Pastor's Blog

(OK. Maybe not the blood and tears part. Just the sweaty part.) “Tenny, you’re sweating. Are you OK?” “Just fine. It’s a gift.” Understand, this is just what I do, anytime the humidity gets higher than, say…2%! In my high school gym class (back then, we called it Phys. Ed—some of you remember), when Coach would tell us to warm up by taking a lap, I’d finish the lap looking like I took a detour through Niagra Falls. Every time. No one else. Just me.

On May 23, this congregation made the bold and faithful decision to move forward with the proposed building project on our Christ South land. Though we reviewed the design, sifted through the numbers, and walked through the timeline, this was a vote about the mission of Christ Lutheran to reach beyond our walls and further the work of the Kingdom of God. And for that, we were all in unison.

A couple weeks ago a crazy thing happened. A cyberattack targeted the pipeline that ran from the Gulf Coast to New Jersey. This happened on May 7. Thankfully with a full tank of gas, I was driving on May 11 and came to a standstill on Providence Road.

I love the Easter season. It’s the very center of the good news. And you all know that Matthew 28 is my favorite of all the chapters of the Bible, I bet. I preach on it… well… a TON. The chapter is full of such great stories and moments. They are really the bulk of the DNA of a mission developer pastor, which, by the way, is ALL pastors post-COVID – and maybe pre-COVID as well.

Around the time Jesus was born, Jewish believers held several different views on what happens to a person when you die. The Pharisees were known for believing in a resurrection, but another group called the Sadducees disagreed. They were “Sad You See,” because they held that once a person died there was no hope beyond the grave.

Pastor Scott and I had a vision and a plan. On March 1, 2020, I began my work as Online Minister at Christ Lutheran’s 4thcampus, 4th expression, Christ Online. We had a three-part plan; Engagement during Sunday Morning Worship, a Mid-Week Bible Study especially for those folks in the online space, and an In-Person Fellowship option, for those living in concentrated geographical areas around us.

“What color is your truck?” When asked that question, I wasn’t really sure how to answer. As we stood staring at it, I knew what color it used to be...

So, where are we? I hear that question often in terms of our building plans on the beautiful 13 acres of land we bought for our Christ South campus.

This is my favorite time of year! Spring is here; we just had an amazing Easter week, and we’re looking towards summer. This is also the time when we in family ministry start really thinking about Vacation Bible School. I love VBS! It’s a week where kids learn and grow closer to God in fun and amazing ways. There are Bible stories, crafts, songs, games, activities and so much more.

20 Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb. 2So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.” 3Then Peter and the other disciple set out and went toward the tomb. 4The two were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. 5He bent down to look in and saw the linen wrappings lying there, but he did not go in. 6Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen wrappings lying there, 7and the cloth that had been on Jesus’ head, not lying with the linen wrappings but rolled up in a place by itself. 8Then the other disciple, who reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; 9for as yet they did not understand the scripture, that he must rise from the dead. 10Then the disciples returned to their homes.

Back when I visited the ancient city of Ephesus in 2015, the last thing I expected to see in the streets was the Nike swoosh...

This year, God has been making this quote of Martin Luther’s alive for me in new ways...

I oftn hav trouble focsing, but toda is reely bad. Just back frim the aye doctor, and my eys are deleted. Have no ides what im tipping. Everything ws out of focus as I walked out of the bulding after my appointmnt. And now, between the focs issues and auto-corect, I just hope that hothing I typ comes out offensive.

On Sunday, March7, we had a congregational meeting for the sole purpose of selling the acre lot across from the church office that is currently being used for our Garden Ministry. Over four years ago, we purchased that lot/home for $325,000. We had to demolish the house, add dirt, run irrigation and grade....

It’s coming – can you feel it? I have a strange feeling sitting here in my house looking out of my window. stop to analyze what it could be. Thinking through this weekend, I realize that it was amazing outside. We're just now starting to get those warm days...