Of no surprise to most reading this blog, people in congregations are sometimes in conflict with one another—even those with the best intentions. Several months ago, I wrote about how Paul and Barnabas handled their conflict, recorded in Acts 15—specifically focusing on what was NOT recorded to have taken place.
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Statistics and averages barrage us with definitions about who we are. The average U.S. male in his thirties is 5’9” tall, has a 39-inch waist, and is at the edge of obesity with a 29 Body Mass Index. I may know a few 30-year-old men who fit that description, but
Continue reading“The apostles returned to Jesus and told him all that they had done and taught. And he said to them, ‘Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest for a while.’ For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. And they went
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A couple months ago I heard story explained as three simple elements: a character with a passion, encounters a problem, and makes a decision. Let me tell you a story. Kingwood is the only hometown I remember. I was born in Craig, CO and have some memories of the mountains
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For the first two decades of my life, as I sat in the pew during worship, I turned to the last printed page in The Lutheran Hymnal and read, “A Short Form for Holy Baptism in Cases of Necessity.” The very brief and simple instructions said: “In urgent cases, in
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A number of years ago I came across an article that spoke to church leaders about fostering positive momentum in the church. The author wrote about indicators of victory and indicators of defeat. If a congregation focused on the negative, what it lacked and where it failed, listeners would very
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I am happy to share with you that Dr. Keith Loomans was my mentor and friend. I first met Keith as a member of the review committee when I was hired into church work, and he acted as my part-time boss and advisor for a number of years. For those
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According to Dictionary.com, “Intercession” is defined as: 1) an act or instance of interceding; 2) an interposing or pleading on behalf of another person; 3) a prayer to God on behalf of another. If you’re like me – and I’m guessing most Christians are – you tend to think of
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Here is a story with no ending. Fictional Pastors Schmidt and Schultz shepherd LCMS congregations in neighboring towns. Both believe that Holy Scripture is the sole norm for faith and life in the church and both subscribe to the Lutheran Confessions (quia) as a true and proper exhibition and exposition
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The original mission we were given by God is recorded in Genesis 1. In verse 26, Moses records: “Then God said, ‘Let us make man in our own image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over … all the earth.’” This is how I read this: The intent
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