Under the Fig Tree

Concordia Seminary enrollment team

A podcast of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis for people thinking about becoming a pastor or deaconess or coming to seminary to study theology.

  1. MAR 17

    Under the Fig Tree: Connecting music and ministry with Dr. Samuel Eatherton

    Join hosts Rev. Tom Schlund and Kati Gaschler in a conversation with Dr. Samuel Eatherton, the new kantor at Concordia Seminary. In addition to directing music for chapel, concerts and leading the various music groups, Eatherton is an associate professor of practical theology, teaching worship courses as the Kreft Professor of Music Arts.   "Music conveys the Gospel," Eatherton shares. "We do that in our hymnody, in our liturgy, where we're literally singing parts of the Bible... All these deep theological truths can be conveyed through music, and we do that every day in chapel."  Listen in as Eatherton describes his own journey of music ministry and what his job at the Seminary entails. He also gives an inside look at the musical opportunities available for students at the Seminary and around the St. Louis community.  Interested in viewing our daily chapel services? You can watch the livestream on our Facebook page or on ourwebsite, csl.edu/chapel. Learn more about music and the arts at the Seminary at csl.edu/music-arts. Want to learn more about vocational ministry?Start a conversation with our admissions team at https://ask.csl.edu/register/Request-Information. Learnmore about Concordia Seminary at http://www.csl.edu orby contacting the admissions team at admit@csl.eduor 800-822-9545. “Under the Fig Tree” is a video and audio podcast of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. New video and audio episodes are added semi-weekly during the academic year.   “Under the Fig Tree” can be found on YouTube, the Seminary’s Scholar site (scholar.csl.edu) and most podcast platforms including Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

    24 min

  2. FEB 3

    Under the Fig Tree: Saying 'Yes' to ministry with Dr. Jason Lane

    In this episode, hosts Rev. Tom Schlund and Katie Gaschler sit down with Dr. Jason Lane, associate professor of Historical Theology. Through various life experiences, Lane shares how he said "Yes" to the opportunities and encouragements given to him on his journey to Seminary, graduate school, the parish and professorship. Whether someone attends a Concordia University, a state school or wherever they receive their education, he encourages those thinking about Seminary, "You can come in with joyful courage to do the stuff that is required of you." Listen to hear about the connection to Lane's psychology degree, his time in Germany, the joys of the parish and how he came to be a Seminary professor. Interested in vocational ministry? Start a conversation with our admissions team at https://ask.csl.edu/register/Request-Information. Learn more about Concordia Seminary at http://www.csl.edu or by contacting the admissions team at admit@csl.edu or 800-822-9545. “Under the Fig Tree” is a video and audio podcast of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. New video and audio episodes are added semi-weekly during the academic year. “Under the Fig Tree” can be found on YouTube, the Seminary’s Scholar site (scholar.csl.edu) and most podcast platforms including Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

    37 min

  3. JAN 20

    The Vocatio experience with first year students Alex Uttley and Michael Conroy

    You may have heard about the Seminary's visit event Vocatio: High School. In this episode, hear first-hand how this retreat impacted two current students. If you've thought about attending Vocatio, or you know a high school student who might be interested, this is an episode you don't want to miss! Listen as hosts Rev. Tom Schlund and Kati Gaschler talk with first year students Alex Uttley and Michael Conroy about their week-long visit to Concordia Seminary when they were high school. From worship on campus, staying in the dorms, visiting Perry County and exploring St. Louis, these experiences provide many opportunities to encounter God's Word and have meaningful conversations. "Looking back on it now, there were some key things," Conroy shares. "We got to talk with the president at one point. He asked us some probing questions about what the future of the church looks like to you and what you are going to do about it... That was a little seed planted...There were little things throughout the week that took root, and they started growing as the years went on." "At the end of the week we had time for discernment and prayer, and that was really helpful for me," Uttley adds. "Praying about God's calling for me and my vocation. I want to serve the church; how can I do that?" Both students share their advice for those who are thinking about or wrestling through the discernment process and are considering a career in church work. Then, in the recurring segment "Ripe for the picking or leave it on the tree," find out how everyone feels about some winter activities and seasonal beverages. Learn more about Vocatio: High School and our other visit events at csl.edu/admissions/visit. Want to learn more about life on the Seminary campus? Start a conversation with our admissions team at https://ask.csl.edu/register/Request-Information. Learn more about Concordia Seminary at csl.edu or by contacting the admissions team at admit@csl.edu or 800-822-9545.

