What do faithful Christians fear more than anything? The death of the church. But our Lord says, "Fear not little flock for it is the Father's good pleasure to give you the Kingdom." (Luke 12:32) And David says, "Be still and know that I am God." (Psalm 46:10) Try as we might (and the LCMS has tried mightily in the last 50 years) we cannot manufacture church members, or...

THE PRODIGAL SURROUNDED BY THE SWINE OF SIN AND DEATH. THE FATHER, OUR GRACIOUS HEAVENLY FATHER, RUNNING OUT TO MEET YOU, HIS RETURNING SON. If your sin oppresses you and weighs you down, then hear the parable of the Prodigal Son. (Luke 15:1-32) You are the prodigal son, at all times ripe with sin and death from which you can in no way free yourself. Every day you...

Acts 1:12-26 Whenever possible it behooves Lutherans to take the liturgico-sacramental route of biblical interpretation. I suggest it be done along these lines. The Mt. of Olives is not just a geographical location, but is highly significant in the New Testament. Better to call it Olive Mountain. That helps us think about the place and how it got its name. For olives. Wh...

Beloved in Christ, In the event that I should be elected as President of the Ohio District there are some things I would work to change. Above all that our pastors and congregations should re-discover what their respective work is. The pastor's work is to lead the baptized in worship. That is his "job description." When you see the pastor in the chancel giving voice to G...

Religious Terminology 101:Pietism Pietism is the notion that the Christian faith is practiced primarily on an individual basis, rather than by the gathering of the baptized for holy worship. Those who practice pietism often feel obligated to wear their religion on their sleeve, and to make it known to whomever will listen. That is their primary form of worship, but it is...

Pastor's ReportVoters MeetingChrist Lutheran ChurchMay 20, 2018 Beloved in Christ, Christ Lutheran Church is the continued beneficiary of God's richest blessings. I pray we can appreciate what we have, and give God all glory, laud and honor in return, both in our formal worship and in lives wholly dedicated to him and his glory. Before I give my report I'd like to take ...

Lutherans everywhere are asking the same question: what can we do to make the church grow? How do we fill the pews? Why are less and less people coming? In the wake of the question, solutions are often proposed. Should we advertise, start a social program, gather youngsters to play basketball, have an after school tutoring program, knock on doors, or try to get our delinqu...

Following the Lord's Ascension we learn: Then they returned toJerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day's journey away. Acts 1:12. Does the Holy Spirit include this information in Luke's gospel merely togeographically orient the hearer? Unlikely. But rather to theologically orient him! Relevant to our verse is: Zechariah 14:3-4 "Then ...

Before the church prays Sunday's Collect she should recall the adage: be careful what you ask for. In it we pray, "O God, the giver of all that is good, by your holy inspiration grant that we may think those things that are right and by your merciful guiding accomplish them ..." It's a big ask because "the father of lies" (John 8:44) has robbed us of our ability to think....

The Lutheranism practiced in America today is poverty-stricken compared to the Lutheranism of our forebears, the Lutheranism of the 16th and 17th centuries. That Lutheranism manifested the beauty of the Gospel not only by the Word and Sacrmaments; but by its art and architecture; its song, ceremony and celebration. For a glimpse into it see this clip of the boys' choir of ...