Below in this blog we present video of teaching by Pastor Matt Richard titled, “The Catechized Life,” but first, a little introduction, and information about Pastor Matt.
The Lutheran Church receives as gifts from Christ many fine pastor-teachers. I know this from Scripture and experience.
Scripture tells us that it is Christ who gives us pastor-teachers. Paul says, “He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers.” Ephesians 4:11. Our pastor-teachers are gifts from Christ.
In my personal experience, I have had, and my family has had, many fine pastors. Among them is the Rev. Dr. Matt Richard, Pastor of Zion Lutheran Church in Gwinner, North Dakota. Previously he was a pastor in my town, Sidney, Montana. Beginning then and continuing now, has had a tremendous, powerful impact on our three sons, our two daughters in law, my wife, and me. He baptized five of our grandchildren.
Pastor Matt is a gift from Christ.
Through many associations with Dr. Richard, and by reading many of his writings, I have learned some things about him that might matter to you in considering him as a teacher of the Catechism.
- He is a theologian.
- He has a pastor’s heart.
- He cares about young and old alike.
- He is deeply concerned and energetically active for the next generation in the faith.
- He is apt to teach, and does much, effective teaching.
- He has a keen understanding of Lutheran truth as distinct from the sea of faulty religious ideas that surround us in churches and society.
- He understands our time in history.
- His character and ethics are sterling.
- He is reliably confessional and sound.
- He is a true friend.
Pastor Richard has one of the most valuable Lutheran blogs, PM Notes, where you can find good answers to many of your questions. His site provides blog posts, PDF articles, PDF teaching and illustration sheets, video, audio, Lutheran lexicon, research, semons, and links. Especially when controversy erupts, but also at all other times, search his blog, and you’ll probably find your answer.
Because we live in the age of the Internet, you can hear Pastor Richard teach on the Catechism even though you are not in Gwinner, North Dakota. He has graciously granted LutheranCatechism permission to present this material. LutheranCatechism also thanks Higher Things for its gracious permission to use these teachings. The video presented here is Used by permission of www.higherthings.org. We have linked to the video on YouTube, for technical reasons, but you can find much more video from Higher Things’ own website at this link. And Higher Things has a wealth of other online resources at its site, to say nothing of its youth conferences and other ministries. Check them out. Also, other episodes of “The Catechized Life,” are presented by other pastors. I have seen a number of them, and all of them are good.
So here you go, Pastor Matt delivering teaching in the Higher Things video series, “The Catechized Life.” When the first episode ends, just wait, and another will begin.
Used by permission of www.higherthings.org.