It’s probably not even considered avant-garde or even cutting edge let alone bleeding edge anymore. The peripatetic preacher is here to stay. He is admired for coming out from behind the pulpit and mixing it up with the people. Why that’s what Jesus would do. But as I said the novelty is passé. I know this to be true because over 30 years ago Bethany, Austin did away with their pulpit. So what if anything has been lost? Continue reading
Clergy, Laity, Men and Women
Historically Lutheran’s correctly said that said there is no divine distinction between clergy and laity. The pastoral office is a divine institution, but the pastor himself is no different than a layman. He is given no indelible mark in ordination as Roman Catholicism teaches. While no one in the LCMS would argue for an indelible mark, we are making a fundamental distinction between clergy and laity. Women cannot read the lessons or distribute the sacrament because they are not clergy not because they are not males. We take this position so as not to run afoul of the spirits of our age egalitarianism and feminism. Continue reading
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He’s No Abe Lincoln
If you don’t know the history of this type of phrase Google, Yahoo, or Bing your way to Quayle-Bentsen 1988 debate. In sum, it is a famous putdown where Senator Bentsen assures Vice-President Quayle that he in fact is no Jack Kennedy. The way in which Bentsen does it is rhetorical oration at its best. I seek no such heights here. I’m only here to say that the president of the Lutheran Church Misery, oops Missouri, Synod is no Abraham Lincoln. Continue reading
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Not so Strange Bedfellows
What do the Boy Scouts, the military chaplaincy, women voting, and shared prayer services in times of national tragedy have in common? The world loves them and can see no reason not to be enthusiastic about them. This is Jerry’s argument too. Continue reading
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We’re Emerging but into Where, What, Whom?
The January 2013 Texas District Supplement to the Lutheran Witness trumpets the 25th annual Church Extension Fund conference in April. The keynote speaker is Dr. Leonard Sweet. He is a world renowned leader of the Emergent Church movement, and that’s not even the downside of the soiree. Continue reading
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Emptiness in Preparation for the Empty Tomb
“The beautiful Easter Story itself with its message of victory over death is the best Easter sermon. It needs no clever introduction to stimulate the once a year churchgoers. Why should we pattern a sermon with those in mind who get religious only on Festival days?” That is a quote in my sermon notes for this Sunday’s Easter text Luke 24: 1-11. I’ve always found it insightful and comforting. I wish I could attribute it to a source. I know it’s from someone other than me because it’s in quotes. Another thing worth remembering is that emptiness in the pastor this week is a good thing. I do know where this gem comes from. Continue reading
Posted in For Pastors Only
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“The lady doth protest too much, methinks.”
This of course is from Hamlet. The one I’m thinking from is also from England, and is no lady, but then he isn’t a man either. Or at least not what God intended man to be. Likewise, when I don’t fear, love, or trust in God above all things or when I hate, lust, or lie, I’m not the man the Lord would have me be either. Continue reading
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American Lying
“’I do not believe that any who shall be so fortunate as to be received into heaven through the atonement of our blessed Savior will be asked whether they belonged to the Presbyterian, the Methodist, the Episcopalian, the Baptist, or the Roman Catholic [faith]’” (American Lion, 206-7). Thus spoke President Andrew Jackson, the American Lion, while in the White House, and I agree with him. Continue reading
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Of Broadway Plays and Joint Prayer Services
In 1969 there was a Broadway play “in which two male homosexuals make open love onstage…” The performance beat the charge of obscenity because while the two were thus engaged they talked about Vietnam. The play met the then litmus test of “’some redeeming social value” (The World Book Year Book 1970, pp. 55-56). Continue reading
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A War of Words
Do you consciously say “chairwoman” or “spokeswoman?” How about making sure you refer to him or her and always having to follow up with he and she? You could resort to what Anthony Burgess does in his book 1985. He uses “heesh” instead of he/she (162). To such lengths we will go to prove we’re really not sexist that we will prove we are stupid. Continue reading
Posted in Families, For Pastors Only, Missouri Megatrends
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