The second issue of the journal features papers from confessional Lutheran church leaders who presented at the International Lutheran Council's fifth world seminary conference. Both the conference and this issue of the journal focus on the theme "Suffering, Persecution and Martyrdom as a Mark of the Church."
TO-DO: Rest. Practicing rest in an over-informed, hyperlinked, data-consuming world.
In this issue from LCMS’ Stewardship Ministry, the need for stewardship transformation in congregations and in individuals is discussed. The modern version of stewardship is broken and needs to be transformed – and only the Lord can fix it. This need for transformation is compared to the transformation of Zacchaeus as told in Luke 19.
During filming of "The First Rosa" documentary in Selma, Ala., the week of Sept. 22, 2014, the Rev. Jon Vieker, senior assistant to The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod president, interviews two of the actors playing Rosa J. Young at different stages of her life, Jordan Donegan and Jasmine Gatewood.
The Rev. Mark Kiessling shares three key learnings from Lutheran Youth Corps' week of service for young adults.
“Why do we need to keep these rural and small town churches going? Aren't they just a drag on our resources?” To this I answer, “We can’t live without them”!
Each of these gifts – whether in material wealth, or intelligence, or beauty, or family, etc. – is not only a gift but a duty.
Dr. Nagel reflects on the comfort that comes from the means of grace delivering God’s promises to us in certainty. This video interview was filmed in the lovely chapel of Laclede Groves right after Easter, 2014.
Revitalizing the declining church is a call to preserve our confession rather than our institution.
See what trends made the Beloit College Mindset List for college freshmen, class of 2018. What impact has faith made? What could it make?
To be a witness today and confess our faith is not for the faint of heart as the account of the death of John the Baptist reminds us. And yet we know that Christ has won the victory over death and so there is nothing left to fear or restrain our confession.
Studying generational trends can help prepare us for teaching "Plurals", the newest generation who is now entering our confirmation classes.
In this issue from LCMS’ Stewardship Ministry, an updated list of objectives for stewardship ministry is provided. The goals listed are practical and functional and are meant to be applied to situations that are both internal and external. The list’s intended audience is individuals, families and congregations. The Board of Stewardship has adopted these objectives and pray they can be a much-needed start for discussion about this important topic.
"Revitalization" isn't the best word to describe the work of helping congregations be healthy and whole, but it's the one we use. Once we get past the stigma of the word, we discover that every congregation needs "revitalization."
The Rev. Steve Schave, director of Urban & Inner-City Mission, and the Rev. Dr. John Nunes, Emil and Elfriede Jochum professor and chair at Valparaiso University, discuss ministry in urban areas as well as the unrest unfolding in Ferguson, Mo., and around the world. KFUO Interview — Aug. 13, 2014.