knowing and directing their own normal drives. These and many more people with special needs must be reached by the resources of the Gospel. And what Chris- tian worker hasn't felt his helplessness in being able to properly minister to his people? it has been stated. erroneously or otherwise. that many Christian ministers have been living so exclusively in the atmosphere of the church that they have failed to acquaint themselves with the realms of darkness and the depths of human depravity. Their feet are, so to speak. not on the ground. Their understanding of people-—their deeper motivations and difficulties. their strengths and weak- nesses is inadequate. Accordingly they fail to meet the deeper needs of troubled souls. A tremendous challenge has come to the church of late. Leading doctors and psychiatrists are recognizing the tre- mendous resources of religion and are asking that clin- ically trained men of God make their contribution to the rehabilitation of people ‘in physical or mental illnesses. The term "psychosomatic medicine". used freely of late. Rev. Alexander Borrevik means that man is not just chemistry. Man’s illness is not purely maladjusted chemicals. It may be that, but it very likely hinges on nialadjusted thinking or lack of faith and peace of soul. Often guilt feelings or terrific hostility in a patient bring about physical or mental illness. The doctor or psychiatrist working together with the chaplain or pastor minister to the total personality. Jesus said again and again. “Peace be unto you". This peace which is the fruit of being in tune with God is recognized as of great value by leading scientific men today. We are try- ing to meet this great challenge by adding to our semin- aries special courses in pastoral clinical training. Augs- burg. Luther. and Northwestern Theological seminaries are conducting such courses under the able and inspiring leadership of Chaplain Frederic Norstad, Chief of Chap- laincy Services of the Lutheran Welfare Society of Min- nesota. The Minnesota Mental Health Chaplaincy train- ing is also under his able direction. May the Lord bless us as we continue to bring the love and healing of Christ to our many brethren who have special needs. (- ’o’ooooo”o'ooo'oooo~~'m~"~'-~ Annual Alumni Banquet, Thurs., May 31, Nokomis Heights Lutheran Church i l l t t \ \ \ t t l t t t c "OnooomOOONON'W'mW AUGSBURG BULLETIN Published bi-monthly and one additional issue in April by Augsburg College and Theological Seminary at Minneapolis, Minnesota, tinteer as second-class matter March 21, 1947 at the post office .1! Minneapolis, Minnesota. Vol. Xll. No. 2 MARCH. 1951 Show less
