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Confessional Leaders Mrs.
Julia Diggs,
Eucharistic Minister, Mrs. Diggs brings the perspective of the inner city struggles of Black Americans to her ministry at East Liberty Lutheran. Her writings are insightful, as she describes and analyzes what the church needs to be doing to reach out to people in today's urban communities. Her contributions are invaluable to the Confessing Synod's strategy sessions. She doesn't mince words where actions for ministry are discussed and planned. Mrs. Diggs' faith has carried her through many adversities, and her devotion to her Lord and His work is an inspiration to us all. The
Rev. John Gropp, Pastor, The Gropp family's struggle to meet their Lutheran Bishop's challenge to their ministry to unemployed steel workers in the 1980's was featured in the documentary "The Fighting Ministers". Led by Pastor Gropp, hundreds of members and workers escorted the Bishop from Christ Lutheran Church, effectively stopping the Church's efforts to remove Pastor Gropp from his pastorate and possibly defrocking him. The Duquesne community was one of the communities hit hardest by the closing of the Mon Valley steel mills and the devastating affects continue to undermine the health and well being of the families of the area. Pastor Gropp has continued fighting for these families, involving the congregation in such important issues as the need for a new school system and the fostering relationships within the neighborhood. His personal style is a bend of warmth and humor that is a model of non-reaction. As he leads the struggle for legitimate assistance for the distressed and takes on the local power structures over community issues, he frustrates the efforts of those who stand in opposition. He has created a family development course that has benefited the families of his parish and, for the first time in the history of Christ Lutheran, Black residents are coming into relationship with the parish through the congregation's involvement in community issues. The
Rev. Beth L. Siefert, Pastor, Pastor Siefert has helped the members of a small parish in a forgotten part of Pittsburgh gain the attention of community leaders, politicians, and denominational officials, as they have worked together with community residents to address the needs of their neighborhood. There have been victories on a number of issues, from fighting for a desperately needed fire station to keeping the neighborhood from being designated a adult entertainment zone. Each battle has been led by lay people and residents of the community who were trained in strategic research and guided through the experience of confronting those people whose actions were a threat to the welfare of their community. From her experience with the DMS/DMX and the Confessing Synod, Pastor Siefert knows how to raise the right questions to challenge rigid thinking. She is not afraid to take strong action when the situation calls for it. She has helped lead challenges to the denomination at the regional and national level and she brings theological insight to the Confessing Synod Ministries. Pastor Siefert worked with the late Philip D. Long in producing the book, Basic Bible for Real People. Charles
Honeywell, Charles, a former college professor, has 28 years of experience teaching community organizing and leadership development. His approach emphasizes "learning through experience" and he has assisted hundreds of people through the experience of taking action for their communities. He teaches people how to win issues for their neighborhoods by paying attention to detail, taking time to develop sound strategy, and fostering allies. He is particularly skilled at conducting community research and specializes in developing actions that draw the opposition into overreacting, thus exposing their real agendas for all to see. Charles is a keen critic of the status quo and is not interested in protests or marches or being politically correct. His main interest is empowering people for the upbuilding of their families and communities as a witness to the power of the Gospel. Publicly known for his ability to stand toe to toe with such tough opponents as racketeers and politicians, privately, Charles is known by friends and associates for his loyalty, his warmth and his dedication to this ministry. The
Rev. David Honeywell, Pastor Honeywell is a retired teacher and former Baptist minister. His life's work has always involved the struggle for justice and it is that experience that he brings to our group. His personal struggles have made him sensitive to the struggles of others and he is always willing to put himself on the line for those in need. Pastor Honeywell contributes to and assists in editing (with his wife, Roberta) the Confessing Synod Newspaper. He is a committed proponent of the importance of prophetic ministry as a true reflection of the ministry of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He authored the article "What did Jesus Do" demonstrating that 70% of Jesus' ministry was prophetic in nature. Mary
Ann Novak, Mary Ann is a very progressive lay leader of Christ Lutheran Church in Duquesne. She is exceptionally creative and contributes her skills in writing, editing, and photography to the ministry of the Confessing Synod. Hailing from the early days of the DMS/DMX Mary Ann has been a vital force in our ministry from the beginning. She is particularly appreciated for her dogged questioning which results in clarity of thought and action. Her concern for others and her willingness to take risks on justice issues are born out of her own personal struggles. Those same struggles have helped her become an insightful teacher of the Parent Development Series at Christ Lutheran. The
Rev. Dr. Gale Tymeson, Dr. Tymeson's is appreciated for his biblical scholarship and the substance that he contributes to any theological discussion. His quiet style belies the poignancy of his questions and the depth of his commitment to prophetic ministry. He is a master of non-reaction and his steady, unflappable presence has lent stability to our ministry. Dr. Tymeson's insightful and learned perspective has been a great help to the other Confessing Synod leaders. The following people are past leaders of DMS/DMX and Confessing Synod. These men endured great personal sacrifice as they led actions, faced trials, and, for some, defrockings. Their work with us was a witness to America and to the world. They are now serving in other ministries across the U.S. The Rev. James Von Dreele is Executive Director of the Seamans Institute in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania The Rev. D. Douglas Roth is serving as a counselor in Nebraska. The
Rev. Daniel N. Solberg, Pastor
IN MEMORIAM Paul Himmelman Pastor Himmelman was a retired Lutheran minister from Washington, D.C. who played an instrumental role in the formation of the original DMS during the early 1980's. He had a clear vision of what the church ought to be and do. Pastor Himmelman firmly believed that the Church should stand for the oppressed in this world. When he took up the struggle of the steel workers when the mills were being closed down in Pittsburgh, he risked his ecclesiastical reputation and his livelihood. Philip D. Long Pastor Long was the theological voice of the DMS/DMX and Confessing Synod. His work in the urban community of East Liberty began when he was called to the pastorate of East Liberty Lutheran Church in the early 1970's. His commitment to a community based ministry led him to use his considerable skills in addressing issues that affected his people. He was a marvelous teacher and preacher. His abilities as a theologian and writer were instrumental in articulating the theological and moral positions undergirding the actions of the DMS/DMX in the 1980's. He also carved out the vision for a Confessional Church in America. Pastor Long challenged people's thinking, empowered them with the Gospel message, and helped them become workers in God's vineyard. He drew the unchurched from all walks of life and developed one of the few integrated parishes in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
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