Church life

318.Book of Concord Introduction

Pastor Harley and Pastor Ruddat introduce you to the Book of Concord

314.Contemporary Congregational Concerns Part 5 - Stewardship

Join us as we explore issues that become concerns for many of our congregations today:  1. Use of Law and Gospel2.  Using the Means of Grace3.  Congregational structures and forms of ministry4.  Elder work in the congregation 5.  Stewardship

311.Contemporary Congregational Concerns Part 3 - Congregational structures and forms of ministry

Join us as we explore issues that become concerns for many of our congregations today:  1. Use of Law and Gospel2.  Using the Means of Grace3.  Congregational structures and forms of ministry4.  Elder work in the congregation 5.  Stewardship

310.Contemporary Congregational Concerns Part 2 - Use of the Means of Grace

Join us as we explore issues that become concerns for many of our congregations today:  1. Use of Law and Gospel2.  Using the Means of Grace3.  Congregational structures and forms of ministry4.  Elder work in the congregation 5.  Stewardship

309.Contemporary Congregational Concerns Part 1 - Law and Gospel

Join us as we explore issues that become concerns for many of our congregations today:  - Use of Law and Gospel- Using the Means of Grace- Congregational structures and forms of ministry- Elder work in the congregation - Stewardship

305.The Freedom to Speak (Season Premiere!)

Pastor Will Harley says, "BACK IN THE SADDLE AGAIN!"  Pastor Dave Ruddat growls something in pirate talk (as it's national pirate day).  Both are excited to be back for another season of Casting Nets!  Today's topic:  Free speech in the light of the Eighth commandment

283. Silence of the Lamb - Does God still speak?

Join three pastors as their talk about the reasons why people feel that God is far away from them.  Even strong Christians can wrestle with a God who seems to be far off.  

262.Eight doctrines that divide the church.2.“Who is the LORD that I should obey him?” - Identity of God

To the rest of the world, Christianity often appears to be a fragmented religion with hundreds of sects, each claiming to preach the true message of the Christian faith. The appearance of fragmentation of the church is increased by secondary factors such as language, cultural diversity and political differences. The divisions, however, result from differences over key doctrines that have arisen since the time of Christ. To understand the various church bodies, one must understand their doctrinal positions versus the rest of Christianity. Some differences are so subtle that considerable theological, linguistic and historical study is required to grasp their true significance. These 8 doctrines we are talking about are central to the essence of Christianity. In fact, what the world terms “Christianity” is not one religion, but a group of parallel religions that share much of the same vocabulary, but which have significantly different views of the nature of man and the nature of God. To focus the study on the key issues, we will use eight questions which are asked in the Scriptures. The questions were asked by people from various backgrounds and were asked for various reasons. We will identify who asked the questions and why, and then we will look for the answer that is given in the Scripture. These topics will be refined to clarify the conflicting doctrinal positions as much as possible.
The 8 questions:
“By what authority do you do these things?” - Authority
“Who is the LORD that I should obey him?” - Identity of God
“Can a man be born again when he is old?” - Original sin
“What must I do to be saved?” - Justification
“Shall we go on sinning that grace may increase?” -Sanctification
“Who can bring a charge against God’s elect?” - Predestination
“Is not the bread we break a participation in the body of Christ?” - Holy Communion
“Are you going to at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” - The Last Things

259. What’s the difference anyway? a look at Covenant Theology

Pastor Dave Endorf leads us through a movement on Biblical interpretation called, "covenant theology."

246. Five easy ways to become a Pietist (and Dave goes off the rails)

Pietism is a movement or spirit that has its roots in Lutheranism but has spread throughout Protestantism. Our "steps" are a lighthearted journey through Pietism's effects and current temptations you will encounter today.  Dave will go off the rails today, but which one and why?
5 easy ways to become a pietist
Reinvent what is the lifeblood of the church. What’s in your heart pumps harder than the Gospel in Word and Sacrament.
Ain’t no standard like your standard.
Stop testing the Spirits.
You are your own illuminati.
Take your toys and go home (Ban the Fellowship)
5 ways to prevent pietism
Be firmly grounded in Scripture.
Practice doctrinal & moral discipline because that is what you are in Christ, not because it proves anything to you or to anyone else.
Aim at the head and the heart in preaching & teaching and properly distinguish between the law & the gospel as you do so.
Trust the Holy Spirit’s promise to accomplish what he desires through His means. 
Don’t make ad hominem attacks or judge hearts and motivation based on what you see.

