Witnessing to the nonchurched
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.
Researchers have declared that our nation is now the third largest mission field in the world. Yet, we continue to think of mission work as something to do "over there."
Rev. Dr. Carlos Hernandez, director, Church and Community Engagement for the LCMS Office of National Mission, talked on Oct. 22, 2014, on KFUO Radio about the Veterans of the Cross ministry, the Soldiers of the Cross ministry and the Gospel Seeds ministry.
Nuggets for witnessing through social media based on a KFUO interview with Rev. Mark Wood.
If the word ‘missional’ moves us to better serve Christ and our neighbor through a renewed devotion to living out the Gospel and a renewed commitment to answer our call to proclaim it, then it is serving us well.
Revitalizing the declining church is a call to preserve our confession rather than our institution.
"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."