Faith In the Freshman - The website of Dr. Pat Ferry - Latest Comments

Re: Father-of-the-Bride in 48 Hours

Patrick Ferry — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 22:00:54 -0000

Not quite, but almost!

Re: Father-of-the-Bride in 48 Hours

Patrick Ferry — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 22:00:25 -0000

Seems like just yesterday we were with you and Jason at your beautiful wedding. How long has it been?

Re: Father-of-the-Bride in 48 Hours

Patrick Ferry — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 21:58:55 -0000

Zach's dad is Dave Meineke. At St. John's College they called him "Wild Man" Dave Meineke. Zach said, when confronted about this, "I am much more like my Mom!" Hannah has grown up much to quickly. We invited your Dad and Theresa to brunch after her baptism--a celebration of new life and love!

Re: Father-of-the-Bride in 48 Hours

Patrick Ferry — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 21:55:06 -0000

Thanks, Harry. You are kind. I always especially enjoy preaching at Mt. Calvary surrounded by friends and loved ones!

Re: LCMS Convention and National Youth Gathering

Patrick Ferry — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 21:52:57 -0000

I am amazed at how much time and energy is expended gearing up for conventions of the church--nationally and at the district level. I don't mean the sort of normal logistical preparation required to pull off such big events. Rather, I mean all of the conversation and communication that goes on on the side trying to shape and influence outcomes. The issues that divide us in the LCMS, when laid alongside the truly significant issues that have divided the church through the centuries, pale by comparison. We have an extraordinary concordia in the LCMS--a fact that kids in New Orleans seemed to appreciate and celebrate better than their parents and granparents did in Houston.

Re: LCMS Convention and National Youth Gathering

Patrick Ferry — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 21:46:41 -0000

I think you have it right, Bob. There is a place for politics. It is not unnecessary. Unfortunately, the church has aped the approach of our polarized political process in the secular sphere. Some how we have embraced the idea that the ultimate objective is to coordinate efforts, and crank up the political machine rather than expend the effort to build consensus and achieve concordia!

Re: LCMS Convention and National Youth Gathering

Patrick Ferry — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 21:40:40 -0000

No doubt more than a few young people come with pretty strong opinions, sometimes unyielding without pausing to think. That cuts both ways, of course. Factionalism, by definition, is not one-sided. I'd certainly like to affirm students in their faith. I'd also like them to think for themselves and embrace their faith as their own, not simply something someone told them to believe. There are lots of young people, however, who are open to the exploration. The story that i tell in "Faith in the Freshman" is not unique to me. In fact, these days there are lots of students, even at a place like Concordia, whose spiritual perspective is not set and even unsettled. What a great opportunity we have to engage them in matters of faith through Christian higher learning.

Re: Father-of-the-Bride in 48 Hours

Patrick Ferry — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 21:27:53 -0000

For anybody keeping score, I din't make it through the message without a few tears. My task was made more difficult by the fact that so many in my family were weeping along the way. Hannah was teary before the professional! Others--wife, father, daughter, brother, and even random people in the pews also fought to hold back emotion as the lump in my throat continued to grow. All that said, it was wonderful, and a day that I won't soon forget. Loved and loving, forgiven and forgiving--God's love for us in Christ makes our joy complete!

Re: LCMS Convention and National Youth Gathering

Bob Barnhart — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 11:42:50 -0000

I wonder, as we get older and "busier" (family and job responsibilities) we begin to spend less and less time in prayer, and studying God's word. I have found the more time I spend in prayer and studying the Bible, I tend to become less worried about issues which really do not matter eternally (ie church politics).
I also think as we become older we tend to gravity to things which are more secure which can turn into legalism - which frequently plays out as politics. Just a thought.

Re: “Father of the Bride in 48 Hou…

Johnmheideman — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 13:28:39 -0000

Just found the blog and website. Being a two year veteran with a son-in-law, it will bring you huge pleasure in saying those wise words "ask your husband". Brenda and I couldn't be happier for the Ferry's, and their addition by subtraction. haha

Re: Father-of-the-Bride in 48 Hours

Harry Juech — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 11:18:31 -0000

as little I know about your personal life. I am well aware of your servant heart and your fantastic ability in the Pulpit. You will not preach you will tell yje world the Word. You will pause to reflect and shake love that will buble up in your throat, but you will do well. God Bless you and the Families.

