Author: The Pastor

Church web site

/ The Pastor / 1 Comment

Hey all…I am home from the SW MN Synod Fall Theological Conference.  Unfortunately I haven’t had time to post a text study but hopefully I can get that done tomorrow sometime.  Being away for a few days really throws your schedule and routine into a loop.  Right now I am just trying to get my bearings.  I just finished class with five 3rd – 5th graders and in 15 minutes I have seven 6th – 8th graders coming.  I had better get it together otherwise I won’t have a chance 🙂

Web site
I want to share with you a fun discovery.  Maybe you know about this, but I didn’t.  A colleague of mine told me about this service from American Bible Society where they host web sites for churches (and other religious organizations) for free.  The site is: www.forministry.com.  Since the congregation I serve is looking to get a web site I thought this was worth checking out…and I am glad I did.  I have set up an account and a work-in-progress website for Salem Lutheran Church.  The address is:  www.forministry.com/usmnelciaslcsl.  The address doesn’t roll off the tongue, but I have purchased a domain name for $15 per year.  Our new address, in a couple days, will be:  www.salemjackson.org. 

I know this all sounds too good to be true, but its true.  Check out my church’s site and let me know what you think.  Right know we are trying to determine what content to put on there and how to display it.  I think this process will be a fun one.  I just need to find someone to manage the site (other than me).

Also, if you haven’t had a chance yet, check out Chris and Joe’s blogs for their answers to the interview questions I just posted for them.  If you are interested in being interviewed, leave a comment on their sites with a request.

God bless you and take care!

-edh-

Interview questions for Joseph

/ The Pastor / 1 Comment

This is not a duplicate post, but another set of interview questions.  As I said before, little while back, Pastor David interviewed me.  As part of that meme, I had to offer to interview someone else.  Chris’ volunteered to be interviewed (and I have posted his questions), but Joseph has also volunteered to be interviewed.  So here are HIS questions (some are these are the same I asked Chris):

(1) What one class does the seminary not offer that they should?

(2) When did you first know that you were called to ordained ministry?  Who did God sound/look like (i.e. In my call story God sounded and looked like my dad)?

(3) You have a list of 100 things to do before I die.  Which ones are the most important ones for you to accomplish? 

(4) What is the great piece of advise you have received?  How has that help shape who you are? How you approach ministry?

(5) And finally…a "fun" question:  What cartoon character do you relate to the most and why?

And…to continue Diane’s addition to this meme:  What is one question you would like someone to ask you?

Finally, here are the rules of the Meme, which you must post with your answers:

1. If you are interested in being interviewed, leave me a comment saying "interview me."
2. I will respond by posting 5 questions for you. I get to post the questions.
3. You will update your blog with a post containing your answers to the questions.
4. You will include this explanation and offer to interview someone else in the same post.
5. When others comment, asking to be interviewed, you will ask them 5 questions.

There you go, Chris, enjoy.  Remember everyone, check out Chris’ blog for his answers.

-edh-

Interview questions for Chris

/ The Pastor / 1 Comment

A little while back, Pastor David interviewed me.  As part of that meme, I had to offer to interview someone else.  Well…it is now Chris’ turn to be interviewed as part of this Five Questions Meme.  So check out his blog for his answers.  Here we go…

(1) What one class does the seminary not offer that they should?

(2) When did you first know that you were called to ordained ministry?  Who did God sound/look like (i.e. In my call story God sounded and looked like my dad)?

(3) At the risk of sounding like a candidacy committee member, what is your hope for the future of the ELCA?  What concerns you about their future?

(4) I like hearing about books people read.  What one book has made the biggest impact on your ministry (other than the Bible and the confessions)?

(5) And finally…a "fun" question:  What cartoon character do you relate to the most and why?

And…to continue Diane’s addition to this meme:  What is one question you would like someone to ask you?

