This Side of the Pulpit » Entries tagged with "pastor’s life"
Brown Shoes and No Connections
For so much going wrong today, it went quite well. First, when getting ready this morning I realized I didn’t have my black belt. Left it in Enid. No worries, I thought. I have my suit coat and I didn’t need a belt. But then I realized I’d left my dress shoes in Enid too. And my other pair of black dress shoes. That is not good. So I had to offend the sensibilities of Dr. James … Read entire article »
Filed under: Personal
Every Knee Shall Bow
I am a genuflecter now. I’ve seen it done, heard the gossip when Professor Feuerhahn disappeared behind the freestanding altar at Concordia Seminary, and now do it myself. The Words were spoken, and I dropped to my knees. It’s very Evangelical. It’s very biblical. It’s very Bible-based as our neighbors might say. The words of Christ, the Presence of Christ, and I dropped to my knee and paused. In the LCMS there is not much of a tradition of kneeling at the Words of Institution. Not the congregation, not the pastors. We do kneel to receive the Lord’s Body and Blood in most places. We kneel for prayer at other places. Sometimes the wedding couple kneels. But not for the Verba, not for the Words of Christ. But now I do. I’m a … Read entire article »
Filed under: Theology
Not Gone, and Not Forgotten
I haven’t forgotten about this blog, nor left it behind at my previous Parish. I’ve just been busy with meetings and moving and settling and visiting and studying and worshiping and tired in the evenings. That’s all. I hope to pick things up again in the next several weeks. … Read entire article »
Filed under: Uncategorized
Quick Update
So I’m now the Senior Pastor of Grace Lutheran Church. I was installed on Sunday, May 6 and was blessed by having a full pews and 20 pastors from the district participating. Grace really knows how to through a reception, too. Then I hit the ground running, and it has been exciting and fulfilling. It was a whirlwind of a week, added to being away from the family. I can’t wait for their school to get … Read entire article »
Filed under: Personal
Angry Faces
I hadn’t run for six years or more, and even back then it was short-lived. It really had been more than ten years since I’d logged any appreciable miles. I’d moved to other exercise and enjoyed it and didn’t look back until two weeks ago. My cholesterol was high again, my weight was not budging and Marjorie wanted to shed some pounds too. We decided to run together, using the Couch-to-5K program. All was good the first two runs. On my third run my knees felt like fire. Surely it was just normal joint pain from new movement, so I ignored it, finished the run and showered. But the next morning my knees were still killing me. And the next. And the next. Eventually I self-diagnose and MCL injury, based on … Read entire article »
Filed under: Theology
Easters Here, There and Everywhere
Easter Sunday was hard. Seeing all the faces of those I’ve known, the widows whose husbands I’ve buried, the hands held out that I had confirmed over the years, knowing why she doesn’t kneel but he does–seeing this and knowing it is my last Easter here. But at the same time already moving ahead, thinking of my new congregation kneeling, communing with them already together with the angels and the archangels, with Peter and John and Mary and all the company of heaven. Haven’t had one like that in years–stressful and sad and expectant and disappointing. Yes, disappointed that I will not be here again for this Feast but disappointed I’m not yet there either. It was a limbo on Easter Sunday. But it’s also saying goodbye. It’s the reason I am dreading … Read entire article »
Filed under: Theology
Rubrics: Maximal and Minimal
I’ve gone on a rubric kick the last week as I contemplated (now preparing for) ministry at Grace Lutheran Church. They are higher church than Redeemer, and so I have some studying and homework to do. For instance, at Grace the Pastors genuflect during the confession, at the Words of Institution etc.. They use a lavabo and incense as well. All things I do not use here. What’s funny about this is that the Lutheran blogosphere is in a tizzy about rubrics and ceremony even as I am doing this homework and study. They are debating how much and how far and “is it necessary” and all. What I want to do is learn. We don’t have a good published official ceremony and only the mere suggestion of rubrics in our hymnal … Read entire article »
Filed under: Theology
Call Announcement
I announced this morning to my congregation that I have accepted the call to serve as Senior Pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Tulsa, OK. Please pray for both congregations, for my and for my Associate Pastor Christian C. Tiews. My last Sunday at Redeemer Lutheran Church will be April 29, 2012. … Read entire article »
Filed under: Personal
Weekend Report
We had a wonderful weekend in Tulsa. We arrived Friday night and had a nice visit with our friends who moved from Enid a few months ago. Saturday held the Winter Guard Competition at Union High School. They have quite an impressive campus–more on par with a small private College than a public high school. Amazing. The Winter Guard competition was fun. Enid HS had probably their best performance ever, and was awarded with First Place in their division–by several points too! All the teams performed we saw performed well and were very entertaining. Saturday evening ended with the awards presentation and burgers at our friend’s house. Sunday I woke early and attended worship at Grace Ev. Lutheran Church in Tulsa. Another amazing facility! Pastor Tiews conducted the liturgy with grace and … Read entire article »
Filed under: Personal
Call Received
Dear Readers, Today I announced to my congregation that I have received a divine call to serve as Senior Pastor of Grace Lutheran Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma. I humbly ask your prayers for me and my family and for the two congregations involved as I deliberate this call. Thanks! … Read entire article »
Filed under: Personal
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