Lutheran Mission

Resources: Faith and Lead

noreply@blogger.com (Richard Schwedes) — Mon, 13 Jul 2026 23:47:47 +0000

Faith and Lead: Faith Leadership for Everyone

Faith and lead provides on-demand courses, live ministry workshops, learning communities, and peer support for congregations, pastors, lay workers, leaders and members.

Resources available include

live learning
on demand learning
Ebooks
Podcasts
Blogs

You can choose to have becoming a member giving you access to courses and resources for no further charge or you can pay a one off fee for a resource/course.

They also offer a limited number of free courses and resources

Main Topics covered include:

Bible
Cultivate community
Faith and contemporary issues
Faith in daily life
Faithful innovation
Justice and service
Ministry leadership
Mission and Evangelism
Rural Ministry
Spiritual Practices
Stewardship and Sustainability
Theology and History

Begin exploring faith and lead https://faithlead.org/

A missionary idea: The whiteboard/butchers paper

noreply@blogger.com (Richard Schwedes) — Sun, 12 Jul 2026 23:16:36 +0000

In a place where your congregation gathers for fellowship place a whiteboard or butchers paper in a prominent place with some markers, and the following question:

How can we as a church, share God with our wider community through:
our relationships

technology

buildings

people?

And encourage people to put down their thoughts

Article: Lutheran Ecclesiology - Jonathan Mumme

noreply@blogger.com (Richard Schwedes) — Sun, 12 Jul 2026 04:29:15 +0000

Jonathan Mumme's article in the St Andrew's Encyclopedia of Theology is Lutheran Ecclesiology.

The article covers

Introduction

Late medieval ecclesiological thought

The ecclesiology of the reformers and the confessions

General characteristics

Symbolical expression (the Lutheran Confessions)

Productive theological pairings

Invisible and visible

Faith and the means of grace

Church and marks of the church

Ministry (Amt) and congregation (Gemeinde)

Internality and externality as ecclesiological diagnostic

Historical unfolding

Orthodoxy and Enlightenment

The long nineteenth century

Recent and contemporary

Polities and particular ecclesial trajectories

Germany

Nordic countries

America

Amalgamations

Lutheran approaches to general ecclesiological concerns

Israel and eschatology

The church and the state

Current state of play

Federations, communions, and associations

Ecumenism and post-ecumenism

Directions toward the future

Lutheran Ecclesiology by Jonathan Mumme is available at St Andrews Encyclopedia of Theology

Book: Called to Witness - doing missional theology

noreply@blogger.com (Richard Schwedes) — Sun, 12 Jul 2026 03:54:14 +0000

One of the leading voices in the missional church conversation, Darrell Guder here lays out basic theological issues that must be addressed for the church to serve God faithfully as Christ's witnessing people.

Guder argues that there are major consequences for every classical theological locus if the fundamental claims of the missional church discussion are acknowledged.

In Called to Witness he delves into these consequences, saying that we need to keep doing missional theology until it is possible to leave off the "missional scaffolding" because, after all, mission defines the very essence and calling of the church.

Chapters

Reconstructing Theology: Mission and the Task of Theology
The Missional Challenge: De-Centering Christendom
The Missional Calling: The Apostolic Vocation of the Church
Why the Term “Missional”?
The Witness of God: The Trinitarian Foundation for Missional Theology
The Witness of God’s Word: Reading Scripture Missionally
The Witness of God’s People: The Royal Priesthood
The Witness of the Marks of the Church: The Nicene Creed
Integrating Theological Formation for Apostolic Vocation
The End of Missional Theology

Available on Amazon

Book: The Great Sending- God's heart beating through you

noreply@blogger.com (Richard Schwedes) — Fri, 10 Jul 2026 00:56:23 +0000

Will Sohns goes right to the heart—the heart of the missional problem—and offers a powerful solution.

God’s Sending is a call to join Him in something beyond self, beyond a congregation, and beyond a denomination. God is calling us to much more. His Great Sending is His heartbeat for the world that He wants beating in and through you.

Readers will learn to re-arrange their understanding of Scripture and life around God’s Mission…no longer arranging God’s Mission around their self-centered lives.

Each chapter in this collection of writings from renowned authors connects God’s heart to your own through a deep dive into Scripture. The Great Sending will begin new conversations in the church around the Great Sending (Missio Dei) and lead laity, congregations, and pastors to let God change the direction of local churches that are collapsing under protectionism and self-preservation.

