Under the Fig Tree

Feb 03 2025 96 ep. 61 mins 5

Under the Fig Tree Podcast artwork

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

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

Feb 03 2025 36 mins

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

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

Jan 20 2025 26 mins

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 yea

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

Jan 06 2025 30 mins

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 stude

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

Dec 02 2024 40 mins

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 alwa

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

Nov 15 2024 31 mins

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

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

Oct 24 2024 34 mins

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 the

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

Oct 10 2024 39 mins

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 cho

Under the Fig Tree: Sharing God’s free gift of grace

Jun 04 2024 67 mins

In this episode of “Under the Fig Tree,” hosts Rev. Micah Glenn and Kati Gaschler sit down with Concordia Seminary alum (’96, ’05) Rev. W. Max Mons, who is pastor of St. Paul’s Lutheran Chapel and University Center in Iowa City, Iowa, and also chairman of the Seminary’s Board of Regents. During the episode, Max shares what led him to go into ministry as a pastor, incl

Under the Fig Tree: Farewell to Ben and Micah

Jun 04 2024 87 mins

In this episode of “Under the Fig Tree,” hosts Rev. Micah Glenn and Kati Gaschler welcome back Dr. Benjamin Haupt, the former podcast host and founder who has been on sabbatical during the spring semester. The two men share big announcements that they both are moving on to other calls: Ben as global executive director of PLI and Micah as head of school at Sierra Lutheran High S

Under the Fig Tree: Short Pastoral Case Studies with Rev. Mark Renner

May 06 2024 73 mins

In this episode of “Under the Fig Tree,” hosts Rev. Micah Glenn and Kati Gaschler sit down with Concordia Seminary alum Rev. Mark Renner (M.Div. ’20), one of the pastors at St. Mark Lutheran Church in Janesville, Wis. During the episode, Mark shares what led him to go into ministry as a pastor and discusses his recently published book, Curious Cases: A Series of Short Pastora