Commentaries Archives

I’m Too Old To Be a Volunteer

When you see the news stories of people removing debris, sawing tree limbs, and mucking out houses it is easy to think that you don't have a role to play…

Young Adults Serve in their Own Backyard

The opportunities for servant events specifically designed for young adults age 18-30 are growing. Recently a group of young adults in St. Louis gathered to serve in their own backyard and helped congregations and RSOs prepare for sharing the Gospel.

Chainsaws Aren’t For Children

One of the most frequent questions I get is "Can we take our youth group to LERT training?" And my response is always "Certainly, but we can't certify minors." Then I tell them ways to get their youth involved in Disaster Response in their congregation but I always get the same response.

10 Things I Still Love About Youth

10 reasons to love youth and be inspired to engage in youth ministry.

Fill the Bucket – Clever Ways to Start a Disaster Fund

This year has been an especially wet one. New Years brought widespread floods through Missouri, Illinois and all the way down the Mississippi. January, February, and March brought more flooding in…

A Fundraiser’s Code of Ethical Principles and Practices

Those of us serving the Synod’s corporate headquarters, especially those within Mission Advancement, are bound by God’s Word — in passages like Phil. 4:8 — and by this code as we work alongside anyone who has or is considering making a charitable investment in our Synod’s work.

Continuing Discussion in Disaster Response

Last week we talked about the issues of communication that happen in a massive disaster response network like LERT. We also announced our upcoming conference where you can learn all…

Solving Communication Problems in Disaster Response

One of the most frequent questions we get asked is “How can I connect with OTHER volunteers across the country?” That’s a great question and one I didn’t have a…

Why Not Just Self-Deploy Into a Disaster?

Have you ever been struck by images of disaster so much that you just wanted to hop in your car and lend a helping hand? You may want to rethink that. Here are three reasons why Self-deploying might be more harmful than helpful

LCMS Young Adults Serve in Christ Alone

Over 900 young adults apply to volunteer at the LCMS Youth Gathering this summer. Time and time again the young adults of the LCMS have shown a willingness and excitement to serve others in Christ alone. New opportunities are coming soon for young adults to not just volunteer but become neighbors and friends in communities of need in Jesus' name.

A Primer for Church Planting

A Primer for Church Planting - based on Luther’s Marks of the Church with a mission framework of Witness, Mercy, and Life Together Introduction Why should the LCMS consider “Witness,…

Seven ‘senses’ of teen leaders

From my 38 years in LCMS Youth Ministry, I've observed youth who make strong leaders to have certain God-given gifts in common.

Disaster Response Conference in South America for Pastors and Seminarians

Last week LCMS Disaster Response and Luther Academy led a three day conference in South America for 76 Pastors and Seminarians on how to respond to disasters and minister to people hurting from a wide variety of tragedies.

Big Things are Happening in Latin America

There are about 14,000 trained volunteers across the United States and about 2,000 more are trained every year. What you might not know is that we train leaders and missionaries around the world to respond mercifully in times of tragedy with the love of Christ.

LCMS Disaster Response takes a FORO into Uruguay

LCMS Disaster Response’s role at the FORO is to be a subject matter expert in the area of Mercy work and giving a merciful response in times of tragedy.