The Concordia Publishing House Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Continue | Tanner Olson of Written to Speak Apr 20, 2022

Show notes

During this episode of the Concordia Publishing House Podcast, listen as Tanner Olson explains his outlook on poetry, prayer, and just being happy to be here.

Tanner is the voice behind writtentospeak.com or @writtentospeak on Instagram. He is also the author of Continue: Poems and Prayers of Hope.

Show Notes:

To Tanner Olson of Written to Speak, poetry is somewhere in between a song and a sermon. In all of his poetry, Tanner hopes that you get the sense that these are words that you’d say to a friend or in a prayer to God. In this episode, Elizabeth and Tanner discuss poetry, prayer, and how they connect in his newest book. Learn how to start reading and digesting poetry, and how to begin using your own voice. Listen to poems from Continue: Poems and Prayers of Hope including: Forget, Like the Sheep, and Consider the Wildflowers.

Tanner’s Website: https://www.writtentospeak.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/writtentospeak

Twitter: https://twitter.com/tannerJolson

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/writtentospeak/

Written to Speak on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6VSXq2yYD3n5MFZ5ahIUDZ?si=Mpg3E66ZQcq_wmikYy8ktQ

Questions Covered:

How does Tanner’s saying “just happy to be here” help open up conversations about mental health?
How does his new book, Continue, work towards healthy lamenting but also knowing what it means to keep going?
What does it mean that Tanner’s work is accessible?
How do writing prompts help when creating poems?
What is the significance of the poem and phrase “In All Things”?
How has Christian poetry been able to reach different demographics inside and outside the church?
Which experiences on the road have been impactful?
How do we approach reading poetry?
What should aspiring writers/poets do to begin their journey?

About the Guest:

Tanner Olson is an author, poet, and speaker living in Nashville, Tennessee, with his wife, Sarah, and dog, Pancake. For the last decade, Tanner has been writing and speaking about hope, faith, and love to audiences online and across the US. When he isn’t writing, Tanner spends most of his time watching NBA basketball, drinking coffee, being outside, and catching up with friends. For more from Tanner, visit writtentospeak.com or @writtentospeak on Instagram.

Crash Course in Church History | Molly Lackey Apr 09, 2022

Show notes

Church History is important because God works through history. In this episode, Molly Lackey gives an overview of the church from Pentecost to our modern church.

Molly is the author of A Simple Explanation of Church History and Confessing Jesus: The Heart of Being a Lutheran (coming October 2022), and a contributor to Words of Strength and Promise: Devotions for Youth.

To learn more about the intersection of sexuality and church history read Sexual Morality in a Christless World by Matthew Rueger.

Show Notes:

Studying Church History can help us to understand how the church has thought through issues throughout time. It can give us insight on how to deal with the issues that arise in our own time. It also is important to understand how we got to where we are today. In this episode, Molly Lackey, the author of A Simple Explanation of Church History, gives an overview of what the church has experienced throughout time. This brief, but thorough, overview will walk through the church at Pentecost, the Roman Empire, the Middle Ages, Reformation, and to our very own Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod.

Questions Covered:

Why is it important that we understand church history?
What does the history of the early church look like?
Why did Rome lump Christians in with other “new religions”?
How did Christianity move forward in a time of persecution?
In the middle ages, how did Christianity provide stability and grow?
What is the history behind indulgences?
What is the meaning behind the “age of Orthodoxy”?
What defines the “age of revival”?
Why is this period significant to LCMS Lutherans?
How did the World Wars impact our modern church?
-Should we be excited for the end of history?

About the Guest:

Molly Lackey is a wife, author, and church historian. She earned her Bachelor of Arts, with a triple major in History, German, and Latin, from the University of Alabama. She is currently pursuing her Master of Arts in Early Modern European History, with an emphasis on the Reformation in Germany, from Saint Louis University. Molly is the author of A Simple Explanation of Church History and has contributed her voice to Words of Strength and Promise: Devotions for Youth. She enjoys reading and talking theology with other laypeople, creating art, and drinking tea with her husband. To read more from her, head to abovetowne.com.

Serving our Armed Forces Spiritually | Ministry to the Armed Forces | Rev. Craig Muehler Apr 06, 2022

Show notes

LCMS Ministry to the Armed Forces is vitally important to supporting chaplains in the United States military. In this episode Rev. Craig Muehler, director of the LCMS Ministry to the Armed Forces, discusses the importance of this ministry, current projects, and what you can do to support military chaplains and their families.

