Pilgrims' Home

Dear Church, I am looking forward to coming back into your presence this week. It has been a long one. The first day brought the passing of Adrian V.G., and I was sick to be away from you. The next days brought questions regarding our distance away, but these worries were resolved by the grace of Christ present in you. In presence and absence, life and death, God is beside us to walk with us in peace. It has been an enjoyable time here, and we have labored here in the classroom and in meetings, but we have also enjoyed connecting with old friends here in the Twin Cities. We have been confirmed in our ministry with you at HCC, and it is clear to us as we give testimony that God is at work in SW Michigan through each of us, together. This week has not offered much time for reflection, but amidst the chaos insights have arisen to invite a return home. I would like to offer one of them here: Trusting one another: When we came one year ago, Lindsay and I knew that we were comi...

May 23 is Pentecost, and here in SW Michigan several churches are joining together for the Global Day of Prayer ( globaldayofprayer.com ). We are anticipating this day very much. Mike Cluster, a police officer in New Buffalo, is the organizer for our area. Our prayer team was blessed by Mike's desire to see this happen, especially being a police officer who witnesses crime, injustice, and community need everyday. Mike's desire to see revival in SW Michigan is impressive and God-appointed in our estimation. In preparation for this day, Mike asked local churches to begin praying for the Global Day of Prayer ten days prior. A prayer minister in our congregation offered the brilliant idea to make Harbert a local IHOP Prayer space (International House of Prayer) for the 10 days and utilize IHOP - Kansas City's streaming prayer room as our guide. This morning we did this. We began at 7 am praying for our city, our churches, and our children. We seek the Lord's face in pra...

The last few weeks have seemed to pass by without intention or thought to mulitple common factors: eating, sleeping, conversations with Lindsay, my kids, and even the Lord (I am forever a Lutheran-sided Pietist). My lack of attention to daily turned toward a life-less crab, whereby persistence was more than difficult, presence with others was always absence, and ability to "get-up-and-go" on a daily basis was met with lethargy. This is neither who I am or desire to be, but for several weeks was caught towards living lifelessly. Recognizing my imago CRABBY, I knew the answer to living lively; I returned to my desired practices of The Divine Hours, running (2.2 miles every other day), and turning off the laptop at least 30 minutes before bedtime (I am less able to accomplish the latter on a daily basis). These minor shifts have resulted in greater intention to life: eating, sleeping, and conversations with the church (specifically Harbert Community Church) and Lord. I don...

Last week, Lindsay was away teaching Bible Study, and  since I was at home with the sun shining at 64 degrees, Micah, Maddie and I went to the beach for an evening stroll. It was truly a wonderful time. Once we finally wrestled down the beach stairs, removed our shoes (and Micah removed his pants), we began our leisurely stroll. It was more leisurely for some than others. Micah was not much for walking in a straight line. He would tack across the beach finding the largest rocks to throw in the water. Maddie had to ride on my shoulders in order to stay out of the water. We walked along the shore for a good hour, which only equaled the length of a football field or so (sailing was never an efficient travel method). On the way back to the beach entrance we saw two people (quite a distance ahead), playing on the beach. I asked Micah, "who are they?", and his quick response was simply, "are those our friends? Our new Friends?" I wasn't sure, but he was. So the ...

David Brooks of the NYT posted an opinion piece that challeneges the current viewpoint that the internet has created an ideological problem as users can subscribe only to content that fits their views. The ideology rhetoric often comes from the loss of the few big networks and media giants (which I think was a roadblock to Democratic space, itself). The new internet research shows that the network principles inherent to the tech spaces actually push users into "foreign" territory and require interaction with diverse and multiple ideologies. Brooks' summarizes the argument well, and I look forward to encountering the earlier studies (the author, Sunstein works in the Obama Administration but was formerly at the University of Chicago) and the current research (authored by Matthew Gentzkow and Jesse M. Shapiro, two Business professors at the University of Chicago). I mostly look forward to comparing these studies with the theory and practices of Benkler's book (menti...

I am finding time to read now that the Lent and Holy Week season has passed. I have read the following three books in part (the Ward book in entirety), and I think they are worth reading for ecclesial purposes, but even if "church" isn't your concern, these texts have substantial implications for larger public or civil society questions.

So it’s decided in my head. I have been trying to write daily, but never am able to fulfill my desire. Until now. I have decided (in the lyrics of the great evangelist, Amy Grant) to begin each day with the Divine Hours and writing. I will use the format of a blog, and probably no one will read it but a few friends who graciously choose to humor me. Regardless, I will most often respond to other writers, biblical texts, or even possibly commentary on my time in Tickle’s Divine Hours. Overtime, I hope to learn to make links to other topics I am quoting, but for now I will make reference and move on…the technology of a blog can all too easily get in the way of actually writing. I am choosing to do this for three reasons. I enjoy writing. Writing is a centering activity. In a world that consumes content (the iPad, for which I lust, is a perfect example of how consuming content is primary over creating it). I enjoy writing. When I take the time to outline, draft, edit, and “publish”...

