From the Bishop

God’s Beckoning Call

God’s Beckoning Call

Indeed, you delight in truth deep within me, and would have me know wisdom deep within. Psalm 51:6 (ELW) I don’t know about you, but my sense of meteorological seasons is all messed up this year. That is not a complaint, but it is disorienting to have a Minnesota...

Reflections on Martin Luther King, Jr.

Reflections on Martin Luther King, Jr.

During my senior year in high school, we read Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Letter from A Birmingham Jail in our English class. As part of a class project, we planned and led an assembly for other seniors on the yearning for peace and the rationale behind non-violent...

Stopping With My Feet on the Ground

Stopping With My Feet on the Ground

During my recent visit to the Iringa Diocese in Tanzania, I was there on the day that bicycles and motorcycles were given to several dozen pastors and evangelists to aid their travel between preaching points. During the chapel service on the day these gifts were to be...

At the Close

At the Close

Close of Church Council Fall Meeting 2023 Matthew 25:1-13 The Lutheran Center, Chicago Grace and peace to you in the mercy of the Most Holy God. AMEN. Things are coming to an end. Have you noticed? This meeting, which is the last for some of us. This season before...

A Place for You

A Place for You

Bishop’s Theological Conference 2023 Arrowwood Resort, Alexandria Philippians 4:1-9, John 19:25-27 Grace and peace to you in the name of the Living God. AMEN. I didn’t know this passage from Philippians 4 very well when I was ordained, but the preacher at my...

A Map to Church

A Map to Church

We are not the first generation to be concerned about the future of the church. Five centuries ago, during the last of the “great rummage sale” eras as voiced by Phyllis Tickel[1], leaders in the Lutheran Reformation also wrestled with profound questions of...

Summer Reading Part 2

Summer Reading Part 2

I like leading from a position of strength – with a plan in place, a clear goal in sight, and ready confidence that the venture ahead will be successful. I suspect you appreciate opportunities like that, too. Many of us have lived through decades in which prudent...

Summer Reading Part 1: Countercultural

Summer Reading Part 1: Countercultural

One of the gifts of summer is the luxury of time for unhurried reading. I want to introduce you to one of the books I’ve read, but first I want to share the context that made it such a powerful read for me. I am part of the Baby Boomer generation. My automatic image...

The Gift of Creation

The Gift of Creation

Sermon for the Synod Assembly 2023 John 1:1-5, 14, 16-18 St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church, Mahtomedi Grace and peace to you in the name of the Living God, Christ Jesus, crucified and risen. AMEN. How good to be here. Many have longed for this day when we from across the...