From a comment came this story of a Lutheran Pastor who lost a football bet and had to conduct the service in a team jersey and skirt... And you people think I am weird???? Only shows to go ya, truth is always stranger than fiction....
Tragic. The news link and comments are interesting. The main point was humility in the sermon, defenders claim 'to not condemn, lighten up, he gives great sermons, he's reverent in worship',... but he certainly isn't Lutheran and it is embarassing he is in the LCMS. Is this what the Psalms and St. Paul convey with the whole "worship in a splender of holiness...with reverence and awe." The is a display of sacrilege. Note too the picture, what takes a place of precedence in the service? The preaching podium. Then the drums are the most elevated and porminant. With your eyes drawn to Christmas lights. (Altar shoved to the side in equal/less distinctition than the band). This is shameful regardless of the good intensions and motives.
This is just bloody nuts. And even I'm saying that -- one not known for a fondness for smells and bells and vestments and clerical dog collars.
What is the altar doing off to the side, quite right. Likewise the bleeding drum set (even Jimmy Swaggart has a partition in front of the drummer's set). Likewise the pulpit where it is.
But you know what gets me more than all that -- what in all flying Judas H Priest in the sanctuary (or worship space, I suppose) is a pastor doing basing how he dresses for the service, regardless of the the result, on a football bet!
Bet-losing LCMS preacher wears football jersey and skirt as vestments.
Stats: Concordia Seminary, Unknown, 5/15/2004 Concordia College-St. Paul, 1990 BA, Major: Education, Minor: Family Life and Youth Ministry Pastor of Promise Lutheran Church, Murrieta, CA, since 6/27/2004 Pacific Southwest District, President Larry Stoterau
How are the sheep to respect the office to which the shepherd of their flock has been called when that very shepherd, himself fails to show such respect?
During my years at the University of Arizona, I thought it was tacky that the local pastor wore a U of A pen on his stole during worship (the team was in the Final Four). Then, after moving to the Midwest, I saw a pastor with a collection of Green Bay Packer pins on his stole. One time in the parish I serve, an enthusiastic but misguided parishioner ended his reading of the 2nd Lesson with a "Go Cubs!" (it was when they were last in the playoffs). Why is it so hard for people, especially pastors, to leave the sophomoric hi-jinks alone at least during worship? Don't get me wrong, I like sophomoric hi-jinks and a bigger U of A fan you will not find, but it has no place either in symbol or in speech in worship. How are we teaching our children that sports and such have their proper place when even we as leaders of the church do not keep them in their proper place? I know, preaching to the choir.
...And since I am currently sitting in my armchair wearing my alumni sweatshirt... "Bear Down, Arizona! Go 'Cats!"
10 comments:
Tragic. The news link and comments are interesting. The main point was humility in the sermon, defenders claim 'to not condemn, lighten up, he gives great sermons, he's reverent in worship',...
but he certainly isn't Lutheran and it is embarassing he is in the LCMS. Is this what the Psalms and St. Paul convey with the whole "worship in a splender of holiness...with reverence and awe." The is a display of sacrilege. Note too the picture, what takes a place of precedence in the service? The preaching podium. Then the drums are the most elevated and porminant. With your eyes drawn to Christmas lights. (Altar shoved to the side in equal/less distinctition than the band). This is shameful regardless of the good intensions and motives.
Sincerity and humility, and 'good' sermons do not compensate for what smacks of blasphemy.
This is just bloody nuts. And even I'm saying that -- one not known for a fondness for smells and bells and vestments and clerical dog collars.
What is the altar doing off to the side, quite right. Likewise the bleeding drum set (even Jimmy Swaggart has a partition in front of the drummer's set). Likewise the pulpit where it is.
But you know what gets me more than all that -- what in all flying Judas H Priest in the sanctuary (or worship space, I suppose) is a pastor doing basing how he dresses for the service, regardless of the the result, on a football bet!
Unglaublich.
How do you "explain this in the kindest possible way?!"
Bet-losing LCMS preacher wears football jersey and skirt as vestments.
Stats:
Concordia Seminary, Unknown, 5/15/2004
Concordia College-St. Paul, 1990 BA, Major: Education, Minor: Family Life and Youth Ministry
Pastor of Promise Lutheran Church, Murrieta, CA, since 6/27/2004
Pacific Southwest District, President Larry Stoterau
'Nuf said?!
The kindest possible way is, it is an unmitigated pile of horse crap, instead of the more common synonym for crap that usually follows "horse".
How are the sheep to respect the office to which the shepherd of their flock has been called when that very shepherd, himself fails to show such respect?
Why was the Pastor placing bets in the first place?????
During my years at the University of Arizona, I thought it was tacky that the local pastor wore a U of A pen on his stole during worship (the team was in the Final Four). Then, after moving to the Midwest, I saw a pastor with a collection of Green Bay Packer pins on his stole. One time in the parish I serve, an enthusiastic but misguided parishioner ended his reading of the 2nd Lesson with a "Go Cubs!" (it was when they were last in the playoffs). Why is it so hard for people, especially pastors, to leave the sophomoric hi-jinks alone at least during worship? Don't get me wrong, I like sophomoric hi-jinks and a bigger U of A fan you will not find, but it has no place either in symbol or in speech in worship. How are we teaching our children that sports and such have their proper place when even we as leaders of the church do not keep them in their proper place? I know, preaching to the choir.
...And since I am currently sitting in my armchair wearing my alumni sweatshirt... "Bear Down, Arizona! Go 'Cats!"
This LCMS pastor remembered to keep his priorities in order:
http://www.alittleleaven.com/2010/02/jesus-is-better-than-football.html
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