CRUX Episode 27 - Preaching the Law

July 25, 2015 Todd Peperkorn

Preaching the Law is the second hardest thing the pastor does, right after preaching the Gospel. There are so many pitfalls for the preacher. How do we approach it in a way that is faithful to the text, and is faithful to our ultimate goal of communion with Christ? That’s the question for this week. Join Scott and Todd as they talk about the the crux of the matter in preaching the Law.

LINKS AND OTHER STUFF WE TALKED ABOUT

“Their Names in Heaven” -A funeral sermon for the miscarriage of two young children who were adopted in embryo. (link will be coming soon)

WHAT'S BRINGING JOY THIS WEEK

SCOTT

Beyond Therapy: Biotechnology and the Pursuit of Happiness, by The President’s Council on Bioethics

TODD

Apple Music

WHERE TO FIND US

Todd and Scott co-host THE CRUX OF THE MATTER. You may find Todd Peperkorn @toddpeperkorn on Twitter or facebook.com/toddpeperkorn on Facebook. He also blogs, posts sermons, and random nonsense at Lutheran Logomaniac and Dark My Road. Todd’s parish is Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Rocklin, California. You can find his sermons & bible classes on YouTube HERE.

You may find Scott Stiegemeyer @scottstieg on Twitter or Facebook.com/scottstiegemeyer on Facebook. Scott is an assistant professor of theology and bioethics at Concordia University Irvine.

Email the show at feedback@thecruxofthematter.net

To subscribe directly, please paste the following link into your pod-catcher of choice: https://thecruxofthematter.squarespace.com/podcast/?format=rss

To subscribe via iTunes, please go to: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/podcast-the-crux-of-the-matter/id959171811

CRUX Episode 26 - Pastors and Tech, Part Two

July 7, 2015 Todd Peperkorn

Pastors are more accesible to their congregation than ever before. Web sites, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, the ways to find the pastor increase with each day. How do we make ourselves available to our people, and what is the cost? Listen to Scott and Todd talk it over in episode 26 of The Crux of the Matter.

LINKS AND OTHER STUFF WE TALKED ABOUT

WHAT'S BRINGING JOY THIS WEEK

SCOTT

Ascension from SyFy

TODD

The Maze Runner, by James Dashner

WHERE TO FIND US

You may find Scott Stiegemeyer @scottstieg on Twitter or Facebook.com/scottstiegemeyer on Facebook. Scott is an assistant professor of theology and bioethics at Concordia University Irvine.

Email the show at feedback@thecruxofthematter.net

To subscribe directly, please paste the following link into your pod-catcher of choice: https://thecruxofthematter.squarespace.com/podcast/?format=rss

To subscribe via iTunes, please go to: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/podcast-the-crux-of-the-matter/id959171811

CRUX Episode 25 - Pastors and Tech, Part One

June 30, 2015 Todd Peperkorn

It is nearly impossible for a pastor in 21st century america to avoid technology. Phones, tablets, computers, even watches are more and more advanced as the days go by. How does all of this fit into the workflow of the faithful Lutheran pastor? Listen to Scott and Todd talk it over in episode 24 of The Crux of the Matter.

CRUX Episode 24 - The Public Pastor

June 23, 2015 Todd Peperkorn

Any time a Christian engages in public sin, it is a scandal and an offense to the body of Christ. It is also a tremendous opportunity for the Church to be Church, to give mercy and forgiveness to the broken and in need. In this episode Todd and Scott try to make sense of what happens when a pastor commits a public sin. Join us for episode twenty-four of The Crux of the Matter.

CRUX Episode 23 - VBS

June 18, 2015 Todd Peperkorn

Vacation Bible School (VBS) is one of the institutions in American Christianity. What is it and why has it become such a central part of suburban Christianity? Todd and Scott talk about music, pitfalls of entertainment evangelism, the joy of teaching children, and give VBS a thumbs up, but with a little caution.

CRUX Episode 22 - Strategic Planning

June 12, 2015 Todd Peperkorn

Strategic planning is one of the great buzzword phrases of the day. Everyone has a plan, and churches are no exception. So how do we as Lutheran pastors approach strategic planning without losing our minds and our souls in the process? Scott and Todd start the conversation, and also talk about Martians, unhappiness, democracy in America, and more in episode 22 of The Crux of the Matter.

CRUX Episode 21 - Jenner

June 4, 2015 Todd Peperkorn

In episode 21 Todd and Scott begin a conversation about transgenderism, what it means for the Christian Church, and also discuss the implications of loving our neighbor, especially when faced moral failings and weaknesses. How do we care for those with whom we disagree?

CRUX Episode 20 - Depression

May 28, 2015 Todd Peperkorn

LINKS AND OTHER STUFF WE TALKED ABOUT

Unmasking Male Depression: Recognizing the Root Cause to Many Problem Behaviors Such as Anger, Resentment, Abusiveness, Silence, Addictions, and Sexual Compulsiveness, by Archibald Hart
John 21:1-19
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
Troubled Minds: Mental Illness and the Church's Mission, by Amy Simpson
The Burden of Sympathy: How Families Cope With Mental Illness, by David A. Karp

FRIEND(S) OF THE SHOW

Christ Lutheran Academy, Kenosha, Wisconsin
St. Mark’s Lutheran School, Citrus Heights, California

WHAT'S BRINGING JOY THIS WEEK

SCOTT

The Great Courses (The Teaching Company)
The Catholic Church: A History, by William R. Cook

TODD

Speaking of Sadness: Depression, Disconnection, and the Meanings of Illness, by David A. Karp

CRUX Episode 19 - Marriage

May 22, 2015 Todd Peperkorn

In a few short weeks the Supreme Court will be issuing a ruling about whether same-sex marriages are a constitutional right, or if it something that can be determined by each state. In this episode Scott and Todd discuss Pres. Matthew Harrison’s recent pastoral letter, what implications this may have on pastoral care, and how pastors and congregations should start responding to this.

CRUX Episode 18 - Confession and Absolution

May 13, 2015 Todd Peperkorn

Scott and Todd discuss the forgotten sacrament of the Lutheran Church. Confession and absolution has been in the Small Catechism for nearly five hundred years, yet is rarely practiced at the congregational level. Why? They also talk about Lutheranism 101, the Amazon Echo, and try to speak through a crying child.