St. Paul is the Christian Church’s preeminent missionary. He traveled extensively throughout Asia Minor and Europe on his missionary journeys as he established congregations and set in place pastors to oversee the spiritual care of the flocks in the various cities. But,he also returned to many of the churches that...

I love you, LORD, my strength. The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. —Psalm 18:1-2The inscription for Psalm 18 notes that David wrote it after the Lord...

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress my God, in whom I trust.” —Psalm 91:1-2 Basements are quite unusual in certain parts of the country, like Texas and California. But for those of us who...

James Bartok Faith Lutheran Church – Springfield, MO Jeremiah Gensch Child of God Lutheran Church – St. Peters, MO Andrew Lehenbauer St. Paul Lutheran Church – Concordia, MO Alan Mueller Concordia Seminary, St. Louis Immanuel Lutheran Church – Sweet Springs, MO Cory Stallings The Exchange Communities Lutheran Church – Jackson,...

With graduations happening across the world right now, many people are thinking about what the students will become—what majors they’ll pick, what activities they’ll choose, and eventually what jobs will kick-off their futures. However, there’s another often-overlooked angle about what these students will become. They’re going to become alumni. Engaged...

As a pastor, you go where you’re needed—counseling a couple on the brink of divorce, the side of a hospital bed or presiding over an unexpected funeral. But there’s another place you’re needed. And if you’re being completely honest with yourself, you might be avoiding it. Pastors need to take...

“I will take some of the Spirit that is on you and put it on them, and they shall bear the burden of the people with you, so that you may not bear it yourself alone.” —Numbers 11:17 Moses was overwhelmed by the burden of leading God’s people. More than...

“For I the Lord do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed.” —Malachi 3:7 The writer to the Hebrews says that we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses. But one could also say that we are surrounded by a great cloud of changes. While many crave consistency, we...