Topical Series

Join us for a conversation about mission, about how it should shape your own identity, and how it binds us to a community in Jesus Christ. In this episode, Pastors Clint and Michael introduce a new series called "Mission Musings." In this introductory conversation, they explore how Christians are mysteriously (and AMAZINGLY!) invited to participate in God's own mission in the world. This "misio de...

In this concluding episode, Pastors Clint and Michael survey the major themes of Dietrich Bonhoeffer's book Life Together and explore how his understanding of the Christian community can shape our own Christian faith. Be sure to stay tuned for our next series about the mission of the church that will come out in the next few weeks. Until then, be sure to let us know what you have learned in this b...

The fifth and final chapter of Dietrich Bonhoeffer's book  Life Together  "Confession & Communion" illustrates the central important that confession plays in the Christian life. Bonhoeffer explains that the deepest human temptation to sinfulness lies in our inner pride. He argues that in order to live fully in the life of Christ, Christians must be willing to give up that pride throu...

The fourth chapter of Dietrich Bonhoeffer's book  Life Together  "Ministry" explores how every Christian is called to active ministry within their Christian community. Bonhoeffer explores how the practices of silence, humility, and scriptural correction provide ample opportunities for life-long discipleship and Christian formation. As Bonhoeffer conceives of it, ministry is ultimately th...

The third chapter of Dietrich Bonhoeffer's book  Life Together  gives Christians a glimpse into how the spiritual practices of meditation, intercession, and even silence can be invaluable tools for Christian discipleship and, ultimately, community. A surprising chapter for a book expressly about community, Bonhoeffer shows us how even our "individual" lives shape and form us for our comm...

The second chapter of Dietrich Bonhoeffer's book Life Together offers a powerful glimpse into how the rhythms of each day can be an opportunity for Christians to grow deeper in their relationship with God and others. In this chapter, Bonhoeffer explores how every moment from daybreak to sunset is ripe with opportunities for prayer, psalm, songs, and the upbuilding of the Christian community. Rarel...

Pastors Clint and Michael discuss the first chapter of Dietrich Bonhoeffer's book Life Together . In this conversation, the pastors discuss how Christians define "community" and what makes Christian community different from other communities. Although this may appear, at first glance, to be simple, Dietrich Bonhoeffer shows us that real Christian community is rich and deeply meaningful when we rec...

Pastors Clint and Michael introduce a new Podcast series covering the classic 20th century book Life Together by Dietrich Bonhoeffer. In this introduction, the pastors survey Dietrich Bonhoeffer's life and explain what makes him such an enduring theological figure. Due to his exceptional intellect and thoroughgoing faith captured so brilliantly in this small book, millions of people have found enc...

Join Pastors Clint and Michael as they conclude the Jesus Jargon series with a conversation about what Christians mean by the word "worship." Unlike some of the jargon in this series, "worship" is a word Christians use at least once every week. And yet, for all of its use, we sometimes fail to slow down and consider the full breadth and real significance of the word. In this final episode we retur...

Join Pastors Clint and Michael as they explore what Christians mean by the word "orthodoxy." Though not always a word used in Christian Education, orthodoxy refers to "right belief." At its best, orthodoxy is intended to provide Christians a shared language for our common purpose and shared mission. In this episode, the pastors explore how orthodoxy can provide guiderails for the church enabling u...

Join Pastors Clint and Michael as they explore what Christians mean by the word "Spiritual." Living in a culture that elevates "spirituality" above religious practices, Christians would do well to return to the fundamentals of Christian spirituality and rediscover the beautiful promise that the Holy Spirit lives within us. Don't miss this conversation if you have ever struggled to begin a new "spi...

Join Pastors Clint and Michael as they explore what Christians mean by the word "ecumenical." While maybe not a word commonly spoken within the normal life of a congregation, modern church denominations have invested a great deal of time and effort in fostering partnerships between Christians all throughout the world. The ecumenical movement has resulted in local congregations recognizing that des...

