BRIAN A.F. BECKSTROM

2410 1st Ave NW, Waverly, IA 50677 | 319-290-2584 | brianafbeckstrom@gmail.com

EDUCATION

Luther Seminary, St. Paul, MNDoctor of Ministry, Congregational Mission and Leadership (In Progress)

Luther Seminary, St. Paul, MNMaster of Divinity

Gustavus Adolphus College, St. Peter, MNBA, Magna Cum LaudeReligion & Political ScienceSenior Thesis: “Civil Religion: A Theological Renewal of American Identity and Destiny.” - Selected as Best Senior Thesis by the Religion Department Faculty

AWARDS

Pastor Trachte Award for Service, Wartburg College – Outstanding Administrative Staff Award, Wartburg College – Plymouth Center Fellow 2010, 2014Selected for Wartburg College Germany Heritage Tour 2009 -2010Paul Hedin Award for Team Leadership, Gustavus Swimming & Diving 1996 - 1997George Hall Award, Top Religion Thesis, Gustavus Adolphus College –

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

Wartburg College, Waverly IAAdjunct Instructor - Inquiry Studies 101: Leading on PurposeDeveloped and taught a First Year student seminar focused on vocation and leadership.

Adjunct Instructor – Church Leadership After ChristendomRedeveloped and taught a course preparing students for a career in ministry.

Adjunct Instructor – Spiritual but not ReligiousDeveloped and taught a faith and reflection course focusing on the changing nature of religious affiliation.

RELATED EXPERIENCE

Wartburg College, Waverly IACampus Pastor – Primary responsibilities: Wednesday evening Eucharist worship service, redeveloping faith formation process, developing and supervising digital ministry, worship planning and preaching, redeveloping Campus Ministry Student Leadership Team, Pastoral Care, Spiritual and Vocational direction, participating on various campus committees and initiatives.

Wartburg College Leadership Working GroupFellow – Serve on the working group that directs leadership education on campus as well as serving as an instructor in the Leadership program.

Community of Grace Lutheran Church, Peoria AZ 2006-2009Associate PastorServed a newly organized mission congregation as Associate Pastor. Primary responsibilities: Worship planning and leadership, Preaching, supervised Youth and Family Ministry staff.

Gustavus Adolphus CollegeDirector of Church RelationsResponsible for day to day operations of the Office of Church Relations and the Gustavus Association of Congregations. Duties including managing the Church Relations Budget, Revamping and

PAGE 2

coordinating continuing education opportunities, hosting conferences, managing a retreat center, and helping secure a grant for supporting area clergy. Left position to return to Seminary.

Gustavus Adolphus CollegeAdmission CounselorManaged several territories that saw immense growth in numbers of applications, deposits, and National Merit Finalists. Helped to plan and manage visit days, attended College Fairs, and counseled students and families during the College search process.

Gustavus Adolphus CollegeAssistant Swim CoachCoached numerous All-Conference and All-American athletes and had primary responsibility for recruiting. During my tenure the Men and Women’s teams had the best seasons in their histories.

PUBLICATIONS, PAPERS, PRESENTATIONS

Living Lutheran Contributor - http://www.elca.org/living-lutheran/Selected as a regular contributor to the ELCA’s Living Lutheran web site. Up to this point I have written approximately 20 articles on a variety of theological and other faith related topics.

A College of the Church for the 21st CenturyWartburg College Philosophical and Literary SocietyPresented of my Doctor of Ministry research and offered a constructive theological proposal for understanding the faith pillar of the College’s mission.

The Way of Jesus Reclaiming the CatechumenateNetVue (Network for Vocation in Undergraduate Education) Conference – Chicago, ILPresentation about the ancient catechumenate and the discipleship process I developed at Wartburg based on this model of faith formation.

Hospitality Bible StudyCamp EWALU-Strawberry Point, IAConducted a workshop with the Summer Staff at Camp EWALU about the biblical practice of hospitality.

Spiritual but not ReligiousCanterbury Forum – Cedar Falls, IAPresentation at the Canterbury Forum, a local gathering of scholars sponsored by area churches, examining the historical roots and present realities of American spirituality and religion.

Sharing the Gospel in a Spiritual but not Religious AgeGrandview University – Des Moines, IAPresented to a monthly gathering of clergy about the rising number of religiously unaffiliated Americans and strategies for ministry in this emerging context.

Blessed are the UndocumentedJournal of Lutheran EthicsContributed an article about preaching on issues of peace and justice, particularly in relationship to immigration.

VOLUNTEER AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

Service trip advisor/participant – Wartburg College-Asked by students to advise and participate on four Wartburg Service tripsChurch Council – St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Waverly, IAYouth and Family Ministry Committee Chair – St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Waverly IAVolunteer Soccer CoachVolunteer Swim Coach