DiscipleshipThe Call to Love the Small
What are the unique opportunities and challenges facing our small churches?
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Discipleship
Discipleship
DiscipleshipReturning to the Basics
Sixty miles or so from where I live there is a mountain popular among rock climbers––Stalamus Chief. It presents itself as a vertical slab of smooth granite, 2,000 feet high. On summer days rock climbers are spread out in varying levels of ascent up and down its face. Occasional climbers spend the night in hammocks…
DiscipleshipPreparing for Baptisms And Supporting the Baptized
Opening prayer: Great God, we thank you for the gift of baptism, in which Jesus forgives us our sins yet lays your mighty claim upon our whole life. Call us back to the identity that you gave us at the font, that we would be free for grateful service to you and all your creatures.…
DiscipleshipMartin Luther: A Moment to Remember
We consistently underestimate the power, significance, and gravitas of sin while consistently underestimating the power, significance, and gravitas of the transforming love of God.
DiscipleshipWhen Theology Burns
Moses went away from the crowd into the wilderness. And there he came to a bush that burned incessantly like no other. He stood alone before the burning bush. And then, both parties begin to speak. That is precisely when theology begins to burn.
DiscipleshipThree Pastoral Insights From Martin Luther
Like many pastors across America and the world, I encouraged our congregation to observe the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation. But churches were not the only ones honoring this historic moment. Print media, television networks, BBC, NPR, social media and numerous internet outlets tried to cover the importance of Luther’s nailing his 95 theses…
DiscipleshipDoing Life Together: A Priesthood of All Believers
Fifty million American adults attend faith-based small groups regularly, according to a 2016 survey of the U.S. Census Bureau.1 Yet just over 500 years ago, this common faith practice would have been seen as dangerous and displeasing to God. Although small groups are not a direct outcome of the Reformation, they are part of its…
DiscipleshipHow the Reformation Shapes our Life Together
Last Spring I was planting vegetables and noticed printed on the plastic wrapper around one tomato plant the slogan, “Deep roots produce abundant fruits.” As I reflected on this claim, I thought about how this applies to my own understanding of ministry and how it shapes the life of the church I serve. I thought…
DiscipleshipIf I were a Church School Teacher Again
Observation reveals that religious instruction is still very much a matter of conveying religious facts, and that this concern with religious knowledge is a Protestant characteristic. If I were a church school teacher again, I would seek constantly to emphasize the importance of Christian duties.
DiscipleshipThe Catechized Prodigal: When Covenant Children Lose Their Way
“Train the child for the path of his life, and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”
DiscipleshipPreaching The Gospel With The Great Preacher: Ten Convictions After 40 Years Of Trying To Do It Well
For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes in Him will not be disappointed.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call upon Him; for “Whoever will call upon the name of the Lord will be saved.” How then shall they…