241.A discussion on the article ”One Great Thought”

With everything going on in the United States and the world, it's good to reset by thinking of the one great thought of God.
 
THE ONE GREAT THOUGHT OF GOD (Der eine groBe Gedanke Gottes) written by August Pieper and translated by Jason D. Oakland is our topic.  

230.Where does the WELS go from here?

We read the 2022 statistical report given at the convention, discuss its analysis, and talk about its proposed strategy to address the statistical cliff churches (WELS included) in America are facing.
Join us for this conversation and if you have questions don't hesitate to ask us. 
Email: castingnetspod@gmail.com
Watch the video on facebook: www.facebook.com/castingnetspodcast
Watch the video on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/castingnetspod

226.Review of the Book ”Any Given Sunday (The Story of Christ in the Divine Service)”

Pastor Harley and Pastor Ruddat review a book called "Any Given Sunday (The Story of Christ in the Divine Service)" by the Rev. Dr. Michael Berg and talk about it.

220.To the Principles and Beyond

When asked a question, Jesus often answers the question that should have been asked.  When it comes to application of our Christian principles, are we asking the right questions?
Email: castingnetspod@gmail.com
Watch the video on facebook: www.facebook.com/castingnetspodcast
Watch the video on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/castingnetspod

Family Devotions

We tackle myths on family devotions, reveal some strategies for how to start a family devotion, and practical tips on keeping Christ in your family life.
Introduction
Myths on family devotions
Strategies for how to start a family devotion (formal conversations)
Practical tips on keeping Christ in your family life (informal conversations)
Family devotion resources:
www.myfamilytable.org 
https://wels.net/serving-you/devotions/family-devotions/
 
Email: castingnetspod@gmail.com
Watch the video on facebook: www.facebook.com/castingnetspodcast
Watch the video on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/castingnetspod

Esther chapters 9 and 10

We finish Esther today and look ahead to where we are going to go this summer. Join us in the show. 
Email: castingnetspod@gmail.com
Watch the video on facebook: www.facebook.com/castingnetspodcast
Watch the video on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/castingnetspod

Artificial Intelligence (A.I.) and the Christian worldview

How much is A.I. able to reflect and articulate reality, and how much is it a reflection of its creator?  What should we be concerned about with A.I, and what A.I. questions should Christians be ready to answer?
Topics:
What is A.I.?
current uses and issues with A.I. 
Potential issues with A.I.
Pastoral Predictions
What can we learn about ourselves through wrestling with a.i.?

Scandalous Stories: Luke 14:1-24

It's my party!
 
 
Email: castingnetspod@gmail.com
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Looking Back on the Call

Due to weather and sickness, we are not putting out a live show this week. But we don't want to leave you with nothing. With so many congregations seeking pastors we thought we would reach back into the archive and share a podcast with you on the call. It was first recorded when Pastor Harley was running solo on the podcast and was serving at Trinity Lutheran in South Dakota.
We can't wait to be live again and sharing with you more of real life and living faith. 
Email: castingnetspod@gmail.com
Watch the video on facebook: www.facebook.com/castingnetspodcast
Watch the video on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/castingnetspod

Multisite ministry with Pastor Michael Zarling

Church mergers and multisite ministry is not as doom and gloom as somethink.   Can two churches merge and thrive? What should congregations consider as they think about church mergers?  What is the difference between multi-site ministry and a bi-parish ministry?  Types of mergers?  When should congregations decide NOT to merge?  All questions we ask and more, as we interview a fellow podcaster, Michael Zarling, pastor of a multi-site ministry in Racine Wisconsin called Water of life (www.wateroflifelutheran.com).  His podcast "Thirsty" airs on the Raised with Jesus podcast. (www.resurrectionmaumee.podbean.com) 

Scandalous Stories: Matthew 13:24-30; 36-43 The Wheat and the Weeds.

We go through another scandalous story that cause us to see clearly ourselves and our Savior.  
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Debunking 7 Myths about Forgiveness

Pastor Dave and Will discuss today the importance of forgiveness. We may even debunk some of the thoughts people have about forgiveness. In the end we want to assure you all of the full and free forgiveness you have through Christ Jesus. If you don't listen to this one, you are forgiven...But only this once. 
 
