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The Rev. Dr. Jayson S. Galler of Pilgrim Lutheran Church makes a point about the Reformation's impact on today's denominations and religious freedom.

The Rev. Dr. Jayson S. Galler of Pilgrim Lutheran Church makes a point about the Reformation’s impact on today’s denominations and religious freedom.

Some sixty people interested in the Christian faith, its background, and how we got to our current state of so many different denominations attended a free Symposium on Sunday, November 2, 2014, from 4:00-6:00 p.m. in the Kilgore College Devall Student Center Ballroom.

The theme for the Symposium was “One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism”, taken from Ephesians 4:5. The Rev. Dr. Jayson S. Galler, of Kilgore’s Pilgrim Lutheran Church, made the main presentation. At Concordia University Texas in Austin, Rev. Dr. Galler formerly taught both New Testament history and reading and Reformation history, philosophy, theology, and literature.

Rev. Dr. Galler observed from Ephesians 4:1-16 that the One Triune God provides unity in His Church, working through the Office of the Holy Ministry preaching His Word and administering His Sacraments. Rev. Dr. Galler outlined various events of Church history where different reformers acted no doubt in what they thought were the best interests of the Church marking divisions in teaching and practice that continue down to today. And, Rev. Dr. Galler called for those divisions in teaching and practice to continue to be observed as long as they exist but also for different denominations to work together where they can.

Rev. Darwood Galaway of Kilgore's First United Methodist Church answers a question from the audience while the other panelists listen intently (left to right, Rev. Daniel Dower, Rev. Dr. Jayson S. Galler, and Rev. Scott Nowack).

Rev. Darwood Galaway of Kilgore’s First United Methodist Church answers a question from the audience while the other panelists listen intently (left to right, Rev. Daniel Dower, Rev. Dr. Jayson S. Galler, and Rev. Scott Nowack).

After Rev. Dr. Galler’s presentation and a break with refreshments, Terry Booker of Kilgore College moderated an audience-driven discussion with a panel consisting of Rev. Dr. Galler, The Rev. Daniel Dower of Kilgore’s Christ the King Roman Catholic Church, The Rev. Darwood Galaway of Kilgore’s First United Methodist Church, and The Rev. Scott Nowack of Kilgore’s First Presbyterian Church.

There were preliminary plans for Rev. Dower to speak on the theme “Communion of Saints” on Sunday, November 1, 2015, again from 4:00-6:00 p.m. at the Kilgore College Devall Student Center Ballroom. The timing of the Symposia is intended to coincide with the October 31st anniversary of the Reformation in Germany. (For more on the second-annual Symposium, click here.)

The purpose of the Symposia is to seek a deeper understanding of one another in our various church communities. Through the mutual sharing of knowledge and ideas, organizers believe that the Holy Spirit will draw people closer to that union which Christ desires for all (John 17:21-23).

Refreshments during the break in the 2014 Symposium included fresh fruit and vegetables, cookies and cake, and iced tea and water. A free will offering helped offset Symposium expenses, and the four congregations represented split the remaining costs.

Refreshments during the break in the 2014 Symposium included fresh fruit and vegetables, cookies and cake, and iced tea and water. A free will offering helped offset Symposium expenses, and the four congregations represented split the remaining costs.

The slider graphic and banner graphic on this page were adapted from the uncredited image found here. You can read the Kilgore News Herald‘s online story in advance of the event here. A handout with the slides from the Symposium can be found here, and there are two audio files: the presentation here and the panel discussion here.