Fritz a wonderful lesson – and esp. reading has a flow I found encompassing. If only …….. yes we can…
Weekly lessons in theology and public life • Since 2011
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Karen and Jan’s Wedding
Read MORE: Karen and Jan’s WeddingRuth 1: 16-17 Ruth said, ‘Do not press me to leave you or to turn back from following you! Where you go, I will go; where you lodge, I will lodge; your people shall be my people, and your God my…
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At the Mount of the Beatitudes
Read MORE: At the Mount of the BeatitudesI preached this sermon last January during a pilgrimage to the Holy Land with people from Good Shepherd Lutheran in Gaithersburg, Maryland. We were on the spot at the the Sea of Galilee where many believe Jesus taught the Sermon…
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Lesson 11: Creed
Read MORE: Lesson 11: CreedWe often forget creeds are ways to read the Bible. When the early Church disagreed on which parts were important and how to handle contradictions, one thing they did was to develop creeds. We sometimes see creeds as dividing people…
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Lesson 10: Bible
Read MORE: Lesson 10: BibleLast week, I suggested the church of the future might well be a community of friends who gather face-to-face to share a lifestyle that suits following Jesus in our time. Every indication points to these groups engaging in more Bible…
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Lesson 9: Community
Read MORE: Lesson 9: CommunityWhen I ask people why they come to church, the answer I almost always receive is “community.” If I continue with, “What about right doctrine?” I usually get laughter. That does not mean that people do not appreciate good theology;…
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Lesson 8: Music
Read MORE: Lesson 8: MusicOne of the big topics in church circles is whether we should use “contemporary” music and liturgies. My ministry was pretty old-fashioned in that area. However, my sons-in-law have both “contemporary” and traditional services, so I have had over a…
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Lesson 7: Church-State Relations
Read MORE: Lesson 7: Church-State RelationsLast week I suggested that, in a hundred years, pastors would not be regarded as agents of the state when officiating at weddings. I imagine the relationship between Church and State will be changed in many other ways by then…
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Lesson 6: Women
Read MORE: Lesson 6: WomenHardly a day goes by that I do not hear someone on a news program comment, “I grew up in the Church. The Church is very important to me, but…” It very obvious that the speaker no longer worships, yet…
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Lesson 5: Staff II
Read MORE: Lesson 5: Staff IILet’s look further at the two creative congregations’ staff lists (Trinity, Mount Joy and Good Shepherd, Gaithersburg) for clues about the future church. The first thing you notice is their length. Even though they are large churches, they have more…
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Lesson 4: Staff 1
Read MORE: Lesson 4: Staff 1I consider my two son-in-laws’ congregations to be cutting edge. A number of their practices indicate where the Church is going. Even a quick look at their staff lists gives you some clues. (Good Shepherd,Gaithersburg,MD. and Trinity, Mount Joy, PA…
Recent Comments
So forgiveness pre-requires understanding the mistakes of the past? here hear re this opposing this me-first, America-first, white-first, male-first approach>…
An extremely timely topic. Thanks, Fritz!