Author Archives: Paul Harris

About Paul Harris

Pastor Harris retired from congregational ministry after 40 years in office on 31 December 2023. He is now devoting himself to being a husband, father, and grandfather. He still thinks cenobitic monasticism is overrated and cave dwelling under.

Despair is a Greater Sin than Gay Marriage

Posted on July 6, 2013 by Paul Harris

The following was prompted by someone sending me this YouTube video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hlVBg7_08n0. The sender pointed out how sophisticated the medium was and how siren the message.  One despairs of answering it, and therein is the real problem.

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A Decision Tree of Theology

Posted on July 1, 2013 by Paul Harris

It could be because of where I’ve been pastoring, but I don’t think so. It’s only been in the last 7-10 years that I have encountered people who have absolutely no religious background.  They don’t know Gideon’s fleecing has nothing … Continue reading →

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Boy Scouts of America and Their Open Doors

Posted on June 25, 2013 by Paul Harris

Why should it surprise us that the Boy Scouts of America have dropped their ban on openly gay scouts?  For over a hundred years they thought a belief in a Supreme Being was a sufficient confession of the true God.  … Continue reading →

Posted in Missouri Megatrends | Leave a comment

Of Heroism and Hand Grenades

Posted on May 29, 2013 by Paul Harris

On May 16, 1968 Donald E. Ballard Corpsman U.S. Navy won the Medal of Honor.  His unit was ambushed.  While applying a field dressing, an enemy solider tossed a grenade into his group of men.  Shouting, “Grenade!” Ballard vaulted over … Continue reading →

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Peripatetic Preachers

Posted on May 18, 2013 by Paul Harris

It’s probably not even considered avant-garde or even cutting edge let alone bleeding edge anymore.  The peripatetic preacher is here to stay.  He is admired for coming out from behind the pulpit and mixing it up with the people.  Why … Continue reading →

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Clergy, Laity, Men and Women

Posted on May 11, 2013 by Paul Harris

Historically Lutheran’s correctly said that said there is no divine distinction between clergy and laity.  The pastoral office is a divine institution, but the pastor himself is no different than a layman.  He is given no indelible mark in ordination … Continue reading →

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He’s No Abe Lincoln

Posted on April 23, 2013 by Paul Harris

If you don’t know the history of this type of phrase Google, Yahoo, or Bing your way to Quayle-Bentsen 1988 debate. In sum, it is a famous putdown where Senator Bentsen assures Vice-President Quayle that he in fact is no … Continue reading →

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Not so Strange Bedfellows

Posted on April 13, 2013 by Paul Harris

What do the Boy Scouts, the military chaplaincy, women voting, and shared prayer services in times of national tragedy have in common?  The world loves them and can see no reason not to be enthusiastic about them.  This is Jerry’s … Continue reading →

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We’re Emerging but into Where, What, Whom?

Posted on April 1, 2013 by Paul Harris

The January 2013 Texas District Supplement to the Lutheran Witness trumpets the 25th annual Church Extension Fund conference in April.  The keynote speaker is Dr. Leonard Sweet.  He is a world renowned leader of the Emergent Church movement, and that’s … Continue reading →

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Emptiness in Preparation for the Empty Tomb

Posted on March 25, 2013 by Paul Harris

“The beautiful Easter Story itself with its message of victory over death is the best Easter sermon.  It needs no clever introduction to stimulate the once a year churchgoers.  Why should we pattern a sermon with those in mind who … Continue reading →

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