Clerical Errors Podcast

Bollhagen reflects on his father, Rev. Dr. James Bollhagen, and shares some excerpts from his book, The Practice of Pastoral Theology (1997).

We managed to squeeze in a quick episode! Vicar is preaching a lot and Bollhagen has several good reasons he doesn't want to record today.   Third Sunday in Lent: Luke 11:14–28

"God made it, so it's fine", wrestling with God- literally, recent bible studies, and OpenClaw Second Sunday in Lent (Reminiscere) Gen. 32:22–32, 1 Thess. 4:1–7, Matt. 15:21–28

Bollhagen takes us through what closed communion is, and why it's important.

The halftime show, the second half of Vicar's sermon series, and preparation for Lent.   Quinquagesima: 1 Sam. 16:1–13, 1 Cor. 13:1–13, and Luke 18:31–43

Vicar walks us through his sermon series for Lent. Sexagesima: Isaiah 55:10–13, 2 Cor. 11:19–12:9, Luke 8:4–15

Measuring against others, living graciously, and things pastors shouldn't talk about.   Septuagesima: Ex. 17:1–7, 1 Cor. 9:24–10:5 Matt. 20:1–16

Transfiguration and church sounding sentence that you may have heard that need a follow up. The Transfiguration of Our Lord: Ex. 34:29–35, 2 Peter 1:16–21, Matt. 17:1–9

Weather events, and what makes a baptism valid? Second Sunday after the Epiphany: Ex. 33:12–23, Rom. 12:6–16, John 2:1–11

Bollhagen has a Top 12 list or two that 'got him thinking', and Vicar tries to match football rule books to theology. The Baptism of Our Lord: Matthew 3:13–17

Vicar nearly dies, the wise men see the star, and we plan out our evangelism program.   The Epiphany of Our Lord: Isaiah 60:1–6, Eph. 3:1–12, Matt. 2:1–12

Bollhagen's NBA primer for last week, and The Holy Innocents. The Holy Innocents, Martyrs: Jer. 31:15–15, Rev. 14:1–5, Matt. 2:13–18

Bollhagen's Top 12 things that we can take from the prophecies and how they are fulfilled (and some of the things that this teach us about faith) Fourth Sunday in Advent: Deut. 18:15–19, Phil. 4:4–7, Luke 1:39–56

Bollhagen's Speed Top 12... things, and is empathy a sin? Third Sunday in Advent: Isaiah 40:1–8 (9–11), 1 Cor. 4:1–5, Matt. 11:2–10 (11)

Snow, Costco Sweatshirts, and the enduring Word.   Second Sunday in Advent: Mal. 4:1–6, Rom. 15:4–13, Luke 21:25–36

Fortune cookies, Christ's birth as Savior, and Santa Claus rolling through a Christmas parade.   First Sunday in Advent: Jer. 23:5–8, Rom. 13:(8–10) 11–14, Matt. 21:1–9

Funerals, when not to say "I apologize", the end of the year, being woke, and LeBron is the best NBA player of all time.   Last Sunday of the Church Year: Isaiah 65:17–25, 1 Thess. 5:1–11, Matt. 25:1–13

The Northern Lights, genuine faith over empty works, and forgiving seventy times seven.   Twenty-second Sunday after Trinity: Micah 6:6–8, Phil. 1:3–11, Matt. 18:21–35

NBA Storyline Updates, Creation, faith over proof, and a TikTok from a priest.   Twenty-first Sunday after Trinity: Gen. 1:1–2:3,Eph. 6:10–17, John 4:46–54

Vicar's Top 12 Cleric Kerfuffle questions (legally distinct), All Saints' Day, and then more questions from Vicar. All Saints' Day, Rev. 7:2–17, 1 John 3:1–3, Matt. 5:1–12

Bollhagen keeps the lights on, and works through the readings for Reformation Day. Reformation Day, Rev. 14:6–7, Rom. 3:19–28, John 8:31–36

The "feeling" of God's call, teaching former God-haters, Paul addresses the Corinthian church, and the LCMS having a "PR problem".   Eighteenth Sunday after Trinity, Deut. 10:12–21, 1 Cor. 1:(1–3)4–9, Matt. 22:34–46

10/10 Lutheran, Eritrean church services, loopholes, and selfless care.   Seventeenth Sunday after Trinity, Prov. 25:6–14, Eph. 4:1–6, Luke 14:1–11

Vicar answers 12 Clergy Combat questions, the widow's grief, Paul's prayer from prison, and a Galilean foreshadowing of Easter.   Sixteenth Sunday after Trinity, 1 Kings 17:17–24, Eph. 3:13–21, Luke 7:11–17

