Dave Buerstetta on striving to do justice and love others while walking humbly with God
Sermons are inherently weird. They are speeches, but not just that. They are reflections on scripture, but not just that. They are commentary on the state of the world, but not just that. They are autobiographical, but not just that. They are aspirational, but not just that. They are monologues and they are conversations. Sermons …
Continue reading ‘Privilege and Promise: This is America — Complacent, Complicit, or Converted?’
My most recent sermon is the fourth installment of our summer series, "Privilege and Promise: This is America." I begin with a brief recap of the series thus far, but if you are interested in experiencing the full effect: Prologue, "The Past is Prologue" Part 1, "Moving Beyond Fear" by the Rev. Danita R. Anderson …
Continue reading ‘Privilege and Promise: This is America — Seeding Growth’
It was my turn to preach again Sunday. (We are on a break from the "Privilege and Promise: This is America" sermon series. But it returns soon. Of course, it is objectively obvious that racism does not take a break, so let’s not stop striving every day to be actively antiracist.) The lectionary gave us …
This summer at Woodridge United Methodist Church, our Lead Pastor Rev. Danita Anderson and I are offering a sermon series on racism we call, “Privilege and Promise: This is America.” We are committed to examining the extant racism around us (and in us!) and moving toward being actively antiracist — both as individuals and as …
Continue reading “Privilege and Promise: This is America — Being Colorblind”
My sermon on Sunday was based on the Lectionary texts for the week: Exodus 19 and Matthew 9. We've begun reading Exodus in the weekly bible study I facilitate, so that added to the fun. Pastor Danita and I are starting a new monthly series on being antiracist...so there may be some subtext to my …
I expected this to be a week to have a little extra fun with my sermon. The texts for last week highlighted divisions that occurred in the Christian movement, even in its earliest days. I seem to derive (perverse?) pleasure in dispelling the notion of a golden age for the church. My hope is that …
Yes, indeed. For now at least. Due to the previously-arranged preaching schedule, the previous Sunday was my first opportunity to offer a sermon during our stay-safe-at-home time here in Illinois. So, yes, I spend the first few minutes talking about just how weird that feels. Probably too much time on that. But I strive to …
This is probably a bit odd, but despite the sermon title, I never did make a connection between the temptations Jesus faced in chapter 4 of Matthew's* gospel and any of the recent TV shows that play on that theme. Boy howdy, did I make a slew of other references and winks, though. 'Cause, you …
Continue reading ‘Temptation Wilderness’: a sermon on Matthew chapter 4
Brevity. Not a quality for which many pastors are known. At least not when we're in preaching mode. We tend to like to talk. A lot. The truth is (at least in my experience both listening to sermons and giving them), a short sermon that is also a good sermon is much more difficult to …
Continue reading ‘We’re Related to…Them??’: a sermon on Matthew 1
I know it's New Year's Eve, but let's get in the WABAC Machine and set it for...one week ago. Way back when it was Christmas Eve. I don't know if you've heard, but Christmas Eve is kind of a big deal in (most) Christian churches. It certainly is in our congregation. Christmas Eve at Woodridge United …
Continue reading ‘Now for Something Completely Extra’: a Christmas Eve sermon
All That I Can't Leave Unsaid 