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In this episode, Pastor Wendy Farone is joined by our Tour Host, Ryan Fitch, Associate Director and Camp Pastor at Lutherlyn, and Thomas Plinninger, our Luther Tours guide throughout Germany. Our conversation surrounds what we experienced on our trip to places such as Mainz and Eisenach (Wartburg Castle, where Luther was hidden away and translated the New Testament into Germany). We traveled to Erfurt to see the Church of St. Severus and St. Mary's Cathedral (where Luther was ordained), the Augustinian Monastery where Luther lived as a monk and where he created the Luther Rose, Eisleben (Luther's birth and burial place), and Wittenberg. So much history!! We hope you will enjoy our discussion, direct from Germany!

Is the Kingdom of Heaven, the Kingdom of God, a place? A concept? A noun or a verb? In this episode, Pastor Dan Smail and Pastor Wendy Farone bring light to the meaning of these terms and how they are fully realized in this kingdom. How does understanding the idea of the kingdom help us live, lead, and love in this world with the realized hope we experience?

Pastor Dan Smail and Pastor Wendy Farone are joined by Lauren Wolcott, Communications Director for the Southwestern PA Synod. Lauren brings her expertise in shaping a more human, relational approach to communication in the church. She outlines the core principles of effective communication and walks us through a real example that will soon be implemented as part of the Synod’s intentional goals. The conversation genuinely reshaped how we think about meeting diverse communication needs—reminding us that, often, less is more! Intentional is best!

In this episode, Pastor Dan Smail and Pastor Wendy Farone discuss a topic that is often misunderstood...judgment! How quickly we tend to judge others in a negative light. It comes so naturally to do so. This discussion focuses not only on what biblical judgment is as defined but also on how to recognize when we are being 'judgy' and how to counter that behavior. In addition, how can we serve the neighbor and see the positive by recognizing and judging or seeing the needs of others?

We have all heard the jokes about St. Peter standing at the gates of heaven to determine whether we are in or out. Well, that is probably not how that will occur. In this episode, Pastor Dan Smail and Pastor Wendy Farone dive deeply into an important discussion about what "being saved" means biblically and in the Lutheran tradition through faith alone, through grace alone, by Christ alone.

Pastor Dan Smail and Pastor Wendy Farone gather with Ben Fogt and Keith Fair to discuss the Understanding Church podcast specifically how it got started, the area of focus, and the importance of continuing to create a monthly podcast based upon congregational questions. There are three sections to this podcast, Pastor Dan and Pastor Wendy take the lead on Section B (but listen to it all, it's interesting!) Main Street Lutherans podcast creators share their podcasting stories and their focus being on the wider church. The takeaway is that "your church can also do a podcast!"

Ever wonder why the Hebrew Bible (aka the Old Testament) is still important when we have a New Testament and Jesus? Throughout this episode Pastor Dan Smail and Pastor Wendy Farone discuss why the Hebrew portion of the Bible is critical to understanding the New Testament. At recording, it is Lent and discussion flows a bit into that topic as it relates to the Biblical narrative as well. Thanks for Listening!

In this episode, Pastor Dan Smail and Pastor Wendy Farone are joined by Andre Francois, who has been the chair of the Stewardship Committee for many years. We explore how to recognize and use the gifts God has placed within you. We share practical insight on discovering your strengths, serving with purpose, and honoring God through everyday stewardship. It’s an encouraging, focused conversation that reminds you that your gifts were meant to be used.

In this episode, Pastor Dan Smail and Pastor Wendy Farone welcome our guest, the newly installed Bishop Melissa Stoller, from the Southwestern Pennsylvania Synod, to discuss her new role as bishop, expectations for the future of the synod and the ELCA and much more!

This episode sounds scary! The wrath of God! Pastor Dan Smail and Pastor Wendy Farone share what this 'wrath' truly means and why it is so prevalent within the biblical narrative. Further, what is this 'wrath' intended to create in us and our behavior? In this episode, myths are dispelled, and the true understanding of the wrath of God is discussed.

In this episode, special guest Pastor Erin Evans shares her experience and insight on the topic of Children in Church with Pastor Dan Smail and Pastor Wendy Farone. Discussion surrounds integrating and engaging children within the church, whether they are very young or nearly adults, through teaching, explaining, and becoming a part of the church body. There are insights and some tips on how to find the joy of having "Children in Church"!

In this episode, Pastor Dan Smail and Vicar Wendy Farone share what makes Lutheranism distinctive! Discussions of these distinctions include a brief history, Luther's perspective that we are saved by grace through faith alone, and why we are called to "Sin Boldly" because we trust in God's grace, as well as other related topics. Bonus: A behind-the-scenes clip of our prerecording banter! Resources: Here I Stand: A Life of Martin Luther by Roland H. Bainton            The Reformation: A History by Diarmaid MacCulloch

In this episode, Pastor Dan Smail and Vicar Wendy Farone welcome Chaplain Gaea Thompson, who serves as Manager of Pastoral Care at UPMC Presbyterian/Montefiore Hospital in Pittsburgh. Chaplain Gaea guides us through the work and important care of the hospital chaplain as a "Physician of the Soul."  The discussion is rich in guiding us toward understanding the role of serving in a hospital setting and serving those who may be at their most vulnerable moment.

Guest Lynn Holden, Spiritual Director, joins Pastor Dan Smail and Vicar Wendy Farone to discuss spiritual direction as the building of a relationship through which one person, the spiritual director, guides another toward the presence and call of God in all of life. Lynn shares the difference between counseling and spiritual direction, how one becomes a spiritual director, and the importance of gaining a deeper connection through the understanding of one's place in the world. Find a spiritual director at Spiritual Direction International. https://www.sdicompanions.org/find-a-spiritual-director-companion/

In this episode, Pastor Dan Smail and Vicar Wendy Farone discuss a central doctrine of the Lutheran Church. There are a lot of 'churchy' words in just the episode title! Not to worry, we make it easy to understand! Justification by faith is a divine act by which God declares us righteous or in right relationship by offering us grace. Being in right relationship doesn't mean that we are just 'good people' or that we do 'good things' (and we should do both), but that through grace we are forgiven through our belief in Christ and made righteous! Listen and it will make more sense!