Finally, here are the rules of the Meme, which you must post with your answers:

1. If you are interested in being interviewed, leave me a comment saying "interview me."
2. I will respond by posting 5 questions for you. I get to post the questions.
3. You will update your blog with a post containing your answers to the questions.
4. You will include this explanation and offer to interview someone else in the same post.
5. When others comment, asking to be interviewed, you will ask them 5 questions.

There you go, Chris, enjoy.  Remember everyone, check out Chris’ blog for his answers.

-edh-

Sunday morning prayer – 10/21/07

/ The Pastor / 1 Comment

Wow…this has been a wild week for me.  My sermon prep routine was totally thrown off and my to-do list has been modified way too many times.  Now it is Sunday and amazingly enough, I am ready to go. 

Later this afternoon I head out of town for the SW MN Synod Fall Theological Conference in Mankato, MN.  Every fall the synod hosts this conference (a "required" event for all rostered leaders) and brings in a couple speakers on a specific theme.  This year our theme is, "Stewards of the Gospel".  Should be pretty interesting.  But maybe more than that, I am looking forward to getting out of the office for a few days (but not looking forward to time away from my wife).  I will be home Wednesday afternoon.  Hopefully I have Internet access where I am going, otherwise you will have to wait for any updates from me.  I know, I know…that will be tough, but you will survive 🙂

Anyway, let’s pray together…

Almighty and gracious God, you persistently love us and pursue us.  I don’t understand that but you do.  Since the dawn of creation, creation has rebelled against you, but you remained faithful.  Your chosen people often times went their own way, but you remained faithful.  We have way too often turned our backs on you, but you remain faithful.  You persistently pursue us through the love on your Son, Jesus Christ.  But when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?  I certainly hope so.  Please strengthen our faith and our resolve to follow you each and everyday.  Help us be persistent in our prayer life; knowing that you will indeed grant justice.  Grant us vision to see your mighty works in the world so we may be reminded that you are not distant, but close by…in our hearts.  Dear God, thank you for hearing our prayers.  Through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord we pray…Amen!
(Prayer based on Luke 18:1-8)

Have an awesome day basking in the glow of God’s love for you.

-edh-

Text study – Luke 18:1-8

/ The Pastor / 5 Comments

The Gospel text for this Sunday (21st Sunday after Pentecost) is from Luke 18:1-8.  This is a parable told by Jesus about a persistent widow and an unjust judge.  It is also a parable that contains a haunting question.

We have a judge who neither feared God or cared about people.  Basically, he was in it for the money; looking out for number one.  We also have a widow who is experiencing an injustice of some kind perpetrated by another.  So the widow goes to the judge, but the judge does not want to be bothered with petty things.  But unfortunately for this judge, this widow is feisty.  She keeps bugging him until finally he grants her the justice she is looking for; just to get her off his back.  Jesus then tells his disciples to notice what the UNJUST judge does.  Now…how much more will God give justice to His children who cry out to God day and night?  "I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly." (18:8)

Now comes the haunting question – one that has always bothered me:  "However, (don’t you just hate it when you hear that word) when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?" (18:8).  I hear this nice parable about prayer and not giving up.  I am reassured that God does hear my prayers and that they don’t fall on deaf ears.  Justice is proclaimed to God’s children.  "However… (there’s that word again) "…when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth."  Now what?  Is this a warning not to give up?

I am wondering…

In the Old Testament text, Jacob is wrestling with God and in the end, his persistence is rewarded with a blessing.  Had Jacob given up after his hip was "wrenched", I am willing to bet he would not have received the blessing he was looking for.  In the Gospel text, the widow is experiencing an injustice, so she cries for help.  Had the woman lost faith and given up, the justice she was seeking would not have been given.

So…

Is this a statement about persistence in our faith, not just prayer?  I think it might be.  Hear me out here.  It has been 2000 years since Jesus died and rose and promised to return again.  People have prayed and waited for Jesus.  But now, are we growing too complacent?  Have people grown tired of waiting?  Have we grown sick of praying for world peace only to see wars and conflicts escalate?  Maybe this text is a reminder that God has not forgotten about us.  God has and is granting justice for us through Jesus Christ.  And in due time, will we receive the ultimate blessing that has been promised to us.  But when Jesus returns, will he find people waiting for him, or will he find people who have given up; who have stopped being persistent?

