The Leadership Disconnect
What would happen if we intentionally planned out our congregation’s work and set about raising up those leaders which God has placed in our midst? Imagine the possibilities!
A Church Planting Movement
It may sound cliche, or like a sales job, but does the church need a church planting movement?
The Blessings of Interns: 5 reminders for congregations receiving a vicar or intern this summer
We pray for God’s blessings upon this next season of learning for the many interns heading out to serve and offer these tips and reminders.
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.
Journal of Lutheran Mission – February 2015
This issue of the Journal of Lutheran Mission focuses on the topic of mercy. Most of the papers found in this issue were presented at the International Disaster Conference held at Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Ind., in September 2014.
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."
ALMA Conference Devotion, Jan. 30, 2015, “Loving the Unloveable of the World”
“…spur one another on toward love and good deeds...” we are told by the writer of the letter to the Hebrews. Stirring someone on to serve in good deeds is a noble task and can be achieved by the Law. But to the love the unloveable, that can only come from Christ's love for you, and is motivated by the Gospel. And it is only by a living, active faith, in love, that a good deed can truly be called good.
They Speak For Life
A celebration of three women who stand for life and the LCMS participation in the March for Life.
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.
Reflecting on the Baptism of Our Lord: Water in the City
Toxins may seep into the water supply of our major cities, just as sin is flowing in deep supply. But the church brings water in mercy for the body and the soul.
The Skeptic Among Us
Neighborhood renewal is a good thing for the church if it is a grassroots effort that does not displace the neighbors we are called to serve. And if done well there is an influx of new neighbors ... but how will we engage them?
O Holy Night: Christmas Memory of a Child
A child's memory of an enchanting Christmas scene, the beauty of a choir's song and the celebration of our Savior.
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.
The faithfulness of God
1 Corinthians 1:9 — “God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.”
First things first
Deuteronomy 8:3 — “…that he might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD.”