This morning, on Reformation Sunday, I preached the third message in a series based on Debie Thomas’ new book A Faith of Many Rooms: Inhabiting a More Spacious Christianity (Broadleaf, 2024).Today, we focused on story. Sermon My message, “Living the Story” was based on Jeremiah 31:31-34, Romans 3:19-28, and John 8:31-36. Story You can watch the sermon below or read the manuscript. Excerpt I know many of you came to church this morning expecting me to say something Read More …
Turning Your Vehicle Into a Religious Billboard (#2162)
It happened to me again last week. I found myself behind a vehicle with a religious message I couldn't help but notice. For whatever reason, the driver chose to pull over not long after I'd determined to snap a picture of the message, which reads, "The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." You don't need to be a religion scholar to figure out that this is a quote from the New Testament. A quick Google search would show any curious Read More …
Struggling with S Words (Sin & Salvation) (#2161)
This morning I preached the second message in a series based on Debie Thomas’ new book A Faith of Many Rooms: Inhabiting a More Spacious Christianity (Broadleaf, 2024).Today, we focused on sin and salvation. Sermon My message, “Struggling with S Words” was based on Romans 6:1-14 and Mark 2:13-17. Sin and Salvation You can watch the sermon below or read the manuscript. Excerpt Let me begin with a big philosophical question: What problem does religion solve? Notice I said Read More …
Doubting Debie (and Doubting Thomas) (#2160)
This morning I preached the first message in a series based on Debie Thomas’ new book A Faith of Many Rooms: Inhabiting a More Spacious Christianity (Broadleaf, 2024).Today, we focused on doubt. Sermon My message, “Embracing Doubt” was based on Genesis 17:17-22, 18:10-15 and John 20:24-29. Doubt You can watch the sermon below or read the manuscript. Excerpt Doubt isn’t something to fear; it is one of the ways we explore our faith and truly make it our own.Looking at Read More …
Great New Books for October 2024 (#2159)
The best new books I’ve read in the last month are Funding Forward After decades of membership decline, many local churches are now struggling with financial sustainability. Even congregations with significant assets and sizeable membership are finding that reliance on a single source of income does not provide the financial stability it once did. Grace Duddy Pomroy, director of the Stewardship Leaders Program at Lutheran Seminary since 2020, understands that while each Read More …
Doing Life Together (#2158)
This morning I preached the fifth and final message in a series based on Robert Schnase’s book Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations (revised). Today, we focused on the practice of intentional faith development. Sermon My message, “Doing Life Together” was based on Acts 2:42. Intentional Faith Development I preached from this manuscript. You can watch a recording of the livestream here (the Scripture lesson begins at 16:22 and the sermon begins at 17:30). Excerpt Maybe Read More …
Going All In – Responding with Extravagant Generosity (#2157)
This morning I preached the fourth message in a series based on Robert Schnase’s book Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations (revised). Today, we focused on the practice of extravagant generosity. Sermon My message, “Going All In” was based on Mark 12:41-44. Extravagant Generosity I preached from this manuscript. You can watch a recording of the livestream here (the Gospel lesson begins at 23:58 and the sermon begins at 25:00). Excerpt Given our cultural tendency to love Read More …
Struggling to Celebrate A Twitterversary (#2156)
X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, informed me yesterday that I've been a part of that community for 15 years. A Strange Year Last year, I reflected on my first 14 years noting that I might soon leave X given the many unfavorable changes that Elon Musk had implemented since purchasing this once great platform. And, yet, somehow I've lingered. And, now, I'm writing again after another year has passed. Sadly, I cannot report that there's been any signs of restoring the platform Read More …
Worship – Connecting with God (#2155)
This morning I preached the third message in a series based on Robert Schnase’s book Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations (revised). Today, we focused on the practice of passionate worship. Sermon My message, “Connecting with God” was based on Romans 12:1-2 and John 4:19-24. Passionate Worship The theme was evident well beyond the sermon as the congregation's Director of Worship and Music Ministries and choir returned after parental leave and a summer break. And, the Read More …
A More Spacious Christianity (#2154)
This morning the three day experience known as Faith & Justice's Fall Gathering: The Way of Justice for Today wrapped up at Open Book in Minneapolis. Author Debie Thomas' talk kicked off the morning. A Faith of Many Rooms Debie Thomas provided some of the story behind the story of her newest book: A Faith of Many Rooms: Inhabiting a More Spacious Christianity (Broadleaf Books, 2024 - rated here on So What Faith as 4.5/5). Importantly, her talk - much like the book - focused on her own Read More …