As Christians we are to continually pray for peace and justice.  "Pray without ceasing" we are taught.  Seek God.  Be still and know that God is God.  Don’t grow tired of waiting, but rejoice in the promise.  Rejoice in the blessing.  This life is but a fleeting moment compared to eternity with God in heaven.

"However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?" — I sincerely hope so.  This haunting question is now beginning to serve as a proclamation of Good News.  Jesus IS coming.  God HAS NOT forgotten about us.  So…be persistent and know that God is listening.  Justice is indeed on the way.  Praise God always and forever!  Amen!

-edh-

Text study – Genesis 32:22-31

/ The Pastor / 2 Comments

The first lesson text for this Sunday (21st Sunday after Pentecost) comes from Genesis 32:22-31.  This is the story of Jacob wrestling with God.  At the beginning of the story we are only told that a "man" engages Jacob in a wrestling match, but later we figure out that the "man" is God (vs. 26 is out first hint and then vs. 30 confirms our suspicion).

In verse 26 Jacob is wrestling with this "man" when the "man" asks to be let go.  Jacob refuses until he receives a blessing.  I wonder if Jacob is not only wrestling with God but wrestling with some inner "demons".  Earlier in Genesis, Jacob steals the blessing from his older brother, Esau, by tricking their father.  In fear of his brother, Jacob flees.  Now Jacob is faced with seeing his brother for the first time since his deception.  Jacob stole a blessing early on now he wants a "real" blessing from God Himself.  Is this Jacob seeking forgiveness and validation from God? 

In verse 27 God asks for Jacob’s name and then changes his name to Israel.  At this point God has not blessed Jacob/Israel.  Next Jacob wants to know the name of his "opponent", but I wonder if that deep down inside, Jacob knew.  After God refuses to reveal His name, He blesses Jacob/Israel.  Israel then limps on his way – ultimately to face Esau.

So the question is, "What do we take from this text for today?"  A few questions/thoughts to ponder:
(1) If the "man" wrestling with Jacob is indeed God, why could He not over power Jacob in verse 25?  Was this God’s way of seeing how serious Jacob was about reconciliation?

(2) Why was Jacob so intent on receiving a blessing?

(3) What would have happened if Jacob honored the request of the "man" to let Him go?

(4) Is the point of this text the wrestling match?
Three years ago I preached on this very text.  At the time I focused on the fact that even though we like to jump to the end and experience the joy of the blessing, its the wrestling match that changes us.  Maybe this text is not so much about Jacob/Israel receiving a blessing, but that Israel was willing to wrestle with God and not give up.  Israel was ready to make a change.  Israel was ready to do things the right way, instead of receiving good things the wrong way.

Through faith we know the end of the story through Jesus Christ.  Through faith we know that Jesus won the battle over sin, death and the power of the devil.  Through faith we know that this life is not the end.  Through faith we know the "blessing".  But maybe we need to focus more on the wrestling match, because it is through the wrestling that we are changed.  Through the wrestling we are refined, strengthened, encouraged, tested, encouraged some more, etc, etc.  This is not to see whether we are worthy; whether we will give up or not; whether we should receive the blessing, but rather to help us endure until the ultimate consumation of the blessing through the death of our bodies.

What are your thoughts on this?

-edh-

Interview questions from Pastor David

/ The Pastor / 8 Comments

A couple weeks ago I volunteered to be interviewed by Pastor David at Postings from Prairie Hill.  Below are the questions he posted on his blog followed by my answers to those questions.  But first, the rules for this meme are as follows:
1. If you are interested in being interviewed, leave me a comment saying "interview me."
2. I will respond by posting 5 questions for you. I get to post the questions.
3. You will update your blog with a post containing your answers to the questions.
4. You will include this explanation and offer to interview someone else in the same post.
5. When others comment, asking to be interviewed, you will ask them 5 questions.

