The Burr in the Burgh

Are you the next Jackson Pollock? Find out by going here. Change colors by clicking your mouse and hit refresh for a clean slate.

So is Bob Dylan recovering his Jewish identity? Looks like a hasidic hat.

In the previous blog post, a reader commented that the seminary should not call the qualified but qualify the called. Initially, I think his point was that we should remember that pastors (and pastors-to-be) are sinners too. I'm a pastor, and I am all too dreadfully aware of my own inadequacies and wickedness.

But if I may, I would like to address what I believe to be a common misunderstanding. It has to do with the notion of being called by God. I would disagree with my reader. The seminary recruitment office does not go looking for men who are called whom we will then train. Instead, we look for men who have certain qualities and aptitudes who will then receive a call. My reader is putting the cart before the horse. The tail is wagging the dog.

Who is called by God? If you tell me that you are called by God to be a pastor, my first question is: "How do you know?" How do you know you are called by God and it's not a figment of your own mind or a deception of the devil?

There are only two ways a man could be called by God. Either directly or through means. Either the church has selected, layed hands upon and sent you or you have been selected and sent directly by God without mediation. Those are the only two possibilities. Usually, God calls men through the church. He certainly can and has called men directly. But if you have a direct call from God, you ought to be able to demonstrate this with signs and wonders.

There is no such thing as an inner call to the ministry. The scriptures never speak of such a thing. You might have an inclination to be a pastor. You might be uniquely talented for the ministry. You might have a desire to serve. And this inclination, talent and desire might come from God. But that is not a call.

So no, we do not qualify the called. We call the qualified.

As the new Director of Admission at CTS-FW, I've been thinking a lot lately about recruiting students to study at the seminary. I've been particularly considering the dual need for both excellent and well-qualified students AND the need to recruit a greater number of students.

It is good for the institution to increase enrollment. Putting it very crassly, larger enrollment translates to more money. No one here is getting rich but more money translates into being able to improve and expand the seminary programs. It means a growing endowment and, hopefully, an ever brighter and solid future.

More than that - and this is the real reason I think of numbers - an increase in enrollment is good for the church. It means more men trained and certified for ordination. It means more preachers to further the divine mission of the church which is to make disciples of all nations.

On the other side, however, the church is very discerning about whom it ordains for pastoral ministry. The biblical requirements are very clear. He must be above reproach, apt to teach, have a stable family life, etc. The requirements for admission to the seminary are, in some ways, more stringent than the most elite Ivy League campus. Can we afford to be so selective? We can't afford not to be.

As I was reading some articles on the Office of the Ministry, I stumbled across this quote from Joseph Stump:

It is the duty of the Church carefully to select and train men for the holy office of the ministry, and she should not set men apart for it without due consideration of their physical, mental and spiritual qualifications. She is to lay hands suddenly on no man (1 Tim. 5:22), but is to see to it that only those are admitted to the office who have the requisite natural gifts, common sense, and Christian faith and piety; and who have received the necessary academic and theological training. Ordinarily this training ought to include a full course in college or university and in a theological seminary. Few exceptions, and those only for the best of reasons, should be made. The demand for quality in the ministry to-day is very great. The Lord not only needs men for the ministry, but He needs gifted and well-trained men. (Joseph Stump)

One of my favorite movies of the last ten years is Memento starring Guy Pearce. Like a lot of movies that appeal to me, it is kind of depressing. I like movies the same way I like coffee, chocolate, and beer: dark and bitter. But it is very thought-provoking and brilliantly constructed.

The premise of the film is that Guy Pearce has a strange malady where he cannot form any new memories. He knows how to read and drive and so forth, but about every 15 minutes his brain resets. So if he excuses himself during lunch to go to the men's room, he'll completely forget who he was eating with and why by the time he comes back out.

He also happens to be stuck in the middle of a murder mystery. So the only way he can function and pull himself out of his mess is by writing little memos all over his body to remind him who is friend and who is foe. It's really excellent.

