More Wisdom from Author Chad Lakies

In this video interview, Dr. Lakies suggests that a “winsome witness” includes a willingness to enter into conversation with others in order to see people “in the complexity of their full humanity.”

The video is six minutes in length. To view, one must be logged into Google.

Pastor Lakies has been on the podcast circuit since the publication of his book. To learn more about the book, here’s a list of podcast options (click on the orange title for the link to each):

Concordia Publishing House
August 31, 2024; 41 minutes

Topics include:

• Looking at the commonalities we share with others (sports teams; civil goals, such as good education for our children) and connecting with folks in these ways.
• Unpacking of his statement “Disagreement does not equal hate.”
• A nuanced understanding of “authenticity”
• Navigating some of the difficulties of maintaining relationships with others of differing views
• Three goals of the resilient church (patience; forgiving; if you want the third, you’ll have to listen to the podcast.)

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Make It Simple, “Junk Drawer Jesus Series”
December 10, 2024; 39 minutes

The hosts are Matt Popovits, pastor of St. Mark Lutheran Church in Houston, and Rachel Ryder. This podcast is a discussion of Matt’s book, Junk Drawer Jesus, and Chad’s book.

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Tangible: Theology Learned & Lived
“Exploring the ways theology permeates all aspects of life”
Concordiatheology.org; November 15, 2024; 35 minutes
Host: Jessica Bordeleau; with Chad Lakies and Dale Meyer

As I’m a big fan of Rev. Dr. Dale Meyer, President Emeritus of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, this one is my favorite. Topics include:

• Back in the day: the church had a voice of relevance and trust
• The book attempts to address the emotional state pastors serving today: frustration, anger, and sense of humiliation at the loss of relevance of the church in society
• The church’s public witness is impacted by this emotional state of pastors and congregations; how can we offer a “winsome witness”?
• Responses of congregations: Resignation, trying to be relevant, and resistance (a response to fear)
• Historic liturgy as museum piece; worship is God breaking into our lives with Jesus and his word!
• Navigating the “Two Kingdoms” theme from Luther’s theology
• To soak ourselves in the Word of God is a way to renewed vitality in the church—and that’s a communal process
• Things are not “going our way” today; there are lessons for us today from the early church