Category Archives: Reflections

Manifestations

Originally published in the Northwest Intermountain Synod January 2024 e-news: “…. anthems be to thee addressed, God in flesh made manifest.” ELW 310 Songs of Thankfulness and Praise has always been a favorite hymn of mine, ever since I had … Continue reading

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Lutheran Higher Ed (or Cobbers & Lutes)

There was a time last spring when I thought I would spend Oct. 13, 2023 flying to Moorhead, Minnesota for my 25th college reunion at Concordia. But the Northwest Intermountain Synod Candidacy Committee needed a Saturday to meet (tomorrow) and … Continue reading

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First COB

I returned from my first Conference of Bishops Sept. 30. This several day meeting was preceded by my second in-person bishop formation event (often called baby bishop school). Below this paragraph is the press release summarizing our COB time together. … Continue reading

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Two Books about Zoning

Originally published in the September The Christian Century magazine If affordable housing has become a watercooler conversation of our time, zoning reform is one of the next logical topics of interest. In their new books, Nolan Gray and Robert Ellickson … Continue reading

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So Many Partners

If I needed reminders that this work does not need to be done in a silo, this week gave me an abundance of them. The week started, after my drive home Monday, with a vaccination appointment at Saltzer Health, in … Continue reading

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Hope Lutheran, Eagle, Idaho

Memories: This morning I preached, presided, and brought greetings from the synod office to the congregation of Hope Lutheran. Hope sits on Highway 44 between Eagle and what was (but is no longer) the sleepy town of Star. During my … Continue reading

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The Freedom of a Christian – Online Series

For the 500th Anniversary of Martin Luther’s treatise The Freedom of a Christian, Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton invited our church to revisit the treatise. I never did that with my congregation or cluster, but I am inviting our synod into the STUDY … Continue reading

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Cleveland Ordination

Shortly after I was elected bishop, I learned that a first-call pastor had received and accepted a call to Redeemer Lutheran Boise (which has a shared ministry agreement with Grace Lutheran, Horseshoe Bend). It was time to start planning Mariah … Continue reading

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Metaphors for Life Together in Christ

Originally published in the Northwest Intermountain Synod e-news. Dear Friends in Christ, I spent the first two weeks of June leading summer staff training sessions for Luther Heights Bible Camp in the Sawtooth Mountains and Flathead Lutheran Bible Camp south … Continue reading

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The Camper Goes Online

Originally posted on tvprays.org as Video Conferencing and Sacred Space Hebrews 10:24-25, 24And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, 25not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and … Continue reading

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