Gary Neal Hansen

Theology. It's good for you.

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You are here: Home / Archives for Worship

Monday Meditation: RCL Year B, 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time, John 6:35, 41-51

August 8, 2018 by Gary Neal Hansen 2 Comments

John 6:35, 41-51

This week’s lectionary Gospel text (John 6:35, 41-51) starts with the same verse we ended with last week. Then, oddly, it skips four verses before continuing the story. It is the middle week of a five-week-long revel in John 6, as Jesus discusses, debates, and disputes about manna from heaven and himself as the “Bread […]

Filed Under: Bible, Church Year, Faith, Monday Meditation, Worship Tagged With: 41-51, I am the Bread of Life, John 6:35, RCL 19th Sunday of Ordinary Time, Revised Common Lectionary

Letters to a Young Pastor: The Children’s Sermon — Is it THIS text?

August 2, 2018 by Gary Neal Hansen Leave a Comment

Is it this text?

Dear ______: You make a good observation when you say “Half the battle is done if the point you make to the kids is rooted in a biblical text.” But at the risk of mixing my metaphors, any preacher who stops because half the battle is done will preach a sermon that is only half-baked. […]

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

Letters to a Young Pastor: The Children’s Sermon — Is it Yours?

July 19, 2018 by Gary Neal Hansen 6 Comments

is it yours

Dear ______: My goodness, with the kids being out of school for summer the time gets swept away. Sorry to have not written for so long. You are kind to ask if there are other criteria for making sure your children’s sermon is on track. I mentioned checking what you prepare to make sure it […]

Filed Under: Bible, Ministry, Worship Tagged With: Children's Sermons, Letters to a Young Pastor, plagiarism

First Visit to an Orthodox Church (conclusion): Religionless Christianity vs Religionfull Christianity

July 3, 2018 by Gary Neal Hansen 8 Comments

Today I’m wrapping up my series on “How to Have a Good First Visit to an Orthodox Church.” Six posts, not counting this one. (Click here to start at the beginning.) If you are a Protestant that probably sounds a bit like overkill. You know newbies don’t need much help when they visit your church. […]

Filed Under: Community, Faith, Worship Tagged With: Bonhoeffer, Orthodoxy, religionless Christianity

Letters to a Young Pastor: The Children’s Sermon — Is it Gospel?

June 7, 2018 by Gary Neal Hansen 3 Comments

is it gospel

Dear ______: Thanks for asking me to clarify. I said something about how children’s sermons often reveal a preacher’s real theology, for good or for ill. I suspect it is because pastors do not think of the children’s sermon as a sermon. They think of it more as a conversation. If they have a warm, […]

Filed Under: Ministry, Theology, Worship Tagged With: Children's Sermons, grace vs. works, Letters to a Young Pastor, Telling children the gospel

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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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