The Ministry to the Armed Forces is the mission arm of the LCMS to support and serve military chaplains — active and reserve — their families and the veteran population. Learn more at: https://www.lcms.org/ministry-to-the-armed-forces

Show Notes:

Have you heard of an army chaplain? Do you know the importance of having LCMS pastors be chaplains in the US military. During this episode hear from the director of the LCMS Ministry to the Armed Forces, Rev. Muehler, as he discusses this important ministry. Discover how the ministry was started and learn what route military chaplians take. Rev. Muehler knows first-hand how chaplains serve the armed forces and why this specific ministry needs to be supported. Be encouraged to prayerfully support this ministry.

Questions Covered:

How did Rev Muehler end up in this position with the Ministry to the Armed Forces?
Why do we need chaplains?
How was the Ministry to the Armed Forces started?
Why is the office of the two kingdoms important to this ministry and does this interact with freedom to exercise religion?
What does chaplaincy to military “nones” look like?
How are the chaplains spiritually fed?
How do chaplains become chaplains?
What impact may the war in Ukraine have on our chaplains?
Who can we contact to start the process to enter chaplaincy?
Are there any services for veterans?
What tools do congregations have to support our military-connected populations?
What can we do to support this ministry?

About the Guest:

Chaplain Craig Muehler, a retired U.S. Navy captain, serves as the director of the LCMS Ministry to the Armed Forces. After retiring as deputy chaplain of the U.S. Marine Corps, where he served from 2011-14, Rev Muehler stepped into this position.. He received his bachelor’s degree from Concordia University Chicago, River Forest, Ill., and his Master of Divinity from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. He also has earned his Master of Theology in Pastoral Counseling from Trinity International University. Muehler and his wife, Kristen, have four children; Seth, Jesse, Faith and Hope.

Themes in Lenten Hymns | Peter Reske Apr 02, 2022

Show notes

In this episode, Peter Reske discusses the history and significance of three Lenten hymns.

Peter Reske is Senior Editor of Music/Worship at Concordia Publishing House.

Learn more about the Lutheran Service Book and the Lutheran Service Book Companion to the Hymns.

Show Notes:

Lent doesn’t have to be Holy Week… yet. The season of Lent is more than just the build up to Holy Week. The season of Lent has us focusing for 40 days on preparing for Christ’s passion in repentance and reminds us of our identities as baptized children of God. Catechesis through Lenten Hymns can point us to the Word and Sacraments.

During this episode Peter Reske teaches us how three Lenten hymns impact our walk with Christ during this season. Learn the history behind the text and tune and insider information on how the hymnal is organized and compiled. Remember our role in God’s salvation plan and Jesus’ story through Lenten hymns LSB 430, 425, 449-450.

Questions Covered:

What themes are already present in the Lenten season?
How does confession and absolution feed into this time in the Church Year?
Historically, how does the hymn of the day subvert our expectations for Lent?
What is the history behind the LSB 430?
Which poem is LSB 430 similar to?
How are we not any different from the “characters” in the hymn?
What does friend mean in this context?
How does the tune fit into the text?
What have the changes to LSB 425 been and what does the hymn writer have to do with it?
What Bible verse is LSB 425 likely based upon?
How do the stanzas work to teach us about Christ?
Why two tunes for LSB 425?
What is interesting about the tunes of LSB 449-450?
How did the LSB Hymnody Committee order the tunes?
Who is this hymn attributed to and what language was it written in?
How do we use the seven wounds of Christ to understand this hymn?
Where is the Gospel?
How does the language referring to Jesus change throughout LSB 449-450?

About the Guest:

Peter C. Reske, senior editor of music/worship at Concordia Publishing House, holds degrees in English literature and historical musicology from Marquette University and The Pennsylvania State University. He was the editor of Lutheran Service Book and its attendant resources.

Spiritual Wellness in Remote Canada | LAMP Ministry | Rev. Dr. Steve Schave Feb 26, 2022

Show notes

LAMP Ministries have been promoting spiritual wellness and has been nurturing faith in Jesus Christ to those in remote northern Canada since 1970. In this episode, listen to the executive director of LAMP Ministry, Rev. Dr. Steve Schave, as he informs us about the challenges and opportunities of sharing the Gospel of Christ in this setting.

LAMP’s volunteers and staff from Canada and the United States share the love of Jesus to Indigenous people in communities in remote northern Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and British Columbia through Christ-centered Bible studies and other outreach projects. To learn more about their outreach programs and other events visit: https://www.lampministry.org

Show Notes:

LAMP Ministry has been sharing the Gospel in remote northern Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and British Columbia since 1970. LAMP is able to provide Jesus-focused materials to help these communities learn about our Savior. During this episode hear from the executive director Rev. Schave as he discusses his passion for spreading the Good News in this area of the world. Making disciples of all nations includes these hard-to-reach communities. LAMP has been able to create long-lasting relationships between volunteers, staff, and the communities so that short-term efforts stretch into lifelong faith. Understand how life differs for those in these small remote communities and what hope LAMP is able to offer them.

