Chaplainmike

Ageism in the Church?

Some days more than others, and for various reasons, I’m glad I’m not a Methodist anymore. No, seriously, the trend this article from CT’s Live Blog reports is happening in many church bodies and denominations. I wonder what you think of it. As for me, I’m all for young pastors — after all, I wasContinue reading “Ageism in the Church?”

Silence, Tears, Prayers, Practical Support

The title expresses the only four responses appropriate in the light of Monday’s storms that devastated Moore, Oklahoma. O God our refuge and strength our present help in time of trouble, surround all who are affected by the devastating tornado in Moore, Oklahoma with your care; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen. (ELCAContinue reading “Silence, Tears, Prayers, Practical Support”

Random Thoughts on a Warm and Sticky Monday

Central Indiana Weather forecast for May 20, 2013 Warm, sticky, and breezy. High temperature of 87°. Humidity 64%. Intervals of clouds and sun; chance of rain 10%. Back in the Saddle Again Yesterday, I got an early start on my summer of leading worship in our home church. Our pastor and his family had aContinue reading “Random Thoughts on a Warm and Sticky Monday”

Sacramental Preaching

In sacramental traditions, the concept of preaching, and even the corporate reading of Scripture, is different than in revivalist traditions. It is about God literally acting through the spoken word. I know pastors who don’t think, for example, that the lectionary readings should even be printed in the bulletin. The words presented in worship areContinue reading “Sacramental Preaching”

Saturday Ramblings 5.18.13

There are those who are fairly new to this site, and thus may have some questions about this weekly iMonk abbey chapter we call Saturday Ramblings. So allow me to explain it in just a few words. First of all, the stories and comments shared here are all very serious. We don’t joke at theContinue reading “Saturday Ramblings 5.18.13”

Sharing the Gospel?

The following video shows one of the ways in which I (and a multitude of evangelicals) were taught to “share the Gospel” with non-believers. The other day I was thinking that it would make a good discussion topic here at Internet Monk if we examined a “soterian” Gospel presentation (the link will take you toContinue reading “Sharing the Gospel?”

Difficult Scriptures: Romans 5:12-17

12 When Adam sinned, sin entered the world. Adam’s sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned. 13 Yes, people sinned even before the law was given. But it was not counted as sin because there was not yet any law to break. 14 Still, everyone died—from the time of Adam to the time of Moses—even thoseContinue reading “Difficult Scriptures: Romans 5:12-17”

Midweek Monkery 5/15/13

Welcome to Midweek Monkery, Lutheran edition. I hope you will enjoy a few of the things that have made me laugh as I have started to learn more about the Lutheran community, especially the immigrant Lutheran community in the U.S. If you are a laughing Lutheran, I’d love to have you chime in today withContinue reading “Midweek Monkery 5/15/13”

So, How’s the Catholic Church Really Doing?

The Vatican released information Monday from the 2013 Statistical Yearbook of the Church that challenges the perception many have (particularly in Europe and the U.S.) that the Roman Catholic Church is in a period of decline. In March, Catholic Voices Comment proclaimed: “Viewed globally the Church experienced a spectacular growth over the twentieth century which showsContinue reading “So, How’s the Catholic Church Really Doing?”

Current Clergy Views on Origins

From BioLogos: What do today’s pastors think about science? What views do they hold on creation and evolution and how strongly do they hold them? How do origins issues impact their ministries? These were just a few of the questions that motivated us at BioLogos to commission a survey of pastors on origins.Continue reading “Current Clergy Views on Origins”