Latest News

New HT Conference Executive!

2007-08-07T02:05:08-06:00

Higher Things welcomes the Rev. George F. Borghardt as our new Conference Executive!

Pastor Borghardt serves as Assistant/Youth Pastor at St. Mark Lutheran Church in Conroe, TX. For the last two years, he has served as the Internet Services Executive for Higher Things. If it's been on our website, he was watching our webmaster and programmer Stan Lemon put it there!

This past year, Pr. Borghardt served as the FOR YOU Asheville Conference Chairman. He was last seen skipping through Ridgecrest following the closing Divine Service proclaiming the FOR YOU conferences, "DONE! DONE! DONE!"

You're not done at all, Pastor Borghardt. We have more work for you. As Conferences Executive for Higher Things, Pr. Borghardt will be overseeing and planning for the future of all HT conferences. To prepare for that task, he wants to hear ideas and feedback from the those who attended conferences this year and in past years. You can email him HERE.

yourHT: For You MN, Day Three

2007-07-28T08:36:38-06:00

[The pictures FOR YOU are coming. Return and reread this article soon!]

by Rev. Rich Heinz

It doesn’t get better than this! Harry Potter fans abound, reading and discussing their new tome. Youth (and adult leaders) continue to learn tons each day. And teens are singing liturgy and Lutheran hymns on buses because they think it is fun!

Every morning this week, check myHT for an update of the previous day’s “blog” about For You on myHT and the Higher Things main page.

WORSHIP

Daily Matins continues to be our starting point. I can’t go on enough about the amazing worship that the Lord gives here! We are truly invigorated by Christ’s Word, and the musical responses to that Gift are of the highest caliber –and youth recognize that!

Great hymns and straightforward liturgy are sung here. And you find people walking down halls humming the Magnificat, singing “Oh Love, How Deep,” and discussing the sermons they have heard!

WORK

Today I was introduced to the attendees in the announcements that preceded the plenary catechesis. I spoke a little about myHT and encouraged use of the site, input for desired topics, and an invitation to authors.

I also was one of the staff on hand for the HT Retreats, Lock-Ins and Internet breakaway. There again, our intentions for the coming year, and an invitation to add your talent to myHT were given.

I want to interject an omission from Day One. As late as it was, I forgot to write about Pastor Todd Wilken on Tuesday. Pastor Wilken is the host of KFUO Radio’s Issues, Etc. Check out this cool Lutheran talk radio, which can be downloaded and listened to at http://kfuoam.org/ie_main.htm . Issues, Etc. regularly provides quality discussion about faith and life. And Pastor WIlken has done the same for us.

PLAY

A United States map has appeared near the registration desk, with the invitation to use a sharpie marker to pinpoint your hometown. Dots appear all over the nation – as well as post-it notes declaring the presence of groups from Canada, Sweden, and Australia!

This evening, about a thousand people in red T-shirts emblazoned with Christ crucified descended upon the minor league baseball park of the Saint Paul Saints. Dinner was served, and we watched a movie on the scoreboard’s screen as God decided to cool us off in the rain.

The rain stopped, however, and we enjoyed a leisurely paced game, getting more time to visit with new and old friends.

WORSHIP

Vespers was prayed this afternoon, with Pastor Scott Stiegemeyer from Concordia Theological Seminary preaching. He gave us our quote of the day: “Sin is like manure on a baloney sandwich: it doesn’t matter if you just got a little bit on a tiny corner!”

Tonight, after the ball game was over and the park was closing, Evening Prayer was sung. There was simple beauty, with a flute to accompany our united voice, along with a soloist for a few items. Pastor Borghardt preached yet another great homily.

At the last “Amen,” we departed in peace, filing to our buses to head back to the dorms. Tonight seems to be a little more quiet, as people are simply drained from multiple late nights (mornings?)

I am absolutely thrilled to be returning to my wife and son tomorrow night! And at the same time, it will be sad knowing that I won’t see many of these friends for a year, from the crazy Bethel, DuQuoin, IL guys with their innocent antics, to our great Internet Services staff, to everyone who loved my “Vader was framed” T -shirt, to the countless volunteers that have invested thousands of “man hours” to make this conference the success that it is!