Join Pastors Clint and Michael as they explore what Christians mean by the word "salvation." While central to our understanding of what it means to be people of faith, the Christian understanding of salvation is much more rich and nuanced than if someone just says the "sinners prayer." The Pastors discuss what it means to be saved and how it isn't just a one time event but an entire life of faith,...

Join Pastors Clint and Michael as they explore what Christians mean by the word "mission." The mission of the church has existed from the very moment that Jesus gave the great commission but the expression of that mission has taken many forms. The pastors explain how the mission of the church is distinct from the the secular understanding of organizations missions. They also discuss how the term "...

Join Pastors Clint and Michael as they explore the terms "Conservative" and "Liberal" from the Christian perspective. You may be surprised to discover that these two labels have existed in some measure throughout the history of the church and a robust understanding of each enables us to see how God has providentially led the church through very different times and seasons. Though we live in a part...

Pastors Clint and Michael begin a new series called Jesus Jargon in which they discuss some of the often misunderstood words of the Christian faith. In this episode, they discuss the term "Biblical." Biblical has been used to describe everything from churches, to preaching, to books, even though it isn't always clear what it means. The Pastors explore some of the nuances of being "Biblical," how t...

Today, the Pastors talk with Roger and Donna Harms about their experience navigating through 2020. We discuss what it feels like to be labeled "vulnerable," how Covid immediately impacted family relationships of all kinds, and what it was like to address unrelated medical concerns in the midst of lock-downs and social distancing. We are deeply grateful for the Harm's vulnerable honesty and for the...

This episode of the Pastor Talk Podcast features the sixth in our our series of Pastors' reflections on lessons learned during the last year. In this episode, the Pastors discuss how one's perspective has made a substantial difference in how we have all dealt with the stress and troubles of the past year. By examining our motivations we can often find the source of our own personal struggles and a...

Today, we the Pastors talk with the President of Lakes Regional Health Jason Harrington about his experience leading during the pandemic. Our wide ranging conversation explores some of the strength and values of Midwest communities, communicating during a crisis, and separating fact from opinion. We thank Jason for taking time to talk with us and hope that you find the conversation interesting. Fo...

This episode of the Pastor Talk Podcast features the fifth in our our series of Pastors' reflections on lessons learned during the last year. In this episode, the Pastors explore how over the course of the last year, there has seemed to be an increase in "all or nothing" thinking. Incredibly complex situations ranging from health, to economy, to politics have been over simplified with a false rang...

Today, we talk with Josh Bolluyt and Terry Bruinsma about their experience leading the Spirit Lake High School and Middle School through a period of unprecedented uncertainty and change. They reflect upon the previous year's challenges and successes and lift out some of the lessons that they will carry forward into the future. This conversation is an excellent reminder that all leadership success...

This episode of the Pastor Talk Podcast features the fourth in our our series of Pastors' reflections on lessons learned during the last year. In this episode, the Pastors explore how social media has shaped our experience of the last year. Regardless of how often you consume social media personally, it has become a powerful cultural force shaping our collective imaginations and transforming many...

Today, we talk with Greg Jenness about how the pandemic affected his local business and his ministry to grieving families all while navigating the multitude of changes with his young family. This conversation is far reaching and invites all of us to ask how the changes in our life impacted what we have thought, felt, and done in this season. For the season of Lent, our Wednesday podcast will featu...

This episode of the Pastor Talk Podcast features the third in our our series of Pastors' reflections on lessons learned during the last year. In this episode, the Pastors reflect upon the many ways that fear impacted our lives throughout this season. They explore our instinctive human reaction to fear and how it can restrict us from fully considering all of the nuanced challenges and potential sol...

Today, we talk with Carol Ayres about the opportunities and challenges she navigated throughout the previous year as a college music educator, student mentor, and church musician. Her vantage as community college band professor gives us the ability to see how the broader musical community rallied together to find new ways to help students engage in music in very trying times as well as some of the...