By Paul Koch – John Calvin, the least entertaining of the Reformers, famously said, “From this we may gather that man’s nature, so to speak, is a perpetual factory of idols. Man’s mind, full as it is of pride and boldness, dares to imagine a god according to its own capacity; as it sluggishly plods, … Continue reading A Lonely Heresy Factory
By Joel A. Hess - You’re preaching to the choir! We say this when someone says something we’ve already heard and know, when we think it’s a waste of time. Sadly, I have thought this many times, maybe even said it. This phrase enters my dumb head when I’m writing a sermon every week or … Continue reading The choir needs preaching too
By Tim Winterstein - [SPOILERS] Velvet Buzzsaw (streaming on Netflix) is the latest example of how Netflix is changing the film industry. It used to be (and still is, for the most part) that people like me had to wait months to see a film that people at major film festivals were talking about. But … Continue reading Death is Art
By Paul Koch – “Yes, Haven, most of us enjoy preaching, and I’ve got such a bully pulpit” – Theodore Roosevelt On Tuesday evening, I was making my usual trip down to the Jiu-Jitsu academy for training, and I had the opportunity to listen to much of the President’s State of the Union address. Though … Continue reading Embracing the Bully Pulpit
By Cindy Koch - “What do you want to be when you grow up?” Her eyes sparkled and grew a little bigger. Focusing into the future, somewhere beyond our present conversation, she released her hopeful dreams from within. I could see the inspiration of tomorrow lifting every little bit of her countenance. There in her … Continue reading Inspire our Children
By Paul Koch – Being a hearer of the Word is not my usual position. I am a speaker of the Word, one called to proclaim the living Word of God to others. I’m a pastor, the guy up front, and I’ve grown accustomed to that role over the years. It has become somewhat comfortable. … Continue reading Being a Hearer
By Paul Koch – Ever since my first foray into the study of theology proper, I have heard professors and pastors alike say that the church’s liturgy can operate as a sort of safety net for Gospel. After all, the liturgy contains confession and absolution, leads through the reading of the Word, and culminates in … Continue reading The Sacrament as Crutch
