A Good Work! The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task.  1 Timothy 3:1 There are many different reasons why boys and men decide they would like to be pastors.  Some are influenced by the example of their pastor or encouraged...

In Jesus’ Name And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.  Colossians 3:17 Congregations in Missouri District are located in large cities, small towns, and in rural communities.  Some are very large, while others have...

Different Gifts, Same Lord Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them.  Romans 12:6a Orchestras are not made up of only saxophones.  Basketball teams cannot be made up of five guys who all want the basketball all the time.  In the Armed Forces,...

Bodily Offerings I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.  Romans 12:1 The offering is a part of the liturgy that is noted by everyone, but little thought is given.  We tend...

Everyone Has a Part But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 1 Peter 2:9 The Table of Duties from Luther’s Small Catechism lays out what pastors owe to...

A Kingdom of Priests Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine; and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.  Exodus 19:5-6 The Lord...

What’s In It for Us? For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake.  2 Corinthians 4:5 Dr. Luther described sin as being essentially being man curved in on oneself, drawing from St. Augustine.  There is also a tendency...

Togetherness Takes Work Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.  Ephesians 4:3 During a conversation over dinner with two missionaries and their wives, the comment was made that each couple finds out how long they can be apart before it becomes counterproductive. ...

Sisters’ Keepers Then the Lord said to Cain, “Where is Abel your brother?” He said, “I do not know; am I my brother's keeper?” Genesis 4:9 There is much on which we can reflect regarding Cain’s sins.  Jealousy, hatred and murder are all sins that Cain commits.  So is simple...

Better Together So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into...