Category Archives: For Pastors Only
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
JDDJ and WWJD
Most confessional Lutherans know WWJD ought to be replaced by WDJD, i.e. “What Did Jesus Do?” should be asked instead of “What Would Jesus Do?” Not nearly enough of us know what JDDJ stands for.
You are a Father!
I cannot call you “Father,” “And be ye not called masters,” Because I’m C. of E., The text announces too; With such un-English customs So, do not call me “Mister,” I strongly disagree. Which also … Continue reading
Exhorting to Frustration
I want to do auto mechanics. I yearn to be able to pop the hood and know what I’m looking at. I want to get under the car on a mechanic’s creeper and say, “Hand me that ¾ inch wrench,” and … Continue reading