Gary Neal Hansen

Theology. It's good for you.

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You are here: Home / Archives for Ministry

Letters to a Young Pastor: The Children’s Sermon — Not a Laughing Matter

March 22, 2018 by Gary Neal Hansen 5 Comments

not a laughing matter

Dear ______: I’m glad to hear you got through your first “children’s sermon” all right. Whew! (The fact that this topic is so fraught for you might be something to think about when you are looking for a field education placement. We can chat about that later if you want to.) I am glad you […]

Filed Under: Ministry, Worship Tagged With: Children's Sermon, not a laughing matter

Letters to a Young Pastor: The Children’s Sermon — The Mr. Rogers Moment

March 15, 2018 by Gary Neal Hansen 6 Comments

Children's Sermon

Dear ______: Wow! I’ve never heard you ask for advice so urgently. I hope this reaches you in time to be helpful. As I understand it, you’ve been asked to preach a “children’s sermon” and you are totally freaked out. Don’t panic. Help is on the way. The Children’s Sermon I’ll confess: the idea of […]

Filed Under: Ministry, Worship Tagged With: Children's Moment, Children's Sermon, Letters to a Young Pastor

Letters to a Young Pastor: “Forgive Us…As We Forgive”

February 8, 2018 by Gary Neal Hansen 3 Comments

Forgive us...as we forgive

Dear ______: Thanks for your sympathy: I find a verified case of “Influenza A” plus pneumonia can put a serious dent in my week. Or month perhaps. So just a quick note to say thanks and continue the conversation. Glad you looked ahead in the Lord’s Prayer to prepare yourself: the “modifiers” in the clause […]

Filed Under: Ministry Tagged With: as we forgive, Forgive us our debts, Forgive us our sins, Forgive us our trespasses, Lenten prayer class, Lord's Prayer

Letters to a Young Pastor: “Give Us This Day Our Daily Bread”

February 1, 2018 by Gary Neal Hansen 2 Comments

give us this day our daily bread

Dear ______: Just a short note today, as I’m under the weather. I’ll spare you the interruptions for hacking and wheezing. As I was saying, the “modifiers” in the various lines of the uber-familiar Lord’s Prayer make all the difference to its meaning. Noticing these little in-betwen bits is especially helpful if you are going […]

Filed Under: Ministry Tagged With: give us this day our daily bread, Lord's Prayer

Letters to a Young Pastor: “On Earth As It Is In Heaven”

January 25, 2018 by Gary Neal Hansen 4 Comments

on earth as it is in heaven

Dear ______: Thanks, I’m glad to be back in touch as well. I’m glad you enjoyed my comments on the first line of the Lord’s Prayer, “Our Father in heaven…” And yes, I’ll happily explain my cryptic comment about the “modifiers” being the really interesting thing about several lines of the Lord’s Prayer. Some of […]

Filed Under: Ministry, Theology Tagged With: Lord's Prayer, on earth as it is in heaven, Thy will be done

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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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