Author Archives: dkamphuis

About dkamphuis

I'm an ELCA pastor preaching, teaching, thinking, and writting about what it means to be the church today.

We have moved

Posted on December 18, 2014 by dkamphuis

Hey everyone! Awesome news: The Fire Escape has moved to a new address lutheranfireescape.net. We hope to see you all there.

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Mercy for the in-between – a sermon on Ferguson and Thanksgiving

Posted on November 27, 2014 by dkamphuis

Author’s note: I don’t usually post my sermons on this blog, mostly because I don’t write anything down when I preach, but if you are interested in what an inner-city pastor preaches on Thanksgiving (with Ferguson in the headlines) then … Continue reading →

Posted in The Word, The World | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

Four beliefs about ministry that I got completely wrong

Posted on November 19, 2014 by dkamphuis

Here is a revelation about me: I’m frequently wrong. And I don’t mean every day, run of the mill mistakes either (although that certainly happens too). I mean mistakes on the scale of Greedo thinking it was a good idea … Continue reading →

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All I have – Matthew 25:1-13

Posted on November 6, 2014 by dkamphuis

I have a confession to make: I have sincerely prayed “Amen! Come Lord Jesus.” And I don’t mean “come Lord Jesus” in a “I hope I have a meaningful communion experience” way or “I hope I meet Jesus in the face … Continue reading →

Posted in The Word | 3 Comments

Hymns for a difficult church: retrospective on Millennials & Church

Posted on October 20, 2014 by dkamphuis

I have a confession to make… There are certain hymns that I just can’t stand.  These aren’t complicated, hard to sing hymns either. No, I mean that there are classic hymns whose lyrics drive me crazy. Why is my ire … Continue reading →

Posted in The Church | Tagged , , | 6 Comments

The good, the bad, and the ugly: the weekly roundup

Posted on October 10, 2014 by dkamphuis

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly is one of the greatest westerns ever made and also one of my favorite movies. It also makes for a convenient structure for talking about what I’ve been reading and learning this week. … Continue reading →

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5 Reasons why inner-city ministry is awesome

Posted on October 7, 2014 by dkamphuis

“That Church is so beautiful. If only it wasn’t in that neighborhood…” Someone says that comment to me on a regular basis these days. You see, I’m pastor of church in the inner-city. My Church is a beautiful cathedral of … Continue reading →

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Embracing the wilderness

Posted on September 7, 2014 by dkamphuis

I am going to dance for joy when everyone stops panicking and mourning over the death of Christendom. Not because I think Christendom was some great evil that needed to be killed as fast as possible (actually, I think there … Continue reading →

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Millennials & Church

Posted on August 14, 2014 by dkamphuis

Why did you stay in Church? Erik Parker (a Lutheran Pastor in Canada) wrote this article on his blog in July (side note: I recommend his blog… really awesome stuff). While it is not the whole point of the article, … Continue reading →

Posted in The Church | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Strangers and Sojourners Before God

Posted on August 8, 2014 by dkamphuis

I am usually reluctant to write about theology and politics in the same post. Mostly because, as Oliver Cromwell put it: “I beseech you, in the bowels of Christ, think it possible that you may be mistaken.” But I have … Continue reading →

Posted in The Church, The World | Tagged , , | 3 Comments