At first, church planting can feel daunting for pastors, elders and lay leaders. Some people imagine expensive buildings, mission developers and intense volunteerism and it can feel overwhelming. So it might surprise you that nearly all of the 13 of the congregations who participated in our recent Churches Planting Churches...
As an LCMS Recognized Service Organization (RSO), Lutheran Urban Mission Agency (LUMA) works alongside pastors, lay leaders and congregations in urban and multicultural outreach. Partnering with both the Missouri and Kansas Districts means they can work across the entire Kansas City Metro area and beyond. As part of our mission...
There’s a rising trend of using Comfort Dogs to help people deal with stress and trauma. The benefits of petting a dog on blood pressure and soothing a troubled mind are well documented. What separates the Lutheran Charities K-9 Comfort Dog Ministries from other programs is that in addition to...
Revs. Jesse and Joseph Schlie grew up in Fort Wayne, IN, where their dad was a pastor. Many people watching the Call Day service at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne would remember them as the identical twins called to the Missouri District. Personality-wise, it seems like the brothers were...
Cindy Wehmeyer is the secretary of Trinity Lutheran Church in Orchard Farm as well as the wife and mom of a proud farming family. Back when the water was blocking roads, she had to commute to work by boat. Cindy, her husband Greg and their daugther, Gwen, are the human...
In Orchard Farm and surrounding communities, evidence of this spring’s monster flood is both everywhere and nowhere. The water line is still visible on many homes, some of which bear orange stickers that designate the insurance company’s order to raise the home. However, in other spots, the impact of the...
Some church members communicate with some sense of disappointment that they are not having their expectations met by their respective congregations. From buildings and parking lots to music and programs, people often express their dissatisfaction at what they find at their congregation. Pastors are not professional enough and programs are...
Rev. Herbert E. Muench of Saint Charles, MO was called home to glory Wed. Sept. 25, 2019 at the age of 86. Loving husband of the late Melba Carol Muench; beloved son of the late John B. and Norma Muench; devoted father of Norma Muench, Loren Muench, and Mark (Karen) Muench;...
“For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.” —2 Corinthians 4:5 One faithful Lutheran school teacher once told me that everyday he would tell the students in his classroom that Jesus died on the cross and rose again for the forgiveness...
“Now among those who went up to worship at the feast were some Greeks. So these came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and asked him, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” —John 12:21Pastors are not called to be change agents. They are not called to be visionary leaders. They are not...