The Great Sending is about opening up to God’s heart for the world. Let this book challenge you and call you to see God’s Mission and move your life to join God in the Mission.

chapters

Christ in the heart of the great sending
Engaging Disciples in the great sending
The great Christ sending
The great sending essentials
The great sending in the multiplication of Acts
The great sending in nature and culture
Nailing 12 missional theses in the great sending
Missional Resources
A missio dei catechism

The Great Sending is available on Amazon

Confirmation Curriculum - Lutheran House of Study

noreply@blogger.com (Richard Schwedes) — Wed, 08 Jul 2026 23:13:32 +0000

The Lutheran House of Study has developed a free online Lutheran Confirmation Course to assist congregations and members in preparing for people to be confirmed as members of their Lutheran congregation

The curriculum covers:

Luther's Small Catechism
The Bible and key bible lessons

The resources available include:

interactive digital lessons (modules)
custom-made videos
quizzes
drag/drop tasks
discussion questions
scripture passages
prayers.

To discover more about the Lutheran Confirmation Course visit

https://lutherhouseofstudy.org/confirmation/

Hymn: Soul adorn yourself with gladness

noreply@blogger.com (Richard Schwedes) — Tue, 07 Jul 2026 23:56:02 +0000

The hymn originally called "Schmücke dich, o liebe Seele" was written by German poet Johann Franck wrote the hymn following the devastating Thirty Years' War in Germany. Despite the grief, destruction, and personal tragedies that surrounded him, Franck penned a text designed to uplift the faithful by placing their focus on God. The hymn draws heavily from the Parable of the Wedding Banquet and imagery from Psalm 43, urging the individual to leave behind earthly sorrows and approach the Lord's Table with joy. So the hymn is often sung as a Holy Communion Hymn

Catherine Winkworth translated the hymn into English

The hymn is known as

Soul adorn yourself with gladness
Soul adorn thyself with gladness
Deck thyself my soul with gladness

Text and sheet music

https://hymnary.org/text/soul_adorn_yourself_with_gladness

Video versions

Book: Reformational Missiology: An Evangelical Lutheran Perspective for Global Mission

noreply@blogger.com (Richard Schwedes) — Tue, 07 Jul 2026 23:37:51 +0000

Reformational Missiology is about why Christians share their faith--not because they made it up, but because God calls us to share.

It explains how Lutheran beliefs, like being saved by grace alone and focusing on Jesus' sacrifice, shape the spread of the message of Jesus today. The book covers the Bible's teachings, history, modern challenges and practical ways to live out serving in God's mission today. Lutheran mission perspective may present different than that of other Christians, but all agree mission is about telling people God forgives them and invites them into His family.

Main themes covered

Biblical & Theological Foundations: Focuses on the missio Dei (mission of God),
Historical Perspectives: Traces how Lutheran historical doctrines shape the message and motive of mission today.
Worldviews & Culture
Contextualization & Translation: Explores practical ways to communicate the Christian message in diverse cultural settings without compromising core biblical truths.
Praxis and Modern Challenges: Provides actionable guidance on modern ministry, diaspora missiology, and local church missions without relying on a priestly hierarchy.

Available at Amazon

Book: Mission from the cross

noreply@blogger.com (Richard Schwedes) — Tue, 07 Jul 2026 23:22:51 +0000

Klaus Detlev Schulz unpacks a Lutheran perspective of mission that is centred and grounded in the cross of Jesus

“The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few.” Luke 10:2 Whether you go on mission trips or support them through prayer or funds, this book offers a great understanding of your involvement in the mission field. Discover the theology that underlies mission and connects you to this vital activity of proclaiming the Gospel.

The mission field is all around you—down the street and across the world. We are called to go and make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19) and to not be ashamed of the Gospel (Romans 1:16), so how do you live that out? This books covers important topics such as cultural anthropology, communication styles, linguistics, ecumenical issues, strategies and more.

Mission from the Cross is a valuable resource as it helps you understand how God blesses His children through your service in His kingdom. This resource explores the Lutheran theology of mission through a contemporary lens and focuses on how it is accomplished through God’s grace.

There are two versions of Mission from the Cross

Lay Reader Version

Available at Amazon

Academic Version

Available at Amazon

Book: Christ Alone

noreply@blogger.com (Richard Schwedes) — Tue, 07 Jul 2026 23:12:38 +0000

In our postmodern, pluralistic world, there are plenty of genuinely spiritual people who consider Christ a way to heaven, or even their way to heaven, but who refuse to acknowledge Him as the one and only way for everyone.

