Saint Matthew's

Last evening, I returned from visiting with friends at Concordia Theological Seminary out in Fort Wayne, Indiana. My time away was very gratifying on a number of levels, especially the “spiritual” where friends who entered seminary with me were called to serve in congregations throughout our country.

Being in attendance at the call service on Tuesday evening, while bringing back memories, I couldn’t help but see that entire service and ceremony in a different context. When I watched previous call services as a seminarist, I couldn’t help but wonder what it would be like when my name is called and I find out where I would serve our Lord in His Church. On April 27, 2005 when our call service was held, my mind raced as I tried to figure out where I was going.

However, this time, as a called and ordained servant of Christ, I saw these men and this ceremony in a different context. These candidates were now ready to join the “fraternity” of clergymen, or join the ranks of the servants of Christ on earth who care for the souls of their flocks. As someone who has been in that role for a little less than two years, I couldn’t help but smile as each of them received calls to churches in need of an undershepherd.

A couple of my seminary friends received calls to Kansas and Iowa, and they were both thrilled. We entered the hallowed halls of CTS-FW together back in the summer of 2001 as we struggled through the crash course known as Summer Greek. They worked hard and now they are getting the opportunity to use their talents to spread the Good News of Christ. Another seminarist, a relative of members at Saint Matthew’s, received a call to Illinois, which made everyone in the family happy.

But being happy is not just what call night is all about. It is about Christ caring for His Church by providing for men to serve at pastors.

To me, seeing these men receive their first calls, was a blessing.

HOWEVER, that trip home was insane!! It rained from Fort Wayne right through Wayne, NJ. Rain, some of the time obnoxiously heavy. It lightened up a bit at times, but it just poured all the way through Indiana, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. What I really don’t like is when I was driving at the speed limit (something I rarely did when I drove out to Fort Wayne in beautiful weather; maybe I shouldn’t admit this…) while trucks are moving past on the left while spraying water off their tires onto the windshield of my car. AAAhhhh!! My stress level peaked in Pennsylvania as the heavy rain in the central mountain area, combined with the twisting roadway, almost caused me to pull over and stay the night.

If you haven’t guessed, I really don’t like driving in the rain. My stress level rises soooo high. I hold onto the steering wheel tighter and drive much slower than usual. Plus, as I hit mile marker 186 (about midway through the state) on Route 80 in PA., my “check engine” light went on. I’ll deal with that later today or tomorrow. When I pulled into the parsonage last evening, my body was so tense, I just tried my best to stay awake for a while. I returned a few phone calls that I couldn’t return while I was away. But by 7:30pm, I fell asleep.

And yes, I missed Morning Prayer today…sorry.

Have you checked out the daily chapel services at Concordia Theological Seminary via their website? They are terrific and faith-strengthening.

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I have been listening to the daily chapel services from Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Indiana – the seminary I attended. The first two days this week, two of my favorite professors and preachers standing in the pulpit. Rev. Dr. Daniel David Gard and Rev. Dr. Carl Fickenscher II are outstanding preachers. I have said from my first days in seminary if I could preach like them I would be truly blessed.

Listening to these services before our Vision Team meeting at 7P has been inspiring. Now that I am out of seminary for more than a year, listening to these men via the Internet from Kramer Chapel keeps me reminded why I am here: to preach Christ crucified and to lead Christ’s sheep.

If you ever get the chance, check out these services. The direct link to their chapel page is found by clicking here. You click on the days in the week and enjoy. Your faith will be strengthened and it will put a smile on your face.

UPDATE: I’m a dope – I got Dr. Gard’s first name wrong. How could I do that? I was reading my notes from his jointly-taught Isaiah class a week ago. How can I get his name wrong.

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Last night, Concordia Theological Seminary (the seminary I attended in Fort Wayne, Indiana) held their annual candidate placements for men entering the Holy Ministry. To me, that means one thing: a year has flown by since MY candidate placement night in the seminary (who says time doesn’t fly when you’re having fun?).

Well, I will comment later on the general nature of the calls and where men and their families were sent. But one stood out from the list.

Last night at Bible class (better known as Pastor’s “Train Wreck – Ask the Pastor” class), we discussed the call process for seminarians. During our discussion, someone asked about getting a church in, let’s say, Hawaii. As far as I know, no one had ever gotten such a “pretty darn nice” call.

Until last night: Joshua Schneider won the lottery. He will become the Associate Pastor of Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Kahului on the island of Maui, Hawaii.

As most of you know, I am a graduate of Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Indiana. One of the most life-forming aspects of seminary is daily chapel service. To have the opportunity to attend chapel each day was one of the blessings of my three campus years at sem.

To be honest, it is one of the things I truly miss about seminary – the worship time at 10A to hear God’s Word strengthened me for the day ahead.

Well, now I don’t have to miss it so much: CTS Chapel in now online. They have been online for a couple of months, but since I didn’t start writing this ‘thing that needs a new name’ until recently, I didn’t have a chance to post this.