Created and Hosted by Pastor Mary W. Anderson

As a parish pastor for 37 years, I, like many of you, have seen the church and its ministry change and grow, worry and panic, in the midst of the transformational times in which we live. In the last five months of living in a global pandemic, we’ve all had to learn more about using technology in ministry than we thought was possible or even theologically correct.
 
For the past two years, I’ve been creating an on-line ministry platform called MyPocketPreacher. It’s for everybody, but I created it mostly for those who are not engaged in a brick-and-mortar congregation. In our rapidly changing community some have dropped out of our congregations, some stand on the edge with a vague spirituality, some are very skeptical, and some have no place to take their prayer concerns, theological ponderings, or questions about the Bible. I created this platform for them as I continue to learn more from them.
 
My hope is that pastors and deacons will also find it useful for ministry and they will refer it to others in their congregations and wider communities. It is a good additional resource for the homebound and deployed military personnel.
 
The website and app share most features. My longtime weekly blog “Ponder Anew” is linked to both. A podcast called “Walking With” is available in which I talk with a variety of people about spirituality, current events, and their vocations. Check out the podcast with retired ELCA Navy Chaplain, Danny Wheeler, who was the last survivor pulled from the rubble of the Marine barracks in the Beirut bombing in 1983. There is a page with “Super Quick Bible Studies” and another page called “Breadcrumbs”, which are little quotes packed with punch to help us all think about faith and culture in new ways.

A “Prayer Board” is only available on the App where visitors can find a place to leave their joys and concerns and receive a response. The website also has an in-depth “Study Series.” Currently on this page, readers will find a Bible 101 review. There is also a five-part series called, “How Lutherans Interpret the Bible.” All of these are here for your use in ministry. We are always resources for each other.
 
Your feedback is critical to improving the content of this platform. I assume it will change as I continue to learn from new people and their experiences with God, the church, and the world. It’s another way we are “church together for the sake of the world.”


 
Find MyPocketPreacher online or download the app!
Please like and follow MyPocketPreacher on Facebook and Instagram.
Reach The Rev. Dr. Mary W. Anderson at mypocketpreacher@gmail.com for more information.