Change abounds. Life flows. You can either smile and laugh, or weep and fear. Today I want to offer a post that doesn’t fit nicely in the normal theme of this blog. This isn’t a reflection about leadership, or the church. This really isn’t about neighbor love either. It might fit under an umbrella of “vocation,” but that would be a stretch. This post is … Continue reading Some Days are Funny
Earlier this week I shared Walter Brueggemann’s “Terence and Faith Fretheim Lecture,” entitled “Why the Old Testament Must Not Go Away.” The next day, Luther Seminary hosted a few other related events that I think are definitely worth sharing as well. First, here is a video of Walter Brueggemann discussing preaching on the Old Testament. Second, in chapel that morning at Luther Seminary, Terry Fretheim … Continue reading Fretheim and Brueggemann
If you are a part of a congregation, faith community, or serve or volunteer with a non-profit, you know that it is important to cultivate volunteers or “lay leaders.” You probably also know that when you are building capacity of these volunteers and leaders there will likely be challenges, growth opportunities and growing pains along the way. Perfection won’t always be possible. Perhaps it shouldn’t … Continue reading Resisting Perfection and Performance in Worship
Tuesday on my blog means that I get to share links to some things I have found interesting and thought provoking over the past week with all of you. 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 and Miscellaneous. I hope you enjoy these links! Church and … Continue reading This Week’s Links
Tonight my wife Allison and I had the great pleasure to attend a lecture in the chapel at Luther Seminary. The lecture entitled, “Why the Old Testament Must Not Go Away” was given by the esteemed Dr. Walter Brueggemann, as the first annual Terence E. and Faith L. Fretheim Lecture in Biblical Theology. Dr. Fretheim was one of our absolute favorite professors that we were … Continue reading Why the Old Testament Must Not Go Away
Today is the fifth day in a row of sharing gratitude and positive things, and thus the final day of five days sharing three positive experiences or things. Three positive things which I am grateful for today are: 1) Earlier today I shared the fifty second edition of “This Week’s Links.” That basically means that I have been sharing the links every week (but once) … Continue reading Positive Things- Day 5
Tuesday on my blog means that I get to share some links with all of you. These are links to things that I have found interesting and thought provoking over the past week. This week’s edition is special though. It’s the 52nd edition of the links. You see, I started sharing these on Tuesdays just about a year ago. So, Happy Birthday to the Links! … Continue reading This Week’s Links
And so, the reflections about positive things continues. As I have mentioned before, I am treating this as an exercise in gratitude. With that in mind, here are three positive things I am grateful for today. 1) Last night, I got a message from my brother Thomas that he wanted to come by and hang out for a bit. Thomas is super busy starting his … Continue reading Positive Things- Day 4
Lately I have found myself involved in questions about church membership. I have had conversations with new pastors about the challenges regarding it in their congregations. I have talked with pastors who have been serving for a year or more and heard similar thoughts. I have even heard synod level people remark about the issues with membership. This all seems to lead to one question … Continue reading Church Membership- Questions, Perspective and Potential Millennial Implications
Even though the Seattle Seahawks lost today (sadly), there are plenty of other positive things to go around. So, with that note, and in continuing the five-days of sharing gratitude and reflecting on positive things, here are three more positive things and experiences: 1) Yesterday, my wife Allison and I enjoyed a wonderful walk around Lake Como. While on the walk we talked more about … Continue reading Positive Things- Day 3
Timothy Siburg 