by Rev. Dr. Paul Winningham, Missouri District Church Worker Care Team The things you do day after day tend to become routine. And with routine comes the temptation to treat these things lightly. Light treatment can easily become casual, which can morph into disregard, descending into contempt and cynicism. All...
Come, O children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord.—Psalm 34:11 These are challenging times facing our Lutheran schools. The issue of funding is critical as our schools try to balance appropriate tuition, congregational support, and fair salaries for teachers. There is also the constant pressure to...
Rev. Dr. William (Bill) F. Meyer passed away peacefully at the age of 78 on Friday, February 1, 2019. Bill was born to Reverend Frederick and Melinda (Christian) Meyer on April 17, 1940 in Glendive, Montana. Raised as a preacher’s son Bill gained the wisdom of knowing God’s love and...
“But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine.” —Titus 2:1 When St. Paul writes to the young pastors Timothy and Titus, he repeatedly implores them to hold on to and teach sound doctrine. Commentators often note that the expression would be best translated “healthy doctrine.” J.N.D. Kelly writes of the...
According to 1 Peter 3:15, Christians are called to be prepared to give an answer or defense (Greek word for apology, as in apologetics) for the hope that we have. But in this age of shrill voices and all CAPS and exclamation points (!!!) on Twitter and Facebook, we are...
Most people don’t necessarily see a direct connection between a congregation’s business administration and the individuals worshiping on Sunday morning. However, when churches and other buildings receive repairs or updates, the impact can change lives. For example, it’s been almost six years since Joyce Hicks entered the fellowship hall of...
My “10:02 Prayers” this week have been for the Holy Spirit to stir up surprises in new mission initiatives among our congregations. In fact, I’m challenging all of us to use the month of February to pray daily at 10:02 (mindful Jesus’ call to prayer in Luke 10:02) for new...
“And [Peter] he went out and wept bitterly.” —Luke 22:62 Tears are not foreign to those who serve God and His Church. Throughout the Scriptures we find our Lord choosing for His service uncertain saints, men and women, who are known more for their failures than their feats, more for...
by Pastor Marty Hasz, Eisleben Lutheran Church What’s the one most difficult outcome for a pastor to achieve in the congregation? Agreeing on the color of the new sanctuary carpet? Sort of, yes. Even small decisions can be influenced with that agony of broken or strained relationships. Outstanding sermons and...
And after some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us return and visit the brothers in every city where we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they are…” And he went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches. —Acts 15:36, 41 When Paul begins his second missionary journey, it is...