Video: Harrison Speaks Before House Committee [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=527spTZiwBU&rel=0&w=600] Transcript: Transcript of LCMS President Rev. Dr. Matthew C. Harrison’s Feb. 16 Testimony before House Committee on Government and Oversight Article including transcript: Missouri Synod President tells House Committee: LCMS ‘religiously opposed to … Continue reading
“And He Healed Many” (Mark 1:29-39) Yesterday, on a pastors’ e-mail list that I’m a part of, one of the men, Pastor Jay Webber of Arizona, brought a prayer request to our group on behalf of his son Paul and … Continue reading
“Net Growth” (Mark 1:14-20) Where are the fish? Where have all the fish gone? This is the question on the mind of most every church in America these days. And no, I’m not talking about trout and catfish. I’m talking … Continue reading
[This is a sermon of encouragement for all the “little churches,” the small, struggling congregations that seem to make up most of our synod (like the two that make up my dual parish). But I think it applies to big … Continue reading
“Home for the Holidays” (Luke 2:1-20) “Oh, there’s no place like home for the holidays.” So goes the familiar Christmas song. And it is good to be home, with family, at Christmas time. Renewed relations, good food, smiles on all … Continue reading
It was ten years ago today, on September 23, 2001, that Atlantic District President David Benke participated in the interfaith prayer service “A Prayer for America” in New York City. Benke had previously participated in an interfaith prayer service on … Continue reading
Now is the time to prepare for your 2012 District Convention. The first step is to find out the dates for your District Convention and then work backward from that, because there are a number of deadlines to be met … Continue reading
LCMS Secretary Ray Hartwig (pictured, right) has begun sending out mailings to alert congregations of various procedural changes that were enacted at the 2010 national convention, but which will affect the 2013 NATIONAL convention and also the 2012 DISTRICT conventions, … Continue reading
I came across an interesting blog article written by Dr. Matthew Becker, an LCMS clergyperson serving as a professor at Valparaiso University. The article is called “The Being of Adam, the New Adam, and the Ontology of Pastors.” In it, … Continue reading
One of our Steadfast crew over these past few years has been the Rev. Dr. Frederic W. Baue–or “Fritz,” as we all call him. Fritz is an interesting fellow, to say the least: Doctor of literature, professional musician, published author, … Continue reading
Friday afternoon I attended the Missionary Sending Service at the LCMS International Center Chapel. The occasion was the sending out of 34 missionaries, some career, some shorter-term. The missionaries had just completed ten days of orientation and training, with a … Continue reading
“Witness, Mercy, Life Together: Our Life as Church” (Acts) “Witness, Mercy, Life Together”: This is the threefold emphasis now being used for our national church body, the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. “Witness, Mercy, Life Together” has also served well as the … Continue reading
“Making Known the Unknown God: Paul at the Areopagus” (Acts 17:16-31) “Witness” has been a major theme running through the readings from the Book of Acts that we’ve had this Easter season. We’ve heard the church bearing witness to the … Continue reading
About a decade ago, there was a bestselling book called “Tuesdays with Morrie.” I haven’t read the book, but from what I know, it’s the story of a man who goes to visit his old professor from college and discovers … Continue reading
“Witness, Mercy, Life Together: The Case of Stephen” (Acts 6:1-9; 7:2a, 51-60) “Witness, Mercy, Life Together”: This is an emphasis right now for our Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, since the work of our national church body can be gathered under these … Continue reading
“Koinonia: The Church’s Life Together” (Acts 2:42-47) During this Easter season, we’re tracking the readings from the Book of Acts, under the theme, “Witness, Mercy, Life Together.” Witness: The church bearing verbal witness to Christ the Savior. Mercy: The church … Continue reading
The St. Louis Post-Dispatch has a nice story today (by reporter Elisa Crouch) about Unity Lutheran School in East St. Louis. This is a school supported by many of the congregations of the Southern Illinois District. I’ll post some excerpts … Continue reading
“Witnesses Preach Law and Gospel” (Acts 2:14a, 36-41) Maybe you noticed, maybe you didn’t: The hymn we just sang, “He’s Risen, He’s Risen,” was written by C. F. W. Walther. Carl Ferdinand Wilhelm Walther was, of course, the first president … Continue reading
“Witnesses Worthy of the Name” (Acts 5:29-42) Today we begin a series of sermons based on readings from the Book of Acts. Recently many of you went through a several-month-long Bible study on the Book of Acts, and hopefully that … Continue reading
President Harrison’s “Emphasis for the Church” is summed up in three terms, “Witness, Mercy, Life Together” (Martyria, Diakonia, Koinonia are the related Greek terms). The President’s Office has set up a blog, wmlt.org, to carry forward the theme of “Witness, … Continue reading
LCMS President Matthew Harrison has posted a video message for our meditation this week, “Blessed Holy Week.” Click to watch. And I’ve posted a transcript below. [youtube oyceTtqCcTA 600] Matthew Harrison, President, The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod “Blessed Holy Week” This … Continue reading
Newly posted at the Reporter at lcms.org is news of the Council of Presidents adopting a plan of five geographic regions for elections at the 2013 synodical convention. One thing that becomes immediately apparent from the map is that one … Continue reading
On Sunday, March 6, at a special voters’ assembly, our congregation will be voting on two proposed amendments to the Constitution of our Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod. (The deadline for the ballot to be received is March 15.) I am recommending … Continue reading
THE BALLAD OF MATT HARRISON Tune: “The Ballad of Jed Clampett” Part 1 Part 2 By Charles Henrickson, the wag tailoring the doggerel Come and listen to my story about a man named Matt A poor pulpiteer, Indiana he was … Continue reading
[St. Louis Post-Dispatch/stltoday.com religion writer Tim Townsend has a new article today on LCMS President Matt Harrison (right) accepting a call as an assistant pastor at a local church here in St. Louis. You can click the link to go … Continue reading