Sunday, October 2, 2016, ABC7 Chicago.
For more than 20 years, a Chicago-based group of African American men and women have run an Africentric outdoor ministry program for inner city youth know as SIMBA (Safe in My Brother’s Arms). As a result, hundreds of at-risk children experience the beauty of the outdoors each summer, while also being immersed in a structured, loving community filled with positive role models and supportive affirmation.

Originally targeting young African American males, SIMBA soon gave rise to SIMSA, (Safe in My Sisters Arms). Eventually, SIMBA and SIMSA gave rise to Rescue, Release, and Restore, an organization dedicated to transforming self worth and empowering youth through leadership training, artistic expression and mentorship. In addition, a new worshiping community, Shekinah Chapel on Chicago’s south side was born and continues today as a thriving congregation affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

This summer, the organization branched out even further, launching a new initiative, MYLA, the Multicultural Youth Leadership Academy. MYLA offers young men and women a safe space where they are developed and refined as leaders for a multicultural world.

MYLA is a timely outreach happening amid the backdrop of continued urban gang violence and divisive national electoral campaign rhetoric that will challenge what you think about your politics and your faith, on the next Greater Chicago Broadcast Ministries Sanctuary, Sunday, October 2, 2016, ABC7 Chicago.

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There is something deeply gratifying about receiving a physical, hand written card or letter as appose to an email or social media text comment. Maybe it’s the 44 cent stamp? Maybe it’s the pen or pencil on actual paper? What ever it is, I like it. Thanks to all those who have written and shared your memories and ordered a DVD copy.

This documentary, “Seminex, Memories of a Church Divided” began back in 2003 when I was producing a documentary about the origins of the ELCA. Not being a Lutheran, the Seminex story was new to me then and we included Seminex as an important part of the larger story which covered the three predecessor bodies (ALC, LCA and AELC) the Commission for a New Lutheran Church, the Constituting Convention in Columbus, Ohio and much more.

At the time, I thought the Seminex story would make a great documentary. Of course, other things got in the way and the project did not immediately materialize. In 2007 I resigned my position as Associate Director of Communication and MOSAIC producer in the ELCA Department for Communication and launched my own production company. One of my clients, the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago asked me to record material for two separate theological conferences that included Seminex faculty and student reunions. This gave me an opportunity to record many of the interviews seen in the documentary. From there, I went on my own and recorded interviews with several scholars and a trip down to the Concordia Historical Institute in St. Louis. I half expected my request to review materials would be met with rejection. Just the opposite happened. The folks at CHI were warm, open and most helpful. This project would not have been possible without them.

Once again, the project stalled. I recorded a few interviews here and there. Then, this winter, things finally slowed down and I began to dust off the media drives that contained all the raw material. Over 1 terabyte of data! Shortly after the new year, the project was ready for release.

Order a DVD of the full, 42 minute documentary today for $19. Send your check to:

Tim Frakes Productions Inc.
2 South Park Ave
Suite 2C
Lombard, Illinois 60148

and I will personally ship you a DVD.  Include your shipping address.

On February 19, 1974, students and faculty at the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod’s St. Louis Concordia Seminary marched through the campus – out the doors of an institution, church body and well established educational system – and into self-described exile. This story begins in the 19th Century when a new method of Biblical interpretation known as the “historical-critical method”, tore many Protestant churches apart. Were Adam and Eve real people? Was Jonah actually swallowed by a fish? Or, did ancient authors reflect their own historical situation when addressing the people of their time and place?

For Missouri Synod Lutherans, the full impact of these theological debates and culturally conservative verses more modern world views came to a head decades after other church bodies had divided and drifted apart. The debate ruptured the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod at a time of vast American cultural and social upheaval: Viet Nam, the Civil Rights movement and Watergate.

For many students, faculty, administrators and Lutherans throughout North America, the events in St. Louis took a personal toll. The walkout would divide families, split congregations and have a lasting impact on the future of the church.

Interviews include John H. Tietjen, Herman Otten, Gerhard Bode, the grandson of Jacob Preus, author and historian Jim Burkee, and dozens of Seminex faculty and students.

The post Seminex Letters Pour In appeared first on Tim Frakes Productions.

Doug Haugen from Lutheran Men in Mission asked me to produce this promotional video for the summer 2014 LMM gathering in Nashville, Tennessee.

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Weaving a Global Neighborhood with Rick Steves was used in ELCA congregations to help Lutherans understand the idea of global accompaniment. In the script, Rick and Kevin write,

“Less can be more. Here, in a culture (like Papua New Guinea) where material satisfaction is less elusive, there’s more time for God’s work and for just being human. This road may be bumpy, but then there’s more to life than increasing its speed.

After eating with new friends in PNG, I’m reminded that those of us who use spoons and forks don’t have all the answers. Here in PNG, people paint their faces differently then we do. And they know it. The world is not a pyramid with the USA on top and everyone else trying to get there. Papua New Guineans may go to the United States to study or visit congregations but they wouldn’t swap passports with us. Our world is diverse and it will stay that way. It’s a family — but a multicolored and multifaceted family.

