Everyday Lutherans

Ash Wednesday Lent is my favorite season of the year.  No, it does not have the fanfare of Christmas, the costumes of Halloween, or the fireworks of the 4th of July.  But what it does have is something more meaningful and more applicable within our daily lives. In Lent, we have the true and whole understanding of our own salvation.  How it comes from Jesus Christ and is a full and complete gift given to us. In the season of Lent, we hear of the events in which Christ suffered for our sake.  We are reminded of our created self, our need for God, and our very mortality. How one day, a day in the future, a day when we will no longer walk this earth. Now is the time to think about what it is. we are truly doing with our lives. What are we teaching our children, grandchildren, and others around us in this community?  Who are we and what have we been given? Now, I am not telling you to do this through the whole season of Lent, but take some time to think about yourself, your life, and those ...

The Apostle's Creed is one of those creeds that we continue to recite within many congregations.  Yet it is filled with old language and ideas that we do not typically think of anymore.  The early church developed this creed as a statement in which each person wanting to be Baptize would agree with before their Baptism.  This was a creed that would unite all the Christians with all the same understanding of what the three parts of the Trinity related to humanity. The first part helped people understand God as Creator.   I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.  Why is this important? That God created all things within the world, things that are seen and unseen.  Things that we encounter and things that we hope for.  God is the creator and sustainer of all things. _____________________________________________ The second part helped people understand what Jesus has done and the important aspects of his life. I believe in Jesus ...

Recently I was watching a movie in which a large congregation was gathering together. The pastor within the congregation was speaking about the great work that the people were doing within the church.  Instead of going on and on, the pastor turned the microphone over to the leader of the new group.  The leader began speaking to the congregation about the work they were doing and how simple it was but then turned and said you need to be a part of it too.  God is calling you to do the same thing.  More people needed to join this movement and enjoy the same success and glory that they have enjoyed.  The inspiring speech was great, motivating and yet was so very scripted for the movie it was in. At first, I thought that this movie was great.  The Pastor was encouraging and growing leaders within the congregation gathering everyone to Jesus Christ.  This is what the church should be doing and helping people live out within their life.  The people were ...

There are many conversations and understandings that relate to the Lord's Supper.  Even at the time in which Jesus was sharing the meal with the disciples, they did not fully understand what Jesus was doing and what it all meant.  Truly the meal that they were gathered was a Jewish Seder, a meal that helps the Jewish people remember and be within the history that God saved them from their time in Egypt from slavery and led them to the promised land.  The people wanted to remember the vast power and strength that God displayed to the Jewish people and the Egyptian people. It was this meal that Jesus was celebrating with his disciples.  Yet as Jesus was leading them in this meal of remembrance, when it came to certain parts, he changed the meanings.   When Jesus spoke of the unleavened bread, the bread that was prepared hurriedly to sustain the Jewish people on their journey from Egypt without yeast that would normally cause bread to rise.  Jesus said: "This ...

For some people, Baptism was something that happened when they were an infant.  They do not remember it.  They do not understand what was happening.  For others, they remember the day and event as it was something that they had a part in. Within Baptism, water is used upon the person's body.  Water is one of the most abundant resources upon the Earth and it is something that is vital to our very life.  With this resource that you use within your daily life, God combines God's own Word.  Then God commands us to share and give this gift. In Baptism, God calls us by name to be God's very own child.  As a beloved child of God, you are given forgiveness of sins, delivered from death and the devil, and everlasting salvation to all who believe in this promise of God.   It is not water that does this but God's promise and work on the cross that delivers all that is promised for you directly to you. You do not need to remember the day that the way was plac...

In recent years, I have noticed a growing number of larger congregations. Congregations where there are more programs, more people and more focus on keeping more people caring for the institution that is the building and not really the Gospel.  (Please note, I am not saying that all large congregations fit this but there seems to be a growing trend.)  You may notice the features: Young pastor - cause young pastors can relate to the youth and our church does not have any. Band - cause the old songs do not speak to the people that you are trying to get into your building. Focus on Life - most of the messages, classes and general direction of the congregation is helping people in their physical journey.  Right living and morals are the dominate messages being given.  Less emphasis on Jesus and more emphasis on 'What Scripture teaches us' becomes the language in which we hear more and more with the messages. Now you may be saying but our congregation has some of these th...

I had a conversation with someone the other day and something really stuck out. "People just need to commit to the church and choose to follow Jesus."  The conversation continued and the person was longing for a church that was only within their mind.  Longing for more people to follow the message of Jesus Christ and the life that he has given to them.  This person hoped and longed for more to gather with them. The person had watched movies about what the church should be, important practices, along with studies that were published online by Biblical teachers that had their own TV show.  These teachings, movies and voices, are loud within the society, the people who cling to it are willing to put money, energy and passion behind it.   As a church leader, I have heard a lot of this, it seems that this understanding of God and the church resonates well with the people.  It makes sense, it is clear, and it explains a lot about this world.  Yet I wonder, j...