Rev. Rich Heinz is Senior Pastor of St. John’s Ev. Lutheran Church & School in Lanesville, IN. He is the editor of myHT, and a first time participant and breakout speaker for a Higher Things conference.

yourHT: For You MN, Day Two

2007-07-25T21:57:54-06:00

by Rev. Rich Heinz

Technical difficulties with posting “Day 1” kept me up, fighting with my laptop computer until 2:30 a.m. CDT. Since my body is still on Eastern Daylight Time, I had been up for 24 hours. Do I still think this is worth it? Oh, yes! Absolutely!

Every morning this week, check myHT (or the main site at http://higherthings.org) for an update of the previous day’s “blog” about For You.

WORSHIP

We began our day following breakfast with Matins. It is amazing; even after everyone had a late night, the vast majority are all gathering for services. The chapel is practically filled to capacity, including the multiple balconies. Have you ever experienced well over 1,000 people singing their hearts out for the Te Deum? A splendid gift!

Pastor Kind has an amazing voice for chanting. Kantor Resch’s upper body moves with such expression that you can “feel” the hymn as he skillfully plays the Lord’s music. And Pastor Brent Kuhlman preached an outstanding sermon on Jesus’ Baptism FOR YOU! (Watch for this to soon appear as a “Higher Homily.”)

WORK

Today was my first day of working as a catechist. What a joy! I taught two sessions of the Breakaway sectional on The Gospel in Star Wars. While George Lucas has used a syncretistic blend of many religions, we explored a number of ways to use Star Wars as a parable to remember Gospel.

The second session for Hitchiker’s Guide to the Sanctuary delved into New Testament references, and beautiful slides of church art from the first three centuries after Jesus’ ascension. The use of art to teach and correspond with Scripture, along with the intricacies of that art, is amazing! (Have you noticed I seem to be adding another pastor to my personal “pantheon” of heroes?)

I also attended Pastor Marcus Zill’s breakaway sectional on campus ministry. Practical ideas were shared as he taught on reaching students with the Gospel at this critical time in their lives.

Pastor Bill Cwirla began his time today as a plenary catechist. His balance of humorous moments with serious and meaty substance is a talent. He joked that someone told him on his 50th birthday that he finally reached middle age. We think the whole Church hopes that at 50, he truly has just hit “middle age,” and can teach youth for years to come.

PLAY

This evening, we had “Coffman Memorial Union Night,” with dinner at the union food court, a chance to see “The Nativity Story,” and the opportunity to use the game room, Open Mic Karaoke, board games, or attend an astronomy club presentation. There was truly something for everyone.

Meeting people continues to be a highlight. I correspond via email with Sandra Ostapowich and Stan Lemon between five and ten times a week, yet this was my first chance to meet these friends and co-workers. Pastor Matt Ruesch, who has written Harry Potter articles for myHT, introduced himself, as well. I was a little nervous, discovering that Rachael Soyk (who wrote the myHT article on “Star Wars at 30”) attended my breakaway session.

WORSHIP

Vespers was prayed this afternoon, with Pastor Jon Sollberger preaching. The sermons here have all been tremendous! Again, the house is packed, people are singing out, and the Gospel is gladly received. The night ended with Pastor Mark Buetow, editor of the Daily Reflections, preaching for Evening Prayer.

If you have only thought about attending a Higher Things conference, or haven’t begun to consider it, start now! I have yet to find someone here that isn’t learning. Nor have I heard anyone having a boring time. Worship, work, and play are in a blessed balance here. A balance that is completely FOR YOU!

You may wish to read Pastor Matt Ruesch's experience of For You on his blog, The Minnesota Lutheran. Check it out at: http://www.mnlutheran.com/2007/07/his-bloodfor-you.html

[This article is copied from Higher Things' newest resource, myHT, “where Christian freedom meets the internet”. Check it out!]

yourHT: For You MN, Day One

2007-07-25T21:44:16-06:00

by Rev. Rich Heinz

Here I am, at my first Higher Things conference! Am I crazy? I woke up at 3:15 this morning to have enough time for the TSA line after less than four hours of sleep, got on a little jet from Louisville to O’Hare, and then switched planes to get to Minneapolis. So…is it worth it? Oh, yes!

Every morning this week, check myHT (or the main site at http://higherthings.org/) for an update of the previous day’s “blog” about For You.

WORSHIP

A joyous “Amen!” For You began with a so-good-you-had-chills-down-your-spine Divine Service. It was Lutheran Service Book’s Divine Service, Setting 3 (formerly known as “Page 15.”) The beauty and drama attending the Lord’s Gifts were increased by violin, woodwinds and brass instruments, as well as the Rev. Kantor Richard Resch’s masterful organ skills.

