Pastor

Call Day Extravaganza!

By Ross Engel –

This is an exciting week in the lives of the future pastors of the LCMS. Both of our synod’s seminaries hosted their annual call and vicarage placement services. These are anxious moments as fourth-year seminarians patiently wait through an evening Vespers service to find out where they will serve for their first Divine Call. Second-year students get to find out where they will be placed for their one year of vicarage (like a pastoral internship). The running joke has always been that calls and vicarage assignments are determined by the throw of a dart at a map of the USA, but I’ve been told that there is much more to the process.

Continue reading →

A Weary Preacher and the Imaginary Friend

By Paul Koch –

I’m tired.

I am a called and ordained servant of the Word. I preach, teach, and administer the Sacraments in accordance with the Word of God, guided by the Lutheran Confessions. I get to do what many people couldn’t imagine. I’m invited into intimate moments of people’s lives: death, marriage, and new births. I have a congregation that loves and supports me. By all accounts, I have an incredible job. I get to study the Word and read theology as part of my craft. In fact, I do love my job. Still, I find that I’m weary.

Continue reading →

The Shepard’s Prayer

By Ross Engel –

Perched atop the towering, eighty-three foot tall, Redstone-3, Mercury 7 booster rocket, Astronaut Alan B. Shepard had plenty of time to contemplate and pray before his Freedom 7 capsule was launched into the great unknowns of space. The eyes of every American were glued to a TV set to watch this historic event. On Shephard’s shoulders were the combined hopes of a nation. And as he waited for lift-off and becoming the first American in outer space, he uttered a few words that would later become known as, “The Shepard’s Prayer.”

Continue reading →

When Debate Replaces Highlights

By Bob Hiller –

One of the things I tend to geek out on is sports broadcasting. Like most sports fans my age, I grew up watching game highlights on Sportscenter. I became a fan, not just of the players on the highlight reel but also of the broadcasters who delivered the highlights. So, I was enthralled this week while listening to an interview Jim Miller, the author of Those Guys Have All the Fun: Inside the World of ESPN. Miller spoke with Dan Patrick about the current state of sports broadcasting and what has changed with stations like ESPN. Patrick pointed one of my pet peeves with ESPN and sports broadcasting in general. He suggested that “Debate has replaced the highlight.” Building on Patrick’s assertion, Miller said sports debate shows were growing in popularity because “Young male viewers loved seeing these guys [the sportscasters/debators] go at it…the most outlandish things, even if they weren’t supported by fact, you know, were provocative.”

Continue reading →

The Return of the Bell Ringer

By Ross Engel –

This past January, as has been my tradition for the past six years, I made my way to the annual symposia at Concordia Theological Seminary in Ft. Wayne, Indiana. Despite the often sub-zero temperatures experienced during this week of theological education, this has become a favorite event of mine to attend. I get to catch up with dear friends like Paul and Joel and meet all sorts of new people, too. The theological discussion is quite excellent, and the social gatherings are a real joy. Between all the learning, there are meals and cocktails to enjoy at the homes of professors and then banquets to celebrate great Lutheran things ranging from the Higher Things youth gatherings to the deaconess program. There is so much to do, and we always end up with a pretty full dance card.

Continue reading →

Sheep Feeding Sheep

By Paul Koch –

He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.” (John 21:17)

On more than one occasion, I have used that verse above when participating in the ordination or installation of a brother in the ministry.

Continue reading →

Guns, Beer, and Biblical Translation

By Paul Koch –­­

Every Tuesday morning, I meet up with three other pastors from my circuit to translate the lessons for the upcoming Sunday. Now, this may seem like a simple task, but I assure you it is not. This habit has had a profound impact on my vocation; it has challenged me, caused me to focus, and even helped me to stay out of trouble a few times. Ideas are batted back and forth between texts as we revel in that great mixture of insults and encouragement that men of almost any age seem to naturally excel at.

Continue reading →

Pastors, Words Are Enough

By Joel A. Hess –

This past week, I had the pleasure of visiting a member of my congregation in a time of need. He had just been told that his cancer had spread throughout his body. His wife sat next to him. They both looked shocked and frightened. Doctors could give prognosis and possibilities, but nothing for sure. Pharmacists could prescribe pills that may or may not work.

All I had were words—God’s Word!

Continue reading →

Why Bother?

