Under the Fig Tree

In this episode of “Under the Fig Tree,” hosts Rev. Micah Glenn and Dr. Ben Haupt begin the first of many episodes that will delve into The Book of Concord. In today’s episode, they discuss the origin and basic contents of The Book of Concord and why it’s the cornerstone of what we believe, teach and confess -- normed by Scripture – in The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS). Haupt and Glenn discuss the significant questions that were facing the Lutheran church in 1580 and why The Book of Concord was instrumental in helping Lutherans to come together in a spirit of unity and concord (“running with one heart”). 

Under the Fig Tree is a video and audio podcast of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. New video and audio episodes are added weekly each Monday. Under the Fig Tree can be found on YouTube, the Seminary’s Scholar site, and most podcast platforms including Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Google Podcasts. Those interested in vocational ministry are invited to learn more about Concordia Seminary at csl.edu or by contacting the admissions team at [email protected] or 800-822-9545.

In this episode, hosts Rev. Micah Glenn and Dr. Ben Haupt bring Ben’s wife, Celina, “Under the Fig Tree” to discuss her journey from Catholicism to Lutheranism, her perspective on being a Seminary wife and pastor’s wife, and her thoughts on the importance of community in the life of the Seminary. She also shares a few thoughts about the expectations of being a pastor’s wife. “The good thing for me is I didn’t really know what a pastor’s wife [was],” she says. “Being Catholic, I had never met one. I had zero, truly zero, expectations. Looking back, the most important thing is knowing my identity in Christ, knowing who God has made me to be and being a part of the congregation based on that, not based on who I am married to.” She said when women are deciding how involved to be in the congregations where their husbands are pastors, they should ask themselves three questions: What are the needs of the congregation?, Do I have a gift in this area and does it bring me joy? and Is this the right season for me?

Under the Fig Tree is a video and audio podcast of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. New video and audio episodes are added weekly each Monday. Under the Fig Tree can be found on YouTube, the Seminary’s Scholar site, and most podcast platforms including Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Google Podcasts. Those interested in vocational ministry are invited to learn more about Concordia Seminary at csl.edu or by contacting the admissions team at [email protected] or 800-822-9545.

Join hosts Rev. Micah Glenn and Dr. Ben Haupt as they talk with Lutheran hip-hop artist FLAME, Marcus Gray, who earned a Master of Arts from Concordia Seminary in 2018. Listen in as FLAME shares his journey to the Seminary, his conversion to Lutheranism from Calvinism and why he thinks future church workers should remember their own human experiences and the “regular concerns” of others before coming to the Seminary. He also explains why he wants to get involved in new music projects exploring Confession, Absolution and vocation. The doctrine of vocation, he says, is “one of the greatest contributions out of Lutheran thought.” He said he has seen a lot of Christians try to monitor their motives and do things for the right reasons in hopes of glorifying God more. But that seems to cultivate insecurity and lead them away from Christianity because it’s “too complex.”

“I want to talk about vocation because I think it helps people understand that in all of the varying areas that you find yourself in, God says, ‘Amen. Do good in those to the best of your ability for the sake of those around you, not so you can get cool points from Me or earn extra credit in My eyes,’” FLAME says. “Jesus said, ‘It is finished on the cross,’ so what He has done for us has been secured. … I want people to understand Christianity and reimagine God and reimagine what it means to be a believer.”

Under the Fig Tree is a video and audio podcast of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. New video and audio episodes are added weekly each Monday. Under the Fig Tree can be found on YouTube and most podcast platforms including Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Google Podcasts, and Scholar (https://scholar.csl.edu/). Those interested in vocational ministry are invited to learn more about Concordia Seminary at csl.edu or by contacting the admissions team at [email protected] or 800-822-9545.

In this episode, hosts Rev. Micah Glenn and Dr. Ben Haupt bring Deaconess Dorothy Glenn ‘Under the Fig Tree’ to discuss her journey to deaconess ministry. She talks about her undergraduate studies and her love of theology, the value of studying other fields that pair well with deaconess ministry, her current studies in the Seminary’s Master of Arts program and what it means to be the body of Christ to one another. 

Under the Fig Tree is a video and audio podcast of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. New video and audio episodes are added weekly each Monday. Under the Fig Tree can be found on YouTube, the Seminary’s Scholar site, and most podcast platforms including Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Google Podcasts. Those interested in vocational ministry are invited to learn more about Concordia Seminary at csl.edu or by contacting the admissions team at [email protected] or 800-822-9545.

In this episode of Under the Fig Tree, hosts Rev. Micah Glenn and Dr. Ben Haupt talk with … each other! Join them as they reflect and focus on the purpose of the podcast and share some exciting updates about student enrollment in the Seminary’s ministerial formation programs. And of course, there’s the “ripe for the picking, leave it on the tree” segment where they cover everything from frosted flakes to hot sauce. 

