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pastoral publishing in the 21st century

The Dizzy Church

1/11/2021

2 Comments

 
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On Wednesday, January 6th, 2021, I saw a flag charging the Capital steps.   It had two names on it.  The name of our Savior and the name of our president.  I was angry.  Not for political reasons, but for theological reasons.  Why?

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A Pastoral Letter on the 2020 Election

10/28/2020

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This is an email sent to my congregation in St. Louis, MO.   It is an attempt to provide pastoral guidance and perspective to our congregation when so many people are frustrated, angry, and confused.   With my colleagues, Pastor Bobby Walston and Pastor Paul Dickerson, we desire for our people to follow Christ faithfully in days of uncertainty. 

In a contentious election week, your pastors desire to share a response to some common statements we hear.  Our heart is for you.  Our desire is for you to walk faithfully in Christ, without fear or despair.   Our role is not to advocate for a political system.  We are pastors.  Our calling is higher, to guide you in the ways of God that you might walk faithfully in service to him. 

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The Most Critical Ministry Skill Today

10/20/2020

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 In his 1981 book Megatrends, John Naisbitt taught that the more “high tech” a society is, the more “high touch” it must become.  40 years later, this is truer than ever.  As I look at ministry in the trenches, I see “high touch” as the most critical ministry skill today.

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A Pastor's Statement on Racism

8/6/2020

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After the death of George Floyd, there were an abundance of statements on racism and justice.  For better or worse, I was hesitant to add to the list of "statements."  Instead, I invested time in one-on-one conversations.  Scores of them.  Two of those conversations were with the brothers pictured above, Pastors Gerard Bolling and John Schmidtke.  

In those conversations, I learned something:  my assumptions were off.   Assumptions about what people thought about racism.  Assumptions about what they expected from the church.  It prompted me to make a clear statement to our congregation.  In retrospect, I should have done it sooner.  But this is a long road and demands more than a single statement.  Here’s a letter I sent to my church a this week.  It's  start.  

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The Most Authentic Easter in Your Lifetime

4/8/2020

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I was doing some video recording in our church building last night.  The building was eerily empty.  It will be quiet on Easter as well.  Is it really Holy Week if no one gathers? 
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I believe this will be the most authentic Easter in your lifetime.  

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Never Waste a Good Crisis

3/16/2020

8 Comments

 
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There’s an old saying, “Never waste a good crisis.”  What began as a health crisis has spread to economics, business, education . . . everyday life.  God has a history of flipping crisis for his glory.

So what is God working in this? 
What is he teaching us? 
What good could come from crisis? 
 
A gut check for faith. 

You can talk about faith.  You can do a Bible Study on faith.  But you cannot understand faith until it is tested. 
You trusted him when things are good.  Will you trust him now?  You waited on the Lord when the stock market was at 29,000.  Will you wait on him when it’s at 21,000 (or lower)?  Will you refuse to give into fear or panic?  Here is a call for the endurance and faith of the saints.  (Rev. 13:10)

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Keep Death Before Your Eyes Daily

2/26/2020

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​Keep death before your eyes daily.”  ​
This instruction is found in the Rule of St. Benedict (chapter 4) which provides direction for monastic communities of the Benedictine order.  Why so morbid?  Aren’t Christians to be hopeful? ​

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Why You Should Plant a Tree

11/21/2019

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Even if I knew that tomorrow the whole world would go to pieces, I would still plant my apple tree."                             - Martin Luther
Is it worth all the work?
 
How much difference does it make?
 
What do I do when I want to quit?

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The Church of All Misfits

10/24/2019

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Pastors feel pressure to have the perfect congregation.  We won’t ever say it, but we want to show off our “best people.”

The dynamic (and good looking) young adult. 
The talented worship leader. 
The pretty couple with the nice house and 2.5 kids. 
Those with miraculous stories of conversion after a troubled life of debauchery. 

Then we show up to church and bump into reality. 

Crabby people. 
People who resist everything. 
People who need more help than they can give. 
​People with memory loss and mental illness.  The gossipy.  The hypocrite.  The flaky.  

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Why I Drink Champagne

4/24/2019

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​The one time of year I'm sure to drink champagne is Easter.   About 10 years ago I was reading a book called Surprised by Hope by N.T. Wright.  He said,  
“If Lent is a time to give things up, Easter ought to be a time to take things up.  Champagne for breakfast and loud alleluia hymns.” ​
Champagne is a beverage reserved for occasions of victory, joy, and celebration.  Weddings.  New Years.  Anniversaries.   If there is any day we should have a champagne toast, it is Easter.  For the Christian, Easter is THE championship day.  Here are four reasons I pop a bottle (or two) on Easter:

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  • Blog
  • About
    • Sixth Generation
    • Jeff Cloeter
    • If you're not a Christian . . .
    • Contact
  • Loved & Sent
    • Get The Book
    • Endorsements
    • The Stories
    • My Children's Book
  • The Daily Pattern