In their estimation, anyone who stresses an exclusive, saving faith in Jesus Christ is at the least intolerant and, at worst, completely ignorant. Yet as Rod Rosenbladt shows in this booklet, there are numerous evidences that support the centrality and exclusivity of Christ. He draws on these here to affirm that even in the face of sophisticated theological attacks, God's Word--and Christ's unique claims--still hold true.

In defending solus Christus Christians need not disregard the noble words or deeds of unbelievers throughout history. But there is One whose words and works stand far above all others, and whose entire existence proved His exclusive claims. And He deserves not only our worship, but our witness before a lost world.

Chapters

Solus Christus in the Scriptures - The Bible Is About Christ
The Background of Solus Christus
Today’s Theological Attack on Solus Christus
The Offense of Solus Christus
Solus Christus and the Pastor
Summary and Conclusion and Further Reading

Available on Amazon

2026 July Lutheran Fellowship Gatherings weekly resource

noreply@blogger.com (Richard Schwedes) — Mon, 29 Jun 2026 13:33:53 +0000

JULY weekly resources

Click on the weekly links below to access the weekly resources

July week 1: Pentecost 6 Proper 9 Matthew 13:1–23

July week 2: Pentecost 7 Proper 10 Matthew 13:24–43

July week 3: Pentecost 8 Proper 11 Matthew 13:31–52

July week 4: Pentecost 9 Proper 12 Matthew 14:13–21

The Lutheran Fellowship Gathering weekly resource is for small groups or small worshipping communities to help them connect with God and each other focussing on the Gospel reading of the Revised Common Lectionary

I have made this resource available is to support people who wish to gather around God’s Word, focus on Jesus and to grow as part of God’s church.

You may want to use it to help you start a small group in your church community, or to gather people in a community where a Lutheran church currently is not present.

This resource is offered free of charge to non-commercial situations, on the understanding that you will not charge for copies or its use.

This resource has been developed by Pastor Richard Schwedes, richardschwedes@gmail.com

If you have feedback, suggestions or improvements feel free to email me

Celebrating the Gospel of Jesus - Augsburg Confession

noreply@blogger.com (Richard Schwedes) — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 05:49:46 +0000

An early copy of the Augsburg Confession is currently listed for sale at 45,000 Euros (about AUD $73,730). According to the seller, its value comes from its provenance—originally owned by Lazarus Spengler, a close friend and supporter of Luther—its age (printed in 1530), and the fact that it is an authorised early edition (the fourth edition).

Yet the true value of the Augsburg Confession is not found in its price tag, its rarity, or its historical owners. Its real worth lies in what it proclaims: a clear witness that being a Christian is entirely the result of the saving work of Jesus, and that the Church exists to live from and share this Gospel. That is why many Lutheran churches set aside 25 June each year to commemorate the presentation of the Augsburg Confession.

On 25 June 1530, the Lutheran reformers publicly presented the Confession in Augsburg to clarify what it means to be a Biblical, Gospel centred church and Christian. It addresses:

Who God is (Articles 1–3)
How God communicates His saving love (Articles 4–6)
What is essential for Gospel ministry (Article 5)
How faith and good works relate (Articles 6, 18–20)
How the Church lives in unity and diversity (Articles 7–15)
How Christians live in the secular world (Article 16)
Christ’s return (Article 17)
The biblical understanding of saints (Article 21)
Practical issues that needed/needing attention (Articles 22–28)

The purpose of these articles was never to create more rules about God or the Christian life. Instead, they were written to help the Church see more clearly—through Scripture—that Christian faith is about what God is doing for us and through us in Christ.

As Paul writes in Romans 1:16:

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.”

So, commemorate the presentation of the Augsburg Confession, by focussing on Jesus and God’s saving Gospel, because this is why those who compiled and presented the Augsburg Confession

Bishop Richard Schwedes June 2026

2026 June Lutheran Fellowship Gatherings Weekly resource

noreply@blogger.com (Richard Schwedes) — Mon, 25 May 2026 03:52:05 +0000

June weekly resources

Click on the weekly links below to access the weekly resources

June week 1: Pentecost 2 - Proper 5 Matthew 9:9-26

June week 2: Pentecost 3- Proper 6 Matthew 9:35-10:33

June week 3: Pentecost 4- Proper 7 Matthew 10:34-39

June week 4: Pentecost 5 - Proper 8 Matthew 10:40-42

I have made this resource available is to support people who wish to gather around God’s Word, focus on Jesus and to grow as part of God’s church.

