“What’s next?” If my eyesight was better, I would revel in stocking shelves at Meijer, pouring coffee at Biggby, or ferrying guests around the Seven Seas Lagoon at Walt Disney World. If I could pick up and go, I would love to experience new places by pastoring vacant congregations in faraway places from November through April. I’d be excited if the opportunity to teach preaching presented itself, though my approach to preaching is neither compelling nor cutting edge. It’s just proclaiming Christ crucified and risen as the power and wisdom of God.
A former student sent me a video link from Disney’s The Lion King. In the clip, the adult Simba hears the spirit of Mufasa tell him, “You have forgotten who you are.” I thought my one-time student was recalling that Luther found strength and comfort in the thought of his baptism and encouraging me to remember my baptism—baptizatus sum (“I am baptized”). I thought, “I’m not having a crisis of faith.” Then I re-examined the text and realized that I’d missed the point. The link to the video clip was followed by the message: “We need Dr. Satterlee back. Remember who you are.”
A colleague and friend from Notre Dame sent me an email that included, “Don’t forget that your call and all you have to offer to God’s people are much bigger than the Mitten Synod. Praying you will find your way.” A pastor I respect greatly told me it’s time for me to lecture in cool places.
As I remember who I am apart from being a bishop and find my way, I want to write, teach, preach, talk with people, and learn. And I want to be able to earn some money doing it without passively sitting by the phone waiting for someone to call. I’m so excited that I found a way.
I invite you to partake of the fruits of my journey of remembering who I am apart from being a bishop by joining me on Patreon (https://patreon.com/CraigAlanSatterlee). Patreon is a membership platform for creators to engage with their communities and generate recurring income through various membership tiers, which offer their supporters exclusive content and perks. I was uncomfortable with this arrangement until I acknowledged that people have paid me to publish, preach, and teach my entire career. Moreover, producing content takes time and effort, and, as Jesus said, “The laborer deserves to be paid” (Luke 10:7).
I am excited to officially launch my Patreon site, which I’ve come to call my “new basilica,” today! The lights have been on for a while, but today we open the doors. In this new setting, I reflect on scripture, write, preach, interview people I want to learn from one-on-one, and gather with friends for conversation. I am excited that this platform allows me to continue the things I love most about my work while also providing new opportunities to connect with others. On Patreon, you’ll be able to find:
Take One: My longtime weekly video, recorded in one take, will continue to offer my first take on the readings from the Revised Common Lectionary for the coming Sunday.
Ex Sede Mea: I write to sort out and clarify what I’m thinking. I’ll provide a monthly article of about 1,000 words. I’m thinking about belonging, Egypt and Joshua, that every feather-brained idea is not from the Holy Spirit, that as much as we love to sing it, all aren’t welcome, and that it’s past time to turn off the camera in church.
Monthly Zoom Gathering: I love talking theology with people. So I invite anyone interested to join me once a month for an hour of conversation. The first gathering will be on my birthday (September 18).
Seven Questions: When I was a bishop, I loved interviewing pastors using an established set of questions. I modified those questions for leaders I want to hear from. The prophet Joel declares, “Your old ones shall dream dreams, and your young ones shall see visions” (Joel 2:28). So I want to ask all sorts of leaders: (1) What keeps you committed to the Christian faith? (2) What is the church’s purpose? (3) What have you learned recently? How or where did you learn it? (4) Jesus says, “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly” (John 10:10). What does abundant life mean for you and those you love? (5) If you could get in a time machine and go to any point in your life and give yourself advice, or if your past self could come to you now and give advice, to what point in your life would you travel and what advice would you give yourself? (6) What is the gospel? (7) What do you wish I had asked you or what do you want me to know? (Bonus) What, if anything, would you like to ask me?
Satterlee Sermon Subscription: I love to preach and I know lots of congregations that have trouble finding a preacher. So I will provide a manuscript and video recording of a brand new sermon every week that congregations or individuals can purchase and use.
While my primary purpose in preaching, teaching and writing was never to make money, I hope this venture will provide a financial bridge from the end of my call as bishop to my arrival at retirement and cover the costs of production. We have therefore tiered membership so that you can receive that which interests you. Each tier is named for a church in fourth century Milan when Ambrose was Bishop.
- Free – Public Posts, General Announcements
- Basilica Virginum – $5/month – Public Posts, Take One Videos (1/week)
- Basilica Prophetarum – $10/month – Public Posts, Take One Videos (1/week), Ex Sede Mea Article (1/month), Zoom Gathering (1/month)
- Basilica Apostolorum – $20/month – Public Posts, Take One Videos (1/week), Ex Sede Mea Article (1/month), Zoom Gathering (1/month), Seven Questions Interview (1/month)
- Basilica Martyrum — $400/month – Public Posts, Take One Videos (1/week), Ex Sede Mea Article (1/month), Zoom Gathering (1/month), Seven Questions Interview (1/month), Sermon video (1/week)
- Single sermon – $125
I am grateful that Chelsey Satterlee is handling the production, so the quality will be top notch. I expect that some friends will make contributions along the way. It is a gift of grace to remember who I am by beginning something new.
I do hope you’ll join me!
Craig Alan Satterlee, Ph.D.
“NEW BASILICA” PATREON SCHEDULE
Tuesdays—Take One video
Thursdays—Sermon for Sunday
September 15— Ex Sede Mea. This month, I am sharing the manuscript of the sermon I preached at my last regular meeting of the Conference of Bishops in April – a sermon that turned out to be for me.
September 18—Monthly Zoom Gathering
September 29—Seven Questions Interview. This month, I am excited to welcome Pastor Christina Bright and Pastor Kjersten Sullivan.