Preaching on Stewardship- Sunday July 26, 2020- The Eighth Sunday after Pentecost

This week’s stewardship and discipleship nuggets based on the appointed readings from the Revised Common Lectionary and Narrative Lectionary for The Eighth Sunday after Pentecost are as follows: Sunday July 26, 2020: Revised Common Lectionary- The Eighth Sunday after Pentecost (Lectionary 17- Year A)First Lesson: 1 Kings 3:5-12Psalm 119:129-136Second Lesson: Romans 8:26-39Gospel of Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52 This week we hear more parables from Jesus. We … Continue reading Preaching on Stewardship- Sunday July 26, 2020- The Eighth Sunday after Pentecost

Preaching on Stewardship- October 20, 2019- The Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost

Each week on the blog I share a few tidbits, nuggets, or ideas for incorporating some stewardship themes in your preaching. This week’s nuggets based on the appointed readings from the Revised Common Lectionary and Narrative Lectionary for the Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost are as follows: Sunday October 20, 2019: Revised Common Lectionary- The Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost – Lectionary 29 (Year C) First Lesson: … Continue reading Preaching on Stewardship- October 20, 2019- The Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost

Preaching on Stewardship- September 22, 2019- The Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost

Each week on the blog I share a few tidbits, nuggets, or ideas for incorporating some stewardship themes in your preaching. This week’s nuggets based on the appointed readings from the Revised Common Lectionary and Narrative Lectionary for the Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost are as follows: Sunday September 22, 2019: Revised Common Lectionary- The Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost – Lectionary 25 (Year C) First Lesson: … Continue reading Preaching on Stewardship- September 22, 2019- The Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost

Preaching on Stewardship- October 28, 2018

Usually every Monday I share a few tidbits, nuggets, or ideas for incorporating some stewardship themes in your preaching. Because of schedule demands, this week is a bit different. Realizing it’s Thursday and many of you preachers are already working on your sermon, this is probably more late than useful. But if useful, I am going to offer just a few short stewardship nuggets based … Continue reading Preaching on Stewardship- October 28, 2018

Building on the Foundations- The 2018 Nebraska Synod Assembly

Delegates from across the Nebraska Synod gathered in Kearney, Nebraska last week, Thursday May 31st-Saturday June 2, 2018. The assembly’s theme for worship, business, and plenary sessions was, “Building on the Foundations.” To this end, congregations from across the synod were invited to decorate small blocks of wood like bricks, that together made a cross during closing worship. Important Business at Hand In terms of … Continue reading Building on the Foundations- The 2018 Nebraska Synod Assembly

Rejoice, Rejoice, Believers- an Advent devotional for Dec. 14, 2017

This Advent season I am going to reflect on a hymn or carol daily as part of my spiritual practices. I am not sure where all these reflections will take me, but in conversation with my spiritual director, I am going to leave room for both “the head stuff” and “the heart stuff.” Some days might be more of one or another. I invite you … Continue reading Rejoice, Rejoice, Believers- an Advent devotional for Dec. 14, 2017

Reflect, think, pray, and be

On this week that we move from the shouts and songs of Hosannas, to an Upper Room and a garden, to a sham of a trial and shouts of “Crucify Him,” to the cross, the tomb, and then another garden around the tomb… Allison and I took a little time yesterday afternoon to revisit a beautiful place that is special to us. With my mother-in-law … Continue reading Reflect, think, pray, and be

My Family- Happy Birthday Dad!

Today is my Dad’s birthday. I have already had a great phone call conversation wishing him a happy day today, and last week we got to celebrate a week early in person with a wonderful steak dinner out in Nebraska. But today, in honor of my Dad’s birthday, I want to share some personal reflections about my family. As I look proudly and gratefully at … Continue reading My Family- Happy Birthday Dad!

Called Forward Together in Christ for the sake of the world

Earlier this week the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) released a 19-page “consultation paper on future directions of the ELCA,” entitled, “Called Forward Together in Christ for the sake of the world.” According to the title page, “This directions paper shares the key messages harvested through conversations across the ELCA. We invite you to comment on the directions and priorities that have emerged.” If you … Continue reading Called Forward Together in Christ for the sake of the world

Why I Stayed

About a year ago, there were a series of posts and articles written about Millennials and the church. Many times they were titled, ‘Why I Stayed.” Though this post might be related to that conversation, this isn’t my focus.  A few months ago I was asked a simple but profound question by another ministry leader. He knew of my story and the patience needed to … Continue reading Why I Stayed