In 2019, there was a great resource put together under the direction of Linda States called the "The Generosity Project." My role as a contributor allowed me to write and share storytellings and curriculum around the idea of money, family, and stewardship. Once the download was ready, the pandemic of 2020 hit and people had … Continue reading The Generosity Project
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Ash Wednesday – Family Blessing Service
This year, Ash Wednesday is on February 14, Valentine's Day. We have the typical 7 pm service with all the trimmings. People love the service with Holy Communion, ashes, dimmed lights, and departing in silence. It's traditional, lovely, and we remember we are dust. But I also lead an Ash Wednesday - Family Blessing service … Continue reading Ash Wednesday – Family Blessing Service
Church Friends
Human development studies suggest that people are more likely to make friends until we’re in our early 20s. As young people, we trust peers easily, spend more time in places that incubates friendships, and we have more time. Luckily, church is one place that all ages can make friends. Community is one of the reasons … Continue reading Church Friends
Some Christmas Fun
Yes, I know. I am kind of late sharing Advent and Christmas ideas. But I have been busy: I started my DMIN this fall, I am supervising a diakonal intern, and all the normal pastor ministry stuff! It's been a great fall, so if you can't use these ideas now, maybe you can next year. … Continue reading Some Christmas Fun
Kids in Worship
I work for a congregation that has two campuses: one is urban in Minneapolis, MN, and the other is suburban in Minnetonka, MN. One Sunday at the Minnetonka campus, I invited the kids forward for storytime. We had a mob of them that day, and I said to the congregation, “Isn’t fun to see all … Continue reading Kids in Worship
20 Questions for Confirmation
Confirmation is tricky. Parents value education for their students to learn about the stories of God and Martin Luther's small catechism. But I am not sure these are things students value or need to talk about. I have been at my church for almost 3 years, confirmation has waded through the Bible stories of Jesus … Continue reading 20 Questions for Confirmation
Ice Cream Can Heal
The world is a divisive place these days. Just the other morning, someone said to me, "The people are rejecting God!" and someone else said, "The church is rejecting the people!" It's a game of judgement and finger pointing. So I have decided that whatever I am about in the world as a pastor, parent, … Continue reading Ice Cream Can Heal
Engaging Families in the Summer
What have you noticed about your church community as we move forward post-pandemic? What are your people really hungry for when it comes to church? Two things bubbled up for me: Community and Connection: People coming back into the church building have told me over and over again: "How good it feels to be together … Continue reading Engaging Families in the Summer
SPARK YOUR FAITH
I love writing devotional material especially for families. Last year, we created "Story in a Bottle", and a few years before that was "Mason Jar Devos." Thanks to a Facebook post I put out a few weeks ago, I was able to put together new summer devotions for families called SPARK YOUR FAITH. Here are … Continue reading SPARK YOUR FAITH
Dinner+Church=a 4 Week Experiment
Jesus ate with all types of people. Many gospel stories start with Jesus around the table and talking with sinners, outcasts, tax collectors, or his disciples. Breaking bread together is a story right out of the Exodus story to the last supper and Acts 2. This makes Dinner Church a trinitarian approach to ministry! (Haha!) … Continue reading Dinner+Church=a 4 Week Experiment