Shepherd's Study Podcast

"We do not presume to come to this your table, merciful Lord, trusting in our own merits, but in your manifold and great mercies." With these words, John Kleinig begins his book on the Lord's Supper with a posture that pastors will immediately appreciate: receiving from God what he offers in the sacrament. Pastor Shaun Arndt joins Jared and Phil this month to discuss and appreciate this devotional text on Holy Communion from a confessional Lutheran author.

The Shepherd’s Study podcast is produced by Grow in Grace to help pastors grow in the art and practice of pastoral ministry. Each episode features Lutheran pastors discussing a book that is salient to their work, much in the manner of an informal conversation that pops up at a circuit meeting.

Disclaimer: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speaker’ own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary or the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only.

When many Americans hear the word "Advent," in the month of December, they may just think of a 24-compartment calendar with little bits of chocolate in each box. By observing the season of Advent, we are countercultural even within the context of American Christianity. How can we further utilize this great historic season to truly prepare the hearts of our people for the coming of Jesus Christ? Pastor Patrick Freese joins us to discuss Fleming Rutledge's postil of Advent sermons for some ideas.

The Shepherd’s Study podcast is produced by Grow in Grace to help pastors grow in the art and practice of pastoral ministry. Each episode features Lutheran pastors discussing a book that is salient to their work, much in the manner of an informal conversation that pops up at a circuit meeting.

Disclaimer: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speaker’ own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary or the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only.

No guest this week - Jared and Phil take some time to talk shop about the Shepherd's Study podcast, and then spend some time discussing "The 25th: New and Selected Christmas Essays" by Joshua Gibbs. Join us for a relaxed episode as we approach the Advent season!

The Shepherd’s Study podcast is produced by Grow in Grace to help pastors grow in the art and practice of pastoral ministry. Each episode features Lutheran pastors discussing a book that is salient to their work, much in the manner of an informal conversation that pops up at a circuit meeting.

Disclaimer: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speaker’ own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary or the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only.

Jonathan Haidt says we've got a problem on our hands. Literally, a problem is on our hands, in the palm of our hands, all the time. Haidt argues in The Anxious Generation that the arrival of smartphones as a main fixture in modern society has had a deeply significant and often toxic impact upon us all, especially on those born after 1995 who have been raised in a smartphone-centric world. While it is not a religious book, Phil, Jared, and guest Pastor Brett Krause discuss The Anxious Generation as its topic pertains to our churches, schools, and families.

The Shepherd’s Study podcast is produced by Grow in Grace to help pastors grow in the art and practice of pastoral ministry. Each episode features Lutheran pastors discussing a book that is salient to their work, much in the manner of an informal conversation that pops up at a circuit meeting.

Disclaimer: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speaker’ own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary or the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only.

For as much as we claim to love variety and feel the need to shake things up every now and again, it remains true that human beings thrive on routine. That's true when we're students in school, or when we're adults in the work force...and yes, it's true when we're Christians in worship! Tish Harrison Warren expounds on this in her book, Liturgy of the Ordinary: Sacred Practices in Everyday Life. Phil and Jared are joined by Pastor Jacob Behnken to talk about the joy and beauty of structure in life and in worship.

The Shepherd’s Study podcast is produced by Grow in Grace to help pastors grow in the art and practice of pastoral ministry. Each episode features Lutheran pastors discussing a book that is salient to their work, much in the manner of an informal conversation that pops up at a circuit meeting.

Disclaimer: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speaker’ own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary or the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only.

Have you noticed that funerals are becoming less and less common? You're not just imagining things--this is a national trend. But trends don't happen in a vacuum. What are the philosophical and theological underpinnings that are leading to this trend, and how can we recapture the beauty and even necessity of the Christian Funeral? Phil, Jared, and guest Pastor Lucas Proeber discuss all of this and more in light of Thomas Long's book "Accompany Them with Singing."

The Shepherd’s Study podcast is produced by Grow in Grace to help pastors grow in the art and practice of pastoral ministry. Each episode features Lutheran pastors discussing a book that is salient to their work, much in the manner of an informal conversation that pops up at a circuit meeting.

Disclaimer: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speaker’ own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary or the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only.

Jeremiah Gumm returns to the Shepherd's Study...in audio form! Jared and Phil are joined by former editor Jeremiah Gumm to discuss a tome by Robert Louis Wilken concerning the Spirit of Early Christian Thought. Is this a good volume to pick up if you'd like to shore up your knowledge of the early patristics? Listen in and find out!

The Shepherd’s Study podcast is produced by Grow in Grace to help pastors grow in the art and practice of pastoral ministry. Each episode features Lutheran pastors discussing a book that is salient to their work, much in the manner of an informal conversation that pops up at a circuit meeting.

Disclaimer: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speaker’ own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary or the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only.

Feminism and Progress are often seen as companion concepts, at least in the modern sociopolitical landscape. What is Mary Harrington getting at, then, when her book suggests that those two things don't go hand-in-hand as many would assume? Pastor Nathanael Jensen joins Jared and Phil this month to discuss Harrington's book on feminism and what we pastors can learn from it.

The Shepherd’s Study podcast is produced by Grow in Grace to help pastors grow in the art and practice of pastoral ministry. Each episode features Lutheran pastors discussing a book that is salient to their work, much in the manner of an informal conversation that pops up at a circuit meeting.

Disclaimer: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speaker’ own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary or the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only.

Inarguable: church is essential. Far more arguable: all of the members of my congregation view church as essential. There's an obvious tension between those two statements, but how can we help bridge the gap? Pastor Orie Thomford joins Phil and Jared this month to see what Rainer and Rainer have to say.

The Shepherd’s Study podcast is produced by Grow in Grace to help pastors grow in the art and practice of pastoral ministry. Each episode features Lutheran pastors discussing a book that is salient to their work, much in the manner of an informal conversation that pops up at a circuit meeting.

Disclaimer: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speaker’ own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary or the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only.

It's not a science fiction episode; bioethics is a word that describes very real decisions and grounded issues that we will encounter throughout our lives. Pastor Matthew Zeng joins Phil and Jared to discuss Gilbert Meilaender's primer on topics at the start of life, end of life, and everything in between. Listen to our conversation and ponder some deep topics with us today!

The Shepherd’s Study podcast is produced by Grow in Grace to help pastors grow in the art and practice of pastoral ministry. Each episode features Lutheran pastors discussing a book that is salient to their work, much in the manner of an informal conversation that pops up at a circuit meeting.

Disclaimer: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speaker’ own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary or the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only.