You may want to use it to help you start a small group in your church community, or to gather people in a community where a Lutheran church currently is not present.

This resource is offered free of charge to non-commercial situations, on the understanding that you will not charge for copies or its use.

This resource has been developed by Pastor Richard Schwedes, richardschwedes@gmail.com

If you have feedback, suggestions or improvements feel free to email me

Missional Thoughts - Pentecost

noreply@blogger.com (Richard Schwedes) — Mon, 25 May 2026 00:45:00 +0000

Every year at Pentecost we have this great reminder of at least three things about the church (the community who follows Jesus).

The life of the church, its shape and its direction is dependent on God's Holy Spirit.
The church is and will be consist of people of all nations who are dependent of God's Holy Sprit for who they are.
The main purpose of the church is to be a community witnessing to what God has done, God is doing and God will do through Jesus.

Take a moment to read and reflect on

Acts 1:1-11

In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”

He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.

They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”

Acts 2:1-12

When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues x as the Spirit enabled them.

Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken. Utterly amazed, they asked: “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language? Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!” Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?”

Question to ponder: How has and is God's Holy Spirit shaping your church community?

Prepared by Bishop Richard Schwedes LCA NSWACT and NZ for congregations and their members who are part of God's church to use and share,

2026 May Lutheran Fellowship Gatherings weekly resource

noreply@blogger.com (Richard Schwedes) — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 20:20:00 +0000

May weekly resources

Click on the weekly links below to access the weekly resources

May week 1: Easter 5 - John 14:1–14

May week 2: Easter 6- John 14:15–21

May week 3: Easter 7 - John 17:1-11

May week 4: Pentecost - John 20:19-23

May week 5: Holy Trinity - Matthew 28:16–20

I have made this resource available is to support people who wish to gather around God’s Word, focus on Jesus and to grow as part of God’s church.

You may want to use it to help you start a small group in your church community, or to gather people in a community where a Lutheran church currently is not present.

This resource is offered free of charge to non-commercial situations, on the understanding that you will not charge for copies or its use.

This resource has been developed by Pastor Richard Schwedes, richardschwedes@gmail.com

If you have feedback, suggestions or improvements feel free to email me

Small group or worship resource - Lutheran Fellowship Gatherings weekly resource

noreply@blogger.com (Richard Schwedes) — Tue, 24 Mar 2026 21:59:00 +0000

One of the reasons for making this resource available is to support people who wish to gather around God’s Word, focus on Jesus and to grow as part of God’s church.

You may want to use it to help you start a small group in your church community, or to gather people in a community where a Lutheran church currently is not present.

This resource is offered free of charge to non-commercial situations, on the understanding that you will not charge for copies or its use.

This resource has been developed by Pastor Richard Schwedes, richardschwedes@gmail.com

Click on the weekly links below to access the weekly resources

2026

January weekly resources

January week 2: Baptism of Jesus - Matthew 3:13-17

January week 3: Epiphany 2 - John 1:29-42

January week 4: Epiphany 3 - Matthew 4:12-23

February weekly resources

February week 1: Epiphany 4 - Matthew 5:1-12

February week 2: Epiphany 5 - Matthew 5:13-20

February week 3: Transfiguration - Matthew 17:1-9

February week 4: Lent 1 - Matthew 4:1-11

March weekly resources

March week 1: Lent 2 - John 3:1-17

March week 2: Lent 3 - John 4:5-42

March week 3: Lent 4 - John 9:1-41

March week 4: Lent 5 - John 11:1-45

March week 5: Palm and Passion Sunday - Matthew 21:1-11, 26:14-27:66

April weekly resources

April week 1: Easter Sunday - John 20:1-18

April week 2: Easter 2- John 20:19-31

April week 3: Easter 3 - Luke 24:13-35

April week 4: Easter 4 - John 10:1-10

May weekly resources

2026 May weeks 1 to 5 are available here

June Weekly resources

2026 June weeks 1 to 4 are available here

July Weekly resource

2026 July weeks 1 to 4 are available here

Book: Day 7: For work, rest or play

noreply@blogger.com (Richard Schwedes) — Tue, 24 Mar 2026 14:33:00 +0000

The Third Commandment asks Christians to "Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy." But how is one supposed to keep it holy? What are the ways that we are to honor the sabbath through our work, rest, play, and everyday life? Author Joel Biermann invites you to join him on an exploration of the sabbath and how it's all about living in the joy and celebration of God's good gifts.

