Reading & Study Archives

Bullying in the congregation

We don’t need to holler “Bully! Bully!” at the next voters’ meeting. We are, however, called to acknowledge and call to account behavior that is directly admonished in Scripture.

Church Worker Wellness – Week 45 devotion: Intellectual wellness

The tools we use in our vocation are important. But most important are the things that we learn from Jesus.

Church Worker Wellness – Week 44 devotion: Vocational wellness

Sometimes all it takes is one notecard to change our perspective.

Church Worker Wellness – Week 43 devotion: Relational wellness

God puts two halves into the whole of a relationship in many mysterious ways.

How a Mercy Medical Team forms

Ten strangers from different parts of America joined Ugandan Lutheran church leaders, pastors, lay members, and local medical providers to serve on an LCMS Mercy Medical Team in Uganda.

Church Worker Wellness – Week 42 devotion: Physical wellness

When it comes to wellness, what’s a chore and what’s a gift?

Church Worker Wellness – Week 41 devotion: Physical wellness

Just like our homes, our bodies require maintenance and the restoration of Jesus.

Celebrating unconventional ministry ‘success’

While we don't necessarily believe in "success" in ministry, how do words like “growth” and “effectiveness” weigh on a church worker, congregation or agency sharing the Gospel?

Church Worker Wellness – Week 40 devotion: Emotional wellness

A little boy in a special needs classroom teaches us a lesson about God’s love and mercy.

Church Worker Wellness – Week 39 devotion: Emotional wellness

There are times in each of our lives when we simply need a friend.

‘Making Disciples for Life’ – Get excited!

"Making Disciples for Life" not only provides better access to existing resources, it also brings people together for identifying and developing new resources.

Church Worker Wellness – Week 38 devotion: Spiritual wellness

Caring for others calls for us to recognize our own need for the care that comes from others.

Church Worker Wellness – Week 37 devotion: Spiritual wellness

God is good, even in the waiting. Jesus connects with us and gives us this body of believers to hold fast in the waiting.

Finding local resources

Many Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod church workers and spouses identified the need for help finding more wellness resources. Here are three helpful tips for finding localized resources.

CTCR paper – ‘The Child as a Gift of God’

This paper examines the many subtle ways that American culture rejects life as a fundamental gift of God and instead sees “having a baby” as a human accomplishment.