    26 min

  4. JAN 7

    Under the Fig Tree: Serving Students and the Campus Community with Mike Broberg

    A new episode of "Under the Fig Tree" has dropped! Join hosts Rev. Tom Schlund and Katie Gaschler "behind the scenes" as they chat with Michael "Mike" Broberg, administrator of Residential Services at Concordia Seminary. Mike shares how he helps single and married students navigate on-campus housing and talks about the Food Bank and Re-Sell It Shop, two resources available to students to aid them during their Seminary years. Listen as they talk about other aspects of campus life and discuss some holiday- themed items in the segment "Ripe for the picking or leave it on the tree." Want to learn more about life on the Seminary campus? Start a conversation with our admissions team at https://ask.csl.edu/register/Request-Information. Learn more about Concordia Seminary at http://www.csl.edu or by contacting the admissions team at admit@csl.edu or 800-822-9545. “Under the Fig Tree” is a video and audio podcast of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. New video and audio episodes are added semi-weekly during the academic year. “Under the Fig Tree” can be found on YouTube, the Seminary’s Scholar site (scholar.csl.edu) and most podcast platforms including Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

    30 min

  5. 12/02/2024

    Under the Fig Tree: Doubt, discernment and the path to ministry with Dr. James Fickenscher

    In this episode, join hosts Rev. Tom Schlund and Katie Gaschler as they get to know one of Concordia Seminary's newest exegetical professors, Dr. James Fickenscher. From studying mathematics as an undergraduate student, to attending seminary and getting a graduate degree, to serving seven years in a Texas parish, Fickenscher shares how God led him on the path to ministry. "I'd always loved math. I loved teaching people and helping people, and there was this other side of perhaps being a pastor. But I always had that internal doubt and struggle with grace...'I don't know that I'm good enough to be a pastor.'" Listen as he shares what the discernment process looked like for him, both as a college student first deciding to attend seminary, and as a pastor accepting the call to become a professor.  While talking about his time in the parish, Fickenscher discusses three of his favorite parts of being a pastor, one being the people. "Being able to go into the lives of God's people, have them invite you into their lives in such a deep way that as they're going through the darkest moment of their life, you get to be there. As they're going through the best moments of their life, you get to be there. And every step of the way, you get to be a visible reminder that God is there with them."  Additionally, you'll learn a little bit about the exegetical department, Fickenscher's role as a New Testament professor, the connection he sees between math and theology and his advice to people considering applying to the seminary. In the recurring segment "Ripe for the picking or leave it on the tree," Tom and Katie bring up some outdoor activities that get mixed reviews, digital book reading and the love-hate relationship with smart phones.  Interested in vocational ministry? Start a conversation with our admissions team at https://ask.csl.edu/register/Request-Information. Learn more about Concordia Seminary at http://www.csl.edu or by contacting the admissions team at admit@csl.edu or 800-822-9545. “Under the Fig Tree” is a video and audio podcast of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. New video and audio episodes are added semi-weekly during the academic year. “Under the Fig Tree” can be found on YouTube, the Seminary’s Scholar site (scholar.csl.edu) and most podcast platforms including Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

    40 min

  6. 11/15/2024

    Under the Fig Tree: Following God's Call with Dr. Ryan Tinetti

    In this episode, hosts Rev. Tom Schlund and Katie Gaschler are joined by one of Concordia Seminary's newest professors, Dr. Ryan Tinetti. While studying journalism during his undergraduate years at Michigan State University, Tinetti felt a call toward ministry. After graduation, he followed God's call with a few different stops along the way. He says, "Ministry is a trailhead, not a terminus. When you get into ministry, it could go into so many different directions... Don't think, 'I've just got to fit into this box and this is what it's going to look like.' It can take so many different shapes and God is going to use who you are in order to shape the ministry that you're in."  After serving in the parish for more than 10 years, Tinetti now is a professor in the Seminary's Practical Theology department. He shares some of his passions as a professor and what excites him about the courses he teaches. He also gives some insights into his specialty as a homiletics professor and shares his favorite things about St. Louis and the Seminary Community. When discussing future students and people considering full time church work or applying to the Seminary, Tinetti shares, "My advice to anyone is not to rule yourself out... There are so many different paths [to Seminary]. What's important is the Lord and his call and claim on your life." Do you like eating toasted ravioli? Find out who does during the recurring segment "Ripe for the picking or leave it on the tree." You'll also find out who enjoys camping, who goes blueberry picking and how everyone feels about Imo's Pizza. Interested in vocational ministry? Start a conversation with our admissions team at https://ask.csl.edu/register/Request-Information. Learn more about Concordia Seminary at http://www.csl.edu or by contacting the admissions team at admit@csl.edu or 800-822-9545. “Under the Fig Tree” is a video and audio podcast of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. New video and audio episodes are added during the academic year. “Under the Fig Tree” can be found on YouTube, the Seminary’s Scholar site (scholar.csl.edu) and most podcast platforms including Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

