Pastor's Blog

For 25 years, I have met with six guys every 3-4 weeks for a book study, but it is so much more. Not only have we covered topics from theology to spirituality to politics to psychology to history with some fascinating books, but we have done life together.

The Xperience just finished our annual tour; this year we toured throughout the Carolinas. We visited Hickory, Camp Agape, Raleigh, Wilmington, Oak Island, Myrtle Beach, Charleston, and Beaufort. Needless to say it was a busy week.

I’m not sure where I first heard it, but someone once told me that the most beautiful word in any language is your name. It sounds a little vain, but I suppose it’s true when you think about it, and I think it’s because names are individual, personal, and powerful.

Come Holy Spirit! This is a prayer, usually one meaning that we want the Holy Spirit to enter into our life and affairs. But do we? To invite the Holy Spirit is to give up your will.

Never before in my life have I been more aware of the concept of “making time for that which is important” as when I became a parent. Before children, or “BC” as it were, I had greater flexibility to use my schedule as I wished; I imagine almost all other parents, both mothers and fathers, can relate.

This past weekend, over 600 people gathered for our North Carolina Synod Assembly at the Koury Convention Center in Greensboro. The theme was “God Is Calling,” and we had a lot of work to accomplish together. And that we did! It was a discerning time for us as a synod, filled with the Holy Spirit.

I approach Memorial Day with a mixture of emotions: gratitude, grief, humility, and a deep longing for the peace that Christ alone can bring. Memorial Day is a time when our nation pauses to remember those who have died in military service.

After dating for four years following a summertime romance as camp counselors at Camp Vermilion, Gretchen and I said our marriage vows on June 8, 1985, at First Lutheran Church in Duluth, Minnesota. With over 400 people in attendance, we had a full-blown, hour-long worship service complete with three pastors, setting II of the Kyrie and communion.

I have been excited to share the news about my engagement to my fiancé Stephen. This past week, we sent out an invitation to the congregation inviting you to our wedding on July 26th and we hope you will attend! As the wedding approaches, we are putting together all of the details for our service and reception.

It sounds like a processed pasta from Chef Boyardee or maybe a dog treat with “real meat flavoring.”  Pastoroni is neither of those things. It is the name I have been given. 

It has been said, and I certainly echo the sentiment, that May is the new December. Between the end of school activities, Mothers’ Day and Memorial Weekend, May has become just as jam packed on our calendars as December.

What an awesome celebration we had this weekend! You know, even though we joke about attendance swelling with folks who don’t’ regularly attend church, they get kind of a bad rap, but hey, at least they aren’t missing the most important celebration of the Church Year.

Last Sunday, Palm Sunday, I asked the question, “How did it go horribly wrong?” After a triumphant entrance into Jerusalem with the people waving palm branches and shouting, “Hosanna,” how did the rest of that week go horribly wrong?

My household, like many others, have roles that each of the members fall into. For my wife and I those roles tend to be rather traditional. I have changed far fewer poopy diapers than my wife, and I don’t see that ratio ever flipping.

This past Saturday, our Synod gathered for a worship service to celebrate the ministry of our Bishop, the Rev. Dr. Timothy Marcus Smith. He has served as our Bishop for the past ten years.