Questions Covered:

· What is the story of LAMP Ministries?

· How is God expanding the ministries there?

· How do you bring supplies to these communities?

· Why is LAMP critical to these remote communities?

· What is the process like for volunteers and their churches?

· How does VBS play a role in the ministry?

· What stories are there about the impact on children or volunteers?

· How does LAMP impact adults in these communities?

· What impact has the COVID-19 pandemic had on this ministry’s ability to serve?

· Currently, how are needs (both physical and spiritual) being met?

· How can listeners get involved?

About the Guest:

Rev. Dr. Steve Schave is the executive director of LAMP Ministry. Dr. Schave received his Doctor of Ministry at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne with a dissertation that focused on church planting resources based on a ‘witness, mercy, life together’ framework for doing missions. His past ministry work includes an extensive focus on outreach through human care, as well as church revitalization with a focus on neighborhood renewal in the inner city. Rev. Schave and his wife Kim live in Alberta, Canada.

Jesus' Redemption Quest | Rev. Eric Eichinger Jan 27, 2022

Show notes

We love watching superheroes defeat villains in our media, but there is only one true hero for our world. Jesus Christ. In this episode, unpack what it means to be a part of Jesus’ redemption story with the author of Lord of Legends: Jesus’ Redemption Quest, Eric Eichinger.

To order Lord of Legends visit https://www.cph.org/p-34643-lord-of-legends-jesus-redemption-quest.aspx

Show Notes:

Heroes we find in comics, movies, and books are often a source of inspiration and hope for us and the fictional worlds they inhabit. The Hero’s Journey is a literary term used to describe how a character transforms through their quest. These thrilling stories are often repeated, dissected, and shared throughout our culture and history. But as Christians, we know about a real superhero. One that isn’t just a tall tale or only exists on screen. Jesus Christ was born to be the hero of the world, to conquer all of our villains and He did.

Listen and join the conversation as we discuss how the concept of the hero's journey can help us to understand the magnitude of the history the Bible tells of the real hero, our prince of peace, our conqueror– Jesus. With the author of Lord of Legends: Jesus’ Redemption Quest, Eric Eichinger as our guest, unpack Jesus’ quest to redeem the whole of creation.

Eric Eichinger is senior pastor of Bethel Lutheran in Clearwater, Florida. He earned a B.A. in Theatre from Michigan State University and ran on the varsity track and field team. Eichinger served for two years in New York as a youth worker, and two years in mainland China as an English teacher where he met his wife, Kara. He was ordained into the office of the holy ministry in 2006 and currently serves as pastor of Bethel Lutheran Church in Clearwater, FL. Eric resides in the Tampa Bay area with his wife, their three children, and a feisty dachshund, Doppelbock.

Sanctity of Life | Deaconess Tiffany Manor Jan 22, 2022

Show notes

In this episode, Deaconess Tiffany Manor joins us to discuss the sanctity of life and what the LCMS’ Life Ministry is currently working on.

Start teaching, from a young age, about the value of all life with Alive Before You Were Born.

Learn more about how to witness in today's world with Every One His Witness.

The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod’s Life Ministry is devoted to upholding the sanctity of human life, both in our church body and the culture at large. You can contact them with questions at lifeministry@lcms.org.

Show Notes:

We believe that all life is valuable. This can be considered a countercultural idea in our day and age– especially when it comes to the unborn. Join us in this episode as Deaconess Tiffany Manor discusses how her faith led her to uphold the sanctity of life and how the LCMS Life Ministry advocates for and upholds the sanctity of human life. Listen to understand the three areas Life Ministry covers: advocating for life, caring for life, and teaching about life. Life that holds the Imago Deo. Life that Jesus came to serve, suffer with, die for, and ultimately give the gift of eternal life to.

Questions Covered:

What is Life Ministry?
What areas of living does Life Ministry cover?
How does Life Ministry involve the kingdom of the right and the kingdom of the left?
How is the sanctity of life embedded in Lutheran Theology?
Do local/national events play into our advocacy?
How can we not let events be the end of our advocacy?
What age is a good age to introduce the concept of the value of life?
How can we practice using life-affirming language?
What is the importance of the Church’s Life Sundays?
How can we prepare for these uncomfortable conversations with our peers?
What is coming up with Life Ministry?
How can congregations start mercy care projects?
How do we stay encouraged with these sanctity of life issues?

