How should I put this? I’m an insufferable pessimist. I find it easier to just assume at best a neutral outcome. It drives my wife nuts, but I usually greet those feel-good personal interest stories on the news with an … Continue reading
Category Archives: Steadfast in the City
We have reached a joyous milestone here at Philadelphia Lutheran Ministries. After a year of a complicated and at times frustrating process, we have acquired our first set of buildings in Northeast Philadelphia. The buildings belonged to an existing LCMS … Continue reading
Everyone seems to get a little piece of what I do out here in Philadelphia. I wanted to take this chance to tell the story of the last year, an where we are going. Since Lutherans across the nation know … Continue reading
Just Cookies… I believe in investing in the homeless in any way we can, and giving them the abilities to improve their situation and break the cycle of homelessness in their own lives. Many times, the resources of the church … Continue reading
Today in Philadelphia, a federal judge blocked the enforcement of the ban to prohibit feeding the homeless in public. Since much of a homeless person’s food supply is distributed outside due to high costs for downtown kitchens, and much of … Continue reading
My friend and brother in the ministry, Matt Lorfeld, recently wrote a short, marvelous post on his church’s blog about the nature of mercy work and its possible “ulterior motives.” As a pastor who spends most of his time with … Continue reading
In a recent post here on BJS, a link to a video was displayed where a young guy with Fisk-like energy critiqued the phenomenon of “short-term mission trips.” The video largely criticized the self-serving goal of some of those who … Continue reading
While hanging rafters in a Chicago suburb seven years ago, I decided I would go to seminary to be a pastor in the LCMS. I never thought much of my work in my first call would be illegal. I serve … Continue reading
Assoc. Editor’s Note: BJS is expanding and will be bringing on a number of new authors who will all be writing about being “steadfast” in a given situation in life. As the urban missionary for Philadelphia Lutheran Ministries, I … Continue reading