Tuesday on the blog means that it is time to share some links to things I have found interesting and thought provoking over the past week. As I mentioned last week, this week’s edition is a tiny bit shorter because of traveling and other work and project commitments. One of those reasons was being able and blessed to attend two of my friends’ ordinations, which you … Continue reading This Week’s Links
In the midst of life and its many constant changes and transitions, it is imperative that you take time to express that gratitude and thankfulness that resides deep within your heart, mind, and soul. Today’s reflection really comes out of this perspective. Allison and I have had the great joy and pleasure to walk alongside a number of friends as they have discerned calls towards … Continue reading Congratulations, Hallelujah, and Thanks be to God!
You may not be aware of this day of the church year, but today is the day that many observe Ascension Day, or the “Ascension of Our Lord.” This is the day that the church remembers when Jesus ascended into heaven. At the heart of the worship and message of Ascension are two passages, Acts 1:1-11, and Luke 24:44-53. On this day the followers of … Continue reading Ascension Day
Tuesday on the blog means that it is time to share some links to things I have found interesting, head-scratching or thought-provoking over the past week. As always, I break up the links into categories. This week’s topic categories are: Church and Ministry Thought & Practice; Cross-Sector Collaboration; Leadership Thought & Practice; Millennials; Neighbor Love; Social Media & Blogging; Vocation; Worship and Miscellaneous. I hope … Continue reading This Week’s Links
Gracious and holy God, lead us from death to life, from falsehood to truth. Lead us from despair to hope, from fear to trust. Lead us from hate to love, from war to peace. Let peace fill our hearts, our world, our universe; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen. I felt like offering a prayer was the best place, and perhaps only place … Continue reading Memorial Day Reflections
You might often hear the term “lay leadership” every once and awhile in church and ministry areas of thought. Many people describe this differently. The description that I prefer is one meaning the non-congregational staff or non-clergy who are serving in some form of volunteer leadership within a congregation or faith community. Admittedly, it is an insider term and “leaders” or “non-staff leaders” might be … Continue reading How do you cultivate lay leadership?
Tuesday means that it is time to share some of what I have come across, read, and found interesting in the past week. This week’s topic categories are: Church and Ministry Thought & Practice; Cross-Sector Collaboration; Leadership Thought & Practice; Millennials; Neighbor Love; Social Media & Blogging; Stewardship; Vocation; Worship and Miscellaneous. I entrust them to you now and hope you enjoy them and find … Continue reading This Week’s Links
Last Sunday, Pastor Dan Poffenberger shared a thought provoking message grounded in and tied to Luke 5:33-39. He built particularly off of the ideas of “new and old wine skins” found in verses 37-38. Based on this, Dan outlined a few of the values and mission understanding that Trinity Lutheran (the congregation he serves) claims and uses: “Love, Transform, Serve.” I am not going to add much … Continue reading Love, Transform, Serve
An idea struck me earlier this week- perhaps it would be fun to share a post for graduates, or soon to be graduates. Since I have a special connection with many in the graduating class from Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota this year, my thoughts are going to be directed to them. But perhaps these would be appropriate to other graduates? If there is … Continue reading To the soon to be commenced…
Stewardship can be emotional. I have written a couple things about stewardship over the last few months, including some challenges related to it and being able to navigate those challenges. Today it occurred to me though that I haven’t really mentioned the emotional piece around stewardship. Why is it so emotional? Let’s take a step back. Perhaps you have figured this out by now- one … Continue reading Stewardship is Emotional (aka- Talking and thinking about money is emotional)
Timothy Siburg 