Monthly Archives: January 2015

Beyond Even the 21st Century

I thought this article was very poignant to the ongoing discussion of church renewal: (Andrew Bell, “Our Moment is Now #3synod15,” Called and Sent. Online available: http://calledsent.blogspot.com/2015/01/our-moment-is-now-3synod15.html?m=1). Leonard Sweet has great insights for engaging our 21st century world. A number of … Continue reading

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“Claiming Your Fish Story” a sermon on Mark 1:14-20 and Jonah 3-4

1/25/2014 Sermon on Mark 1:14-20 and Jonah 3-4 “Claiming Your Fish Story” St. Paul Lutheran Church Old Saybrook, CT Thanks to Luther Crest Bible Camp http://www.luthercrest.org

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Why I go to Breakfast Every Wednesday (or 5 Good Reasons for Small Groups and How to Start Your Own)

Some might think I spend a disproportionate amount of time with a small group of people each week when compared to the rest of the people of the congregation I serve. I suppose that would be a fair critique. I … Continue reading

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“The Word of God was rare in those days…” a sermon on 1 Samuel 3:1-20

1/18/2015 Epiphany 2 Sermon on 1 Samuel 3:1-20 “The Word of God was rare in those days…” St. Paul Lutheran Church Old Saybrook, CT

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Defining Something New…

There is nothing new about church decline.  The church in America has been in decline for decades. The denomination which I am a pastor, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) had over five million members in the late 1990s … Continue reading

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“A better word from the wilderness” a sermon on Acts 19:1-7 and Mark 1:9-12

1/11/2015 Baptism of our Lord a sermon on Acts 19:1-7 and Mark 1:9-12 “A better word from the wilderness” St. Paul Lutheran Church Old Saybrook, CT

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Ninja Pastors, Really?

I keep finding this advertisement inserted into my Facebook feed. The slogan reads, “Pastor, only because full time ninja is not an actual ministry title.”  I am not really sure what this slogan is supposed to mean. Except that I … Continue reading

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“Are you a Shepherd or a Magi?” a sermon on Matt 2:1-12

1/4/2015 2nd Sunday of Christmas Sermon on Matt 2:1-12 “Are you a Shepherd or a Magi?” St. Paul Lutheran Church Old Saybrook, CT For further reading: Kelley J. Baker, “Return of the Holiday Prodigal, Its Complicated,” The BTS Center, December … Continue reading

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5 New Year’s Resolutions for the North American Church

1. Live like its 2015. The church has a lot of history and tradition that has sustained us for two millennium, but we also have to be aware of and live in the real world today, while using language, metaphors and … Continue reading

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