The Coffee Hour from KFUO Radio

What do we do with the stigma and shame around mental health problems? Stephen M. Saunders, PhD, Schneider Endowed Distinguished Professor of Psychology at Marquette University, and author of Martin Luther on Mental Health: Practical Advice for Christians Today available from Concordia Publishing House, joins Andy, Sarah, and guest co-host Deaconess Tiffany Manor to talk about what has led to stigma and shame around mental health problems, why we struggle with shame, and how we can understand mental illness and mental health problems.If you or someone you know struggles with self-harm, call or text the suicide prevention hotline at 988. Help is available, and you are not alone.Hear Mental Health Mondays each Monday at 9:00 a.m. CT, or listen to all episodes at kfuo.org/tag/mental-health-monday.Disclaimer: Dr. Saunders is a professional clinical psychologist and is very pleased to offer ideas and suggestions about mental health and mental health problems on these shows. However, one of the most important pieces of advice Dr. Saunders frequently gives is to get professional help when you need it. Nothing said on these shows should be taken as therapy or treatment or as a substitute for personal consultation with a professional.

How do men from various backgrounds become LCMS pastors? Rev. Harrison Goodman, Content Executive for Higher Things, and Rev. Randy Sturzenbecher, Vice President of Higher Things, join Andy and Sarah for our Set Apart to Serve Series to talk about their paths to the pastoral ministry, how pastors serve in many and various ways in the church, who encouraged them to become pastors, and how Higher Things encourages youth to consider church work through their conferences and large amount of other resources. Learn more about Higher Things at higherthings.org.Learn more about the Set Apart to Serve Initiative at lcms.org/setaparttoserve.Christ’s church will continue until He returns, and that church will continue to need church workers.Set Apart to Serve (SAS) is an initiative of the LCMS to recruit church workers. Together, we pray for workers for the Kingdom of God and encourage children to consider church work vocations.Here are three easy ways you can participate in SAS:1. Pray with your children for God to provide church workers.2. Talk to your children about becoming church workers.3. Thank God for the people who work in your congregation.To learn more about Set Apart to Serve, visit lcms.org/set-apart-to-serve.

What's it like to be a writer, and what can we learn from Lutheran writers? Presenters from this year's Texas Lutheran Writers Roundup join Andy and Sarah to talk about their presentations and what people will learn at this year's event. Learn more about the Texas Lutheran Writers Roundup, including how you can attend if you're in Central Texas, at facebook.com/events/1121263108907395.Today's guest lineup:Sarah Baughman is the author of A Flame in the Dark (available from CPH). Find Sarah at sarahbaughman.org.Christina Hergenrader is the author of Inspired by the Holy Spirit: Four Habits for Faithful Living (available from CPH). Find Christina at christinahergenrader.com.Rev. Dr. Brian Kachelmeier is the author of Reading Isaiah with Luther (available from CPH). Find this book on CPH FaithCourses at youtube.com/watch?v=QAOPUOsLVKU.Rev. Dr. Christopher Kennedy is the author of Jesus Said What? (available from CPH).Ruth Meyer is the author of N for Nativity (available from CPH). Find Ruth at Ruthmeyerbooks.com.Donna Snow is the author of Meant for Good: a Study of Joseph (available from CPH). Find Donna at artesianministries.org.

Out of any place the Saxons could have settled in America, why did they choose Missouri? Hear about their journey, C.F.W. Walther's role in settling Lutherans in both St. Louis and Perry County, and the fallout from Martin Stephan's dramatic story with the Saxon immigrants. Find the Lutheran Ladies' Lounge episode on C.F.W Walther's wife Emilie at kfuo.org/2020/09/11/lutheran-ladies-lounge-episode-050-story-time-with-sarah-walthers-wife-emilie.Rev. Dr. Cameron A. MacKenzie, Professor of Historical Theology at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Indiana, joins Andy and Sarah for our nine-episode series on the History of the LCMS. Find more from Dr. Mackenzie at video.ctsfw.edu.

Kay Meyer, Founder and Director of Family Shield Ministries, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about how Family Shield Ministries began, how they have served families throughout the history of the organization, and the work of Family Shield Ministries today. Learn more about Family Shield Ministries at familyshieldministries.com.

How are thoughts, emotions, and behaviors related to mental health, and how are these affected by social media? Stephen M. Saunders, PhD, Schneider Endowed Distinguished Professor of Psychology at Marquette University, and author of Martin Luther on Mental Health: Practical Advice for Christians Today available from Concordia Publishing House, joins Andy and guest co-host Deaconess Tiffany Manor to talk about how mental health is related to emotions and behaviors, how social media affects our mental health, unique things about social media that may contribute to mental health problems in adolescents and young adults, and some practical advice for parents and others who care for youth and young adults.Hear Mental Health Mondays each Monday at 9:00 a.m. CT, or listen to all episodes at kfuo.org/tag/mental-health-monday.Disclaimer: Dr. Saunders is a professional clinical psychologist and is very pleased to offer ideas and suggestions about mental health and mental health problems on these shows. However, one of the most important pieces of advice Dr. Saunders frequently gives is to get professional help when you need it. Nothing said on these shows should be taken as therapy or treatment or as a substitute for personal consultation with a professional.

How does a love of languages serve future church workers? Rev. Joshua Hayes, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church in Palmer, KS, editor of Johann Gerhard’s Theological Commonplaces (available from CPH), and a contributing translator to the American Edition of Luther’s Works, joins Andy and Sarah for our Set Apart to Serve Series to talk about his story of considering and becoming a pastor, the challenges and joys in his journey, his love of languages, what a day in the life of a pastor looks like, and how he and his congregation encourages and forms youth and adults in the Christian faith and to consider a church work vocation.Learn more about the Set Apart to Serve Initiative at lcms.org/setaparttoserve.Christ’s church will continue until He returns, and that church will continue to need church workers.Set Apart to Serve (SAS) is an initiative of the LCMS to recruit church workers. Together, we pray for workers for the Kingdom of God and encourage children to consider church work vocations.Here are three easy ways you can participate in SAS:1. Pray with your children for God to provide church workers.2. Talk to your children about becoming church workers.3. Thank God for the people who work in your congregation.To learn more about Set Apart to Serve, visit lcms.org/set-apart-to-serve.

What happens at the National March for Life and how has it changed since the Dobbs decision in 2022? Deaconess Dr. Tiffany Manor, LCMS Director of Life Ministry, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about the 2024 National March for Life, the long list of events surrounding the March, how state Marches have become more significant in the last few years, and LCMS resources that are available for congregations and groups interested in supporting life in their states and communities. Learn more about LCMS Life Ministry and the state Marches at lcmslife.org and find information on the Million Dollar Life Match grants at lcms.org/serve/grants/life-grant.

What's the rest of the story about Martin Stephan? How did his actions affect the Saxons in Perry County? Hear about his dramatic exit from the Lutheran community as well as the journey of the Saxons into their new homeland.Rev. Dr. Cameron A. MacKenzie, Professor of Historical Theology at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Indiana, joins Andy and Sarah for our nine-episode series on the History of the LCMS. Find more from Dr. Mackenzie at video.ctsfw.edu.

Robert Lunak, Superintendent of Lutheran Neighborhood Schools in the LCMS South Wisconsin District, joins Andy to talk about Lutheran education in South Wisconsin, what makes Lutheran Neighborhood Schools different, how this creative model will benefit students, and how our tradition of excellence in Lutheran education continues in this unique educational experience. Learn more about Lutheran Neighborhood Schools at mylns.org.This program originally aired October 19, 2023.