About the Guest:

Deaconess Tiffany Manor is the Director of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod’s Life Ministry. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Marketing from the University of Northern Iowa, and a Master of Arts in Deaconess Studies from Concordia Theological Seminary. Manor also has served the LCMS New England District in the areas of church worker wellness, human care and school ministry. Tiffany is married to the Rev. Jonathan Manor, pastor of Lutheran Church of the Savior in Bedford, MA, and they have four children. She enjoys walking, crafts, swimming, kayaking and “all things water.”

How Faith and Films Intersect | Rev. Dr. Jeffrey Skopak Jan 05, 2022

Show notes

Let’s go to the movies! In today’s episode of the podcast, learn how films can reflect biblical narratives, characters, and themes.

Rev. Dr. Jeffery Skopak is currently the senior pastor of Grace Lutheran Church and School in Florida.

Learn about his new book, Christ, Culture, and Cinema: How Faith and Films Intersect. You can find his own podcast at Christ, Culture, and Cinema.
Show Notes:

Movies are a large part of our collective American culture. When we explore the themes, narratives, and characters of films, biblical concepts and ultimately our hope found in Jesus emerge. As we watch the stories play out across the screen, what is your faith in Christ causing you to hear or see differently than a person who may not have the same faith?

In this episode of the Concordia Publishing House podcast learn to ask questions as a viewer of films that help you to analyze the media and examine your own faith. Why do we watch what we watch and what lenses are we watching these movies through? Listen as Rev. Dr. Jeffery Skopak unpacks these questions and how relating movies to your Christian faith can impact your walk with Jesus.

Questions Covered:
-What got Pastor Skopak into movies?

-What did we miss about going to see movies during the 2020 stay-at-home orders?

-What was it like starting to look at films through the lens of faith, doctrine, and Lutheran identity?
-What was the power of music in Joker (2019)?

-What does it look like when Christ, the culture, and cinema converge?

-How does our experience of faith impact our interpretation of movies?

-Where do we see themes of love in The Princess Bride?

-How does The Princess Bride show us that optimistic friendship and community we desire?

-What are the challenges in letting a movie instruct us as we think about what it presents?

-How does our faith change the way we view blockbusters?

-Why is it important to allow ourselves space to process movies?

About the Guest:

Jeffrey Skopak was born and raised in New Jersey. He has served as a pastor all over the United States, from small urban ministries to large churches and schools. He is currently the senior pastor of Grace Lutheran Church and School in Florida, where he lives with his wife, Amy, and their rescue dog, Reggie.

About the Host:

Elizabeth Pittman is the manager of public relations and CGO at Concordia Publishing House. She received degrees from Valparaiso University and the University of Missouri School of Law. It should come as no surprise that Elizabeth is passionate about sharing the love of Jesus. Her life is very busy raising three active sons with her husband.

Focusing Our Schedules on What Matters | Kayse Pratt Dec 29, 2021

Show notes

In this episode, meet the founder of Anchored Women, Kayse Pratt, as she introduces us to a philosophy to help us use our schedules and to-do lists by refocusing on biblical truth.

Kayse is a wife, a mom, and the founder of anchored-women.com.

Show Notes:

We often can feel overwhelmed or scatterbrained when looking at all the things we want and need to do. Oftentimes, time spent with Jesus is pushed to the side or ignored with a simple “I’ll get to it later.” In order to best serve our homes, we need to be anchored in Christ. Join us in this episode as Kayse Pratt, the founder of Anchored Women, walks us through our schedules and to-do lists and helps us refocus on what really matters, living lives that are anchored in God’s Word. As we approach the new year, Kayse guides us to understand that we can bring our faith into everyday tasks so that our time with Jesus isn’t just marking a box.
Kayse Pratt is a wife, a mom of 2, and no stranger to that feeling of constant overwhelm, always feeling like there’s never enough time in the day. She is the founder of anchored-women.com. She shows us a new approach to home and faith that includes biblical encouragement, partnered with practical, step-by-step help for managing our day-to-day lives. It is a philosophy that anchors us in God’s Word AND helps us manage our busy lives with a little less stress + a lot more joy!

Ministry as a Military Chaplain | Rev. Travis Ferguson Dec 18, 2021

Show notes

Ministry happens in a multitude of locations, close to home and around the world. On this episode, Chaplain Travis Ferguson joins us to share his experience serving as an Air Force Chaplain in the Middle East.
Chaplain Ferguson is a Captain in the United States Air Force.
Learn about the Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod's Ministry to the Armed Forces.

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