The church is in decline. Sure, I guess. But, what do you mean by that? Membership is down in many congregations. Average weekly attendance is down, too. They are down as compared to 1965. They are down as compared to 1985. They are down, in many places, as compared even to 2005. There has beenContinue reading “Decline of What?”
Category Archives: Lutheran
Learning How to Give
You’d think it wouldn’t take much to learn how to give. Just reach into your pocket and give, right? Of course, if you’ve ever spent time in a preschool, you know that there is often a reluctance in giving and sharing. Sharing toys doesn’t come naturally. Giving that toy to Bobby is even harder. IContinue reading “Learning How to Give”
Creating Space for Communion Before Baptism
Who is welcome to receive Holy Communion? Are all invited to receive the sacrament? All baptized Christians? Or, all baptized Christians who believe that Christ is truly present in the sacrament? Variations on these three invitations can be found printed in worship bulletins across our church. The longstanding understanding of the church is that communionContinue reading “Creating Space for Communion Before Baptism”
Fitness for Ministry
Today I begin resume a new journey, a journey of fitness for ministry. You see, I’m not fit for ministry. For the ministry of National Guard Chaplaincy, that is. On and off for the past several years I’ve been discerning service in the National Guard as a chaplain. [In a future post I’ll write more aboutContinue reading “Fitness for Ministry”
Exploring a Post-Establishment Church
One thing I’ve noticed about new churches and new mission starts in my denomination (the ELCA) is that they often seem to try to do the same thing in a new way. Many of them, anyway. By “same thing,” I mean that these new mission starts seek to establish (or renew) a congregation with aContinue reading “Exploring a Post-Establishment Church”
The Lutheran Zephyr 