Dr Malcolm Bartsch's free ebook: A god who speaks and acts - theology for teachers in Lutheran schools
This book contains the theological essentials for Lutheran educators and is written in a way which is not only understandable but can be applied in the daily challenges of school teaching, learning and planning. I strongly encourage chaplains, teachers and principals
to read and consider these theological essentials to enhance their understandings, discussions and daily work.
Chapters include:
Chapter 1: A God who speaks and acts
Chapter 2: Word of God: living, active and creative.
Chapter 3: God created and creates
Chapter 4: Sin and God’s response of grace
Chapter 5: God as a human being and theology of the cross.
Chapter 6: God makes people holy: the work of the Holy Spirit.
Chapter 7: New life in Christ.
Chapter 8: New life in Christ in church and society
Chapter 9: Christian Worship.
This ebook is available at
http://www.lutheran.edu.au/assets/Uploads/pr/general/A%20God%20who%20speaks%20and%20acts.pdf
and as a kindle book
Saturday, May 31, 2014
Commentary Series: Feasting on the Word
Feasting on the Word products are quickly becoming the go-to resource for not only preachers, but also educators, worship planners, and individuals. Offering focused resources for sermon and worship preparation, education, and personal devotion, most of the resources utilize the biblical texts assigned by the Revised Common Lectionary, while providing an equally accessible resource for nonlectionary readers through the use of extensive Scripture indexes.
After the success of the lectionary-based preaching series, the need for this type of approach to other aspects of church leadership, education, and planning was understood. This began the endeavor to create the ecumenical, downloadable, and lectionary-based curriculum, which incorporates the Feasting on the Word commentary style each week to explore one of the lectionary passages in ways suitable for participants of all ages. Church educators immediately fell in love with the ability of the curriculum to tie-in to worship and for the same Scripture passages to be studied by all ages in the church.
To further assist with worship preparation, the Feasting on the Word Worship Companion series was put into place. Including a multitude of poetic prayers and responsive readings for all parts of worship, the volumes also include questions for reflection and household prayers for morning and evening. The Daily Feast devotionals are another resource in the Feasting on the Word line put in place to not only provide sermon and worship planning tools for preachers and other worship leaders, but also time for devotion for these leaders and all of those in the church. In these devotionals, each day of the week contains Scripture passages for the coming Sunday from the Revised Common Lectionary, excerpts from the commentaries for reflection, a response, and a prayer.
Moving beyond lectionary-based Scripture, Feasting on the Gospels helps to round out the original commentary series for all preachers. In order to explore all four Gospels in their entirety, this offshoot of the original commentary series continues to use the four-perspective track, providing completely new essays on the exegetical, theological, homiletical, and pastoral challenges of the text. Not only does Feasting on the Gospels provide supplementary material to lectionary preachers, but it also succeeds in providing a resource for nonlectionary preachers and worship leaders. To see how Feasting on the Gospels relates to the original Feasting on the Word volumes, click here to see the difference and download free excerpts.
Ultimately, the goal of the Feasting on the Word products has been to serve every function of the church in its own unique way.
For more details and information about feasting on the word visit http://www.feastingontheword.net/
After the success of the lectionary-based preaching series, the need for this type of approach to other aspects of church leadership, education, and planning was understood. This began the endeavor to create the ecumenical, downloadable, and lectionary-based curriculum, which incorporates the Feasting on the Word commentary style each week to explore one of the lectionary passages in ways suitable for participants of all ages. Church educators immediately fell in love with the ability of the curriculum to tie-in to worship and for the same Scripture passages to be studied by all ages in the church.
To further assist with worship preparation, the Feasting on the Word Worship Companion series was put into place. Including a multitude of poetic prayers and responsive readings for all parts of worship, the volumes also include questions for reflection and household prayers for morning and evening. The Daily Feast devotionals are another resource in the Feasting on the Word line put in place to not only provide sermon and worship planning tools for preachers and other worship leaders, but also time for devotion for these leaders and all of those in the church. In these devotionals, each day of the week contains Scripture passages for the coming Sunday from the Revised Common Lectionary, excerpts from the commentaries for reflection, a response, and a prayer.
Moving beyond lectionary-based Scripture, Feasting on the Gospels helps to round out the original commentary series for all preachers. In order to explore all four Gospels in their entirety, this offshoot of the original commentary series continues to use the four-perspective track, providing completely new essays on the exegetical, theological, homiletical, and pastoral challenges of the text. Not only does Feasting on the Gospels provide supplementary material to lectionary preachers, but it also succeeds in providing a resource for nonlectionary preachers and worship leaders. To see how Feasting on the Gospels relates to the original Feasting on the Word volumes, click here to see the difference and download free excerpts.
Ultimately, the goal of the Feasting on the Word products has been to serve every function of the church in its own unique way.
