A memorable Trinity Sunday sermon
My first year as a pastor was coming to an end, and I was working on a sermon for Trinity Sunday. There was just one problem: I had writer’s block.…
Appreciating the clouds
A cloudy day or a sunny day? What would you rather have? I think most people would choose a sunny day. If that is you, I am hoping that by…
One little word
The title of this article can get you thinking about Martin Luther’s Reformation hymn “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God” (Christian Worship 863/864). The third stanza ends with the observation…
“You came to visit me”
“I was sick, and you looked after me as part of your congregation’s visitation ministry. I was in prison, and you came to visit me in connection with your congregation’s…
Preachers and listeners
Serving as a vacancy pastor recently put me behind a pulpit on a weekly basis. It had been quite a while since I prepared sermons with that degree of regularity.…
What to know before you go
If you read issues of Forward in Christ like a Hebrew Bible—from back to front—the title of this column will not make much sense. On the other hand, if you…
Sympathy +
“I’m so sorry.” “I’m sorry for your loss.” “You have my sympathy.” I’m sure you recognize those statements, and you can probably picture a very common setting where they are…
Remembering a rite
Imagine a Lutheran pastor beginning a baptism service by blowing three times under the child’s eyes and then commanding the unclean spirit in the child to depart and make room…
Pastor and wife appreciation month
Praise Martin Luther? No, praise the Lord! Praise the Lord for what he accomplished through reformers like Martin Luther. In our praise to the Lord, it is common and appropriate…