The Problem with thinking “that’s a problem over there, not here”

Today is Martin Luther King Day. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy lives on when people serve, work for equality and justice for all, and work for the common good in expanding the beloved community. Sometimes we miss the point about how much we have yet to do to fulfill King’s “Dream.” As I have mentioned before I’m working in the Pacific Northwest this year, after … Continue reading The Problem with thinking “that’s a problem over there, not here”

This Week’s Links

Happy Tuesday! Each week on the blog I get to share some of what I have seen, read, and found interesting and thought provoking over the past week. To help make sense of all of these links, I have grouped them by the following categories: Church and Ministry Thought & Practice; Cross-Sector Collaboration; Leadership Thought & Practice; Millennials; Neighbor Love; Social Media & Blogging; Stewardship; Vocation; and … Continue reading This Week’s Links

Lessons in Lay Leadership- in memory of Sheryl Jacobson

In the work and ministry I do, cultivating volunteer or lay leadership is a must. This is a reality for working in congregations, community groups, faith communities, nonprofits, and I suspect schools too, to name a few. In the past I have written and shared some lessons about lay leadership. Today, however, I want to share some lessons in lay leadership that I learned from … Continue reading Lessons in Lay Leadership- in memory of Sheryl Jacobson

This Week’s Links

Happy New Year and Merry Twelfth Day of Christmas! Each week on the blog I get to share some of what I have seen, read, and found interesting and thought provoking over the past week. To help make sense of all of these links, I have grouped them by the following categories: Church and Ministry Thought & Practice; Cross-Sector Collaboration; Leadership Thought & Practice; Millennials; Neighbor … Continue reading This Week’s Links

The Boy Jesus in the Temple & Christmas Surprises

My wife Allison and I both preached at Messiah Lutheran Church in Vancouver, Washington this past weekend, preaching on the gospel text from Luke 2:41-52. What follows is the majority of the text that I preached Saturday evening and Sunday morning.  Grace, peace, and Christmas blessings and surprises to you! I will let you in on a little secret, as someone who has been a … Continue reading The Boy Jesus in the Temple & Christmas Surprises

Love- Christmas Eve

During Advent this year, I have been reflecting daily using this Advent Photo Devotional. The word designated for today, Christmas Eve, is #Love. At the heart of who we are and who we have been created to be, is love. That’s something I hope that we are reminded of on this Christmas Eve. This love is something without limit. It’s a gift from God, but one … Continue reading Love- Christmas Eve

Peace & Freedom- Days 22 & 23 of Advent

Christmas Eve is tomorrow, and I need to catch up on these posts. I am writing as I currently sit in a hospital waiting room. I’m here on a visit for a congregational member about to go into surgery. It might seem to be a weird place to start reflecting about peace and freedom, but I think it makes sense. There’s a sense of peace … Continue reading Peace & Freedom- Days 22 & 23 of Advent

This Week’s Links

Each week on the blog I get to share some of what I have seen, read, and found interesting and thought provoking over the past week. To help make sense of all of these links, I have grouped them by the following categories: Church and Ministry Thought & Practice; Cross-Sector Collaboration; Leadership Thought & Practice; Millennials; Neighbor Love; Social Media & Blogging; Stewardship; Vocation; and Miscellaneous. … Continue reading This Week’s Links

Singing- Day 21 of Advent

During Advent this year, I am reflecting daily using this Advent Photo Devotional. The word designated for December 19th was #Singing. Sometimes pictures speak better than words. I have said lots about singing lately, but here are some more photos of singing- sharing the joy of the season over the years.                             … Continue reading Singing- Day 21 of Advent

Join- Day 20 of Advent

During Advent this year, I am reflecting daily using this Advent Photo Devotional. The word designated for December 18th was #Join. One of my favorite Christmas carols is “O Come, All Ye Faithful.” I have lots of reasons why it’s one of my favorites, but there’s one fond memory that sticks out more than most. In college at Pacific Lutheran University (PLU), I had the … Continue reading Join- Day 20 of Advent