Category Archives: Faith & the Church

Pastor’s Approach: Praising God, Honoring Country

I’ve been writing monthly newsletter articles about my approach to various aspects of congregational ministry – worship, sacraments, weddings, funerals, and so forth. This month, I wrote about the intersection of patriotism and Christian worship. It is a variant on pieces I’ve written on this blog in the past. Below is what appeared in myContinue reading “Pastor’s Approach: Praising God, Honoring Country”

Onomia, Oh My!

Today I visited Camp Onomia, one of the outdoor ministries of the ELCA, located just two hours northwest of Saint Paul in the Mille Lacs area. And I am so glad I did! Camp Onomia is set on beautiful Shakopee Lake, and is surrounded by state park land. As you look across the lake, youContinue reading “Onomia, Oh My!”

The Provision of Health Insurance by Religious Employers

I'm a big advocate of the separation of church and state. Knowing this, the other day someone asked me how I felt about the controvery surrounding health care, contraception, and religious employers. Here's my line of thought: The government has an interest in guaranteeing non-discriminatory access to health care coverage. Medical contraception is part ofContinue reading “The Provision of Health Insurance by Religious Employers”

Pastor’s Approach: Holy Communion

This is the second in a new series of articles that I'm writing for my church newsletter. —– Several members of Grace have asked me how I go about doing baptisms, funerals, communion, and other areas of ministry. These are important questions, and different pastors go about their ministry in different ways. In this newContinue reading “Pastor’s Approach: Holy Communion”

Pastor’s Approach: Baptism

This is the first in a new series of articles that I’m writing for my church newsletter. —– Several members of Grace have asked me how I go about doing baptisms, funerals, communion, and other areas of ministry. These are important questions, and different pastors go about their ministry in different ways. In this newContinue reading “Pastor’s Approach: Baptism”