EASTERN CLUSTER OF LUTHERAN SEMINARIES SELECTS DONALD G. JOHNSON TO HELP SEMINARIES "RE-CONNECT"

(Gettysburg, PA) The Eastern Cluster of Lutheran Seminaries (Cluster) has named Donald G. Johnson, of Freedom, New Hampshire, to lead a five year project to help expand the number of graduating college students considering a seminary education and a vocation as a church leader.

Johnson will direct the project, entitled "Connect: Calling Leaders for a Changing World" which is designed to help the church address a growing rate of pastoral vacancies in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). He will be working with the three seminaries of the cluster, which includes Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg, The Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia, and Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary. And at least a dozen other partners—colleges, campus ministries, camps and outdoor ministries, and social ministry organizations—plus the 22 synods of the ELCA’s regions 7, 8 and 9 will be involved.

Johnson has served as the executive director of Calumet Lutheran Camp and Conference Center, Freedom, NH, since 1970 and has supervised the New England Synod’s camp development from a small summer-only program to become one of the premier year round Lutheran outdoor ministry centers in the ELCA. Johnson has worked extensively in the leadership development of more than 200 young adults annually in seasonal camping staff, many of whom have continued in church vocations, especially pastoral ministry.

The planning and interview team included Virginia Lee Kretschmer, a young adult from Columbia, SC, considering a seminary education. She said that Don Johnson impressed her as "the kind of person who makes people feel like they matter by just a hand shake and a warm hello. I know Don will do an amazing job and look forward to seeing the work he does for this grant."

Johnson, who serves on the Associate in Ministry roster of the ELCA, said "I am thoroughly excited by the opportunity to serve the church in this way. ‘Project Connect’ will make a profound impact on the life of the ELCA for years to come." He added, "To provide leadership for such an important project is an honor and I am grateful for this opportunity."

Funded by a major grant from the Lilly Endowment, Inc., under its "Making Connections" initiative, Project "Connect" will involve a wide range of activities designed to identify and cultivate persons who might serve as future leaders in various forms of ministry, with a primary focus on ordained ministry for congregational service. The cluster represents three of 20 schools to receive awards in this initiative. The theological school programs include highly collaborative components to nourish a new "ecology of ministry" that is developing among those responsible for the quality and care of congregations – pastoral leaders, parishioners, theological schools, colleges and universities, parents, denominational officials, and other agencies that serve churches.

Michael Cooper-White, President of Gettysburg Seminary and Executive Director of the Cluster, said "Don Johnson brings a wealth of experience in working with the people with whom we seek widened and deepened connections." Cooper-White added "Don has been building these kinds of networks across the church for decades in developing skilled young adults in outdoor ministry settings. This appointment feels so right for the Cluster."

Johnson, will begin working with the "Connect" project May 1, 2005, and for at least the first year, continue to live in Freedom, NH, where he lives with his wife, Janet.