The University of Minnesota’s Ted Mann Concert Center was “Lutheranized,” transforming it into a fitting liturgical space. Green and white banners hung around the balconies. Paraments adorned the podium to dress it as a pulpit, and proper linens to cover the altar. The newest piece of art for Higher Things is a crucifix coming from the Rev. Mark Mumme. (More on this work of art in the coming days!)

Pastor David Kind, the host pastor, was both preacher and celebrant for the Divine Service, with ten other pastors assisting him. Add to all of this some 1200-1300 voices intrepidly singing, and you have some amazing thanksgiving for His Gifts – given FOR YOU!

WORK

The “work” of the conference is the catechetical sessions. There are plenaries that are attended by everyone, 3-session electives for “In-Depth” sectionals, and 45-minute electives to choose for the Breakaway sectionals.

I am attending Pastor Kind’s Hitchiker’s Guide to the Sanctuary: The Good, the Bad & the Ugly for my In-Depth. Today he spoke of Old Testament origins of art, God’s prohibition of graven images made for worshiping, and God’s very specific design for the Tabernacle and Temple.

Pastor George Borghardt and Sandra Ostapowich led Youth Ministry 101: Youth Ministry for Dummies (like us). Landon Reed, Higher Things’ Retreat Executive added his experience as well. Among other things, some myths about youth were debunked, such as: 1.) Youth don’t want to study the Word of God, 2.) Youth are ignorant, 3.) Youth don’t want substance, 4.) Youth only want “contemporary Christian music,” and 5.) Youth don’t want structure. Much Bible study is the key to truly Lutheran youth work, in addition to scheduled recreation – not “fun” activities with a little devotion tacked on. (We’re back to the adage of not mingling worship, work and play.)

PLAY

Meeting youth, leaders, and pastors from all across the country is an amazing thing. Already today, I know I’ve met someone from Pennsylvania and another from Albuquerque. My kind chauffer from the airport is a Concordia, St. Paul student from Fargo, ND.

Pastor Mark Buetow’s fun crowd from Bethel, Du Quoin, IL have taught me a new hand greeting, that will soon be all the rage!()

More is planned, such as special arrangements in the student union, and a Saint Paul Saints game.

WORSHIP

As the day began with worship, so it ends. Evening Prayer is a gem from Lutheran Service Book, and what a cool service to experience with this entourage! Pastor Kind officiated, chanting beautifully, and indeed, our prayers rose before God as incense! Pastor Marcus Zill preached on the incredible, almighty, so-holy-you-can’t-see-Him-and-live God, entering our flesh FOR YOU!

Private confession and absolution is available to those who desire thisgift! And, an order of Compline is available for use in the dorms.

Although I have watched Higher Things with admiration for some time, I am finally a participant, and blessed to be on staff! I am going to bed well after midnight, thanking God for allowing me the gift of being here! What a joy to join my “Amen” with those of the youth and adults gathered here with me, being reminded that Christ does this all FOR YOU!

[This article is copied from Higher Things' newest resource, myHT, “where Christian freedom meets the internet”. Check it out!]

Check out what's new on myHT!

2007-06-04T08:50:53-06:00

myHT is always changing, and we're always posting new content - and today we have three new articles for you! If you haven't already, you should consider making myHT your favorite web browser's start page - that way you don't miss any of the great new content released each week on myHT!

In case you haven't noticed, myHT has an RSS feed available for it, so you can keep track of new articles as they are posted in your favorite News Reader! In the far right corner of your web browser's address bar you might notice an RSS button, and if you click on it you'll see one of several of HT's RSS feeds for myHT. The url is: http://higherthings.org/myht/rss.xml so subscribe to it today!

So, go check out today's new content and keep checking back regularly for new articles @ myHT.

myHT Technical Difficulties

2007-05-29T16:46:04-06:00

Greetings, some of you over Memorial Day weekend may have experienced technical difficulties with Higher Things new gateway, myHT. We are deeply sorry for any lapse in service you may have experienced due to these technical problems. myHT is very much a service in-progress, and we are continuously working to improve the functionality and performance of it.

Some of you may have stumbled upon the freedom of myHT, that is the ability to locate each "box" (we call them modules) where you want on the myHT landing page. For those that discovered this functionality (yes, we didn't tell you on purpose - we wanted it to be a surprise!) you will notice that myHT no longer remembers where you put things. Unfortunately the technical problems experienced this weekend were in part related to the freedom of myHT.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ rejoice! Forgiveness doth abound! While myHT may not remember where you put things, that functionality has not disapeared. As is true in the Christian life, myHT is moving forward renewed and ready to once again live freely.