Start with a look at what both Luther's Small Catechism and the Bible say about the sabbath to give you a foundational understanding of what God says.

Then, see how to apply it in your work, personal, and leisure, rest, and day-to-day activities.

You can purchase this book at Amazon

BOOK: Unapologetic by Francis Suppford

noreply@blogger.com (Richard Schwedes) — Mon, 23 Mar 2026 13:47:00 +0000

Francis Spufford's Unapologetic is a wonderfully pugnacious defense of Christianity. Refuting critics such as Richard Dawkins, Sam Harris, and the "new atheist" crowd, Spufford, a former atheist and Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature, argues that Christianity is recognizable, drawing on the deep and deeply ordinary vocabulary of human feeling, satisfying those who believe in it by offering a ruthlessly realistic account of the grown-up dignity of Christian experience.

Fans of C. S. Lewis, N. T. Wright, Marilynne Robinson, Mary Karr, Diana Butler Bass, Rob Bell, and James Martin will appreciate Spufford's crisp, lively, and abashedly defiant thesis.

Unapologetic is a book for believers who are fed up with being patronized, for non-believers curious about how faith can possibly work in the twenty-first century, and for anyone who feels there is something indefinably wrong, literalistic, anti-imaginative and intolerant about the way the atheist case is now being made.

Chapters

1. The Crack in Everything: Introduces the book’s central idea: Christianity as an emotional, not merely intellectual, framework for understanding human brokenness.

2. Yeshua: A vivid, historically grounded portrait of Jesus, focusing on his emotional impact rather than doctrinal claims.

3. The Human Propensity to F* Things Up (HPtFtU)**: Spufford’s famous reframing of “sin” as a universal human tendency toward self‑sabotage.

4. Something is Missing: Explores the longing, absence, and emotional hunger that often precede faith.

5. Hello, Cruel World: A meditation on suffering, tragedy, and the emotional realism of Christian hope.

6. The Territory of Joy: Discusses grace, forgiveness, and the surprising emotional richness of Christian experience.

7. Big Daddy: A chapter on God the Father—addressing stereotypes, misunderstandings, and the emotional logic of belief.

8. The Church: A candid, humorous, and affectionate look at the flawed but enduring Christian community.

9. The Story: A sweeping retelling of the Christian narrative as an emotionally coherent whole.

10. The End of the Book: A concluding reflection on why Christianity still “makes emotional sense” despite modern skepticism.

You can buy this book here

Lutheran Fellowship Gatherings Weekly Resource - April 2026

noreply@blogger.com (Richard Schwedes) — Mon, 23 Mar 2026 12:34:00 +0000

One of the reasons for making this resource available is to support people who wish to gather around God’s Word, focus on Jesus and to grow as part of God’s church.

You may want to use it to help you start a small group in your church community, or to gather people in a community where a Lutheran church currently is not present.

This resource is offered free of charge to non-commercial situations, on the understanding that you will not charge for copies or its use.

This resource has been developed by Pastor Richard Schwedes, richardschwedes@gmail.com

Click on the weekly links below to access the weekly resources

April weekly resources

April week 1: Easter Sunday - John 20:1-18

April week 2: Easter 2- John 20:19-31

April week 3: Easter 3 - Luke 24:13-35

April week 4: Easter 4 - John 10:1-10

Songwriter Initiative

noreply@blogger.com (Richard Schwedes) — Wed, 25 Feb 2026 12:07:00 +0000

The Songwriter Initiative of the Center for Worship Leadership exists to support modern songwriters serving within Lutheran churches.

They seek to be a positive resource and influence for those writing for the church-at-large. Music and melody, as a vehicle for the proclamation of the Gospel and expression of praise to God for all that he is and has done for us in Christ, has always been a valued part of the Lutheran tradition. Necessarily, then, our creativity requires guidance and meaningful training so that those who are called to write in service to the Gospel will benefit. To that end, the Songwriter Initiative exists to support songwriters throughout the church, empowering each artist to create art that glorifies God, while creating a community that shares the common goal of sharing the Gospel message of Jesus.

Currently they have over 30 contemporary songs that have been influenced by Lutheran theology.

