On Friday I received my commission as a Chaplain (First Lieutenant) in the US Army and in the Indiana Army National Guard. Here are the oaths I swore. I, Christopher Thomas Duckworth, do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Indiana againstContinue reading “Oaths of Office”
Tag Archives: 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”
Putting Everything on the Table, In Faith – Acts 15
I haven’t been posting sermons here recently … but this one on Acts 15, and the bold faith of those first believers to trust in and be moved by the Spirit to do a new thing, is one I wanted to share. I believe that the church today is in an Acts 15 moment. PreachedContinue reading “Putting Everything on the Table, In Faith – Acts 15”
Questioning My Commitments to “The System”
I leaned over to a pastor friend of mine and said, “It’s events such as this that make me question my commitment to traditional forms of worship and ministry.”
Colbert v. Stewart, and brief thoughts on clergy authenticity
There's lots of love out there right now in the religious world – well, in the Comedy Central-watching religious left world, anyway – for Stephen Colbert. Several outlets have picked up on a Religious News Service (RNS) piece, Behind Colbert's right-wing funnyman, a quiet faith, and it is making its rounds among my friends andContinue reading “Colbert v. Stewart, and brief thoughts on clergy authenticity”
The Lutheran Zephyr 