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About Derek Olsen

Dr. Derek Olsen is a layman within the Episcopal Church with a Ph.D. in New Testament. He is the liturgical editor of the St. Augustine’s Prayer Book, and the author of Reading Matthew with Monks, an investigation of early medieval reading and preaching. Derek currently serves on the Episcopal Church’s Standing Commission for Liturgy & Music. An IT professional by day, Derek is also the mastermind behind St Bede Productions which is responsible for the St Bede’s Breviary, Forward Movement’s Daily Prayer site, and the St Bede Blog (formerly haligweorc). He lives in Baltimore with his wife, an Episcopal priest, and their two late-elementary/middle school aged daughters. He spends most of his spare time driving his girls to and from ballet.

How widely are Episcopal parents teaching the meaning of Eucharist? (Honest question.)

November 4, 2017 By Derek Olsen 15 Comments

Our children have been receiving the Eucharist since Baptism—and yet they still need instruction in what that means.

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Filed Under: Parenting Tagged With: children, Children in church, communion, discipleship, Holy Communion, Holy Eucharist, parenting, young children

Prayer is not the art of the deal. It’s the art of honesty.

March 27, 2017 By Derek Olsen 3 Comments

When modern people think about prayer, often we wonder “does prayer work?” But that question rests on false assumptions. Real prayer works – on us.

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Filed Under: Discipleship, Lent Tagged With: Book of Common Prayer, catechism, Lent, Prayer

We Need Both Facts and Fairies

February 27, 2017 By Derek Olsen 9 Comments

I believe in a world that is wider and deeper and bolder than the facts that I can quantify about my existence.

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Filed Under: Parenting Tagged With: atheism, creationism, science, Scripture, Shakespeare, truth, young children

Jesus wasn’t boring–and neither is discipleship.

January 16, 2017 By Derek Olsen 5 Comments

We don’t have to make the Gospel exciting. It already is.

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Filed Under: Discipleship Tagged With: communication, discipleship, faith formation, writing

Math, Sin, and Faith Formation in the Car

October 31, 2016 By Derek Olsen 1 Comment

Responding to kids’ faith questions when they come – including in the car on the way to ballet – helps them understand that faith matters every day of the week.

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Filed Under: Parenting Tagged With: children, Children in church, discipleship, Jesus, parenting, secrets of a pew whisperer, sin, teenagers

Secrets of a Pew Whisperer: Let the Children Pick the Seat

September 26, 2016 By Derek Olsen 5 Comments

I have my own criteria for selecting a seat in church. But giving my children the freedom to pick where they want to sit has helped me see my limitations.

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Filed Under: Parenting Tagged With: children, Children in church, Sacred Spaces, secrets of a pew whisperer, teenagers, young children

Secret of a Pew Whisperer: Explain the Game

August 4, 2016 By Derek Olsen 2 Comments

My dad didn’t just explain football to me—he and mom explained what was going on in church too: what we were doing and why it was important. Now I do the same.

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Filed Under: Parenting Tagged With: Book of Common Prayer, Children in church, football, liturgy, secrets of a pew whisperer

Second Secret of a Pew Whisperer: Respect

June 6, 2016 By Derek Olsen 1 Comment

At the end of the day, respect is not just a social virtue — it’s a theological virtue too. Sharing worship with my kids is one more opportunity to practice.

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Filed Under: Parenting Tagged With: Children in church, discipleship, parenting, secrets of a pew whisperer

First Secret of a Pew Whisperer: Being There

May 2, 2016 By Derek Olsen 13 Comments

In our baptismal vows, we promise to share the Good News with others; as parents, our primary mission field is our own kids. How do we raise kids who love and worship God?

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Filed Under: Parenting Tagged With: Children in church, discipleship, parenting, secrets of a pew whisperer

I bring my kids to Ash Wednesday worship. Here’s why.

February 8, 2016 By Derek Olsen 16 Comments

As a child, I was somewhat confused about death. I blame Star Wars.

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Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Ash Wednesday, Children in church

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