Sermon Audio 8/18/2013

Lutheran Church of the Savior, Kalamazoo

13th Sunday after Pentecost, Lectionary Year C

Luke 12:49-56

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America held our biennial (becoming triennial) Churchwide Assembly last week, in which 1000 voting members from all over the country came together in Pittsburgh, PA to do the work of the church. Today I provided a summary of the work we did at CWA (as it is known to insiders), including electing a new Presiding Bishop, approving a new Social Statement on Criminal Justice, resolutions on various public issues, and an effort to increase the church's commitment to youth and young adults. The Gospel lesson for today is a frightening one, Jesus bringing fire and division instead of the oft-expected hugs and kumbayas. It's still the Good News for us, if you know what to listen for.

Below the sermon audio I'll include a summary and links to the major work done at the 2013 ELCA Churchwide Assembly, much of which I described in this sermon.

Link: Millenials and the Church

Yeah, yeah, I know I've been away too long. Things have been crazy, but once I finally can get online at the new place I'll be back to blogging like I mean it. In the meantime, if you are interested in the relationship between young people and the church, read this article. Then, as I said on the LCS Facebook page, read it again.