Casting Nets
https://castingnetspod.podbean.com/
Email: castingnetspod@gmail.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/castingnetspodcast
Listen also on Youtube: 

Debunking Luther

Luther, the man, the myth, the legend.  Myths can unite us as a culture, but in our culture of fake news and fact-checking, are we doing a disservice to the Gospel if, due to intellectual laziness, we perpetuate myths about Luther?  Join us as we talk about 6 myths about Luther and Lutheranism
What other myths about Luther or Lutheranism do you want us to talk about?  Let us know.   
 
Casting Nets
https://castingnetspod.podbean.com/
Email: castingnetspod@gmail.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/castingnetspodcast
Listen also on Youtube: 

You Heretic

Got heresies? We talk about them today. Dave and Will talk about the most common heresies that still have their grasps on the modern Christian church. They are:
Judaizers, Theology of Glory, Marcionism/Antinomianism, Gnosticism, Origen, and Pelagianism
 
Casting Nets
https://castingnetspod.podbean.com/
Email: castingnetspod@gmail.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/castingnetspodcast
Listen also on Youtube: 

Self-Care: Selfish or Sacred?

Today we welcome Susan L. Fink, the author of "Selfcare: Selfish or Sacred." Susan joins us to discuss 10 myths Christians hold about self-care and how we as Christians are called to take care of ourselves and others. 
For more information: 
www.susanlfink.com
www.amazon.com
 
Casting Nets
https://castingnetspod.podbean.com/
Email: castingnetspod@gmail.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/castingnetspodcast
Listen also on Youtube: 

Teen Mental Health with Rochelle Manzano

We welcome Rochelle Manzano (LMFT, SAC-IT, EMDR, BD-TMH), licensed marriage and family therapist with Christian Family Solutions.  
https://christianfamilysolutions.org/about/provider-staff/rochelle-manzano/
Topics we talked about:
Overcoming mental health stigmas
Identifying at-risk teens and PTSD.
Markers parents use to identify mental health issue in their teen(s).  
Keeping the lines of communication open in the home.
What does the Christian church do well in addressing teen mental health, and what areas can it improve?
Casting Nets https://castingnetspod.podbean.com/
Email: castingnetspod@gmail.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/castingnetspod
#WELS #teenmentalhealth 

Fishing Solo: History of Thanksgiving with Lessons for Today

What lessons can we learn from how God's people gave thanks throughout history?
History that is covered in this podcast:
The First Thanksgiving Cain & Abel (Genesis 4:2-5a)
Thanksgiving after the Flood Noah & His Family (Genesis 8:15-22 & 9:12-15)
Thanksgiving at the Harvest Ruth & Boaz (Ruth 2:2-9)
Thanksgiving in the Gospels Jesus & the Ten Lepers (Luke 17:11-19)
Thanksgiving in the Epistles Paul & Timothy (1 Timothy 6:6-10)
The first civil Thanksgiving Proclamation Governor William Bradford (1623)
Thanksgiving is Nationally and Annually Celebrated Abraham Lincoln (October 3, 1863)
All readings from the Evangelical Heritage Version.
Music by the Martin Luther College Choir

American Christianity has Failed

Dave and Will talk today about the failures of American Christianity. With a focus on individualism and externals that have left us empty what have we left behind? Absolution and the proclaiming of forgiveness are the keys.

The Bound Will and Covid Vaccination

To Vaccinate or not to Vaccinate? That is the question in discussion today. With references to Star Wars and a 15th century monk, Dave and Will talk about how we should and could approach the topic of covid vaccines.

Let’s Study Bible Study

We talk today about Bible Study. We look at the formal Pastor lead Bible Study on Sunday and Small Group Bible Studies. What are the goods and the bads, the ins and outs, and have we messed it up. Join us for this conversation as two Parish Pastor discuss their craft on equipping others to talk about Christ.

Statistical Nightmare

Dave Ruddat and Will Harley talk about Congregational Statistics and the good that come from all the work in putting them together. Can the business work of church numbers be interesting and helpful to a church? Listen to a great conversation as these two talk about Gospel ministry and the nightmare of numbers and figures.

2020 Review

We welcome Dave Ruddat to the show today. What a wonderful adventure 2020 was. Dave and Will take on a review how we grew, failed, and prevailing in 2020. We will talk about the personal, the community and the church. Join us for this great conversation.

