What Makes a True Believer?

I had a conversation with an older gentleman after church today. He told me about his experiences with other denominations while looking for a church. Hearing his story, I invited him to Pub Theology next week because the topic is “Christian Unity and How to Deal with 'Those' People” (we needed a catchy tag-line that … Continue reading What Makes a True Believer?

Reformation and All Saints Days

I know what the Lectionary says. The church year begins in Advent. The season of preparation is a great way to begin the new church year. But for the past few years, I've experienced the beginning of a new year on the night in between Reformation Day and All Saints Day. For me, these two … Continue reading Reformation and All Saints Days

Reflection: Youth in Mission–Serving Christ in the World 2003

Eight years ago, in between my junior and senior years in high school, I applied for a summer program at the Lutheran School of Theology in Chicago. The name of it was Youth in Mission--Serving Christ in the World. At the time, I didn't really know what the program was. My pastor suggested that I … Continue reading Reflection: Youth in Mission–Serving Christ in the World 2003

Pub Theology: The Church

The Church. What do we mean by it? What does it mean to us? That was the topic of discussion that enthralled a group of Lutherans who gathered at the Tipsy Toad Tavern for Pub Theology on Thursday night. It's a good question, and one that we don't always have an answer for. A friend … Continue reading Pub Theology: The Church

Sermon–October 2, 2011–Pentecost 16A

Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost A Preached at First Evangelical Lutheran Church, Muskegon, MI, while on Internship. Isaiah 5:1-7 Psalm 80:7-15 Philippians 3:4b-14 Matthew 21:33-46 One of my all-time favorite movies is the 1980 classic “The Blues Brothers”, starring Dan Aykroyd and the late John Belushi. I was raised a Chicago boy, so the movie practically … Continue reading Sermon–October 2, 2011–Pentecost 16A