Speaking of Rainbows
Every time a rainbow appears in the sky we are reminded of God’s mercy and grace. Shouldn’t we be able to use the rainbows appearing elsewhere for other purposes to speak God’s Word to those who are perishing in their sins?
Has Our Witness Gone to the Dogs?
A comfort dog may ease one’s tensions and bring a sense of relief, but a comfort dog can’t bring peace to a person’s soul. For that, God has called upon you to speak the Gospel.
Being the Remnant Church: Sow for the Promised Future
In strength or weakness, when we have plenty or when we are in want, as a powerful church or as a remnant church, we sow for this promised future.
Being the Remnant Church: Take Your Stand in the Land
Membership, financial resources, and influence are in decline, even steep decline, in many congregations. Now fewer people with fewer resources and less influence remain to do what the larger, more prosperous, and more favored church failed to do ...
Being the Remnant Church: Embrace God’s Purpose for the Remnant
The purpose of the Remnant Church is to bear witness of Jesus in our world so that others would come to faith just as we have. God's purpose in doing this through a remnant is that we would give Him the honor, praise, and glory that is due Him.
Being the Remnant Church: “Don’t Go to Egypt”
Being the Remnant Church is a call to the Cross ... Our Savior's urgent plea for His Remnant Church -- for our sake as well as for the sake of those who are perishing around us -- is "Don't go to Egypt."
Demographics and the Devil
Demographically speaking, the future is bleak for the LCMS. And that is the future that the devil would have us believe.
The Question of Revitalization
The church can be the church she is called to be without being liked, appreciated, or favored by the culture in which she exists. Indeed, we may even find that we can more readily be a faithful church when we are not liked, appreciated, or favored.
Leapfrogging Our Judea
Researchers have declared that our nation is now the third largest mission field in the world. Yet, we continue to think of mission work as something to do "over there."
Missional: What Does This Mean?
If the word ‘missional’ moves us to better serve Christ and our neighbor through a renewed devotion to living out the Gospel and a renewed commitment to answer our call to proclaim it, then it is serving us well.
Revitalization: Abiding as the Declining Church
Revitalizing the declining church is a call to preserve our confession rather than our institution.
Oh, No! Revitalization!
"Revitalization" isn't the best word to describe the work of helping congregations be healthy and whole, but it's the one we use. Once we get past the stigma of the word, we discover that every congregation needs "revitalization."