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Hello all,

Dr. James Nestingen fell asleep in Jesus Saturday, Dec. 31st, 2022. I know he was close friends with Dr. John Pless who sometimes posts here. I pray for comfort in the certain resurrection of the dead for all who mourn.


Rest eternal, grant him, O Lord.

Jeremy

Just saw notice from a friend connected to Concordia Irvine that Jack Preus III fell asleep in Jesus on Aug. 4th. Starting in 1998 he was president at Concordia Irvine.

I had him for Systematics III at St. Louis. He was one of the finest profs I had. He was good in the classroom, even better in the snack bar. Our class ended at 2:50. He would frequently say, "I'm going to the snack bar to get a pop. If any of you want to come, we can keep talking." If I wasn't working, I'd join the conversation. Sometimes it was more systematics, sometimes it was parish life, and sometimes it was just life. He was a fine man.

Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord. Yes, says the Spirit, they shall rest from their labors and all their works shall follow after them.

Jeremy

Hello friends. I thought I would share some news and maybe spark some conversation, since this is a forum after all.

On Thursday Jan. 20th I resigned my call as pastor at Holy Trinity, Grandview MO. I did this because I have not been a good husband or father, and with that aspect of my life suffering, and that aspect spilling over to my pastoral vocation, something had to give.

After ignoring, neglecting, working halfheartedly at it, or just hoping it would magically disappear, I am also beginning intensive outpatient treatment to deal with depression and anxiety. I have not been well for a couple of years, and my wife continues to struggle with an eating disorder.

Either I was unable to see or was unwilling to deal with it, but now there isn't a choice.

I also think there is some burnout going on. Some things I very easily care about and get excited for, and some things I don't. It may not be to the extent of Joe Theisman or Alex Smith, but I think I broke my giveadamn and have been hobbling along. The Lord expects more; the church deserves better.

I know I am not alone. I know other pastors struggle with this.

I think I built on sand, rather than on rock. I put more emphasis on my identity as pastor, husband, father, etc, and those identities change. I'm not the same man my wife married, she's not the same woman. Our children have changed. What's the solid ground? My identity in Christ.

Over the years I have had difficulty processing pastoral grief. If I viewed myself as a Christian first, and kept my identity there, maybe I would not be at this position right now?

Thanks for reading.  Jeremy

Hello friends. Yesterday we sang "Creator Spirit, by Whose Aid". It's a wonderful hymn. It includes the words of the title of this thread. What do they mean?

I think I get the thrice holy fire- burning bush, coal taken from the altar in heaven that purifies Isaiah, and Pentecost. But I don't think I know the thrice holy fount. Any guesses or answers?

Thanks. Jeremy

Hello friends. Happy Thanksgiving to you all.

A church member has asked about the ethnic origins of Lutherans in America. I believe I have a cursory understanding of it. But I have some blank spaces to fill in. Thought I would ask you. And this is all "generally" or "mostly".

LCA - Swedish
ALC - Norwegian
ELS - "Little Norwegians"
LCMS - German
Suomi- Finnish

What about the ULCA? Augustana? Buffalo Synod? Others

Just a curiosity. Thanks for any answers or corrections.

Jeremy

Who said the following..."The Gospel assumed is the Gospel denied." Robert Preus? Any help? Thanks.

Jeremy