Category Archives: For Pastors Only
Is or Isn’t it Enough?
Thirty years ago a Texas District official said in the District newsletter that some Ivory Tower theologians believe all that you have to do is preach the Gospel purely and administer the sacraments rightly and the church will grow. He … Continue reading
Emptiness in Preparation for the Empty Tomb
“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
A War of Words
Do you consciously say “chairwoman” or “spokeswoman?” How about making sure you refer to him or her and always having to follow up with he and she? You could resort to what Anthony Burgess does in his book 1985. He … Continue reading
You’re not listening to me
So says the parent to the child, spouse to spouse, and pastor to people. It can be said in anger but more often than not it’s in heartbreak.
Concerning Visitation and Other Ways to Cut Pastors off at the Knees
President Harrison’s latest Lutheran Witness article is entitled “Concerning Visitation.” He makes some powerful assertions in this article. Now, he does throw us all under the bus with his closing statement: “Absent visitation, we paralyze the ‘legs of the Gospel’ … Continue reading
Where Have all the Criminals Gone?
I’ve always liked “Where Have all the Flowers Gone?” Most people think it cheesy. It began as Pete Seeger folk song in 1955 with three verses. In 1960 Joe Hickerson added the rest turning the song into a circular hit … Continue reading
In a Heep of Trouble
You bet you are pastor. You are in a heap of trouble if one member tells you another member needs pastoral care and you don’t act on it. I know so because Uriah Heep showed me so.
Grief Observed
A Greif Observed is the title of one of C. S. Lewis’ most poignant books. It’s about losing his wife of only four years after being a confirmed bachelor. Even as a young man it was difficult to read, now … Continue reading
No Novatian or Donatist She
Sorry you’ll have to Google this if you want to readily know what I’m talking about. You could cheat and use the source everyone disses yet uses http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donatist . Shakespeare’s play “Measure for Measure” also treats this ancient tension. I … Continue reading
A Mourning Person
People will usually describe themselves as either a morning or a night person. The Lord doesn’t care for as the hymn says, “Day and night are both alike to Thee.” Some people do, however, care. Lord help you, and I … Continue reading