Now…here it goes:
(1) You recently celebrated the third anniversary of your ordination. In these three years, what has surprised you most about ordained ministry? What has consistently fed you the most as a pastor?
When I first started here what surprised me the most was how much people cared about my opinion on various matters.  I remember my first council meeting.  Someone asked a question and immediately everyone turned and looked at me.  Time seemed to stand still as I peered into their eyes first wondering, "Why are you looking at me?" and then "Wow…people want to hear what I think".  That was hard to get used to and at times it still surprises me.  I think it is one of those reminders for me of the responsibility I have.  What I say and do matters; people are listening.

What feeds me the most is when I see people respond in service to others.  I am fed when I see the "Sunday school" (Wednesday Night Live) teachers working with the kids and having fun.  I am fed when I see council members get excited about worship and giving to ministeries outside the church.  I am fed when I see people choosing Bible study over something else (i.e. work, meetings).  I am fed when I hear people talk about their faith.

(2)This is your first call. Did you choose SW Minnesota, or did it choose you?
In a way I(we) chose SW MN AND SW MN chose me(us).  Connie and I grew up in the SW MN Synod.  Our hometown is only 2 1/2 hours away (we grew up together with me graduating 3 years ahead of Connie).  For both of us family connections are important so we wanted to stay close. So we requested to stay somewhere within Region 3 (MN, SD and ND) hoping to stay in SW MN.  And SW MN did choose us.  We were willing to go where we were called but thankfully we were called here.  Small town/small congregation life appeals to us even though there are times when a large congregation would be appealing.  But in the end, I would not trade my call to Salem for anything.

(3) What is one book, other than the Bible and Confessions, that you could not live without? And why?
I am going to cheat a little bit here and mention a couple books.  Dietrich Bonhoeffer is the one theologian I have quoted the most in my ministry with the Cost of Discipleship being the book that has influenced my faith the most.  I had heard the phrase "cheap grace" before but never really understood it.  After reading Bonhoeffer, God’s grace seemed to come alive in me in a new and powerful way.  God’s grace does not give us license to be "lazy" but it should motivate us to action.

A couple other books include: The Evangelizing Church by Richard Bliese and Craig Van Gelder; and A Story Worth Sharing by Kelly Fryer.  Both of these books helped me see evangelism in a new way.  Actually it placed a fire under me; so much so that I am getting involved with my synod’s effort to push evangelism in the Church – something you wouldn’t think you would have to do in the Church.

(4) If you were not a pastor, what you be doing with your life?
This is a hard question to answer.  This is my third career so I have tried others things.  I served as a program director of an ELCA Bible camp and I tried my hand at selling cars (my dad owns a car dealership).  I enjoyed my time at camp, but I burnt myself out.  And I enjoyed selling cars (for a little bit) but found out that I am a bad car salesman.  My dad has a gift…I don’t.  So what would I do if I weren’t a pastor?  Hmmm…this may sound kind of strange, but I could see myself running a Christian coffee house.  I love hanging out at the coffee place downtown doing my "ecumenical ministry".  I also have an accounting degree.  So combined with my passion for ministry, why not use both of those.  Plus…access to great coffee whenever I wanted.  You can’t go wrong with that 🙂

(5) What is one place you have never been, but would like to go?
In 2001, my wife and I were registered and set to go to the Holy Lands as part of my cross cultural education requirement for Luther Seminary (of course she wasn’t required to do cross cultural education but we thought it would be fun to go together).  Our deposit was paid and we were making plans…then 9/11 happened.  A month later our trip was canceled and the deposit was returned.  So my answer here (obviously) is the Holy Lands.  To walk in the areas where Christ and his disciples walked and lived would be a powerful experience.  To see first hand the area where some of the major events of our faith took place I think would draw me closer to the stories.  You can see and hear stories about mountains, but when you experience them first hand your perspective changes.  But my faith won’t be "incomplete" if I never get there.

