Letters from a Pastor

This fascinating story in the Old Testament is one of my favorites. It takes place in the temple, where God’s presence resides, waiting for the people of Israel. Eli is the prophet who hears God’s voice and speaks to God’s people, but there is a young boy named Samuel who is ministering with him in the temple. But rather than a cozy opening, it begins with an ominous proclamation: “The word of the Lord was rare in those days; visions…

Over the years, my father and I often shared a familiar conversation at the end of the day. This was during his time as a Senior Pastor in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, while I was a young, newly ordained pastor serving my first church in Rochester, New York. To reconnect, he would consistently ask me: “What did you do to further the Kingdom today?” This question wasn’t a judgment or a call to work harder, nor was it meant to make me…

Dear Members and Friends of St. Andrew, What an honor and privilege it is for me to be voted into the role of Senior Pastor at St. Andrew Lutheran Church on Sunday, August 25. I am grateful for the robust and affirming process of the Call Committee these past several months of conversation. I am grateful for the care taken by the Church Council in shepherding a good process. Our staff is terrific. I am also grateful for the role…