Rev. Stanley Grenz

Rev. Stanley J Grenz Family

Rev. Stanley J. Grenz

Stanley James Grenz was born in Alpena, Michigan on January 7, 1950. He was the youngest of three children born to Richard and Clara Grenz, a brother to Lyle and Jan. His dad was a Baptist pastor for 30 years before he passed away in 1971. Growing up as a “pastor’s kid” meant that he moved several times in his life, from Michigan, to South Dakota, North Dakota, Montana and Colorado.

After high school Stan began his undergraduate studies in 1968 with the idea that he would become a nuclear physicist. But God had other plans for him, and in 1971, while driving home to Colorado after a visit with his parents in Oklahoma, he received a definite call into full time Christian ministry.

In 1970-1971 Stan traveled in an evangelistic youth team where he met Edna Sturhahn (from Vancouver, BC), who then became his wife in December, 1971. Both Stan and Edna completed their undergraduate degrees at the University of Colorado and Stan went on to receive his M. Div from Denver Seminary in 1976, the same year in which he was ordained into the gospel ministry. During the years of study in Colorado he served as a youth pastor and an assistant pastor. From Denver, Stan and Edna moved to Munich, Germany where Stan completed his Doctor of Theology under the mentorship of Wolfhart Pannenberg. Their son, Joel was born in Munich in 1978.

During a two-year pastorate (1979-1981) in Winnipeg, MB, where daughter Corina was born, Stan also taught courses at the University of Winnipeg and at Winnipeg Theological Seminary (now Providence Seminary). His full time teaching career began at the North American Baptist Seminary in Sioux Falls, SD (1981-1990). Those years were followed by a twelve-year (1990-2002) position as Pioneer McDonald Professor of Baptist Heritage, Theology and Ethics at Carey Theological College and at Regent College in Vancouver, BC. From 1996 to 1999 he carried an additional appointment as Professor of Theology and Ethics (Affiliate) at Northern Baptist Theological Seminary, Lombard IL. After a one-year sojourn as Distinguished Professor of Theology at Baylor University and Truett Seminary in Waco, TX (2002-2003), he returned to Carey in August 2003. In fall 2004, he assumed an additional appointment as Professor of Theological Studies at Mars Hill Graduate School, Seattle WA.

Stan has authored or co-authored twenty-five books, served as editor or co-editor for two Festschriften, contributed articles to more than two dozen other volumes, and has seen to print more than a hundred essays and an additional eighty book reviews. He had plans to write many more books. Two more of his books will appear in print within the next year.

In addition to writing and lecturing all around the world, Stan loved preaching. He admitted to “breaking into preaching” in some of his lectures. He served as interim pastor of several congregations and as guest preacher in many churches. He loved the Church, both locally and worldwide.

Stan wholeheartedly supported and encouraged his wife Edna in her pastoral ministry, her studies and in the enlargement of her ministry gifts. At First Baptist Church, he played the guitar and trumpet in the worship team and sang in the choir. He was proud of his children and their spouses, Joel and Jennifer and Corina and Chris, and delighted in his new granddaughter, Anika. Stan was a friend and mentor to many, always encouraging people to strive to new heights.

As a theologian for the Church Stan wrote from the deep, interior vision of the sure hope that we would enter into the community of God in the renewed creation. He articulated the reality of this new community as the compass for Christian theology: 'Now the dwelling of God is with human beings, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.' (Rev. 21:3,4)

Quoted from stanleyjgrenz.com

Notes: Died of a massive brain hemorrage

Edna Sturhahn

During my time at NABC I sensed a call into some kind of Christian ministry. I thought I could go into Christian Ed. or be a pastor's wife. That year I also applied and was accepted into God's Volunteers (it later became New Day). There I met Stan Grenz, who later became my husband. After we were married in 1971, I began my studies at the University of Colorado, completing a B. Mus Ed. and then teaching in a public school while Stan was a youth pastor and attended seminary, so I became the pastor's wife that I had been called to be while at NABC.

After our time there we moved to Munich, Germany where Stan did his doctoral studies. From there we went to Rowandale Baptist Church, in Winnipeg where Stan was pastor and then we moved to Sioux Falls, SD where Stan taught at NAB Seminary for 9 years. I was primarily a wife and mom, but during those years I was able to begin a more active ministry in church again, first directing church choirs, and then as a part time minister of worship. I also completed my Masters degree in music at the University of South Dakota.

It was upon moving to Vancouver in 1990 that the calling that I had sensed 20 years earlier at NABC came to full fruition. I became a part of the pastoral staff at First Baptist Church, Vancouver as Minister of Worship. I have ministered there for the past 14 1/2 years.

I have also had the privilege of being a part of the Baptist World Alliance on the Worship and Spirituality commission and as a facilitator at Worship conferences in India and Nicaragua. Along, with Stan, I have had teaching opportunities in other parts of the world. These opportunities and my observations of worship services in many places, have increased both my awareness of the need for teaching in the area of music and worship, and my passion for designing theologically sound worship services.

Several years ago I was made aware of the Institute for Worship Studies founded by Robert Webber, and I am now completing my Doctor of Worship studies at that institution.

It has been very challenging to balance study with church ministry and family, but I am so grateful for the opportunity to learn and grow. There are opportunities ahead that will continue to stretch me, as I hope to do some writing in the area of worship

As an NABC student of 1969-1070 I never dreamed of the opportunities and responsibilities that God would give me. Many times I have had to be prodded by the Holy Spirit and Stan.

God has been faithful to us through every challenge of life. There have been some particularly difficult occasions on the journey when I have had to examine myself before God, asking whether my identity is in what I do in ministry and who I am as a person or whether I really find my identity in Jesus. My heartfelt desire is that I will keep my eyes fixed on Jesus, the "pioneer and perfecter" of my faith (Hebrews 12:2).

Since the writing of this article Edna's husband Stan unexpectedly passed away. Stan was my husband's Uncle, teacher, mentor and friend. We will miss him terribly and our prayers are with Edna and her family.

Edna resides in Vancouver along with their married children, Joel and his wife Jenn, Corina Her husband Chris, and granddaughter Anika.

The Online Bridge: Spring 2005 http://www.taylor-edu.ca/about/newsroom/bridge/issure11/edna grenz.html