And to steal Diane’s bonus question: what is one question you would like someone to ask you?
This is also a good question and I hope I have a good question for my answer. My question (for myself) is this: What is the most important lesson you learned from your parents? I ask this because I feel it is important for our lives as followers of Christ.  The lesson I learned came from my dad when I moved home in 1997 to work for him.  On my first day of work he said, "You treat every person who walks through that door as if they were Jesus (and I am not talking about crucifying him even though that is often how we treat people).  I will never forget that.  After all, isn’t that how each of us is suppose to treat everyone.  Imagine if the whole world followed my dad’s advice.  Hmmm…

Well…that’s it.  Thanks, Pastor David, for the thought provoking questions.  It was fun to ponder them again.  If anyone else out there would like to be interviewed, let me know.  I have enjoyed getting to know people through this meme.  Take care and God bless!

-edh-

Monday randomness

/ The Pastor / 7 Comments

It is Monday morning and my routine is all thrown off.  As some of you may know, my office computer "died"  this past week.  I have a guy coming in this afternoon so I am hoping for a quick resurrection. Hopefully the hard drive is alright and it’s only the power supply that is shot.  In the mean time I am typing away on my lap top.

Sermon prep
This past Wednesday we had a great Bible study – studying the up coming Sunday texts.  I gained a lot of insight through this group and through all those who left comments on this blog.  I really, really appreciate the body of Christ as we gather together to discuss the Word of God.  I can’t imagine being involved in ministry as a "solo" pastor.  We definitely need each other.

Personal stewardship update
Last month set a goal for myself to run the Twin Cities marathon in Oct. 2008.  Right now that has been put on hold.  I have been having some problems with my shins and found out recently at a doctor’s visit that I have flat feet and that is probably is the source of my problems.  I have an appointment with a specialist to check my feet out.  So I have turned my attention to biking and weightlifting.  Maybe I will be the next Lance Armstrong – minus the drugs 😉

But on a positive note I have lost 16 pounds since mid-August.  I can’t tell you how excited I am.  I have gone down a pants size and have moved into large shirts from XL.  Today I even comfortably got into a medium shirt.  Whoo hoo!

God is awesome!!!
God has been incredibly faithful.  Even though my I am "suffering" through computer problems, God is still faithful.  Even though I "lost" my sermon last week, God’s Word was still proclaimed.  Even though "my" running goals have been (hopefully temporarily) derailed, I am still losing weight.  God is faithful.  God is awesome.  And through all these "hardships" I will praise God.

-edh-

Sunday morning prayer – 10/14/07

/ The Pastor / 7 Comments

I find myself in unfamiliar territory with mixed emotions.  On Thursday afternoon we had a power outage here…while I was working on my computer.  It lasted about 1/2 hour.  On Saturday morning when I arrived in my office the power light on my computer was blinking and would not turn on. 

Oh by the way, I hadn’t printed my sermon off yet.

Needless to say I was not a happy camper.  Then I started to think, "Maybe this is God’s way of telling me that the sermon that I wrote is not the sermon God wants me to preach on Sunday."  Then I thought "Well God, there are easier (and cheaper) ways to tell me that".  Either way, I got another sermon prepared that is completely different from what I wrote before.  And you know something…I feel better about this sermon.

Normally the prayer I write here is the prayer I pray during the sermon.  Since I lost that prayer on Thursday, this is a new/different one.  I guess that is alright.  Besides…can you actually lose a prayer?

Anyway…Let us pray…
Gracious Lord God…you work in mysterious ways.  Sometimes things happen that cause us to be angry and sometimes with you.  We don’t understand.  Maybe that’s because we get so locked in OUR ways that we fail to see you working in our lives and the world around us.  Open our eyes to see your glory.  Open our ears to hear your loving word.  Open our hands to serve our neighbor.  Open our mouths to preach the Good News and open our noses to smell the richness of the life you give us.  Through Jesus Christ you love us beyond measure.  Use each of us to your glory and give us patience to follow wherever you may lead.  Through Jesus Christ, your dear Son, we pray, Amen!

May your computers always turn on and your hard drives keep spinning 🙂  Have a glorious day praising our Lord and Savior.

-edh-