The LCMS
Lutherans today

Thanks for the excellent January Lutheran Witness focus on Lutheranism. It is sorely needed in our time and should make us thankful for the blessings we enjoy in our church. However, I fail to find even a footnote reminding us that there are lots of non-Lutheran Christians who know Jesus, love the Bible, spread the
A telling statistic

Something is missing! As I was considering the statistics listed in the box for “At a Glance: The LCMS Today” (p. 8, January), I realized that one rather important and, perhaps, “telling” statistic was grossly missing: the number of clergymen serving in full-time Synod or district positions. The disparity between “clergy” (9,164) and those “serving
Supporting church workers

I commend the letter which appeared in the December Lutheran Witness and suggested that congregations consider assisting pastors with their educational debt. The average educational debt that 2008 seminary graduates carried into the pastoral ministry was more than $27,300. Since this is the average amount, there are many new pastors who have much higher educational
Whom May I Commune?

I ask this question as a Roman Catholic who by way of marriage is related to many Missouri Synod Lutherans. I am, in fact, a eucharistic minister, and I have been asked by members of my extended family to commune elderly Lutheran relatives residing in assisted-living facilities. I have refused based on my understanding of
Thinking economically

Several years ago, my congregation, a bedroom community of upper-middleclass people, wrestled with the idea of continuing blanket subscriptions to The Lutheran Witness for all members due to your huge increase in price. At the same time, I noted that you began using glossy, heavy paper, which surely added considerably to your costs. I submit
Answering ‘Why?’

by Theresa M. Shaltanis God has blessed us with a son who is a hard worker, talented, and compassionate. He is also gay, and he has questioned why God made him this way. I told him I don’t know the answer, but that God doesn’t make “junk,” and that I will always love him. I
More Dr. Siemon-Netto, please

We have enjoyed reading Dr. Uwe Siemon-Netto’s articles in The Lutheran Witness. We have not seen any in a while and would like to see more of them. They are thoughtful articles, very meaty and powerful messages. Robert and Marie Heckmann Richmond. Va. Dr. Siemon-Netto is working on a story that is schedule to run
Shedding Some Light

Thoughts for the New Year The most important thing in communication is to listen for the things not being said. Happiness comes through doors you didn’t know you left open. When someone says, “That’s a good question,” you can be sure it’s a lot better than the answer you’re going to get. Don’t expect God
Sharing our faith

I thank God that the Holy Spirit led Kathy Reed (“An Accidental Missionary,” December) to witness to her faith, speaking carefully chosen words in her “difficult situation.” The prophet Jonah (chapter 1) also faced a difficult situation. After the mariners “each cried out to his god” they confronted Jonah for his action of going into

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