You can access the music for these songs at https://www.cui.edu/academicprograms/christcollege/center-for-worship-leadership/songwriter

You can access the videos of many of these songs at https://www.youtube.com/@CWL

One of their songs is God who Bleeds

Lent 2026 resources

noreply@blogger.com (Richard Schwedes) — Mon, 26 Jan 2026 23:35:00 +0000

Lenten Resources for 2026

Grow Ministries - Lent resource

Lutheran Church of Australia - Lent resources

Lutheran Tract Mission - Lenten Devotions

Lutheran Education Australia - Lent

Song Writers Initiative - God who bleeds Lent Series

Symbols of our Savior - Church of Lutheran Brethren

LCMS - Midweek Lent Services

The Tear Fund - The Table Lent resources

ELCA World Hunger - Lenten resources

CPH - For Us Lenten Series

Faithinkubators - 2026 Lent resource

Martin Luther's Lent sermons

Dietrich Bonhoeffer Lenten reflections

Podcast: Pastor Mike drop

noreply@blogger.com (Richard Schwedes) — Mon, 26 Jan 2026 23:13:00 +0000

A straight-from-the-heart weekly conversation with Pastor Mike Householder and the team of Community Church of Hope - West Des Moines about faith, life, and the places where Christ and culture intersect.

Many of the podcasts dive deeper into the biblical texts that Community Church of Hope are exploring in their worship services, from a their relevance for today perspective (just like their sermons)

In Series 1 they explored Faith and Daily life

In Series 5 they explored frequently asked questions about the Christian faith

You can listen to Pastor Mike drop at https://www.youtube.com/@PastorMikeDrop

Podcast: Lutheran leadership focus - Tim Ahlman Podcast

noreply@blogger.com (Richard Schwedes) — Mon, 26 Jan 2026 21:50:00 +0000

he Tim Ahlman Podcast is your go-to resource for inspiring conversations that equip leaders to thrive in every vocation, inside and outside the church. With three primary focuses, this podcast dives deep into:

Leadership: Learn from experts across diverse fields as we explore how their insights can shape and sustain a healthy culture in the local church and beyond. Over 60% of listeners expressed a desire for practical discussions on cultivating thriving environments—and that's exactly what these conversations will deliver.

Learn: Engage in deep theological discussions with scholars who illuminate how Christ is revealed on every page of Scripture. Together, we’ll bridge theology to the realities of a post-Christian America, ensuring practical application for today’s world. This segment aligns closely with the themes of the American Reformation Podcast and resonates with the 60% of you who crave more exploration in this area.

Live: Discover healthy habits that empower leaders in all vocations to become holistically healthy. As followers of Jesus, we’re called to lead not only with faith but also with physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being.

You can join Tim Ahlman as we navigate leadership, learning, and living with purpose, so you can lead with strength, wisdom, and a Christ-centered vision

Book: Reclaiming the joy of ministry

noreply@blogger.com (Richard Schwedes) — Mon, 26 Jan 2026 21:31:00 +0000

A life in Christian ministry can be tremendously rewarding and exhilarating.

It can also be incredibly demanding and stressful. Professional church workers run the risk of becoming depleted—spiritually, relationally and vocationally, as well as physically and financially. Nearly every minister endures times of significant hardship, but few are willing to admit how overwhelmed they often feel by the demands and expectations placed on them.

Longtime parish pastor Darrell Zimmerman will guide you on a detailed analysis of the hazards of the ministerial lifestyle and help you discover new possibilities for a long, joyful and fruitful career in ministry. His insights are grounded in the latest research into church worker stress and burnout, and informed by his vast experience as a parish pastor and as a mentor and guide to other church workers.

The reader will learn to:

Monitor the presence of the Spirit’s gift of JOY, our fuel for ministry;
Assess their spiritual wellbeing and renew their life with God;
Tend to their relationships to find encouragement, love and unity;
Make vocational, physical and financial health top priorities.

Chapters/Lessons

Ministry is great but hard
Because ministry is the way of the cross
And overwhelmed is a way of life
So don't try this alone
Joy is a fuel for ministry
But ministry threatens the joy of life with God
And ministry threatens the joy of life with community
And ministry threatens the joy of ministry
Which makes daily healing essential
Therefore, self-care has to be intentional

Reclaiming the joy of ministry is available from Amazon.

Bible Reading Plans 2026

noreply@blogger.com (Richard Schwedes) — Tue, 30 Dec 2025 05:04:00 +0000

Please join us in hearing from God as we read a book of the bible together:

Plan: 1 Corinthians - 1 January to 17 February