Reading & Study Archives

Church Worker Wellness – Week 11 devotion: Emotional wellness

What can quiet an anxious and wakeful mind during the night hours? God, our faithful Creator and Redeemer, offers a surprising gift in the middle of the night.

Essay: ‘The History of LCMS Mercy Work with African Americans’

The Rev. Dr. Roosevelt Gray explores the legacy of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod using mercy work as a means by which to share the Gospel with African-Americans.

Fresh produce – alternative provisions for church workers

Giving fresh produce seems like such a small thing, but it shows appreciation to our church workers. Here are creative ideas for providing a little extra for LCMS workers and their families.

Church Worker Wellness – Week 10 devotion: Financial wellness

Working out finances together is part of the process and the complement of marriage, even when it feels difficult or like the last thing you’d rather be doing. Where is God’s faithfulness in our finances?

Church Worker Wellness – Week 9 Devotion: Relational Wellness

Where is God in our lives when He is hard to see? What is God up to today in your life?

Church Worker Wellness – Week 8 devotion: Vocational wellness

How do we respond to criticism in our various roles and vocations within the church? What encouragement does God have for us as we serve?

Church Worker Wellness – Week 7 devotion: Spiritual wellness

Some days we will feel unqualified, but God seems to have a knack for using those with weakness.

Tiny goals

Sometimes the big things of life get the better of us. Sometimes we know we need to make a change, but the magnitude of change crashes in on us.

Church Worker Wellness – Week 6 devotion: Spiritual wellness

When our prayers turn to groanings, where do we go to find the hope of Jesus?

Church Worker Wellness – Week 5 devotion: Intellectual wellness

What thoughts are in your head today? What big and little things are you thinking about? What freedom has God given us to “think about thinking”?

Church Worker Wellness – Week 4 devotion: Relational wellness

What gift does God offer each of us, even the pastor and church worker, in the Fifth Petition of the Lord’s Prayer?

Church Worker Wellness – Week 3 devotion: Physical wellness

Physical wellness can affect every aspect of your ministry, and it doesn’t have to be mutually exclusive of other personal wellnesses.

We have all the volunteers we need

How are we equipping, encouraging, and enabling the people God has given us to serve and volunteer in His mission?

Is he my pastor or my husband? Spiritual care in the clergy marriage

What unique challenges and gifts in spiritual care come with the clergy marriage?

Church Worker Wellness – Week 2 devotion: Vocational wellness

Vocations rarely get the appreciation they deserve. You rarely get the appreciation — or even attention—that you need. What Good News does God have for you today, amidst your many vocations and duties?