Yesterday, I heard President Wenthe make an interesting connection. He mentioned this film and compared it to the situation of many contemporary Christians. He said that people who have no memory, lose their identity.

One of the most important things we can do to resist the Enemy's strategems is to remain knowledgeable of our history as the people of God. It's not just that when we forget the past, we are destined to repeat it, although I think that's true enough. It's that God is unfolding the salvation of His people through space and time. We really do stand on the shoulders of giants. We can see so much farther when we stand firmly on the great fathers and doctors of the faith than when we insist on idolizing the now. Many folks today think that if it's newer, it must be truer. Once upon a time, people looked to the aged for wisdom. Now many think the aged have nothing worthwhile to offer and that the youth have the answers.

The Da Vinci Code if it were written a long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away.... See here.

One of my favorite Shakespeare tragedies is Othello. I thought the movie version a few years ago with Kenneth Branagh and Laurence Fishburne was awesome. But one of the major weaknesses of the play, in my opinion, is the character Iago. He is a classic villain. A delicious role for any actor, I'm sure. But the problem, as I see it, is that he is too evil. It's unrealistic. No one is that bad. He has no redeemable characteristics at all. They say that even Hitler loved children and dogs.

OK, that's a weird preface for me to talk about the newest Oliver Stone picture, World Trade Center. I say this because I am a person who hates Oliver Stone's previous movies. I loathe and despise them for their anti-Americanism and bizarro attempts to revise history. And so, my natural reaction when I found out he was making a movie about 9/11 was "Oh, good grief! This'll be aweful." Another screeching Bush-is-the-source-of-all-evil bit of leftist propaganda. How boring. How unimaginative.

That was how I felt until I started reading the reviews. I still have not yet actually seen the film. This short review by James M. Kushiner at Touchstone is interesting. It's brief so, if this interests you at all, please read the link. What intrigues me most is the suggestive religious themes -even Christian themes- Kushiner refers to.

I'm still unhappy with Stone's other movies but maybe I Iago-ized him in my mind. Even a broken clock is right twice a day.

Hi. Our seminary campus is hosting a campus visit for prospective students in Sept. I just wrote a letter for the website which you can read here.

Based on the responses I've gotten both on this blog and via e-mail, I do not intend to change the name of my blog even though I no longer live in Pittsburgh. My reasons have to do with branding, recognition, etc. Plus, Rev. McCain made a good point (twice) about indexing on Google. So "The Burr in the Burgh" we shall remain.

However, I was really disappointed not to be able to send that mix CD to anyone. So, for the first person to correctly guess how many fingers I am holding up, I will award a disk with some of my favorite pop tunes.

Since I am no longer in the "Burgh," a number of people have asked about changing the name of the blog. I have thought I'd just leave it as it is. However, if you have a decent suggestion for a new name, please comment. In fact, I'll take suggestions for the next seven days. If I choose to use one of your suggestions, I will send you - the winner - a personal mix CD of some of my favorite tunes.

Every day, I read through all the blogs on my blogroll. The reason I put them on my blogroll is because they are blogs I like to read. There are other good blogs out there that I read as time allows, but these definitely get reviewed daily. Well, almost daily. On super busy days, I may actually only view 5 or 6 of them. But if I have access to a computer in a given day, I will most certainly read David Petersen's CyberStones. He will probably think I'm flattering him so, for that reason, I hope he does not see this post. But you really should visit his blog.

Today's post really hit home. He writes about the life of the pastor's wife, in particular. It's more of a personal reflection. But one that I wish to echo. Having just left a wonderful congregation to serve the church in a different fashion at the seminary, thoughts such as Pr. Petersen expresses have been flooding through my brain.

I can't speak for the experience of other pastors and their wives. But my Julie is the perfect "pastor's wife." There are unique challenges being married to a pastor. I'll acknowledge that. But unique blessings as well.

