Dear ______: Sounds like the first summer of seminary has brought to light a common problem: You no longer have a church. Yes, you do need a church. Yes, as I wrote last week this season is a great opportunity to visit churches of other traditions. But you still need one church to be your community, […]
The Prophet Elijah: Fire or Grace?
Today the Orthodox Church commemorates one of the great figures of the Old Testament: the prophet Elijah, or Elias. Since for the last couple years I regularly participated in the Vespers service at St. Elias Greek Orthodox Church in Dubuque I wanted to reflect a bit on their patron saint. He is remembered as the […]
Closed Communion: It’s Not About You (Letters to a Young Pastor)
Dear ______: Glad to hear that you are using some of these summer Sundays to visit churches of other traditions. It is the best way to broaden your real knowledge of what worship is, and to sense first hand the diversity of the Body of Christ. (And do it now or you’ll lose your chance — […]
How Do You Make Sense of Theology? (Letters to a Young Pastor)
Dear ______: After my last couple of letters I’m shocked (shocked) to find you are not yet convinced of the value of your Church history course. Okay, I’m no more shocked than Captain Renault was to find there was gambling going on in Rick’s Café Américain. (If you don’t know the reference, watch Casablanca. You […]
Knowing the Church’s Story (Letters to a Young Pastor)
Dear ______: I’m glad to hear that you are at least looking for some “friends” from your readings in Church history. I think that is one good reason to study Church history, whether you are in seminary or not — but it isn’t by any means the only reason. One key thing you gain from a […]
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