Lessons from Choir Directing about Volunteer Management

As some of you may know, one of my current roles involves me leading and directing a church choir.  As its a church choir, this means that this is a group of people who give up an hour or so every week to rehearse on a weekday evening, and who volunteer to help lead worship a couple times a month. Since I have served in … Continue reading Lessons from Choir Directing about Volunteer Management

“Sent for a Purpose” – What does this mean?

I have spoken about this a little before, but I received a MA in Congregational Mission and Leadership from Luther Seminary.  Integral to this program is a study and immersion in missional theology which has a major focus on the idea of “being sent.”  It is with this in mind, that I am very excited about how Trinity Lutheran Church in Stillwater, MN is shaping … Continue reading “Sent for a Purpose” – What does this mean?

This Week’s Links

There has been a lot of interesting stuff written and published in the past couple of weeks.  These all deserve their own post by me, but for the sake of time and in an effort to share this good stuff, I entrust these links to you for your reading and hopefully thought provoking pleasure. Leadership If you are like me, and you are always looking … Continue reading This Week’s Links

A Sermon on Luke 14

As has become custom on this blog, I am including a transcript of the sermon I preached this past Sunday (September 1st, 2013).  The gospel passage that this centered from was the lectionary appointed one, Luke 14:1, 7-14.  Without further adieu here it is: A Sermon for September 1, 2013  (Lectionary 22/Pentecost 15C); Gospel of Luke 14:1, 7-14 The past two Saturdays, Allison and I … Continue reading A Sermon on Luke 14

Guest Post- Reflections on the ELCA Churchwide Assembly

In my posts yesterday I hinted that there would be upcoming posts about recent changes in the ELCA (the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America). Today, I offer a guest post sharing some reflections from my brother Thomas who was a voting member at the ELCA’s Churchwide Assembly on behalf of the Southwestern Washington Synod.  Thomas is in the midst of graduate studies in social work and … Continue reading Guest Post- Reflections on the ELCA Churchwide Assembly

Summer Links

First of all, I hope you are all having the chance to watch and follow some of the speeches and ceremonies going on today honoring, remembering, and continuing in the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech, today, 50 years later. King’s vision and dream continues I believe today, because the vision and mission with which it is grounded and speaks … Continue reading Summer Links

Provocative Thoughts on Social Sector Effectiveness

“The Way We Think about Charity is Dead Wrong” Dan Pallotta recently gave a TED talk entitled, “The Way We Think about Charity is Dead Wrong.”  Until today I hadn’t had a chance to sit and watch it in its entirety and think deeply about its implications.  Obviously, he covers a lot of ground here in just over 18 minutes.  One of the biggest critiques … Continue reading Provocative Thoughts on Social Sector Effectiveness

“Why do we do what we do?” – Sermon on Luke 10:38-42

I had the opportunity to bring the message yesterday on the story of the sisters Martha and Mary.  What follows are excerpts of that sermon.  I have removed some of the more contextual pieces that would only really make sense for the congregation that this sermon was preached for.  I titled the sermon, “Why do we do what we do?”  It was preached on July … Continue reading “Why do we do what we do?” – Sermon on Luke 10:38-42

Lots of Links

Happy Canada Day to all Canadians!  To the rest of you, Happy July!  This post is the second post featuring a long list of different stories and links which I have not blogged individually about.  I had originally planned to do this weekly or bi-weekly, but at least at this point, the rhythm of this is monthly.  We’ll see if I can make this happen … Continue reading Lots of Links

Weekly Links

Some of my favorite blogs provide regular posts with a simple series of links and brief annotations.  In this vein, and in the spirit of sharing information and collaborating I would like to begin to provide my own links regularly about once a week.  I need to come up with a good name for this regular post, so any ideas are welcome.  My hope is … Continue reading Weekly Links