The Stiegemeyer moving saga continues. I know you will all be relieved to know that we FINALLY located Jacob's Playstation games and equipment. Again, if you don't have an 11 year old boy around, you may not quite understand how grave that problem was.

Yesterday, Julie and I went out and bought a bunch of furniture. In 16 years of marriage, we've never really gotten master bedroom furniture. So we took the dive yesterday.

My office is finally starting to shape up. Still a long way to go, but now I at least feel like I can start working there without having to weave through a sea of boxes.

In spite of the hassles, we've been very happy. The campus is beautiful. We know all our neighbors. Jacob is going to an excellent Lutheran school and is making lots of new friends. It is wonderful to be here associated with the seminary again. We sorely miss our friends and loved ones in Pittsburgh, but if we had to go somewhere, this was the right place.

Kim Riddlebarger's blog has this interesting post on the growing threat of Islamic Fascism.

Here is a snippet:

The irony is that twenty years ago this threat was not even on the radar. Who would have thought that American evangelicalism would become so doctrinally wimpy as to be helpless against Islamic growth and ideology? Seeker-centered worship and vapid felt-need oriented preaching are quickly exposed for what they are in the face of a threat like Islamic expansion. Islam is growing and expanding in most communities in the United States, probably yours. And what are you doing about it?

Stuff. It's not like we had enough stuff already. Now we're trying to acquire more stuff to add to the stuff we already possessed.

Today, Julie and I began our venture to acquire furniture for the master bedroom. Isn't there a reality show we could be on where someone does this for us? But we figured it was time to get an actual bed and real dressers, etc.

Jacob is sweating bullets because we have not yet located his Playstation games. Unless you have an 11 year old boy in your house, you do not realize the gravity of this problem.

I know that my netflix subscription registered the address change because today arrived the next episodes of 24. This gives us something to look forward to this evening. Relaxing with a riveting drama of the adventures of Jack Bauer (whom - I believe - could whip Chuck Norris with one hand tied behind him).

For those who are interested, I just started reading Blood Meridian by Cormac McCarthy. I'm not usually one for westerns but this is so elegantly written, it's a treat whatever the genre.

And finally, what a pleasure it was to be guests at Grant and Pam Knepper's home this evening. Thanks, yinz, for the awesome burgers and those to-kill-for brownies. And hows about that Boston Terrier! Sir Bailey of Irish Cream. You've never been looked at until one of these fellers pokes his peepers at ya.

Tomorrow, I expect to unpack another gobzillion boxes and maybe (please, please, please) start to hang things on our walls. THAT'S when you begin to know you're moved in, when the things on the walls.

The movers arrived yesterday and unloaded our stuff. Very few casualties to report. A couple of nicks and scratches. They lost the screw-on legs to the loveseat so it's about 3 inches shorter. Also, my big wide wooden desk didn't fit, so that has to be resolved somehow. After 16 years of marriage, Julie and I are going to finally get bedroom furniture, so the master bedroom, right now, has only boxes.

Jacob is like a fish in water. We were awake yesterday for less than an hour when he latched onto four or five other neighborhood boys around his age. So his day was spent riding bikes, playing baseball, exploring and swimming. He's in bliss.

Now I have to go to the office and start getting oriented.

What a day!

This morning, a friend of Julie's came to help us load our cars and close up the parsonage. Then at about 10:45, we drove away in separate cars. Julie took the dog and the boy. I took the two cats. I had to zip by the library to return some books and make one final stop in the local Caribou Coffee.

But we made it. While Julie took Jacob to "back-to-school" night at his new Lutheran school, I took Lucy, the Golden Retriever, on a stroll around this beautiful 190 acre campus. She chased ducks and took a little swim in the lake. Fun for her, but not so fun for me because I had to give her a quick bath to get rid of the stinky fish smell she acquired.

