Chaplains' Office
“To Commence is to Trust” (2017 Commencement Day Baccalaureate Sermon)
The following text is taken from the sermon offered for the 2017 Baccalaureate Worship Services in Christ Chapel, on the campus of Gustavus Adolphus College (St. Peter, MN) on May 28, 2017. Please note that the text was written with the intention to be heard, not read, thus the various grammatical choices were made with an […]
Why, Gustavus? Why?
* The following text is taken from a homily given in Christ Chapel, on the campus of Gustavus Adolphus College (St. Peter, MN), on March 14, 2017. Please note that the below manuscript was written with the intention to be heard, not read, thus the various grammatical choices were made with an emphasis on the ear, […]
Choosing a College for a Common Good
This article was first published on the Huffington Post, and can be found at the following link: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/brian-e-konkol/choosing-a-college-for-a-_b_11295676.html? — Before asking “where” or even “how much will it cost”, perhaps it is most worthwhile to first consider “why” when choosing a college. Why college? For starters, one should challenge the common assumption that campuses are mere […]
Jesus was a Refugee. Jesus is a Refugee.
* The following text is taken from a homily given in Christ Chapel, on the campus of Gustavus Adolphus College (St. Peter, MN), on February 7, 2017. Please note that the below manuscript was written with the intention to be heard, not read, thus the various grammatical choices were made with an emphasis on the ear, not […]
The Protest of Protestants is Justified
This article was first published on the Huffington Post on February 2, 2017, and can be found at the following link: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/brian-e-konkol/the-protest-of-protestant_b_14577018.html Nearly five-hundred years after Martin Luther awakened Protestantism with ninety-five theses, once again some are seeking to justify an influential truth: to be Protestant is to protest. The resistance of injustice as a response […]
“Holy Crap” (2016 Commencement Day Baccalaureate Sermon)
The following recording (see link below) is Chaplain Brian Konkol’s 2016 Commencement Day Baccalaureate sermon, “Holy Crap”, given in Christ Chapel on the campus of Gustavus Adolphus College (St. Peter, MN) on May 29, 2016. The preaching text is Matthew 28:16-20. The Rev. Dr. Brian E. Konkol serves as Chaplain of the College, teaches in the Peace Studies program and Three […]
The Scandal of God’s Criminal Justice is Forgiveness
The following homily was published with the Huffington Post on April 12, 2016, and taken from a homily given in Christ Chapel, on the campus of Gustavus Adolphus College (St. Peter, MN) on April 11, 2016. The 2nd Chapter of Matthew’s Gospel holds a most horrific story, as it shares a section of Scripture that […]
Conflict is Life and Listening is Living
* The following text is taken from a homily given in Christ Chapel, on the campus of Gustavus Adolphus College (St. Peter, MN), on March 7, 2016. Please note that the below manuscript was written with the intention for it to be heard, not read, thus the various grammatical choices were made with an […]
When Good is Not Common
* The following text is taken from a sermon given in Christ Chapel, on the campus of Gustavus Adolphus College (St. Peter, MN), on February 14, 2016, for the First Sunday in the Season of Lent. Please note that the below manuscript was written with the intention for it to be heard, not read, thus […]
A Commitment to Community with Muslim Students, Faculty, Staff and Neighbors
As Christian and Muslim religious life professionals, we are deeply grieved by the rise of Islamophobia in our nation. The Office of the Chaplains at Gustavus stands in solidarity with our Muslim students, faculty, staff and neighbors. As a church-related college rooted in Swedish and Lutheran values, community and justice are at the forefront of […]