Luther on the Sound of the Wind (John 3)

Co-missioners, Our editor has been poking around some more in Luther’s Works. We send you something he wants to share as a follow-up of sorts to last week’s post. Peace and Joy, The Crossings Community ________________________________________________________________ Luther on the Sound of the Wind (John 3) by Jerome Burce Earlier this week a pending pericope study sent me to …

Some Thoughts on Christian Preaching

Co-missioners, Our conference in January featured a session on preaching. Jerry Burce prepared some notes to get it started. A week or so later, these notes somehow reached an ELCA bishop who doesn’t know Crossings. He promptly asked Jerry for permission to share it with his deans. Today we make these notes available for anyone who might find …

Glowing Jesus, Real Sin

Co-missioners, Matt Metevelis blessed our recent conference with a superb analysis of St. Matthew’s beatitudes. On returning home to Las Vegas he did as do we all, slipping instantly into the rhythms and habits that constitute our usual days. For Matt these habits include some steady posting on Facebook, though with a twist of sorts. Matt uses the …

Can I Get a Witness? Here I Stand

Co-missioners, Our conference in Belleville, Illinois last month was graced by the presence of several people who were attending their first-ever Crossings event. Among them was Dr. George C. Heider, a Senior Research Professor of Theology at Valparaiso University. You’ll recognize his name, perhaps. Thanks to an invitation—some gentle arm-twisting?—from Bruce Modahl, a good friend, George began contributing …

Law and Gospel in Spiritual Care

Co-missioners, Steve Hitchcock is a member of our editorial team. Some months ago, he found today’s item in our online library and thought it worthy of fresh attention, demanding though it is. The team agreed. The author of the piece is the late Robert C. Schultz (1928-2018). Those who knew him as a friend and colleague called him …

Cruciger’s Hymn Revisited, A Preaching Course, A Birthday

Co-missioners, Our editor sends three notes today, two brief, one longer. Peace and Joy, The Crossings Community __________________________________________________________________ Assorted Notes: Cruciger’s Hymn Revisited, A Preaching Course, A Birthday by Jerome Burce 1. Cruciger’s Hymn Revisited I got an altogether unexpected note from Timothy Wengert three Thursdays ago. For those not in the know, Dr. Wengert is one of …

“Kill Me, Jesus!” Notes on a Hymn and the Woman who Wrote It

Co-missioners, This week’s offering comes from our editor. Peace and Joy, The Crossings Community __________________________________________________________________ “Kill Me, Jesus!” Notes on a Hymn and the Woman who Wrote It by  Jerome Burce I met Elisabeth Cruciger last week. I want you to meet her too. I think she merits our high regard as the first woman theologian of the …

On Ministry and Epiphany

Co-missioners, We have two items for you this week. The first, by Matt Metevelis, is a year-and-a-half old. We found it on his Facebook page at the end of July in 2021. Our thanks for his permission to share it with you. It’s one of the most succinct and bracing reflections on Word and Sacrament ministry that we’ve …

Some Christmas Leftovers

Co-missioners, He has done it before. He does it again. Our editor passes along some lingering thoughts as a major season of the church year draws to a close. A dollop of Luther comes with it. A bit of Bach too, for that matter. On this Eleventh Day of Christmas— Peace and Joy, The Crossings Community __________________________________________________________________ Some …