Things you shouldn't worry about, Elijah and the widow of Zarephath, money becoming a master, and thoughts on picking between two churches.   Fifteenth Sunday after Trinity, 1 Kings 17:8–16, Gal. 5:25–6:10, Matt. 6:24–34

Top 12 Non-Doctor Health Tips (To Not Get Sick), Inwardly Digest, and tax collectors.   St. Matthew, Ezekiel 2:8–3:11

Bollhagen discusses Holy Cross Day: relic worship, bronze serpents, and revealing God's true wisdom.   Holy Cross Day, Num. 21:4–9, 1 Cor. 1:18–25, and John 12:20–33

Bollhagen's Top 12 Football Names That Would Get Lutherans Excited About Football, hope in Isaiah, and Vicar's radio interview. Twelfth Sunday after Trinity, Isaiah 29:17–24 (and Mark 7:31–37)

Vicar's first weeks, remembering names, Cain and Abel, the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector, and some extra points on the readings. Eleventh Sunday after Trinity, Luke 18:9–14 (and the others)

Vicar's first sermon, AI and loneliness, a discussion on shame and pride, and weddings vs funerals- what's more important? Tenth Sunday after Trinity, Romans 9:30–10:4

Vicar 22.0 joins us for the first time, and Bollhagen has is Top 12 questions to get to know him! Ninth Sunday after Trinity, Luke 16:1–13

Old slang, Jordan Peterson, value beyond utility, and Bollhagen's Top 12 Wolves in Sheep's Clothing.   Eighth Sunday after Trinity, Matthew 7:15–23

A visit from Baldwin (previously 15.0), and a farewell to 21.0, including his Top 12 Things He Learned On Vicarage.   Seventh Sunday after Trinity, Mark 8:1–9

The guys dive into private confession, and why being “righteous” might not mean what you think it does.   Sixth Sunday after Trinity, Matthew 5:17–26

In this solo episode, Bollhagen explains the Doctrine of Scripture.

40 in The Bible, a Ministry Minute, all the texts, and some TikToks.   Fourth Sunday after Trinity, Luke 6:36–42 (and Gen. 50:15–21 and Rom. 12:14–21)

4th of July, Convention retrospective, lost sheep, social visits, retirement, and Nineveh's historical significance.   Third Sunday after Trinity, Luke 15:1–10

Augsburg Confession T-shirts, challenges faced by the early church, and applying the Augsburg Confession today.   St. Peter and St. Paul, Acts 15:1–21

Buying happiness with money, the rich man and Lazarus, and do we have a duty as Christians to help Israel?   First Sunday after Trinity, Luke 16:19–31

Tornado alarms, precision in doctrine, Judeo-Christian Values, the origin of the Ten Commandments, and the challenges of hymn translation. The Holy Trinity, John 3:1–17

The Holy Spirit- common misunderstandings, empowering us through the Word of God, preaching Christ, and generating faith.   Pentecost, Acts 2:1–21

Top 12 Biblical Basketball Draftees, communicating with your pastor, this 'Leviticus' guy, and the Church's stance on marijuana.   Seventh Sunday of Easter, John 15:26–16:4

Arcola whiskey, applying scripture in daily life, Confirmation, and vows from children.   Sixth Sunday of Easter, John 16:23–33

Chicago Pope Pros and Cons, pastoral formation programs, and Lutheran hate. Referenced article: https://reporter.lcms.org/2025/lcms-addresses-unauthorized-non-lcms-pastoral-formation-programs   Fifth Sunday of Easter, John 16:5–15

The Mt. Rushmore of Bad Popes, Pastor joke punchlines, the introduction to Paul's letters, and criticizing Christianity. Fourth Sunday of Easter, John 16:16–22

Vicarage service recollections, and some TikToks from Bollhagen   Third Sunday of Easter, John 10:11–16

Best U.S. States, Mormon hymnody, and seder meals.   Second Sunday of Easter (Quasimodo Geniti), John 20:19–31

NBA playoffs, underused church names, TLH hymns, and beating up skeletons.   The Resurrection of Our Lord, John 20:1–18

Best construction, a tribute to 4th year seminary students, and some questions from Reddit. Palm Sunday, Matthew 21:1–9

LCMS euphemisms, Jesus challenging his accusers, the Elector's Bible, and the "good old days" of affordable housing and DVD players.   Fourth Sunday in Lent, John 6:1–15

Joy during Lent, nuanced political views, Hawaiian shirts, and Co-op spoils.   Fourth Sunday in Lent, John 6:1–15