Associate Pastor at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in St. Paul, a congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Husband to Oby Ballinger. Progressive. Math nerd. Gustavus Adolphus College and Yale Divinity School alum.
Maybe one of the lessons of this challenging parable is that we ought to dispense with the notion that only respectable means are permitted in the pursuit of justice, and that we should at least entertain the possibility that a righteous endeavor may call for actions others might find distasteful. … More The Allure of Respectability and Good Order
Faith isn’t basking in the security of our wise planning. Faith is being open to risk and entrusting the future to God, not necessarily certain of the outcome but trusting that God will be with us through it all and give us what we need along the way. … More The Opposite of Faith Is Certainty
As asylum seekers arrive in a new place and attempt to recover from the trauma they have experienced, the single most important thing they need is a sense of community, for someone to look them in the eyes and say, “You belong.” … More Seeking Belonging
Today Jesus challenges our assumption that embodying his love and justice is work that we can do at our convenience. It will require more from us than most of us have been willing to give in the past. … More The Road Ahead Will Be Difficult
An imperfect, unfinished church is all the Holy Spirit has ever had to work with, and somehow still good news is proclaimed, babies are splashed with water, and people are fed. … More The Church Is Always Unfinished
Javen Swanson 