Gary Neal Hansen

Theology. It's good for you.

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First Visit to an Orthodox Church: Domes vs. Steeples

April 17, 2018 by Gary Neal Hansen 2 Comments

If you’re a regular here on my blog you’ve seen me writing on a variety of topics relating to Orthodox Christianity. I don’t mean “little ‘o’ orthodox” — like any Christianity with good theology. We’re talking “big ‘O’ Orthodox” — Eastern Christianity, the part that was divided from the West back in 1054 and is […]

Filed Under: Community, Theology, Worship Tagged With: Domes vs. Spires, Orthodoxy, Visiting an Orthodox church

Monday Meditation — RCL Year B, 4th Sunday of Easter, John 10:11-18

April 16, 2018 by Gary Neal Hansen 2 Comments

John 10:11-18

“I am the good shepherd,” says Jesus. Among the “I Am” sayings in John, I particularly love “I am the Good Shepherd” (John 10:11-18). There is tenderness and love in it that appeals to both children and adults. (John 10:11-18 is the lectionary Gospel for the 4th Sunday of Easter in Year B. I’ve also […]

Filed Under: Bible, Ministry, Monday Meditation Tagged With: 4th Sunday of Easter, John 10:11-18, RCL Year B, The Good Shepherd

Monday Meditation — RCL Year B, 3rd Sunday of Easter, Luke 24:36b–48

April 9, 2018 by Gary Neal Hansen 4 Comments

Luke 24:36b–48; John 20:19-31

The similarities between the four evangelists when recounting the the resurrection encounters can make it hard to keep the stories straight. Next Sunday’s passage of Luke (Luke 24:36b–48) bears echoes of last Sunday’s pair of encounters in John, first without Thomas and then with him. Luke 24:36b–48 Once I get my bearings, I note four […]

Filed Under: Bible, Monday Meditation, Prayer Tagged With: 3rd Sunday of Easter, Luke 24:36–49, Luke 24:36b–48, RCL Year B, Revised Common Lectionary

Letters to a Young Pastor: The Children’s Sermon — Let the Children Come to Me

April 5, 2018 by Gary Neal Hansen Leave a Comment

Let the children come to me

Dear ______: You make a good observation: my letters to you on the topic of children’s sermons have not said much about what to actually say to the kids. True enough. I’ve talked about taking Mr. Rogers as your role model, about not getting the grown-ups to laugh, and about not asking the kids a […]

Filed Under: Ministry, Worship Tagged With: Children's Sermon, Let the children come to me, Suffer little children to come unto me

Letters to a Young Pastor: The Children’s Sermon — This Is Not A Test

March 29, 2018 by Gary Neal Hansen 9 Comments

this is not a test

Dear ____: Yes, you are right: it is hard not to aim for a laugh during the children’s sermon — or to enjoy it big time when it happens. As you note, it may be the inevitable result of asking children questions up front. You don’t know what they’ll say. Though it is rarely publicly […]

Filed Under: Ministry, Worship Tagged With: Children's Sermons

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Theology. It’s good for you.

I'm a Church historian by trade. My writing, speaking, and teaching explores the Christian past to equip today's disciples. Join me here for regular posts on the best of theology, spirituality, community, and ministry. read more…

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