By Paul Koch –

The dull drumming of yet another speaker talking about what the church ought to be doing, how it ought to reach out, or how it might better restructure itself bounces off my stubborn ears as I sip my second cup of coffee. I’ve endured morning devotions with songs I don’t know and longed for a Gospel proclamation that seems to be in short supply.

Continue reading →

Should’ve, Could’ve, Would’ve

By Ross Engel –

In death, we often find ourselves playing the, “if only I had done ____” game. We plague ourselves thinking of all the things we should have done, or could have done, or would have done. “If only we had left earlier.” “If only I had recognized that this was taking place.” “I should’ve known better.” “I could’ve done something.” “If only I would’ve done this instead.” As we focus on these should’ves, could’ves, and would’ves,

Continue reading →

Beware! Be Bold! Behold Your Call, You Ambassadors of the Lord

By Joel A Hess –

In his commentary on Galatians, Luther makes a big deal of the call as he comments on the first couple of verses of the letter. Of course, the apostle Paul does too! He hangs his hat on his call as he begins the letter, stating, “Paul, an apostle—not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised Him from the dead!” Paul drops some credentials to remind his readers that he is an official ambassador of the king, unlike the wolves in shepherd clothing who were trying to put the shackles of the Law back on the Galatians.

Continue reading →

Defender of the Flock

By Ross Engel –

In the Mel Gibson film The Patriot, there is a scene that I have always appreciated. The Colonial Militia solicits the men of a congregation to take up arms to fight against the British. Many men are motivated by the speech, grab their gear, and head off to fight. As this particular scene comes to a close, someone notices that the pastor is heading off with the Militia, musket in hand. When the question of his departure is raised, the pastor’s response is simple and direct, “A shepherd must tend his flock, and at times, fight off the wolves.”

Continue reading →

Why Go to Church?

By Bob Hiller –

This past week, I was made a part of a new Facebook group called “What Would Nagel Say?” It is a page dedicated to all things Norman Nagel. Now, I was never blessed to have Dr. Nagel for a class while in seminary, though he was still teaching there when I attended. But I do have some good recollections of his presence on campus. His chapel sermons stood out in my mind for two reasons. First, they were soaked in the blood of Jesus. Second, he would always start leaving the pulpit before he stopped talking. It was kind of awesome.

Continue reading →

Dear Pastors and Pastor’s Wives: Stop Whining

By Joel A. Hess –

Since seminary, I have been told by seasoned pastors and “expert” first timers that pastoring is a tough, thankless job. They encouraged me to set boundaries so I don’t get lost in the work and forget about myself and my family. They scared me stiff, perhaps hoping I would not be overwhelmed by surprise when I went out on the front lines. The dark forecast was cast with even more doom and gloom for my wife. At seminary, there were groups for pastor’s wives that met like AA, all bellowing, “Nobody knows the troubles I’ve seen…”

Continue reading →

Even Jesus Paused to Fish

By Ross Engel –

Today, I’m on vacation. Technically, it’s the third day of my vacation, but who’s counting? One of the cardinal rules of a vacation is that you take your watch off and slow down the frantic pace of life. Instead of using the smartphone for emails and work, the phone is switched to airplane mode to become a camera and only a camera! It is glorious to be able to do that! I will admit that I do check my emails in the morning and the evening just to make sure I don’t miss anything major. It is really important to take time off from work. It keeps a person refreshed, and it’s extremely important to enjoy time with family without the constant fervor of work. I typically come back from some time away with my family with a less distracted work ethic and a more cheerful demeanor.

Continue reading →

A Preacher

By Paul Koch –

What is a Reverend?

When I sign my name to official documents such as a marriage license, I state my title as a “reverend.” When I go to a conference or have business cards printed, my name usually appears as Rev. Paul Koch. Even when I set up my signature for e-mail correspondence, I put the beloved and expected Rev. at the beginning of my name.

Continue reading →

Guys – Stop ordaining our women!

By Cindy Koch –

I know you think it’s a helpful and progressive thing. I’m guessing you know some pretty amazing gals. I’m sure you’re concerned about sounding like a jerk. But stop it, for the sake of our women.

A leader of the church is someone amazing, but not because there is something amazing about the person. One is amazing because God puts gifts in his hands and words in his mouth. God chooses and uses things and people to deliver his gifts.

Continue reading →