Joel V. webb
PASTOR – WRITER – Podcaster – THEOLOGIAN
“the sacramental life” is a space devoted to exploring the Christian faith through the lens of a sacramental worldview. Here, we approach Scripture, tradition, and daily life with the conviction that God’s grace is not only spiritual but also tangible, made visible and present in the ordinary, the material, and the liturgical. Drawing from the richness of historic Christianity, this blog reflects on how the sacraments, liturgy, and spiritual rhythms shape both our understanding of God and our participation in His ongoing work in the world.
Vita Sacramentum seeks to bridge academic reflection and pastoral care, offering insights that are thoughtful yet accessible, intellectually rigorous yet deeply devotional. It invites readers to encounter the divine in the fabric of everyday life, to see creation as charged with God’s glory, and to experience faith not merely as belief but as lived, embodied, and relational. Through study, meditation, and reflection on Scripture and tradition, this blog is a space for cultivating wonder, deepening devotion, and discovering the transformative power of a sacramentally attuned life.
Recent Blog Posts
Untangling Revelation
One of the perennial issues of discussion, disagreement, and consternation in modern Christianity is how to solve a “problem” like the book of Revelation (cue The Sound of Music). It is one of the most talked-about and also one of the most misunderstood books of the...
Manifesting vs. Prayer – to control or to recieve?
One of the most unsettling episodes in Scripture comes right after the healing of Naaman in 2 Kings 5. Elisha, the prophet of God, refuses the lavish gifts that Naaman brings in gratitude for his healing. But Elisha’s servant Gehazi cannot resist. He runs after...
Re-centering Healing Where It Belongs: Within Christ’s Body
Before I say anything, I want to affirm clearly and without hesitation that I believe in healings. I believe that God acts in the world today in ways that are truly supernatural, transformative, and beyond the reach of human explanation. I believe that the gifts of...
Communion Further Explored
Since becoming a pastor people have asked me what my favorite part of the role is. Initially I would say sermon preparation. And I do love it. The prayer, study, condensing of the message and delivery are things I enjoy very much. But as time has progressed and I am...
A Protestant and a Catholic Study Bible
I love Bibles. My wife will tell you that I have too many. Being a pastor, preparing sermons weekly, doing deep dives into themes and Scriptures, studying for fun, or for devotion, it is helpful to have a variety of study resources available to help one look at the...
Truth in Love: The Gospel’s Response to a World That Can’t Define Love
Over my lifetime, I’ve seen a massive shift in how our culture engages with ideas we disagree with. Growing up, disagreement was an opportunity to talk — to debate, discuss, and think through differences, strategies, outcomes, and intentions.Now, that kind of dialogue...
When an Atheist goes to Church
One of the many things that I have been hearing in a variety of church circles the last couple years is the question, “what makes our church welcoming to an outsider?” And I believe this question comes from a good place, because we want to see people encounter Jesus...
Apostolic Succession: A Protestant Perspective
When talking about historic theology, and the development of the Church throughout the ages, one of those topics that is bound to come up, particularly when talking to Roman Catholic or Orthodox brothers & sisters is the idea of Apostolic succession. According to...
The Forgotten Office: Restoring the Deacon’s Role in the Life of the Church
Recently I did a post about the need to refocus the role of pastors (derived from presbyter in the NT and also called priest in some traditions) back to its historic and Scriptural role of being a priest, rather than a business leader. Since then I have been thinking...
Reformation Day 2025
Today is Reformation Day. October 31st is the day that Martin Luther posted his 95 theses, an open request to debate points of theology and abuse going on in the Medieval Roman Catholic Church. Here’s the thing…posts about today from both Protestants and Roman...
Hi, my names is Joel
Joel Webb is an ordained Elder in the Free Methodist Church, and as a pastor, theologian, and writer explores the intersection of Scripture, historic worship, and spiritual formation through a sacramental worldview. He is committed to helping the Church recover theological depth and faithful worship practices as a means of shaping disciples in a polarized age. Through his preaching, published writings, and podcasts, Joel emphasizes the importance of Scripture in its historical context, the formative power of liturgical tradition, and the call of the Gospel to transform both individuals and communities. He lives with his family and pastors in Eastern Michigan where he enjoys reading, writing, teaching, and engaging in meaningful conversations about faith and culture.
Lead Pastor – Croswell FMC
Joel is lead pastor at Croswell Free Methodist Church. A liturgical and sacramental expression of Free Methodism that seeks to bring the beauty of Christian worship to the modern world.
