Shake Off Complacency, A Layman’s Reaction to Hearing Matt Harrison Speak, by John Bohot

(Matt Harrison recently spoke to a group in Houston, Texas. Here is the response of one of the attendees.)

Like many Lutherans, my initial exposure to Matthew Harrison has been through the frequent articles I’ve read in various publications about the activities of LCMS World Relief and Human Care.   Having read about the organization’s wide-ranging efforts, everything from quick responses to all-too-frequent natural disasters to long-term programs to help create sustainable health and agriculture programs, I already felt that Rev. Harrison and the LCMS WR-HC exist as clear, public examples of what the ministry and activities of the LCMS should be.

I was therefore pleased to recently have had the opportunity to hear Rev. Harrison speak upon a number of different topics, and came away deeply impressed by the depth and width of his knowledge and experience.   His extensive study of the history of Lutheranism serving as the background of the discussion, Rev. Harrison clearly illustrated to his listeners the parallel struggles of those striving to establish and maintain orthodoxy in the Church, from the period of the Reformation, to the migration of Lutheranism to North America, down to the challenges that we as Lutheran Christians continue to face to this moment.

Rev. Harrison did an excellent job of tying in the challenges of the past to those that exist for us currently in the Synod.   He clearly expounded on issues that threaten the Synod’s direction and provided a deeper look into details that we as laypeople may often not be aware of, but throughout the discussion his perspective was one of hope, outlining his views on our Synod’s situation and what we can and should do to address them.   It was a stimulating dialogue about what we, the LCMS, CAN be if we shake off complacency and get motivated and focused.   I, along with others, were left with the impression of Rev. Harrison as a sincere man with a love for The Church, humbly motivated solely by his love for the LCMS and a desire for our Church to renew our focus on the mission for which we exist.

Mr. John Bohot is a 1993 graduate of Concordia, Austin. He is Manager of Database Operations for Knowledgebase Marketing in Houston, Texas. He is a member of Memorial Lutheran Church and current serves as chairman of the school board.

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