The Concordia Publishing House Podcast

Latest Episodes:

What Were You Born to Do with Rev. Dr. Jeffrey Leininger Jul 29, 2020

Show notes

It’s not unusual for a child to be asked “what do you want to be when you grow up?” Even as adults, many of us may quietly ask ourselves, “what am I meant to do with my life?’ While that question seems daunting, the answer isn’t as elusive as we may think. I’m glad to welcome the Rev. Dr. Jeffrey Leininger today as we talk about our callings for life.

Rev. Dr. Jeffrey Leininger has served as Concordia University Chicago’s University Pastor since 2002. In addition to serving as University Pastor, his role at Concordia-Chicago has grown to include advising all the Spiritual Life activities on campus, directing the Pre-Seminary Program and supporting the University’s Church Relations office.
Learn more about Callings for Life: God's Plan, Your Purpose at cph.org/callings.

Waiting with Sharla Fritz Jul 24, 2020

Show notes

Thanks to Covid-19, 2020 has become endless days of waiting. Waiting for the curve to flatten, waiting to see friends and family, waiting for news about what school will look like in the fall, waiting for good news, waiting for a return to what used to be considered “normal.”

How can we use this season of waiting to draw closer to Jesus?

That’s what we’ll be talking about today with Sharla Fritz.

Sharla is an author, speakers, musician, and retreat leader, and a confirmed chocoholic. She is the author of several books, including Waiting: A Bible Study on Patience, Hope, and Trust.

Loving the Unlovable with Rev. Tim Carter Jul 23, 2020

Show notes

Who are the unlovable in this world? Taking the question a step further, who are the unlovable in your personal corner of the world? Of mine? Who are the people that we hear about on the news, read about, or even whisper about, that we find hard to love?

Our episode today is going to be a powerful one. We will be confronted with the hard questions of what it means to love the unlovable. Joining us for this conversation is Pastor Tim Carter. Tim has years of experience with a population many view as unlovable, death row inmates. During his years working on the Texas State Penitentiary System Death Squad, Tim participated in more than 150 executions. Today, he is the Care Ministry Pastor at Salem Lutheran Church in Tomball, Texas. He is also the author of The Executioner's Redemption: My Story of Violence, Death, and Saving Grace.

Social Justice Warrior with Rev. Dr. Matt Richard Jul 23, 2020

Show notes

Social Justice…we’ve been hearing that term on the news and on social media with increasing frequency. But what is it? How can we recognize it? And most importantly, how can we avoid turning it into a false Christ? That’s our topic for today’s episode. I’m glad to welcome the Rev. Dr. Matt Richard back to the show to tackle this topic.

Devotional Writing with Deb Burma Jul 21, 2020

Show notes

This episode is for our listeners who like to write. Perhaps you’ve wanted to take your love of words and writing and put them to use to impact another’s life with the Gospel. Perhaps you’ve dabbled a bit in devotional writing, but want to learn more.

Today we are joined by guest Deb Burma. Deb will be our guide as we walk through a writers workshop, focused on devotional writing, with Deb Burma.

Ten Reasons You Need to Talk to Your Kids About Sex, Now with Heather Ruesch Jul 21, 2020

Show notes

Teens hear a lot of conflicting viewpoints about sex. The world tells them to follow their heart and do what feels right. That sex isn’t a big deal, that pornography isn’t harmful, that modesty, well, it’ just old fashioned.

But that’s not how God designed sex. We need to have honest conversations with our youth about sex. In this episode, we’re going to talk with Heather Ruesch about the Top 10 reasons you need to talk to you kids about sex, now.

Heather Ruesch is well-respected life issues speaker and singer/songwriter. She is passionate about youth and about being a voice of God’s truth in their lives. Heather is an abstinence educator and certified pregnancy center advocate and has served as executive director of crisis pregnancy centers.

Politicizing Jesus with Rev. Dr. Matt Richard Jul 21, 2020

Show notes

It can be easy to fashion a version of Jesus to fit our political views, to blur the lines between the hope promised in a political campaign with the hope we cling to in Christ. Believe it or not, Jesus is not a democrat or republican. Or an independent. How can we avoid politicizing Jesus? That’s what we’re going to talk about today with our guest, Rev. Dr. Matthew Richard.

Pastor Richard is the pastor of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Minot, ND. He is also the author of Will the Real Jesus Please Stand Up?

Raising Healthy, Christ-purposed Children with Dr. John D. Eckrich Jul 21, 2020

Show notes

Raising children is sacred and hard work. As a Christian parent, you strive to raise your children with values rooted firmly in God’s will. Setting this foundation places your child on the path to become an effective and fruitful citizen in your home and in your faith and public communities.

But what are the specific values we should be teaching and why do they matter? That’s what we’ll be talking about with our guest today, Dr. John Echrich. John D. Eckrich, MD, is a board-certified internist and gastroenterologist who serves the St. Louis community at large, especially church workers and their families. Dr. Eckrich is the author of Family Wellness: Raising Resilient, Christ-Purposed Children.

Teaching Faith for a Lifetime with Rev. Pete Jurchen Jul 21, 2020

Show notes

God’s Word is timeless. It’s for everyone. But studying the Word is not a one and done experience. It is meant to be an ongoing, lifelong process.

As we go through our daily lives we are confronted with big questions. A quick glance at the news headlines these days reveals many big topics that we as Christians are left to wrestle with. While these questions may change from day to day, the Word doesn’t change. Rather it speaks to us as we navigate our way through the challenges we are faced with.

Simply put, the stronger our foundation is in the Word, the better equipped we will be to handle the big topics that come our way. We’re still sinful human beings, so we won’t always get it right, but we now where we can turn for hope, guidance, and forgiveness.

But how do we as adults, parents, teachers, church workers help our children develop a strong foundation for faith, to become lifelong faith learning? How do we help equip them to turn to God’s Word when they are faced with the big questions?

Teaching the faith to our children is an epic responsibility. How can we be best equipped to meet that responsibility? That’s what we’ll be talking about today with our guest, Rev. Pete Jurchen.