Under the Fig Tree is a video and audio podcast of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. New video and audio episodes are added weekly each Monday. Under the Fig Tree can be found on YouTube, the Seminary’s Scholar site, and most podcast platforms including Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Google Podcasts. Those interested in vocational ministry are invited to learn more about Concordia Seminary at csl.edu or by contacting the admissions team at [email protected] or 800-822-9545.

In this episode of Under the Fig Tree, hosts Rev. Micah Glenn and Dr. Ben Haupt talk with Associate Professor of Practical Theology Dr. Abjar Bakhou. Listen as he shares his journey from growing up in Syria, to studying in Rome and meeting the Pope, to moving to the United States and now teaching at Concordia Seminary. He also shares about his work in Christian education of youth in the Middle East and ministry to Arab-speaking people of the Muslim faith. And you’ll hear a little bit about his recent book, and his home life and hobbies. Don’t miss “Ripe for the Picking or Leave it on the Tree”! Do you watch pro wrestling? Do you play Monopoly for fun or to win? Let us know in the comments!

Links:

CSL website: https://www.csl.edu/

Request for more information: https://ask.csl.edu/register/Request-Information

Discernment page: https://www.csl.edu/admissions/discernment/

Admissions page: https://www.csl.edu/admissions/

Under the Fig Tree can be found on YouTube, the Seminary’s Scholar site, and most podcast platforms including Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Google Podcasts. Those interested in vocational ministry are invited to learn more about Concordia Seminary at csl.edu or by contacting the admissions team at [email protected] or 800-822-9545.

In this episode of Under the Fig Tree, hosts Rev. Micah Glenn and Dr. Ben Haupt talk admissions officers Rev. Tom Schlund and Rev. Jesse Kueker. Both Schlund and Kueker spent seven years as parish pastors before joining the Seminary’s Enrollment team. Listen as they share their journeys to the ministry, some of their pastoral ministry experiences and advice for those thinking about coming to the Sem. They also give an enrollment update and talk about what the admissions process looks like. And of course, they have some thoughts for “Ripe for the Picking or Leave it on the Tree.” Are you a fan of water parks? What about all-natural peanut butter? Let us know in the comments!

Links:

CSL website: https://www.csl.edu/

Request for more information: https://ask.csl.edu/register/Request-Information

Discernment page: https://www.csl.edu/admissions/discernment/

Admissions page: https://www.csl.edu/admissions/

Under the Fig Tree can be found on YouTube, the Seminary’s Scholar site, and most podcast platforms including Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Google Podcasts. Those interested in vocational ministry are invited to learn more about Concordia Seminary at csl.edu or by contacting the admissions team at [email protected] or 800-822-9545.

In this episode of Under the Fig Tree, hosts Rev. Micah Glenn and Dr. Ben Haupt talk with Dr. Gerhard Bode, associate professor and chairman of the Department of Historical Theology, and the Seminary archivist. Bode shares his journey to becoming a pastor including the encouragement he received growing up and the encouragement he received during his time at Seminary itself. He also dives into the history of the LCMS, how we ended up with Concordia Seminary and some other key figures and events in our church body’s history. Bode also weighs in on “Ripe for the Picking or Leave it on the Tree” — figs, charcuterie boards and Martin Luther’s monks haircut: yay or nay?

Under the Fig Tree can be found on YouTube, the Seminary’s Scholar site, and most podcast platforms including Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Google Podcasts. Those interested in vocational ministry are invited to learn more about Concordia Seminary at csl.edu or by contacting the admissions team at [email protected] or 800-822-9545.

In this episode of Under the Fig Tree, hosts Rev. Micah Glenn and Dr. Ben Haupt talk with two residential Deaconess Studies students, Lara McComack and Alyssa Choate. During the episode, McComack and Choate share tidbits about their journey to the Seminary, their favorite classes, their love for the campus community, what life is like living on campus and more. How do they feel about carrot cake, Sudoku and sports documentaries? Are these topics ripe for the picking or better left on the tree? Watch or listen to find out!

Under the Fig Tree is a video and audio podcast of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. New video and audio episodes are added weekly each Monday. Under the Fig Tree can be found on YouTube, the Seminary’s Scholar site (https://scholar.csl.edu/) and most podcast platforms including Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Google Podcasts. Those interested in vocational ministry are invited to learn more about Concordia Seminary at csl.edu or by contacting the admissions team at [email protected] or 800-822-9545.

In this episode of Under the Fig Tree, hosts Rev. Micah Glenn and Dr. Ben Haupt talk with Dr. Mart Thompson, associate professor of Practical Theology and director of the Specific Ministry Pastor Program (SMP). During the episode, Thompson talks about his pathway into ministry, his pastoral experience serving in a college campus ministry and as a pastor of a rural congregation; what pastoral ministry looks like, what the SMP program is all about and more.

Under the Fig Tree is a video and audio podcast of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. New video and audio episodes are added weekly each Monday. Under the Fig Tree can be found on YouTube, the Seminary’s Scholar site, and most podcast platforms including Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Google Podcasts. Those interested in vocational ministry are invited to learn more about Concordia Seminary at csl.edu or by contacting the admissions team at [email protected] or 800-822-9545.