Jason Byassee penned a helpful conversation on the place of denominations. My friend, Adam Phillips , sent Byassee’s comments to me, and his pen is quite appealing and his voice winsome. He argues clearly that mainline denominations (I can assume he was intentional in not naming all denominations) are withering, but they are neither lost nor unnecessary, namely on familial claims. He rehearses a powerful story of one man, in one denomination, doing work of relief for congregations around the world. The claim that denominations are collective agents for common work is both needed and encouraging. Denominations, as crippled and bureaucratic as they are, have a collective identity to hold diverse congregations together. When worship in America is a segregated hour, denomination’s have collective power to bring our racism, classicism, and myopia into a room and break out our prejudices….denominations are social networks of wealth (see The Wealth of Networks by Benkler ). Sidenote: The Ev...

I should have realized that I would eat my words a few weeks ago. I was in the fourth month of my work as co-pastor at Harbert Community Church. I flippantly mentioned to our choir director how much I enjoyed the job, but Monday-Friday went slower than I desired. This was three weeks ago..... As of Sunday night, I will have had two funerals, two interments, a beloved man in the hospital facing a difficult recovery, Sunday School, Worship, with a sermon, and an evening Membership Class. I want four weeks ago back....famous last words. But I am not complaining. In officiating two funerals, I have had a chance to reflect on many things. I am not afraid of death, but I am afraid of leaving people behind. I desire to pass before I get too grumpy (though my wife might say it's too late, especially on Saturday nights). I have also recognized that despite people's criticisms of the church, in whatever form it takes, this is the place to live and die. We remember rightly. We remember to...

It has been longer than I can admit since I last posted on this blog. Last time I posted, Madeline was non-mobile, Micah never talked back and drank from a sippy cup, and I was eager to begin a new work with Lindsay at Harbert Community Church. It was indeed a quiet but exciting time. Today, I am in our almost settled office, fully installed as co-pastor, facing my first wedding, and preparing a sermon on the Syro-phoenician woman (Mark 7). I enjoyed the timing of the last post.... There is something about those days when I was an associate with clear responsibilities, expectations of writing, and freedom not to concern with organizational outcomes, financial goals, and the overall organization of the church. The freedom that there was someone else to look to for the final answers (and to blame for the shortcomings) is gone; it is even missed and revered. This new location as co-pastor is daunting more and more each day. I sit here and write a sermon with hopes of the voices in my head...

After six years of church ministry in Minnesota, I was pretty sure I knew what happened on a church staff, but after two days of work, I am realizing how much I need to learn. I sit in my office and wonder how in the world will we do this pastoral ministry thing, especially with two children, a new home, selling our old home, and everything else? It appears overwhelming, yet it also comes with great excitement. After two days, I have learned one thing about being a pastor at Harbert Church - listen to stories. The church laughs at its average age (let's just say that Lindsay and I drop the number a few years), yet its age is its asset. There are more stories of life, wisdom, and redemption than I ever imagined. It is quite rich. So we will move on from here listening to stories, celebrating God's story and praying that our narratives will intersect more often than not.

Well I have heard from some of my Daddys friends (namely Kim G) that I haven't been writing as much about Madeline as my dad wrote about me. Two things: 1) I am a busy little boy who takes naps, chases balls, and watches Sesame Street 2) My dad is a computer hog, so I can only write when he gets out of my way. But for the fans of the blog out there (and I am grateful for each and every one of you) here is a new update on baby sister. Madeline is doing really well from my perspective. She eats better than I did, goes to the bathroom about the same amount, and sleeps a little less. Overall, we are equal in gifts, albeit different. I think my parents should keep her. She evens has some of the same adorable qualities that I have (see photos). The first week has been wonderful. Mom and Dad seem protective of Maddie when I hold her because they think I squeeze her head to hard, but I just want her to know that I love her. And I figure that as long as she isn't screaming, she is fine....

Thanksgiving became an unexpected event in so many ways. Mommor and Farmor Armfield were supposed to arrive with Uncles Matt and Ben for Thanksgiving. But they had to stay and say goodbye to Nunie. This bittersweet day was filled with new life and resurrection. My other grandparents dropped what they were doing for thanksgiving and flew (drove) here from Omaha. They arrived as if they were superheros. They managed me so that mommy and daddy could stay at the hopsital with Baby Madeline. It worked out perfectly. Mormor and Farmor will come to see us next week. I have superheros for grandparents....now I need to think of superhero names and costumes.

Maddie had many visitors. Even though it was a holiday weekend, people came to visit my little sister, including my buddies, Petra (P) and Ammi.

Madeline Ada Small was born Wednesday morning, November 26, 2008 at 2:02 pm. She was 6lbs 15 oz, and 18 inches long. This is a significant difference from her monster truc brother, who weighed in at 9lbs with 3 lbs of hair. Lindsay began having contractions around 6am, but thought this was false labor and would require the "Walk of shame" at the hospital when she would be sent home. However, her fears were dashed when the doctor and nurses concurred that this day was indeed labor day.... We took Micah to the Mrosko's house, which was perfect because Rachel and Jacob were home for the holidays from school, so Jaci had some much excited help! Thank you to the Mrosko's for watching Micah (and for letting out the dog, Grover). We arrived at the hospital around 9am. The contractions hastened, and by 11:30, we were preparing for labor (which was projected to occur around 4 or 5pm). At 1:30, Lindsay experienced significant pain, she pushed for the first time at 1:5 and Baby ...