What a joy it was to talk with Ross Shaver! In Part 2 of this interview, which was recorded shortly before the Shavers deployed for their missionary work in the Dominican Republic. This episode is really an extended discussion of pastoral and missionary formation. It is an insight into the unique ways Christ forms men for the work to which He calls them. We also have a fascinating discussion about Christian education and what Dr. Shaver has learned, both from his youth and the education of his family, about how best to educate humans. There’s a fruitful discussion of the classical model and how model can—and should—be considered by modern Christians.

Recorded 5 April, A.D. 2024

Rev. Dr. Ross Patrick Shaver is a missionary and theological educator with the Dominican Republic Lutheran Mission. We, at Christ In All Things, have had this in the hopper for some time and are pleased to finally publish it. This episode was recorded just before he and his family deployed to the mission field. As you’ll hear, Dr. Shaver was deeply impacted by a faithful Christian upbringing, by his marriage and parish life, and by his special path to fatherhood. By virtue of his family upbringing, you’ll hear a fascinating correspondence between things that Al and Kathy Mueller talked about in our conversation about what they learned by moving. As a congregation that has a deep history of support for the Lutheran mission in the Dominican Republic, it is our delight to have more personal connections with that mission.

Recorded 5 April, A.D. 2024

Welcome to Part 2 of our interview with Alfred Paul “Al” Mueller. This episode continues the previous discussion about servant leadership; in particular, about Al’s parents and family. You’ll hear a classic “Al and Kathy” courtship story. You’ll hear some beautiful reflections about the Mueller’s family joy in service. You’ll hear some faithful advice about how to become part of a congregational family when you move, and you’ll hear a really beautiful golf story that isn’t so much about golf, but about service; that is, about Christ In All Things.

Recorded 6 March, A.D. 2026

Back in the day at St. Paul’s, Alfred Paul “Al” Mueller was known for giving “a little elbow” to someone who ran the baseline too vigorously in the men’s pick-up basketball games. You’ll find a different Al in this interview: gentle, deeply thoughtful, thankful, at rest of soul in Christ. A couple weeks back listeners heard from Al’s effervescent wife, Kathy. Here you’ll find a man deeply thankful for the lessons in servant-leadership he learned from his boyhood that impacted everything about his life.

Recorded 6 March, A.D. 2026

Part 2 of our interview with Kathy Jane Mueller centers in the importance of worship in the Christian life. Kathy—in her own charitable and humorous way—helps us understand how following Christ into active participation in the congregation is important. As Kathy notes, when you make yourself available, the Lord will send someone in your path to welcome you and make you feel at home and include you, and it will strengthen your faith. Kathy points out that each of us “have gifts to give. And if you don’t come, you can’t give the gift.” As the conversation continues, you’ll hear a beautiful reflection on what it means to be part of a christian congregation, which is the family of God.

Recorded 26 February, A.D. 2026

Listeners might remember Kathy Jane Mueller from episodes 94-95, when she sat alongside her mother, Ruth Polcha, for her Christ In All Things interview. We’re very excited to have Kathy back to talk about her own journey in Christ. As you will hear, Kathy blends a great reverence for Christ, a love of His Church, true honor for her family, and a terrific sense of humor.

Recorded 26 February, A.D. 2026

Welcome to Part 2 of “The Salutation is Not a Holy Howdy.” As our guest, Rev. Dr. Timothy Quill notes, when—as a pastoral greeting—The Salutation is given, “the knot of love between pastor and people is strengthened.” We speak about how and when the pastor is to speak The Salutation, and we move from there into a broader conversation about different aspects of the liturgy, the pastor’s conduct of the liturgy, and the evangelical and missiological power of liturgical hospitality.

Recorded 29 January, A.D. 2026

When the Pastor says, “The Lord be with you,” and the congregation responds with, “And with thy spirit” it is NOT the way the church says, “Hello,” even though it is often treated as such. That back and forth is called, "The Salutation.” As our special guest, liturgical scholar, Rev. Dr. Timothy Quill tells us, The Salutation is both a greeting and a blessing. It’s use in the Church goes all the way back to the earliest liturgies. The Salutation is the announcement of The LORD’s presence and also a way, you will see, of confessing respect for the way The LORD has organized the Church on earth. Enjoy Part 1 of our interview on The Salutation with Rev. Dr. Timothy Quill.

Recorded 29 January, A.D. 2026