Pastor Amy Starr Redwine, a pastor in Richmond, Virginia, tells a story about a class she took while a student at the seminary. The class was called: Confession and Forgiveness from a Pastoral Perspective. Pastor Redwine wrote that the class was incredibly popular, and the 45 slots filled up as soon as registration opened. On the first … More Drawn into Community
I have spent these weeks in my sabbatical trying to listen well. I want to hear God. I want to hear the whispers of the Holy Spirit. I am looking for direction, and wisdom, and guidance. I want these things for our church, and for our family, and for my life. God speaks. I believe … More Listening Well
“A man and a woman were walking along a crowded sidewalk in New York City. Suddenly, the woman, who was a zoologist, said, ‘Listen to the lovely sound of that cricket,’ but the man could not hear the sound. He asked: “How can you possibly hear a cricket, in the middle of all of this noise, and … More What We Listen For
A centennial celebration is a significant day…a milestone in the life of a congregation. And on this important day, to mark this milestone, I have written a letter, which I would like to share with you. The letter is addressed to my successor, the senior pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church of Owatonna, Minnesota for the … More A Letter to my Successor
There is a whole series of psychological exams that students at our seminaries have to undertake. These exams dig deep into our family history, our personality characteristics and our sense of call to become a pastor in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. When I went through this process, I had to go to a … More Right Here, Right Now
During this time of year, I’m very aware of people’s postures. Have you ever noticed that there is a certain way that people in Minnesota walk during the winter? When the temperature drops, the sidewalks become slick and the wind comes up, we adopt a kind of a “duck walk.” Our steps shorten, and we … More Posture
Test Driving Theology 