Shaping the Future of the Church

Peace Lutheran was given an awesome responsibility and gift in the arrival of Justin Tigerman this month.  Justin will be learning from the people of Peace as an intern pastor.  The scary part is he'll be learning from me too.

What do I have to offer a seminary student looking to learn what parish ministry is all about?

Here's what I believe.  I believe parish ministry is where it's at.  Meaning, I wouldn't want to be anywhere else than serving God's people in a community setting.  Some people are called to be hospital chaplains or missionaries, but I'm called to neighborhood communities of faith.  I love the people of God!

I'll offer Justin my view of on the ground ministry from the sacred of sitting at someone's bedside to the ridiculous of meetings that go on for far too long.  All of it is the good work of serving God.

Justin is part of the future of the ELCA and we get to help shape him.  Even cooler, he'll shape us.

Too Bright To See

Last night we had worship using our new projector and screen.  I heard several times from people the screen looked great and was really clear, but it was too bright.  I asked what they meant by "too bright" and they said it was almost hard to look at the screen because it was so clear and so bright.

This got me thinking about what are the areas of my life I don't look directly at because I really would rather not see them clearly.  When the light of the Gospel shines on my failures it can be painful to look at and it can bring a word of mercy.  God sees me clearly even when I do not want to.  Who exactly am I hiding from?

Oh How I Need You

There is a great duo called All Sons and Daughters who have been putting out great worship music for a couple of years now.  This morning their song "Oh How I Need You" has been rattling around my head.  I'm always interested in how artists come up with their art and here is a link to the story behind the song.  Click Here for the Story.

Here is a link to Oh How I Need You so you can have this great song going through your head too!

Blessings today. . .

Wake Up And Fight!

This is a little late, but the picture above is from Woody Guthrie's journal.  These are his new year's resolutions.  I like these a whole lot.  #33 is my favorite.  Wake up and fight.

Most of the time when I wake up I just want to fight for more sleep, but reading Woody's words has me thinking about what I ought to be fighting for each day.  This year at Peace we'll be fighting for hungry kids, homeless families and those who don't feel welcome.

What are you fighting for?

Peace,
Will