“God’s calling me to something more”
Brad Alexander has spent the last thirteen years working as a purchasing agent for a company that installs windows, exterior doors, mirrors, and bath accessories for new construction homes. On most Sunday mornings, you can find Brad at Redeemer, Gastonia, where he’s the congregation council president, an adult Sunday school teacher, and more. (Just don’t look for him in the choir; he’s not a singer.) Victor Parrish is a retired barber and hair stylist; he’s also a lifelong church musician. Victor has been the pianist at The Arbor, Lexington, for about 16 years and helps lead all the worship services. Last September, Brad and Victor, along with twelve others with equally unique stories, became part of the first cohort of the Lay Preaching Certification Program in the NC Synod. (more…)
Reading 9—Unlimited Mercy
Psalm 51
I recently had an argument with a Facebook friend. I had re-posted a statement that said, “Sometimes you are the bad guy.” Jake (not his real name) could never see himself as the bad guy. Jake is not the only one who thinks that way, but a more common view is, “Well, at least I am not as bad as that person.” A third way to respond to this psalm is the person who believes that they are so bad they could never receive God’s mercy. (more…)
What bishops do
I’ve spent last week from early each morning until dark each night at Lenoir-Rhyne University with 13 high schoolers from all over Region 9 in the ELCA. Though “Bishops’ School” has been happening for decades, several years ago it started rotating around to happen on the territory of the six Region 9 synods (comprising eight states, the Bahamas, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands). This year is the first year in its long history that the event has been in North Carolina. The school is a chance for high school students to dive deep into theology. Some of them are interested in professional church vocations. Some aren’t. (more…)