Archive for the ‘Being A Pastor’ Category

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Confirmation

Tuesday, July 20th, 2010

In seventh and eighth grade, middle schoolers embark on a two year journey to grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus through extra study experiences we call “confirmation.”  Typically, we’ve had 7th and 8th graders together in one class.  One year, we study the basic teachings of the faith through Luther’s Small Catechism.  The alternate year, we study the bible, looking at an overview of God’s working in human history.

This year, we are preparing to have 27(!) kids in the process.  That is a LOT of kids!  I’m trying to figure out how to create the best environment for growth and learning.  I’m not sure that one class with 27 kids is the way to do that.  :-)

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And Then There Were Three

Tuesday, July 20th, 2010

I can’t recall ever having three funerals in one week–nor five within a month’s time.  But that’s what I’ve got.  Two more this Friday.  I appreciate these opportunities, actually.  At a funeral, people are confronted with the reality of death and I have the opportunity to point them to Jesus as the only answer, the only hope that we really have in this world.  Life is short–even if lived fully as our current ages would recon–in the span of eternity.  We need the forgiveness and life that only Jesus brings.

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District Conference

Saturday, May 8th, 2010

This past week I was at our New England District Conference.  The pastors of the LC-MS in New England get together at least twice a year for worship, fellowship/networking, learning and some information/business.  There’s some work involved, but it’s usually fun too.  I really appreciate the other men in our district, and I’m excited by many of the things happening here.

The main presenter was actually a college friend of mine who is now a professor at one of our Lutheran Universities. (My alma mater, Concordia University Wisconsin.)  He was quite good.  He talked with us about the realities of life in the digital world and the implications of this “culture” for ministry.  I hope to write more on that early next week.

We also got updates on various “happenings” in our district.  One exciting presentation was from those working on a church plan in MA.  Check out their web-site, here.

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Blessings of Being Away

Thursday, April 15th, 2010

In many ways it is very hard to be away from home as a Pastor.  A man’s daughter dies unexpectedly.  A member has even more serious surgery than expected.  Another member is hospitalized.  And I’m not there.  It’s hard not to be physically present to provide care as I normally would.

But there is a blessing in this.  Others are moved to “step up” and into that “gap” created by my absence.  Others share and participate in actual ministry, caring for others in ways they might not have otherwise.  This is a good thing, and I praise God for these opportunities for others.  I pray that the people of God would see themselves, more and more, as those who are able to provide caring ministry for others.  It’s not only a pastor’s job and privilege.

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Receiving the Word

Wednesday, April 14th, 2010

As a pastor, I rarely get to have someone preach to ME.  Sure, I can make use of lots and lots of online resources–and need to do that more.  But it’s still not the same as hearing the Word proclaimed in a worship service.  I got to do that last night and it was nice.  (I’m at a conference) It’s nice to worship and sing and receive the Word and the Lord’s Supper as just one of the folks every once in a while.

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Wisdom in Foolishness; Power in Weakness

Tuesday, March 30th, 2010

The reading from 1 Corinthians for today really struck me.  “God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe.” I think of times standing beside a hospital bed of someone who is dying.  So often, I feel so utterly helpless.  There is nothing–NOTHING–I can do to change things, to take away pain, or illness, or weeping. Nothing.  I come in total weakness.  I am out of my league, with well-schooled doctors and nurses all around.  And yet I am there.  Called by God Himself, to share a Word that seems foolish in the face of what we all see before us: A weak and withering body, barely clinging to life.

The Word I share is the message of the Cross and the Resurrection.  I speak of Jesus’ death to take away our sins.  I speak of his resurrection, through which we too will share in the victory over death.  Because of the cross of Jesus, death will not be the last word for this dear person.  For she shall rise again when Christ returns in His glory.  But for now.  There is only the cross.  The suffering.  And I feel weak, even as I speak words I know to hold immeasurable power.

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Bad Pastor Dream

Saturday, March 13th, 2010

Last night I dreamed I was starting to preach, and  a much beloved woman in our congregation interrupted me about a sentence into the message.  She was angry, because she thought I was preaching the same message again I had a few weeks earlier.  She flippantly stated what she thought I would say in about two sentences.  I walked back up to the pulpit to regroup my thoughts.  At this point the head elder decides it is absolutely essential to fix a problem with the computer and the screens RIGHT THEN.  It involved having fast forwarded video visible on the screens while I was trying to talk again.  I just waited (for what seemed like an eternity) for it to stop before I spoke again.  Somehow dream-world mercifully left this scene at about this point.

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Career Day

Wednesday, March 10th, 2010

Today, I am going to my son’s middle school to discuss my vocation with the students in his “Family and Consumer Science” class.  What an exciting opportunity!  I wonder how many of the students know what a pastor is and does.  One of my younger sons said that he really doesn’t have a clue what I do all day.  :-) .   I’m still working out what exactly I will share, but I do know that it would be impossible to talk about my “job” without talking about Jesus, who is the only reason I do what I do.

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Snow Threatening

Friday, December 18th, 2009

I LOVE snow.  Don’t get me wrong.  I absolutely love it.  But NOT on Sunday.  WHY oh WHY does is have to threaten to snow on Saturday into Sunday?!  WHY

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Can’t We Hit the “Pause” Button?

Tuesday, December 15th, 2009

So our church organist sends me an email today pointing out that we both forgot to schedule a meeting to plan worship for January and that we need to do that soon.  January?!   JANUARY!?  Who can possibly think about January at a time like this!  Doesn’t January know that next week (NEXT WEEK!) is Christmas and that I’m still not ready for those worship services?!

Dear January,

please wait.

Thanks.

PRP

Not happening?

sigh.  Such is time.  It just keeps on rolling.

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