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.
Friendship entails more than just nice feelings. We know someone is a friend by their actions–and the actions that most clearly demonstrate friendship are actions that entail sacrifice. … More Friendship, Love, and Sacrifice
When the world makes us believe we don’t have a place in the community, we are known to God. We have a place in God’s flock–which I have to believe is just as true for the Derek Chauvins of the world, universally scorned, locked up and removed from the community, as it is for the George Floyds and the Daunte Wrights, victims of extrajudicial executions at the hands of law enforcement. One flock, one shepherd, by the grace of God. … More One Flock, One Shepherd
Jesus insists that we don’t need to go looking for God in a building. But almost one full year after moving our worship services online, I feel more certain than ever about the value of being together in our sanctuary. Maybe we do still need the building. … More God Is Where We Are (But We Still Need the Building)
We worship a God who knows what it takes to make us feel whole and well, who is determined to raise us to new life and restore us to our communities. God will lift us up and raise us to life. … More The Power of Touch
We shouldn’t be naïve about the challenges we face; but neither should we give up hope that, even if change does not come quickly, God will ultimately bring that future into fulfillment. “Deep hope” calls us to hold to that promise as we walk the path together toward our longed-for and God-promised future. … More Deep Hope