Re: Father-of-the-Bride in 48 Hours

Pam Hahn — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 00:16:13 -0000

Have a lovely day with all your family, Pat. I remember that cute little baby Hannah. Wow, she grew up quickly. I think Zach's dad must be one of the Meineke boys from DLHS - Dan or Dave.

Re: Father-of-the-Bride in 48 Hours

Sarah Crowder — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 18:02:30 -0000

That is awesome! Congrats and I'm sure that either way- it will be an excellent ceremony :)

Re: Father-of-the-Bride in 48 Hours

james — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 17:02:50 -0000

i vote fall apart.

Re: LCMS Convention and National Youth Gathering

Randall Ferguson — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 10:23:46 -0000

I appreciate your comments, Pat. I thank God every day that we have a leader at CUW with your perspective. I too disdain church politics because they never seem to be about the Church; more often than not they are based on petty, personal prejudices that create a we-they posture. I am disheartened by how much time professional church workers devote to politics rather than focusing on ministy and reaching out to the lost with the precious news of the Gospel. I praise God for Christian denominations other than Lutherans because they can reach people we can not and never will when we continually limit what shape our ministry looks like. Christians everywhere are called to serve by living our faith as we share Jesus Christ in words and deeds, especially as we help those less fortunate than us. We need to spend more time doing and less time talking/arguing. Richard Stearns (World Vision) urges us to close the hole in our Gospel and embrace the whole gospel by attending to the pressing need for food, clean water,clothing, housing, and education for millions upon millions of people around the world. St. Francis said it so well: "Preach the gospel always; if necessary, use words." This is how we should spend our time! Okay--enough politics, back to ministry . . .

Re: LCMS Convention and National Youth Gathering

Billy Schultz — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 16:14:12 -0000

I don't know what causes people to become cynical and factional. But what's interesting is when it becomes apparent. In my experience as a student and a staff member at an LCMS institution, there are plenty of folks that have already become side-takers, either coming into college as such or finding a side sometime during their undergrad years. I think, sometimes, these factional and cynical attitudes trickle down from a pastor or DCE growing up, whether it's explicit or not. Other times, college students come in with a mindset that only grows as they experience these church issues. Still more come in fairly neutral and "uncorrupted," yet get pushed one way or another. It's interesting to watch as college students choose where to worship on Sunday mornings. Some go where it's most convenient, yet others lean heavily on a certain style of worship. These can have a strong impact on impressionable college students and sometimes push them into factions and cynicism.

Re: St. John’s College — Freshman Year Revisited

Patrick Ferry — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 17:31:15 -0000

Thanks, Rob, for reading--and for your note. Tammy and i really enjoyed our brief time back in Winfield and the chance to talk about the book. I am so glad that you liked "Faith in the Freshman" and that it brought back memories. Looking forward to that T-shirt!--PTF

Re: St. John’s College — Freshman Year Revisited

Rob Smallwood — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 12:09:02 -0000

Just finished "Faith in the Freshman" I received from you at St. John's last month at the reunion. Fantastic witness for God and SJC!! Really, really, really loved the last sentence. It brings tears to my eyes just thinking about! St. John's and Winfield saved my life. I lived in Winfield in kindergarten and first grade, 2 weeks in fifth grade in the orphanage, and from August '62 to January '68 at St. John's. Trying to keep this short! I also lived in Dodge City in 1961-62 since you mentioned it! Treadin' for the Teacher, Rob Smallwood (Acad. '65 SJC '67) Sending you a T-shirt with a favorite passage of yours - in Spanish

Re: Sophomore Story

dantorres — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 19:36:05 -0000

I hear he's going to Cornell !! congrats Drew and Ferry Family!!!

Re: Sophomore Story

jeremynormington — Sat, 10 Apr 2010 00:39:02 -0000

Looks like the Ivy League says they have him!

Re: Sophomore Story

patferry — Sat, 03 Apr 2010 18:43:52 -0000

Hi Dan! Thanks for checking in. Andrew is waiting a few more days to announce his plans. He is ready to commit, but the coach of the school that he plans to attend is a finalist for another position. Hopefully, that will all be settled early next week. I'll post his decision as soon as it is official!

Re: Sophomore Story

Dan Torres — Sat, 03 Apr 2010 17:39:06 -0000

Dear Dr. Ferry,

My name is Dan Torres. I'm currently a sophomore at UW-Madison. I played against Andrew many times in high school and during summer league when I played for Pius XI. I was wondering if he had made a decision on where to go next year? And what schools were offering him scholarships? Thank you.

Sincerely,

Dan T.