The marine layer from Lake Michigan, the dunes and the sandy soil make Southwest Michigan a cornucopia of various fruits: apples, peaches, raspberries and most importantly Riesling grapes that are turned into that delicious German wine. It was also a … Continue reading
I just finished signing about 30 of the most beautiful and meaningful confirmation certificates I have ever seen. They are from Agnus Dei Printing. I have always used CPH products and have been pleased but there are some great little shops … Continue reading
Is anybody else “mercied” out? I know I am. I and the parish I serve embraced the three-fold ministry emphasis of synod (witness/mercy/life) when it was introduced and still do although we have a different take on mercy as I … Continue reading
I recently got an email from an older member who asked me why our commitment to the synod in our annual budget is shrinking. I wrote him the following response. (It is edited a bit for sake of clarity for … Continue reading
We have all heard it from our protestant friends and sometimes even from our Lutheran acquaintances – “Why do you have Jesus on the cross, that is so Catholic? That is so negative. We believe in the resurrected Jesus so … Continue reading
The pastors and elders of the congregation I serve, Bethany Lutheran Church in Naperville, Illinois, are interested enough in joining the ACELC as a congregation that we are hosting Rev. Daniel Bremer (Grace, Grand Island, NE) from their speakers bureau … Continue reading
We here at BJS have obtained the attached still photo that shows the rock star pastor ascending into heaven just after breaking ground on the new youth and music building at Bethany Lutheran Church and School, Naperville, Illinois. Actually it … Continue reading
The Concordia University System (CUS) is a mess from the standpoint of hiring faculty, program expansion and confessing the faith to the world. Money and growth have been placed above confessional integrity. As we reported last week, an internship at … Continue reading
On Tuesday and Wednesday of next week, February 18-19, Pastor James May and I will be traversing the southern Michigan, northern Indiana and northwest Ohio terrain to spread the message of Lutherans in Africa. If you have a few minutes … Continue reading
We are taking a break from our national conference this year and helping to underwrite two regional conferences. One is next week in Corpus Christi, Texas and the other is the following week in Fairview Heights, Illinois, across the river … Continue reading
Concordia Seminary, St. Louis Professor Jeffrey Kloha delivered a paper last year to a theological conference in Germany concerning the status of the original Greek text of the New Testament and it left many people scratching their heads as to … Continue reading
In place of our annual conference, BJS is helping to underwrite a couple of one day conferences across the country in Fairview Heights, Illinois and Corpus Christi, Texas. These conferences will highlight BJS speakers and interests. In both locations Rev. … Continue reading
One of my hobbies is watching college football and basketball (Go Hawkeyes!). A few years ago I saw a clever poster at a bowl game. It was at the Oklahoma/Boise State bowl game. A fan in the Oklahoma student section, … Continue reading
The capital campaign for Lutherans In Africa (LIA) new Lutheran Center in Nairobi, Kenya continues to raise funds all around the world and from mission-minded folks who want to see Lutheranism thrive all across the continent. The most recent gifts are coming from … Continue reading
Most would agree that there are at least two “camps” in the LCMS: 1) the confessional group that sees the Lutheran Confessions as a norm for doctrine and practice and 2) the church-growthers who put sociology, psychology, felt needs and the … Continue reading
In light of the recent encouragement of District President Linnemann of the Northwest District, to unseat President Matthew Harrison and replace him with David Maier, I thought it would be helpful to grade Harrison’s first term according to the standard … Continue reading
The Brothers of John the Steadfast are joining up with Lutherans in Africa to support the building of a new Lutheran Center in Nairobi. The first public phase of this campaign begins tonight with a live-streamed prayer vigil from Bethany … Continue reading
The Vigil for Africa will be a live, worldwide event involving as many congregations as possible in a single worship service. Join us in prayer for the future of Christianity in Africa through a live Youtube stream, and together hear … Continue reading
Here are ten simple points to remember in the current raging debate in the LCMS over preaching sanctification. They are sort of a “Dummies’ Guide” for people like me who need it. 1. Can I end a sermon with an … Continue reading
Both BJS political commentators are on the road at confessional conferences. Charlie Henrickson is on the road to Minneapolis for the ACL conference and yours truly is down in the heart of Texas for the ACELC conference in Austin. I … Continue reading
Our eighth grade teacher is retiring this year and so we are looking for prospects to call or hire and then colloquize. Bethany is a very happy and enjoyable place to serve the Lord. Church and School work seamlessly together. … Continue reading
In just one week we raised $3,500 to help colloquize pastor Matt Richard into the LCMS. We only need $1,500 more to reach our goal of $5,000 for the Pastor Matt Richard Fund. In order to fully utilize the generous … Continue reading
One can imagine all sorts of interesting BJS headlines when one is sitting in his study on Good Friday waiting to hear confessions. Like the Maytag repairman, I am experiencing a bit of dead time. Each year we schedule time … Continue reading
At BJS we are familiar with deep discussions about theology. Many conversations occur online between our authors and readers over the distinctives that we hold dear. Not all of our contributors come from an LCMS background but adhere steadfastly to … Continue reading
The Rev. Tapani Simojoki has heart-warming news to report from Finland. A conservative Lutheran diocese has been born in Finland. It grew out of but is independent of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland (the state sponsored liberal church). Rev. Simijoki, a … Continue reading