What role do I play?

To play the audio, just click the play button above at left.  To download, click the "no pat answers" title in yellow in the box above, which will take you to a site where you can download it as an mp3 file.  If you see no image above or the audio will not play, click here for audio.

In a special episode of "No Pat Answers" we're joined in this episode by Bishop Jim Mauney, our bishop of the Virginia Synod of our denomination, the ELCA.  (He's seen below in the video below with an original rap at a synodical youth event.)  We had a lot of fun discussing together - and getting into this really important topic for Lutherans.  We're tackling a question we've heard a lot of different ways, and specifically in an email from a listener...


What role do I play in my own salvation? 
What role does acceptance play? 
Do I/we have to accept God's love? 
God reaches out, but we have to reach back. . . 
God gives the gift of salvation, but we have to unwrap it . . .

Listen in, let us know what you think, share a question, share this with a friend . . .

Join us Tuesdays at 7pm at Bowl of Good on Port Republic Road for small-group discussion with the pastors of this and any other questions of faith.  No judgments, all are welcome, no pat answers.

Why do we question our faith?

To play the audio, just click the play button above at left.  To download, click the "no pat answers" title in yellow in the box above, which will take you to a site where you can download it as an mp3 file.  If you see no image above or the audio will not play, click here for audio.

Today, we're tackling part of another listener's question, who wrote:

Why do we question our faith?

We probably know people who are always wondering, questioning faith.  Likewise we probably know some people who seem to just be so solid and never question.  Where do you feel you fit?  Does doubt creep in occasionally, or is it a daily struggle?  Is doubt a curiosity, or does it lead to despair and frustration?

Pastors Bob and Brett are tackling some of these things this week - take a listen.  Let us know what you think.  Then share it with someone you know  - maybe someone who has their own questions . . .

Also, we're still taking questions for future podcasts.  Is there a question - about faith, God, church, life. . . which you'd like us to tackle?  Our promise remains - no pat answers.

We continue to welcome folks to join us at Bowl of Good on Tuesadays @ 7pm to continue these discussions in person.  We've had great small group conversations so far.  But, we will not meet next Tuesday, 10/15 as Pastors Bob and Brett will be out of town - we'll resume Tuesday 10/22 @ 7pm - join us!

Glory to God?

To play the audio, just click the play button above at left.  To download, click the "no pat answers" title in yellow in the box above, which will take you to a site where you can download it as an mp3 file.  If you see no image above or the audio will not play, click here for audio.

Here's the question that was emailed to us:

If our purpose is to glorify God (even if that's just one of multiple purposes), how are we to contextualize and understand that? Specifically, to understand it from a human point of view makes it grossly egotistical, if not egomaniacal and sociopathic ... any human being that would compel others to glorify him/her, worship him/her, would be rightly seen as a dangerous individual. If God creates us ultimately to glorify God, what's that say about God?

So - is God an egomaniacal overlord who created a bunch of mini-me's to bow down and glorify God's self?  
                     Does God need our praise? 

                                      Why do we worship? 
 
So we're tackling this - "we" this week being Pastor Brett and special guest, her husband, Pastor Evan Davis, of St. Jacob Spaders and Trinity Lutheran Churches.  Pastor Bob will be back for next week's edition - keep sending those questions. 

Enjoy our podcasts?  Hear something interesting or you think would be helpful?  Share it with a friend!

ALL are welcome to join us Tuesday nights at 7pm at Bowl of Good on Port Republic Rd.  We'll gather and discuss the question of the week, plus whatever questions of faith you might have.  No judgments.  No pat answers.  Just an open conversation about faith.  Come and grab a drink or something to eat, or just come join us.  See you then!
 

What's the deal with the devil?

To play the audio, just click the play button above at left.  To download, click the "On the Road" title in yellow in the box above, which will take you to a site where you can download it as an mp3 file.  If you see no image above or the audio will not play, click here for audio.

This week we're diving into a question that came up in one of the Sunday school classes and also in conversations and comments - "What's the deal with the devil?"


We're diving into it and wrestling with why this question might come up...  Listen in - and let us know what you're thinking.