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The ELCA has made a commitment to encourage all members, from children to adults, to dig deeper into our book of faith, the Bible. The Book of Faith Initiative recommends a new model for the church. A grass-roots approach embracing a common vision in which all are invited to open scripture and join the conversation. Each community is encouraged to decide how the Book of Faith Initiative will become a vital part of its own ministry.

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It is inevitable that one day, Youtube itself will go away. It’s all chalk art in the end. Or, to get theological, we are dust, and to dust we shall return. Still, it’s nice to peak at the numbers once in a while.

Here is a link for programs I produced which are currently on the ELCA Youtube channel.
http://www.youtube.com/user/ELCAVideo/videos?view=0&sort=da&flow=grid
– Understanding Islam
– Understanding the Roman Catholic Church
– Introducing Jesus of Nazareth
– Opening the Door to Luther
– Lutheran Roots in America
– Holy Communion
– Introducing the New Testament
– Exorcism in Madagascar
– The Story of the ELCA
– The Holy Spirit
– Ready to Forgive: An African Story of Grace

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The Director of Liturgy and Dean of Augustana Chapel Dr. Ben Stewart pointed out that the liturgical function of the service was “much like the installation of a Pastor.” The service began with a procession of roughly 75 individuals representing various elements of the seminary community such as faculty, staff, students, alumni, directors, and other ecclesiastical and educational leaders. Rows and rows of brightly colored vestments streamed into the chapel in brilliant contrast to the light grey stonework. The tones of the Cantorei and organ music, under the directorship of Principal Musician Daniel Schwandt, brought the congregation to the purpose of their gathering.

Narrative by Christopher Anderson,
Editor of “The Door”
LSTC’s student newspaper

Videos by Tim Frakes
Tim Frakes Productions
www.frakesproductions.com

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Most recently, Vision agreed to distribute People of Faith: Christianity in America.  Here is a list of documentaries available for sale through Vision Video that I have produced for the Institute for the Study of American Evangelicals at Wheaton College and earlier in my career, through the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

People of Faith: Christianity in America
Is America now or has it ever been a Christian Nation?  What is the meaning of separation of church and state?  How can the church be a faithful Gospel witness in a pluralistic society?  What will the church look like in the future? People of Faith: Christianity in America brings perspective to these questions and more.

Saving the World?
In 1910 over a thousand Protestant missionaries, theologians and church leaders from around the world gathered in Edinburgh, Scotland for an unprecedented World Missionary Conference. Saving the World? chronicles the assumptions and expectations that Protestants carried into the 20th century and highlights some of the major — and unexpected — developments in the hundred years since that meeting in Scotland.

Glory to God Alone: The Life of J.S. Bach
In this video journey we are accompanied by Bach authorities including classical guitarist Christopher Parkening. They guide us through the development, personal crises, challenges, remarkable work output, and the compelling inner motivation of Bach and show why it was so important to the composer that his gifts be used for the glory of God alone.

Opening The Door to Luther with Rick Steves
Open the door to Martin Luther with public television travel host Rick Steves. He takes us to areas of Germany known as Lutherlands. From Eisleben, where Luther was born, to Wittenberg where he taught and preached, and to several other areas, we learn about the tumultuous events of the Reformation and the monk at the center of it all. We see how this Augustinian monk, who most wanted the quiet of a religious life, was thrust into the center of 16th-century world-shaking events.

The Morning Star of Wittenberg: The Life of Kaite Luther
This video documentary provides an intimate look at Katharina von Bora, former nun, 16th Century entrepreneur and wife of Martin Luther, father of the Protestant Reformation. It is an in-depth look at the life of the woman who helped Luther change the course of history. We learn how she coped with incredible demands and survived the continual onslaught of unpredictable developments.

Zamzam: A Missionary Odyssey
A gripping, true story of faith on the high seas from World War II. An old Egyptian liner carrying 144 missionaries, bound for mission work in Africa, was mistakenly shelled and sunk by a Nazi warship off the coast of South Africa. The passengers abandoned ship, and their precarious plight was filmed by two photographers who just happened to be on board. Here is their amazing — and some would insist, miraculous — story.

Lives Of The Apostles Paul And Peter
In these two programs, author and Public Television travel expert Rick Steves takes us on location to explore the lives of two great apostles.

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Peter Mayer, Little Flock Music, performs the opening and closing music.

The post Holy Baptism: An Introduction appeared first on Tim Frakes Productions.

Long Version

Metro Care Ring is a is a hunger relief organization that offers urgent food assistance and other items for stabilizing individuals and families in need. In addition to operating one of the largest food pantries in Denver, Metro CareRing provides help with utilities and transportation, and identification documentation. Utilizing over 160 ongoing volunteers and a small paid staff, Metro CareRing provides 131,698 services each year.

My friend, Pastor Ron Glusenkamp at Bethany Lutheran Church (ELCA Rocky Mountain Synod) asked me to produce this video. Bethany is a major supporter and partner with Metro Care Ring. Here is the blog promoting the 12-12-12 campaign to raise support for Metro Care Ring: http://give12give12tell12.blogspot.com/

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