It was quite a thrill walking through our new house because a friend painted several of the rooms for us and we hadn't seen them yet. I'll get some photos up as soon as I can. The one bathroom (Jacob's) is great because she painted the walls with an "under the sea" theme. I'll let the upcoming photos speak for themselves.

Tonight, we're camping out in our new house on the seminary campus with sleeping bags and borrowed bedding (thank you Grant and Pam). And early tomorrow, the truck arrives with all our stuff. Soon enough this house will be home.

This image of my handsome and incredibly photogenic 11 year old son shows pretty much how all the Stiegemeyers feel today.

This morning, I preached my final sermon as the pastor of Concordia Lutheran Church, Brentwood, Pa. Our district president, Dr. John Brunner, was there to assist and offer prayers and a blessing for me and my family. It meant a lot to me for him to be there.

Then in the afternoon, the wonderful people of my congregation had a lovely farewell luncheon. Several other local pastors were there. The turnout was huge. So many kinds words and wishes and prayers. Julie and I were truly overwhelmed. We are so thankful for our time here and the many friends we have made.

This evening, we stopped over to visit a parishoner who recently had major surgery and could not attend the events today. As we were leaving their house, Julie was a bit teary and said, "It's like leaving family." And indeed, this congregation is family to us.

Tomorrow, we drive to the next stage in life's adventure: Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, IN where I will become the new Director of Admission.

The Stiegemeyer clan is moving. The movers have invaded our home, packed our stuff and are finishing loading the truck today. Talk about having your whole life thrown into a flurry.

I remain excited about my future working at the seminary. (Read this). But I have to admit it was kinda sad last night walking through the empty barren house. Julie was annoyed by all the dust bunnies who no longer had anywhere to hide. The cats were COMPLETELY disoriented, poor girls. Lucy, the Golden Retriever, hardly even noticed. All she cared about was that there were a half dozen new people for her to make friends with all day. I will say this for her: She is all about people. Things mean nothing to her.

Sunday is my last time to preside and preach at Concordia Lutheran Church in Brentwood, Pa. Sunday afternoon the church is having a farewell luncheon for us.

It is sad to leave this place. My heart is heavy. Congregational pastoral ministry is the most exciting, unhappy, rewarding, disapointing, invigorating, frustrating and meaningful vocation one could have. I both hate it and love it. Other than my own death, the only thing I can imagine which would separate me from congregational pastoral ministry is the opportunity to help recruit and train future pastors. I hope that God will smile on my efforts. For His glory and the edification of the church.

Pr. Kim Riddlebarger has the answer here.

FYI - A Reformed Christian is one of the Calvinist persuasion.

By the logo, you can tell that this is an ELCA congregation, not a LCMS congregation. But I'm not gloating. Many within our own beloved synod, at times, stumble into these eccentricities.

This is soooooo 1975. Like all those Puff, the Magic Dragon love songs that get recycled as "contemporary" worship. Who is this trying to reach? Which demographic is this for? The unchurched clown population? Or maybe the aging and increasingly irrelevant boomers who remember earth shoes and patchouli incense and wax nostalgic for the glory days of Haight-Ashbury.

So what does it mean to be a fool for Christ (1Cor. 4:10)? Isn't the apostle saying that the cross is foolishness to the so-called wisdom of this world? He's not saying we should wear big shoes and greasepaint so people laugh at us. Do I really need to wear a big red ball on my nose in order to be a fool for Christ? How about I just preach the atonement, since that's what the apostle was talking about.


Addendum: I am all for working hard to reach the lost. Usually posts like this elicit complaints that I don't care about missions. I do care. I care a lot. But I think that gimmicks inspired by content-free hysteria do a lot more harm to the cause of Christ than good. I try to be winsome. I make inviting and welcoming guests to church a high priority. Indeed, one of my great interests is to examine how religious belief intersects with popular culture. But disrespecting God by playing circus in His house, mistreating his Word and blaspheming the sacrament are not prudent ways to do evangelization.