Feed the People: God’s abundance for the sake of our neighbors

It was my privilege to be with the good people of Redeemer Lutheran Church in Hooper, Nebraska this morning (July 29, 2018), part of the Faith Ambassadors Parish. I was invited to preach on stewardship, as well as introduce the potential of the Narrative Budget, much like I did earlier in July at St. Paul’s Lutheran in Uehling, Nebraska. What follows is the majority of … Continue reading Feed the People: God’s abundance for the sake of our neighbors

Stewardship in the midst of congregational transitions

I have started receiving a number of questions about stewardship and leadership in congregations. I respond to these questions directly and individually, but given that some of them seem to come frequently and from different places, it seems that it might be worthwhile to share that wisdom on the blog. So with these questions in mind, I am going to experiment with a weekly post … Continue reading Stewardship in the midst of congregational transitions

Preaching on Stewardship- July 22, 2018

Happy Monday! Every Monday I share a few tidbits, nuggets, or ideas for incorporating some stewardship themes in your preaching. This week’s stewardship nuggets based on the appointed readings by the Revised Common Lectionary and Narrative Lectionary are as follows: Sunday July 22, 2018: Revised Common Lectionary- The Ninth Sunday after Pentecost (Time after Pentecost- Lectionary 16) First Lesson: Jeremiah 23:1-6 Psalm 23 Second Lesson: … Continue reading Preaching on Stewardship- July 22, 2018

Preaching on Stewardship- July 8, 2018

Happy Monday! Every Monday I share a few tidbits, nuggets, or ideas for incorporating some stewardship themes in your preaching. This week’s stewardship nuggets based on the appointed readings by the Revised Common Lectionary and Narrative Lectionary are as follows: Sunday July 8, 2018: Revised Common Lectionary- The Seventh Sunday after Pentecost (Time after Pentecost- Lectionary 14) First Lesson: Ezekiel 2:1-5 Psalm 123 Second Lesson: … Continue reading Preaching on Stewardship- July 8, 2018

God’s Story Changes Everything: and we are part of God’s on-going story as we live, share, and tell it

It was a joy to be with the good people of Faith Ambassadors Parish, and particularly the congregations of St. Paul’s Lutheran in Uehling, and St. John’s Lutheran County Line of Scribner today (July 1, 2018). I was invited to preach and share some about stewardship, but also the Narrative Budget. What follows is the majority of the manuscript from which I preached, based on … Continue reading God’s Story Changes Everything: and we are part of God’s on-going story as we live, share, and tell it

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

Stewards of God’s Love for the World: The Relationship of Deacon and Stewardship

I have been reading and gaining insights from the great academic and ministry journal, Currents in Theology and Mission for a little over a decade. While in college, I read a number of articles and cited them in my religion capstone. Later in seminary, it was a go to source of insights and the references these articles cited helped in crafting and strengthening my thesis. … Continue reading Stewards of God’s Love for the World: The Relationship of Deacon and Stewardship

God’s Story, Our Stories, and God’s On-Going Story for Us

It was a great joy to be invited to preach today (March 11, 2018) at Salem Lutheran in Fontanelle, by my wife and the congregation’s pastor, Allison. What follows is the majority of the manuscript I preached from, based on the revised common lectionary’s appointed gospel, John 3:14-21, and epistle, Ephesians 2:1-10 for the Fourth Sunday in Lent (Lent 4B). Grace and peace from God … Continue reading God’s Story, Our Stories, and God’s On-Going Story for Us

Preaching on Stewardship- March 11, 2018

Happy Monday! Every Monday I share a few tidbits, nuggets, or ideas for incorporating some stewardship themes in your preaching. This week’s stewardship nuggets based on the appointed readings by the Revised Common Lectionary and Narrative Lectionary are as follows: Sunday March 11, 2018: Revised Common Lectionary- The Fourth Sunday in Lent First Lesson: Numbers 21:4-9 Psalm 107:1-3, 17-22 Second Lesson: Ephesians 2:1-10 Gospel of … Continue reading Preaching on Stewardship- March 11, 2018

Preaching on Stewardship- Sunday February 4, 2018

Happy Monday! Every Monday I share a few tidbits, nuggets, or ideas for incorporating some stewardship themes in your preaching. This week’s stewardship nuggets based on the appointed readings by the Revised Common Lectionary and Narrative Lectionary are as follows: Sunday February 4, 2018: Revised Common Lectionary- The Fifth Sunday after Epiphany (Year B) First Lesson: Isaiah 40:21-31 Psalm 147:1-11, 20c Second Lesson: 1 Corinthians … Continue reading Preaching on Stewardship- Sunday February 4, 2018