UAC Civil Government

We don't want to pour more fuel in the fire that surrounds us today. But, it needs to be said that Christians are called to interact with the government and society in a vastly different way. Today we welcome back Don and discuss the joys of living our vocations as called children of God through Jesus. What does that mean for us in this changing society?

UAC Church

Today, Will talks about Church. What is the mark of the church? What is the difference between the visible church and the invisible church? Well if you ever wondered why certain things in Lutheran churches remain the same or why we don't have fellowship with other church bodies that believe differently. This is where it all begins. Let's talk about the church.

Fishing Solo: The Call

Join us for a quick look at what pastors do for their congregation they are called to serve. It is Pastor Appreciation month and what a way to say, "Thank You," than to learn a little about what they do. We will be back next week with our continued conversation on the Augsburg Confession.

Reaching Out

Don and Will talk about reaching out with the Gospel. How do we reach out to those who have fallen away? Why do we even want too? The center of our conversation is Romans 12:1-8 as we hear about being servants of others encouraged by Christ.

Loving Your Neighbor

"That is what we called them to do." This comment and so many other have expressed the sinful nature and kept us from serving others. What does it mean to serve someone? Why don't understand Christian Freedom and serving others is a part of Christian love and sharing the love of Christ. Join us as we talk about Loving our Neighbor.

Christian Freedom...But What about the Rules

Don and Will talk today about Christian Freedom and why it is so hard to practice and live it in the Church and the world today. We also talk about the purpose of the Law (both the laws we make and the Laws God gives). Finally, we will add a little of a Monk named Luther and his Heidelberg Disputation, just to make things interesting and fun. Join us as we discuss and share our thoughts.

Praying for Leaders

How do we control our own nature and keep the best construction on all things? We are called to pray for the leaders who are there for our good, but what that good is only God knows. Join the conversation.

Fishing Solo: On Christian Freedom

Will talks solo about Martin Luther's work "On Christian Liberty." It is a shorter conversation about his thoughts and struggles on living the freedom of Christian in serving others in this new climate of mandates, suggestions, and covid scare. He doesn't bring all the answers but hopefully gives us some food for thought and consideration.

Scripture Reading...Down

With Scripture reading down and church attendance on the steady decline, it makes one wonder if the only contact we have with God's Word is the Meme on FaceBook and Twitter. Join the conversation as we talk about how to get people in contact with the Word of God.

Past Thoughts: Why Am I A Lutheran 3

Summer is a great time for vacations with the family. It is also a great time to get our thoughts together so that we can bring you better content. So, as we do our part to spend the summer with family and prep. we have another past thought to share with you as we finish the Bible Study on being Lutheran.

Past Thoughts: Why Am I A Lutheran 2

We hope you find this episode interesting as we continue to past thoughts on being Lutheran. This a Bible Study that was recorded by Pastor Harley at Trinity Ev. Lutheran Church in Winner, SD. Hope you find it beneficial.

Past Thoughts - Why Am I A Lutheran 1

We are reaching back into the archives and bringing out some Recorded Bible Studies from the past. Since it is summer, and the crew is on vacation. Enjoy. More new content will be coming. We have a couple of weeks of vacations and rearanged schedules.
This episode from a past Bible Study will hopefully give you some insight into why being a Lutheran is based on Scripture.

Balm for Wounds Part 2

We continue to talk about racism in the Scriptures and how Jesus bring us together. We look at the Gospel of Matthew and how we see many nations reached. We also look at the Good Samaritan and The Samaritan Woman at the Well. Join the conversation and if have a comment let us know.

For Our Soldiers

How can we help them more? What ways can we share them Christ in ways that are better? We need to thank our Soldiers today for all that they are doing.

Covid Stress

We talk today about the stress that has happened during all this stay at home demands. How do we deal with the stress and fear and frustration. We share some stories and give some advice. We even share our own stress and frustrations. We also aplogize for the moment of dead air, we got disconnected for a time.

Covid19 and Ministry

Reaching the lost with Christ Jesus and the hope of the unchanging.

Christian Funeral

We talk about the focus of the Christian Funeral and the comfort we can give through highlighting the Savior Jesus Christ. What grace and comfort we have the opportunity to give as we preach Christ.

Fishing Solo: Leadership Conference

The WELS Leadership Conference was January 21-23, 2020. It was a great opportunity to learn and think about some amazing ways to help share the Gospel of Christ and work together with Lay Leader and Called Leaders to make this proclamation a natural part of our working together. Listen to some of the highlights.