Again, we at Internet Services hope that you were not inconvenienced by the lapse of service over Memorial Day weekend. We hope and plan to provide you with the same great service you have come to expect from the Higher Things Website.

In case you hadn't noticed either, there's some new content over at myHT so you should go check it out! Remember, there is always more at myHT - new content each week, posted throughout the week. More is the way of Gospel - and there are always more gifts waiting at myHT!

myHT to Go Up on Ascension Day!

2007-05-10T12:03:08-06:00

New heights of where Christian freedom meets the internet are just around the corner. Yes myHT is set to go up on Ascension Day, next Thursday!

You have had a sneak peek through several articles here on the main site of Higher Things; now get ready to bookmark myHT as one of your new favorite places!

There are two things that we at Higher Things encourage you to do for this Festival of the Ascension of Our Lord: 1.) Go to Divine Service to receive our Ascended Lord in His Gifts, and 2.) check out myHT.

Join us and get swept up with the great articles on everything from our life of prayer to current events in the news; from the Daily Reflections to life issues; from movie and music reviews to catechesis that truly dares to be Lutheran. myHT is what we have been looking for: a place to “ascend in heart and mind and continually dwell there with Him,” rejoicing in His Holy Gifts, and living out our many and various vocations. myHT will continue to build on the Higher Things format: when we worship we worship; when we work we work; and when we play we play.

On Ascension Day, begin your frequent visits to myHT to explore our worship, work, and play!

myHT: Oh That You Would Slay the Wicked

2007-04-17T09:39:16-06:00

“Oh that you would slay the wicked, O God!
   O men of blood, depart from me!
They speak against you with malicious intent;
   your enemies take your name in vain!
Do I not hate those who hate you, O LORD?
   And do I not loathe those who rise up against you?
I hate them with complete hatred;
   I count them my enemies.”   (Psalm 139:19-22 ESV)

I am angry! No, I am furious! Righteous indignation is building up in me, desiring justice for the ungodly and disturbingly demonic slaying of innocent college students and faculty at Virginia Tech.

Details are still developing, but as we piece together yesterday’s events, we are left mourning the existence of evil in this world. We cry to the Lord, asking why He allows such wickedness. We are harassed by unbelieving friends who bring up the question of why God allows bad things to happen to “good” people. And then underneath it all, we harbor zealous feelings, wishing for a “good old-fashioned biblical stoning” for the perpetrator of such horror – and feel cheated of that satisfaction because he has already killed himself.

Is it right to feel such anger? Aren't we supposed to forgive even the worst of sinners, knowing Christ Jesus has forgiven us?

There is such a thing as righteous anger. Jesus cleaned out the Temple, knocking over tables, and ruining the profiteering of the extortionists. He was not “hating the sin, but loving the sinner;” He was disgusted by the sinners dwelling in their sins. He hated their lack of repentance and so He executed judgment on them.

You and I deserve that same righteous punishment for our sin too. We deserve the wrath of our Lord. Yet Jesus in His boundless love has reached out with His Spirit, working repentance into our hearts. He gathers us to Himself in Holy Baptism, in hearing His Gospel, and in receiving His Holy Supper.

We can join the psalmist in praying against such wicked ones, but not because we have a superior sense of justice. On our own, we are no better than a cold-blooded killer in the sight of our perfect God. But there is a difference, thanks be to God.

Because you and I are baptized into Christ, He covers us in His robe of perfect righteousness, “For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ,” (Galatians 3:27 ESV). St. Paul also reminds us that we are now members of His body. In this way, we may join Jesus in His prayers, the Psalms, knowing that when we speak of “my righteousness,” it really is Christ’s. When we speak of “my enemies,” they are really His enemies: sin, death, and the devil!

In these verses from Psalm 139, Jesus Christ addresses the Father, telling of His hatred for those enemies. His is a holy hatred. Since Jesus has saved you and brought you into Himself, the devil will attack, more than ever, to try to separate you from the Lord. The fury of hell lashes out, hoping to convince modern “Jobs” to “curse God and die.”

The horrifying events of April 16 in Blacksburg are, without question, the handiwork of Satan, who used a disturbed young man to bring death and destruction to a place that is supposed to be a haven for work, study, and growth. We grieve for those who lost loved ones. We are sickened by the devil’s outpouring of death on the Virginia Tech campus. We pray for the comfort of the Gospel of our Risen Lord for those whose lives have been thrust into turmoil, including the young man’s family and friends.