    31 min

  7. 10/24/2024

    Under the Fig Tree: Campus Updates with President Dr. Thomas Egger

    In this episode, Rev. Tom Schlund and Kati Gaschler sit down with President Dr. Thomas J. Egger who gives some updates about things around Concordia Seminary. They discuss with Egger the excitement and joy of starting a new school year, looking back on Orientation and looking forward to the year ahead. They reflect on the impact of having these new students on campus, each with their own story and journey to the Seminary. Egger shares, "It's always inspiring when you see the new students coming in. You just remember the Lord is at work in his church. And here are a whole bunch of people who He has placed His gospel in their hearts in such a way that they want to offer themselves to serve the church in the name of Christ with that word of hope." Other updates include changes to faculty and staff on campus, with an emphasis on the experience of visitors to our campus. We see this particularly in the Admissions and Recruitment departments and the process of calling two new admissions officers, as well as with Campus Events and Hospitality. Schlund shares some of his experience in taking his call to the Seminary as a recruitment officer. He says, "It didn't take very long for me to realize... that God is a God of physical means. He's always using people and things to accomplish his tasks. And so, I discovered that the role we play is one of encourager and director along the way... It's not just collecting applications after the Holy Spirit has done his secret work. There is real, useful and important work to be done." Egger also shares some comments on this year being the 100th anniversary of the Clayton campus, which brings with it a variety of physical maintenance and improvements that must be done. He also gives an overview of the large-scale Campus Plan. Schlund remarks, "Generation after generation, there's always been this investment ensuring there is a place to train and form pastors to go out and serve." The episode ends with advice from Egger for future students and those considering attending, "Read your Bibles ... Don't wait to start that process of filling yourself with God's Word. Read the Scriptures ... Trust that through his Word, God gives wisdom." In the recurring segment "Ripe for the picking or leave it on the tree," find out everyone's opinions on a couple classic (or not so classic) movies and star athletes of Major League Baseball and the Women's National Basketball Association. Interested in vocational ministry? Start a conversation with our admissions team at https://ask.csl.edu/register/Request-Information. Learn more about Concordia Seminary at csl.edu or by contacting the admissions team at admit@csl.edu or 800-822-9545. “Under the Fig Tree” is a video and audio podcast of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. New video and audio episodes are added throughout the academic year. “Under the Fig Tree” can be found on YouTube, the Seminary’s Scholar site (scholar.csl.edu) and most podcast platforms including Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

    34 min

  8. 10/10/2024

    We're back! New year, new host and a new academic year theme with guest Dr. Thomas Egger

    After a summer off, Under the Fig Tree is back! In this episode, Rev. Tom Schlund joins Kati Gaschler as a new host of the podcast. They sit down with President Thomas J. Egger and take a deep dive into the 2024-25 academic year theme "Let Us Fix Our Eyes on Jesus," based on Heb. 12:2. Egger shares some behind-the-scenes about the selection process the theme and why this year's choice rose to the top. He encourages listeners, "Don't let Jesus come into the world and be right near you and find yourself looking everywhere but [at him]...There's no one so worthy of our gaze and our attention as Christ through His Word and through His Sacraments." They discuss the importance of being daily reminded to keep Jesus the focus of our lives.  When giving advice to future students, Egger shares, "The church is certainly saying to young people who are looking at 'What should I do in life? How can I serve my neighbor? How can I use my gifts?' the church is saying, our congregations are saying, 'Come and preach the Gospel to us.' We have a great need for pastors, we have a great need for Lutheran school teachers, we have a great need for deaconesses in the church." During the recurring segment "Ripe for the picking or leave it on the tree," find out how everyone feels about pumpkin flavor, if they enjoy the fall task of raking leaves and if hay rides and apple picking are on their fall to-do lists. Interested in vocational ministry? Start a conversation with our admissions team at https://ask.csl.edu/register/Request-Information. Learn more about Concordia Seminary at http://www.csl.edu or by contacting the admissions team at admit@csl.edu or 800-822-9545.

    39 min
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4.9
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About

A podcast of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis for people thinking about becoming a pastor or deaconess or coming to seminary to study theology.

Information

  • Creator
    Concordia Seminary enrollment team
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2025
  • Episodes
    97
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Concordia Seminary enrollment team
  • Show Website
    Under the Fig Tree