For more details and information about feasting on the word visit http://www.feastingontheword.net/
Discussion on the Holy Spirit in the Book of Concord
The Holy Spirit is mentioned 385 times in 82 different articles in the documents that make up the Book of Concord.
The Discussion on the Holy Spirit in the Book of Concord is a good reference guide for anyone who wishes to discover quickly and read what the Lutheran Confessions say about the Holy Spirit.
The Discussion on the Holy Spirit in the Book of Concord is a good reference guide for anyone who wishes to discover quickly and read what the Lutheran Confessions say about the Holy Spirit.
Wednesday, May 28, 2014
Music - its importance from Luther's perspective
A quote from Luther on the importance of music in the life of a Christian...and what it brings.....
There is no doubt that there are many seeds of good qualities in the minds of those who are moved by music. Those, however, who are not moved [by music] I believe are definitely like stumps [of wood] and blocks of stone. For we know that music, too, is odious and unbearable to the demons. Indeed I plainly judge, and do not hesitate to affirm, that except for theology there is no art that could be put on the same level with music, since except for theology [music] alone produces what otherwise only theology can do, namely, a calm and joyful disposition. Manifest proof [of this is the fact] that the devil, the creator of saddening cares and disquieting worries, takes flight at the sound of music almost as he takes flight at the word of theology. This is the reason why the prophets did not make use of any art except music; when setting forth their theology they did it not as geometry, not as arithmetic, not as astronomy, but as music, so that they held theology and music most tightly connected, and proclaimed truth through Psalms and songs. But why do I now praise music and attempt to portray, or rather smear, such an important subject on such a little piece of paper? Yet my love for music, which often has quickened me and liberated me from great vexations, is abundant and overflowing.
Luther, M. (1999). Luther’s works, vol. 49: Letters II. (J. J. Pelikan, H. C. Oswald, & H. T. Lehmann, Eds.) (Vol. 49, pp. 427–428). Philadelphia: Fortress Press.
There is no doubt that there are many seeds of good qualities in the minds of those who are moved by music. Those, however, who are not moved [by music] I believe are definitely like stumps [of wood] and blocks of stone. For we know that music, too, is odious and unbearable to the demons. Indeed I plainly judge, and do not hesitate to affirm, that except for theology there is no art that could be put on the same level with music, since except for theology [music] alone produces what otherwise only theology can do, namely, a calm and joyful disposition. Manifest proof [of this is the fact] that the devil, the creator of saddening cares and disquieting worries, takes flight at the sound of music almost as he takes flight at the word of theology. This is the reason why the prophets did not make use of any art except music; when setting forth their theology they did it not as geometry, not as arithmetic, not as astronomy, but as music, so that they held theology and music most tightly connected, and proclaimed truth through Psalms and songs. But why do I now praise music and attempt to portray, or rather smear, such an important subject on such a little piece of paper? Yet my love for music, which often has quickened me and liberated me from great vexations, is abundant and overflowing.
Luther, M. (1999). Luther’s works, vol. 49: Letters II. (J. J. Pelikan, H. C. Oswald, & H. T. Lehmann, Eds.) (Vol. 49, pp. 427–428). Philadelphia: Fortress Press.
Monday, May 26, 2014
Pastor coaching - coachnet
Many pastors are benefiting by engaging with a coach.
One organisation that provides coaching for pastors is coachnet..
How does the coaching relationship work?
A coaching relationship--especially a first coaching experience--is different than any other relationship. Both coach and person being coached--what we at CoachNet call the leader--pour themselves into the relationship, but all the energy and results generated in the coaching relationship are focused on the goals chosen by the person being coached.
The coach is committed to listening first, and strives to ask powerful questions. All for the benefit of the leader. The other person. Coaching is truly a generous proposition...it's a chance to give to the other person without any regard to what the coach gets back in return. Think about it, a relationship where someone's goal is to make things better for the OTHER person.
For pastors
You’re a pastor. You’ve got a full plate. You’re charged with guiding each individual member’s spiritual development, setting a vision for the congregation’s direction, and running the day-to-day operation of the church. On top of this, you have to build and sustain healthy relationships with the members of the church in order to be effective.
Plus, this isn’t just any job. Being a pastor is a calling of the highest order.
Think about this. Ministry is not just something that you decide to take up. Your discipleship journey gave you no option…serving God’s people in an existing church, a church plant or other ministry setting was something God picked out for you. And it’s hard. VERY hard.
The hours are long. Even the most focused congregation can wander off mission from time to time. Relationships can go well one minute and poorly the next. You need someone to come alongside of you to listen, ask good questions, and to help you figure out what comes next. You need a coach.
For more information http://www.coachnet.org/
Australia coaches: http://www.coachnet.org/intl/about-us/meet-the-team
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