Pastor's Blog

In last week’s blog post, Deacon Kenny informed our congregation that he will continue his pastoral journey with a congregation in Northern Virginia. We thank God, and Kenny, that he has served us so well throughout his ten-month internship at Christ Lutheran. We will miss him, but we know that he is embarking on the path that God set forth for him. Blessings to Kenny, his wife, and his ministry.

You all have heard me share in worship many times; I have been on a journey of discernment over the past year of my life which led me to you in response to God’s call by switching rosters from a Deacon to a Pastor. The discernment has continued during my internship with you, discerning where God is calling me to serve, once I complete my internship and coursework. It is with a sense of sadness, fear, excitement, and hopefulness that I share with you my decision to not pursue a pastoral call here at Christ Lutheran Church.

That’s The Council and Personnel Committee have always been very generous and supportive of the well being of the staff. For those on Leadership Team, they provide time for a sabbatical of 6weeks every five years. This time away is not just an extended vacation but a time of education or writing or spiritual renewal or wellness.

That’s the latest term you know – “May-Cember”? And I for one am feeling it. December IS crazy each year with family obligations, Christmas parties, and everything else wrapping up another calendar year.

Here is my first world problem for you. My house is being remodeled, and the guys who reseated or sealed or magically mounted my toilet failed to do a proper job. So now to use the bathroom I have to go down the stairs and around the corner, in my own house! How privileged to have multiple bathrooms in my house so that when one fails, I am only as disturbed as a walk down and up the stairs?!

Harvard Business School has isolated a point in a company’s lifespan when they are no longer managing for growth but rather managing for decline.

I recently attended a workshop that was all about Generation Z (those born between 1997 and 2018) and Generation Alpha (those born after 2018) and how these generations are communicating and interacting with the world.

Death is a topic about which relatively few people know how to converse gracefully, and likely with good reason:

“We have to go to church today.” Those are the words of my 12-year-old son to his mother. “We have to go to church” he continues “because I’m needed.”

Back in 2016, the ELCA voted as a denomination to create a new “roster” or office of leadership within the church and call them “Deacons.”

Holy Week began with Palm Sunday that was the largest worship attendance we’ve seen for a non-holiday Sunday since Covid.

Exodus 12:11 “This is how you shall eat it: your loins girded, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and you shall eat it in haste. It is the Passover of the LORD.”

Triduum refers to the three days leading up to Easter. Too many people go right from the joyous shouts of Hosanna on Palm Sunday to the resurrection shouts of Hallelujah on Easter without experiencing the complete Passion Story through the Triduum.

Do you make mortgage payments? If so, think about this for a while: Do you know that it is considered a government subsidy because of the tax deduction you receive on interest paid?

Carey Nieuwhof recently posted on his blog “A Sneak Peek into 5 Characteristics of Gen Z Church.” It is a summary of possibly takeaways from the Asbury Revival that occurred back in February.