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The Divine Service is more than an order of worship. Rev. Steven Zank, director of the Parish Music Program and the Center for Worship Leadership at Concordia University Irvine, discusses his research into the history of the Divine Service in the Lutheran Church. Dr. Kent Burreson, professor of systematic theology at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, brings his expertise in the theology of worship to the discussion.

Dr. Ely Prieto, associate professor of practical theology, explores examples in the Old and New Testaments of caring for those with disabilities. Rev. Ellory Glenn, pastor at Chapel of the Cross Lutheran church in St. Louis, and Mrs. Kathy Glenn, his wife and caregiver, discuss their experience dealing with disabilities and share ways in which the church can reach out in love.

Dr. Ronald Rall and Mary Anne Rall, missionaries to the people of Papua New Guinea, each share a story from the mission field about how God saved their lives in very tangible ways. This episode is a special feature that accompanies Episode 69, "Called to the Jungles of Papua New Guinea."

Dr. Ronald Rall and Mary Anne Rall have been missionaries to the people of Papua New Guinea since 1973. Over the past fifty years, they have seen God's church grow and flourish. "Still today, the people always say to me, 'Thank you for bringing us the light because we were in total darkness.' Their faith is so strong!" said Mary Anne Rall. Join the Ralls as they share their story as overseas missionaries and how it changed their ministry back home.

Developing an attitude of outreach in your congregation is fostered by church leaders and carried out as a community. Join Dr. Douglas Rutt, professor emeritus of practical theology; Dr. David Loy, dean of Christ College at Concordia University in Irvine, California; and Kristin Woods, New American Families Facilitator at Word of Life Lutheran School in St. Louis, as they discuss ways to intentionally look outward.

"I use songwriting as a tool for engaging with the text of scripture and bringing my questions to God. It's meant to be a moment of reflection," says singer-songwriter Rev. Hayden Lukas. Join us in a conversation between Lukas and Dr. Timothy Saleska, professor of exegetical theology at Concordia Seminary, as they discuss the connections between Psalm 22 and the song it evoked. This conversation leads to music!

"If God has placed an immigrant group in your community, we have the opportunity to reach out and share the lovely gifts that God has given us," said Rev Jeff Thormodson, the executive director of the Lutheran Society of Missiology. "The Ethnic Immigrant Institute of Theology raises up leaders who speak Congolese, Aramaic, Telugu. It's a wonderful opportunity to make disciples of all nations." Learn more about how the Lord is raising up leaders in his church through Concordia Seminary, St. Louis!

"The schools in the Concordia University System are an incredible gift; we have a responsibility to steward them well for the next generation," says Dr. Peter Nafzger, associate professor of Practical Theology at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. In this conversation Nafzger and Rev. Jeff Cloeter, pastor of Christ Memorial Lutheran Church, compare their experiences as alumni and as parents of students attending a Concordia University. "Concordia Universities are a ligament of the church," said Cloeter. "The relational connectivity that happens in the classroom or on the basketball court benefits the kingdom of God." Join us in a discussion of the benefits and potential disadvantages of studying at a CUS school.

Raising children to be faithful followers of Jesus starts in the home. We will discuss the books "Family Discipleship with Christ" by Dr. W. Mart Thompson, associate professor of Practical Theology, and "Courageous Fathers of the Bible" by Dr. Joel Biermann, professor of Systematic Theology. Join us in a conversation about the vocations of parenthood!

What do writings from the fourth century have to do with Christians today? Why do we frequently speak one out loud together in church services? "The Nicene Creed provides a summary of what we believe as Christians," said Dr. Joel Elowsky, Professor of Historical Theology at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, "but I wouldn't want to leave your listeners with the impression that it's just that." Join us to learn the history of the Nicene Creed and its relevance for today!

"The Lutheran church in Ethiopia is just under three times larger than all the Lutheran church bodies in America combined," said Dr. Samuel Deressa, Associate Professor of Theology and the Global South at Concordia University, St. Paul. "We can learn from each other to address and apply Lutheran theology in different contexts," said Deressa. He asked, "How can we embrace this diversity and move towards a multicultural and multiethnic kind of church?" Join Deressa and Dr. Leo Sánchez, Professor of Systematic Theology at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, in a conversation about Lutheranism in the Global South.

What role should artificial intelligence play in sermon crafting and lesson planning? Dr. Ryan Tinetti, assistant professor of practical theology and Dr. David Maxwell, professor of systematic theology, discuss their differing perspectives. "This question is one worth losing some sleep over," says Tinetti. Join us for a thought-provoking conversation between opposing views.

The Apostle Paul wrote to real churches in real time, using metaphors that the original readers found relatable. He described our relationship with God and within our community using images like buildings, the human body, and family households. The more we understand the context of these metaphors, the more tangible they become. Join Dr. James Fickenscher, professor of exegetical theology, in an exploration of the simple word pictures that Paul used to convey deep spiritual truths.

How does the culture around us shape our view of what it means to be male or female? Join DCE Caitlin Dinger, Concordia Seminary PhD student, and Dr. Mark Rockenbach, professor of practical theology, as they discuss the distinction between sex and gender, and how to walk alongside those who are struggling to find their identity.

Each half of our brain drives different aspects of our thoughts and behaviors. The ways each hemisphere work together impacts the way we understand and experience our faith. Join Dr. Stephen Pietsch, professor of practical theology, and Dr. David Maxwell, professor of systematic theology, in a discussion of Dr. Iain McGilchrist's book "The Master and His Emissary: The Divided Brain and the Making of the Western World."