2015 NGLS Worship Presentation

At the 2015 Assembly of the Northern Great Lakes Synod of the ELCA, I gave a presentation on worship.

Tear Down These Walls!

"The Holy Spirit's a bit rude, actually. At least if the Holy Spirit had waited until Peter was finished, it would be clear that it was Peter's words and Peter's actions that brought salvation to these Gentiles. But it's not because of Peter's preaching. The Holy Spirit comes anyway, interrupting Peter and demonstrating God's willingness—no, God's demand, that these walls come down."

The Prophecy of Amos, Revised

Samantha Field of "Defeating the Dragons" takes an ancient prophecy and adapts (not interprets) it for us today.

Cut It Out

"This is not an altogether cheery or happy metaphor, Jesus. Because whether or not we are good, fruit producing branches or bad, dead branches, being a part of the vine of Jesus involves cutting back, stripping away, and losing something we were holding onto."

The Reign of God

"The reality of the reign of God coming near has always been difficult to comprehend because we understand it as a "already/not yet" reality. The reign of God has absolutely come near, and it's effects are felt in the present. But it hasn't yet been fully realized--there is still more to come. We've only gotten a taste of it."