The Crux of the Matter

Preaching the Law is the second hardest thing the pastor does, right after preaching the Gospel. There are so many pitfalls for the preacher. How do we approach it in a way that is faithful to the text, and is faithful to our ultimate goal of communion with Christ? That’s the question for this week. Join Scott and Todd as they talk about the the crux of the matter in preaching the Law.

Todd and Scott co-host THE CRUX OF THE MATTER.

You may find Scott Stiegemeyer @scottstieg on Twitter or Facebook.com/scottstiegemeyer on Facebook. Scott is an assistant professor of theology and bioethics at Concordia University Irvine.

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Intro and Outro Music Copyright © 2011 Varazuvi™ www.varazuvi.com

Pastors are more accesible to their congregation than ever before. Web sites, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, the ways to find the pastor increase with each day. How do we make ourselves available to our people, and what is the cost? Listen to Scott and Todd talk it over in episode 26 of The Crux of the Matter.

Todd and Scott co-host THE CRUX OF THE MATTER.

You may find Scott Stiegemeyer @scottstieg on Twitter or Facebook.com/scottstiegemeyer on Facebook. Scott is an assistant professor of theology and bioethics at Concordia University Irvine.

Email the show at [email protected]

To subscribe directly, please paste the following link into your pod-catcher of choice:

To subscribe via iTunes, please go to:

Intro and Outro Music Copyright © 2011 Varazuvi™ www.varazuvi.com

It is nearly impossible for a pastor in 21st century America to avoid technology. Phones, tablets, computers, even watches are more and more advanced as the days go by. How does all of this fit into the workflow of the faithful Lutheran pastor? Listen to Scott and Todd talk it over in episode 25 of The Crux of the Matter.

Todd and Scott co-host THE CRUX OF THE MATTER.

You may find Scott Stiegemeyer @scottstieg on Twitter or Facebook.com/scottstiegemeyer on Facebook. Scott is an assistant professor of theology and bioethics at Concordia University Irvine.

Email the show at [email protected]

To subscribe directly, please paste the following link into your pod-catcher of choice:

To subscribe via iTunes, please go to:

Intro and Outro Music Copyright © 2011 Varazuvi™ www.varazuvi.com

Any time a Christian engages in public sin, it is a scandal and an offense to the body of Christ. It is also a tremendous opportunity for the Church to be Church, to give mercy and forgiveness to the broken and in need. In this episode Todd and Scott try to make sense of what happens when a pastor commits a public sin. Join us for episode twenty-four of The Crux of the Matter.

Todd and Scott co-host THE CRUX OF THE MATTER.

You may find Scott Stiegemeyer @scottstieg on Twitter or Facebook.com/scottstiegemeyer on Facebook. Scott is an assistant professor of theology at Concordia University Irvine.

Email the show at [email protected]

To subscribe directly, please paste the following link into your pod-catcher of choice:

To subscribe via iTunes, please go to:

Vacation Bible School (VBS) is one of the institutions in American Christianity. What is it and why has it become such a central part of suburban Christianity? Todd and Scott talk about music, pitfalls of entertainment evangelism, the joy of teaching children, and give VBS a thumbs up, but with a little caution.

Todd and Scott co-host THE CRUX OF THE MATTER.

You may find Scott Stiegemeyer @scottstieg on Twitter or Facebook.com/scottstiegemeyer on Facebook. Scott is an assistant professor of theology at Concordia University Irvine.

Email the show at [email protected]

To subscribe directly, please paste the following link into your pod-catcher of choice:

To subscribe via iTunes, please go to:

What is strategic planning and how do Lutherans approach it? In episode 22 of The Crux of the Matter, Scott and Todd tackle the question. And talk about Martians.

Strategic planning is one of the great buzzword phrases of the day. Everyone has a plan, and churches are no exception. So how do we as Lutheran pastors approach strategic planning without losing our minds and our souls in the process? Scott and Todd start the conversation, and also talk about Martians, unhappiness, democracy in America, and more in episode 22 of The Crux of the Matter.

Todd and Scott co-host THE CRUX OF THE MATTER.

You may find Scott Stiegemeyer @scottstieg on Twitter or Facebook.com/scottstiegemeyer on Facebook. Scott is an assistant professor of theology at Concordia University Irvine.

Email the show at [email protected]

To subscribe directly, please paste the following link into your pod-catcher of choice:

To subscribe via iTunes, please go to:

In Episode 21 Todd and Scott begin a conversation about transgenderism, what it means for the Christian Church, and also discuss the implications of loving our neighbor, especially when faced moral failings and weaknesses. How do we care for those with whom we disagree?

Todd and Scott co-host THE CRUX OF THE MATTER.

You may find Scott Stiegemeyer @scottstieg on Twitter or Facebook.com/scottstiegemeyer on Facebook. Scott’s parish is Redeemer Lutheran Church in Elmhurst, Illinois.

Email the show at [email protected]

To subscribe directly, please paste the following link into your pod-catcher of choice:

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In a few short weeks the Supreme Court will be issuing a ruling about whether same-sex marriages are a constitutional right, or if it something that can be determined by each state. In this episode Scott and Todd discuss Pres. Matthew Harrison’s recent pastoral letter, what implications this may have on pastoral care, and how pastors and congregations should start responding to this.

“Public remedy, made through the office of the public official, is not condemned, but is commanded and is God’s work, according to Paul Romans 13)” (Apology XVI 59).

Todd and Scott co-host THE CRUX OF THE MATTER.

You may find Scott Stiegemeyer @scottstieg on Twitter or Facebook.com/scottstiegemeyer on Facebook. Scott’s parish is Redeemer Lutheran Church in Elmhurst, Illinois.

Email the show at [email protected]

To subscribe directly, please paste the following link into your pod-catcher of choice:

To subscribe via iTunes, please go to:

Scott and Todd discuss the forgotten sacrament of the Lutheran Church. Confession and absolution has been in the Small Catechism for nearly five hundred years, yet is rarely practiced at the congregational level. Why? They also talk about Lutheranism 101, the Amazon Echo, and try to speak through a crying child.

Todd and Scott co-host THE CRUX OF THE MATTER.

You may find Scott Stiegemeyer @scottstieg on Twitter or Facebook.com/scottstiegemeyer on Facebook. Scott’s parish is Redeemer Lutheran Church in Elmhurst, Illinois.

Email the show at [email protected]

To subscribe directly, please paste the following link into your pod-catcher of choice:

To subscribe via iTunes, please go to: