There is only so much time, energy, and money in this world and a lot pulling at our attention, particularly as workers in the church. Introducing one tool to help you grow in wellness…
What special expectations do we have for the children of our church workers? Offering grace to all the children in our churches.
The Rev. Dr. Ardon Albrecht, who held various roles at Lutheran Television for over 17 years, has written an informative account of the network's history.
LCMS Urban & Inner-City Mission offers helpful resources to assist in caring for the marginalized, including the homeless and others in need.
It is up to us to provide ways into the Word and Sacrament ministry of our congregation that ease nonchurched people's fears and keep them from being intimidated.
What do you wish people saw in you, or do you wish they saw if they looked beyond one title or vocation?
If we can learn to intentionally build relationships with nonchurched people, we will be meeting a tremendous need. And we’ll be opening doors to the Gospel for them.
During the first 100 years of the LCMS’s history, mercy ministry exploded. “By 1928 the number of hospitals, orphanages, child welfare societies, homes for the aged and institution missions totaled
Requested by The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod in convention, the Commission on Theology and Church Relations adopted a report on “Confession and Absolution” to address these matters.
In a variety of timely yet timeless essays, Lutheran theologians look at Christ’s mercy and the way in which He showers healing, compassion and forgiveness on His people.
Over the last 15 years there has been a resurgence of congregational mercy work within congregations in the LCMS. Much of this was due to the guidance of the Rev. Matthew Harrison, who in his capacity as executive director of WRHC wrote to pastors and lay leaders of the LCMS on the theology of mercy and how to incorporate a mercy that flows from Lutheran congregations to the needy in their community.
Paul’s ministry was also an example of caring for people in every need. Paul gives a model for congregations and individual Christians to care for their members and for the unchurched community around them. Paul encouraged the Galatians, “Let us not grow weary of doing good … So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith” (Gal. 6:9–10).
During a crisis people tend to turn to God and their faith for strength. During these times it is common to make supplications or petitions to God. It is a godly and pious act to pray and to bring one’s petitions to the Lord. The Large Catechism calls this “calling upon God in every need”[6] and it says, “He [God] requires this of us and has not left it to our choice.”
Effective outreach is the “planting and watering” (cf. 1 Corinthians 3:5-9) through which a congregation intentionally engages nonchurched people in ways that … provide the congregation with means of continuing contact with the nonchurched people.
The act of pastoral blessing is nothing new. In fact, Aaron gives a blessing in what is referred to as the Aaronic benediction, “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift us his countenance upon you and give you peace” (Num. 6:24–26).