We now move out one more ring, from the congregation, from the families of the congregation, from the straying members of the congregation, to those who (at first glance) have nothing to do with the congregation. This is chapter eight … Continue reading
GOD TIRELESSLY WORKING FOR HUMANITY A Review of Rev. Mark J. Cares book: God The Ultimate Humanitarian I learned of Pastor Cares through his very fine book on witnessing to Mormons, Speaking the Truth in Love to Mormons, in the … Continue reading
Animals are a first article gift from God. Dogs fall into this category. They’re creatures over which man has dominion, and beasts that we have domesticated. God has blessed us with plenty of temporal gifts for this short life: Dogs are … Continue reading
Monergism of the Third Article and Evangelism Methods Rev. John A Frahm III The modern history of the LCMS is rife with a sundry of evangelism programs, many of which look to be “Lutheranized” versions (or so it is said) … Continue reading
President Matthew Harrison of the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod speaks about 40 years of declining membership in the synod. In his President’s Report, 2016 Convention Workbook, pp. 2-3, he presents information from several demographic studies. As he says, the … Continue reading
In its mission, the church always has run up against some recurring stock errors in the world’s thinking. These errors have a strong hold on the minds and hearts of people, and they are obstacles to people hearing or believing … Continue reading
Despite all of the emphasis Scripture puts on life together, it’s really common for Christians to see faith individualistically. Of course you can’t believe for anyone else, but it’s easy to overlook the impact your faith (or lack thereof) has … Continue reading
Recently I was up at the hospital providing pastoral care to one of my members. As usual, I was wearing my clerical attire, and, as often happens, this gave me an opportunity to share the Gospel with someone I wouldn’t have … Continue reading
When I was a kid, my next door neighbor was my best friend. He was a good kid. He excelled at sports and did well in school. But when his mother told him to clean up his room, he asked, … Continue reading
Every year in January my congregation holds a special assembly. We call this gathering our “Getting Organized” meeting. At the meeting this past year, I presented the results of an informal survey I conducted. Essentially, I called the local Methodist, … Continue reading
I was not a popular kid in junior high. If being in the school concert band wasn’t uncool enough, I also chose to play the flute and was the only boy in that section. I was the kid that even … Continue reading
Recently I had the chance to observe the pastoral care provided by a non-denominational church in my area. The situation was brutal and filled with grief, so certainly pastoral care was warranted. In came the preacher’s wife (one of their … Continue reading