Then remember, that you're invited to join us every Tuesday at 7pm at Bowl of Good on Port Republic Road.  We'll discuss the most recent podcast's question and any questions of faith you bring to discuss.  One or both pastors each week will join and are open to conversations - invite a friend!  No judgments, no pat answers - all are welcome!

Calling All Questions!

As we get this series going, we're asking for your questions.  They can be questions about God, faith, religion(s), scripture . . .  general or specific . . .
Questions you've never been able to ask.
Questions that you may just be wondering about.
Questions that are risky. 
Questions that seem safe but deserve a second look.
Questions that you have - or someone you know has.

So send them to us - we'd love to have a pile of them - we promise to respond to them all in some way - either with a podcast episode, discussion, or an email/comment response.

You may ask your questions:
- anonymously - by clicking on comments at the end of this post...
- emailing wellspringmlc@gmail.com
- emailing davis@muhlenberglutheran.org  or humphrey@muhlenberglutheran.org
- post a comment on facebook
- write us a note and get it to our box at church.

Don't forget to join us tomorrow (Tuesday) night, at 7pm, at Bowl of Good on Port Republic Road.  This week we'll continue talking about last week's question - is Jesus the only way?  and whatever else you bring to the table!  All are welcome. 

All questions welcome!

Jesus, the only way?

To play the audio, just click the play button above at left.  To download, click the "On the Road" title in yellow in the box above, which will take you to a site where you can download it as an mp3 file.  If you see no image above or the audio will not play, click here for audio.

This week a clear theme emerged in the questions asked in the comments here and also by email. 
So we're discussing

one, true religion?

Listen to the podcast.  Share it with a friend.  Disagree, confused, or have further questions?  Leave a comment, email us, or start a conversation with a friend.  Leave us a comment and join the conversation with others.

We're excited to announce that we'd like to take these conversations offline as well - and invite you to join us,  Tuesdays at 7:00 at Bowl of Good on Port Republic Rd. 
Bring your questions, and an open mind - we can start with the question of the week, but anything is fair game.  We'll have the big table and a seat at it for you.  Bring a friend, bring your curiosity, come if you are a Muhlenberg member or you've never been.  No hidden agenda, no judgments - just open conversations about our questions of faith.  We'll get something to share and you can buy dinner, a snack, a beer, a tea, or just come join us!

Keep the questions coming, and thanks for those who have entered the conversation so far.  We intend these not to be lectures, but conversation starters - and we'd like to work from your questions each week. 
Just as a reminder, you can ask your questions for discussion a few ways:  comment here on the blog (click on comments below) - can be anonymous; email wellspringmlc@gmail.com or either pastor (davis@muhlenberglutheran.org, humphrey@muhlenberglutheran.org), or leave us a note in our box at church.

No pat answers - Episode 1 - Thanks be to God?

To play the audio, just click the play button above at left.  To download, click the "On the Road" title in yellow in the box above, which will take you to a site where you can download it as an mp3 file.  If you see no image above or the audio will not play, click here for audio. 

If we're honest, we all have questions.  As pastors, we hear them all the time - both from people faithfully in our pews every Sunday and those who would never darken our door.  And if we're honest, we have some questions too.   
So for our fall series of podcasts, through the end of November 2013, we'd like to use these podcasts to start a discussions.  On the questions of faith, maybe the questions you were never allowed or were too scary to ask. 
Submit those to us - as a comment on this page (can be anonymous), through email, drop us a note, tell us in person. 
But even more importantly, share these discussions.  Use them as family conversation starters - or send the link to a friend who may share in some of these questions.
This week, to start us off, we're discussing -

thanks be to God(?)

What does it mean when we say this?  How does this challenge us? 
How/why are we so quick to say this when things are going well. . .
. . . but what does that mean about times when we get bad news?

We want to hear your thoughts - start conversations - give resources for people with questions.  This series may challenge you.  It may be tough.  We'll be honest - and we may sometimes disagree.  But in Christ, all of it will be held together.
Stay tuned - we're planning for this series to also have a LIVE component - where we gather out in the community - welcoming anyone with questions - members and friends and strangers - and have open discussions.
It's part of our vision for ministry here at Muhlenberg - a wellspring of God's grace - open + authentic + relational + serving.  And for us, being open & authentic means - no pat answers.

peace+