It is truly acceptable to hate God’s enemies; just remember that His true enemies are sin, death, and the devil. You cannot be like rash Peter, eager to draw the worldly sword against Christ’s human enemies. Instead, join Jesus in hating sin, death, and the devil, as you continue to pray, “deliver us from evil.” God has delivered us from evil when He executed His justice and defeated His enemies through the death of His Son on the Cross for you, for all those injured and slain, and even for the one who caused yesterday’s tragedy. Amen.

The Rev. Rich Heinz is Senior Pastor of St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church & School in Lanesville, IN. He is Editor-in-chief of the myHT project, formerly known as B.A.M.B.I.

B.A.M.B.I. gets new "Daddy"

2007-04-03T12:11:48-06:00

The much anticipated myHT project (codenamed B.A.M.B.I.) got a new dad this week. The Reverend Rich Heinz will be the editor of this online project which will bring Christian freedom to the internet in a way that it is never been before.

Pastor Heinz is the senior pastor of Saint John’s Ev. Lutheran Church & School in Lanesville, IN, near Louisville, KY. He graduated from Concordia University in River Forest, IL in 1991, and from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, in 1995.

Pastor Heinz was one of my mentors at the seminary. I call him Obi Wan. But, we shouldn't hold that against him as the hard work of him and his staff has put this project back on schedule. You can learn more about Pastor Heinz and the rest of the Internet Services' staff here.

Look for B.A.M.B.I. (called myHT) to go beta in Easter Season. The internet will never be the same again....

In Christ,

Pastor Borghardt
Internet Service Executive
Higher Things, Inc.

myHT: The "Bones" and "Bride" of Jesus?

2007-04-02T10:18:12-06:00

Well, they're at it again. The clever "scientists" and Hollywood types have run their big show about the discovery of the "real" tomb of Jesus complete with the supposed ossuaries (bone boxes) of Jesus, His mother Mary, Mary Magdalene (to whom Jesus was allegedly married) as well as Jesus and Mary's alleged child and some others that might have been the brothers of Jesus. We'll pass over the fact that this tomb was discovered already in 1980 and it's had big deals made about it before. We won't spend time either debunking the errors of this so called "archaeology" because that's been done before. And we'll also ignore the constant way in which the Gospels are constantly portrayed in the media as untrue fabrications (treatment, which, if it were the Koran at issue, would result in the rioting of millions of Muslims). No, we'll simply let the Word of God speak.

It has been asked what the effect would be upon Christianity if those really were the bones of Jesus. That question has been answered by St. Paul . "If Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins!" (1 Cor. 15:17 NKJV). It's as simple as that. Jesus' Christ's bodily resurrection from the dead on the Third Day means that sin and death have been conquered by our Lord. If that is not true, then there is no Christian faith and it's all just nonsense. But it is true because the Gospels are not made up but written by eyewitnesses through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. As Paul points out to his Corinthian hearers, Jesus was seen after His resurrection by Peter and then by the twelve and then by over 500 disciples many of whom were still alive when Paul wrote. Rest assured, the eyewitness testimony of the Gospels that Jesus was alive and the tomb was empty is solid.

And what of His alleged wife, Mary Magdalene? More nonsense to titillate the itching ears of a Gospel-hating world. The Scriptures also clearly answer this. Christ does indeed have a Bride; it is not Mary Magdalene but it includes her. For the Bride of Christ is the whole Christian church. Again, St. Paul : “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church...” (Ephesians 5:25-27 NKJV). This is a reality which St. John records. For John the Apostle and Evangelist was witness to Jesus' death at which blood and water flowed from His side. Just as Eve, the bride of Adam was created from his side, from a rib, so the church comes from the side of Christ in blood and water (the Holy gifts of the Lord's Supper and Holy Baptism). Not only that, but John sees this vision for he sees “the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.” (Revelation 21:2 NKJV). This is no mere symbolic language but rather it expresses the reality to which all marriage points.

So let the media have their fun with Jesus; it's that time of year again, after all. But let those who want to know the truth hear it preached from the Holy Scriptures which are the Spirit-inspired faithful testimony of that Truth. It is that Word that has been conquering skeptics and Hollywood documentary producers as long as it has been preached.

The Reverend Mark Buetow is pastor of Bethel Lutheran Church in DuQuoin, Illinois, and the editor-in-chief of Higher Things Reflections.