Preparing and Raising Up “Messengers”
As the Lord calls workers for the harvest, the whole church has a role in identifying, encouraging, and assisting men as the consider and pursue pastoral ministry.
The LCMS
Our Seminaries: Responding to Needs, Addressing Costs
by Roland Lovstad It’s fair to say no two ministries–or congregations–in the LCMS are alike. They may be small churches in rural America, “megachurches” in the suburbs, or historic congregations in urban settings. Surrounding these congregations are wonderful opportunities to bring God’s Word to immigrants, ethnic groups, blind or deaf people, families, children, military personnel,
When at Last I Near the Shore
Mom had long ago lost touch with reality…but a beloved hymn cut through the fog.
The Gift of The Holy Spirit
Without cultural traditions behind it, we may wonder how to celebrate Pentecost. Is it really as important as the other days? Why do we observe Pentecost at all?
Starting Anew with a Seminary Graduate
by Roland Lovstad Graduating seminarians anticipate seminary “Call Day” as a time to move from preparation to active ministry. At the same time, congregations like Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Hampton, Va., anticipate the day when their hopes will be met with a new pastor. “Here we are going into 2008 after four years without a permanent
A ‘Pit Crew’ for Men’s Ministry
by Rev. Timothy C. Cartwright I am a great advocate of outreach and evangelism. As with my current congregation, Grace Lutheran in Ashland, Org., and with all the congregations I have served, at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Hudson, Ohio, where I first met Leo Mehl and his wife, Marjorie, (see the print edition of
Finishing the Race
After a four-decade career that spanned the globe, Leo Mehl, one of the most influential people in modern motorsports, has found a spiritual home.
Four Writers Reflect on Their Call to the Ministry
by James Heine Because we focus on pastoral recruitment, education, and support in the May issue of The Lutheran Witness, we asked our clergy contributors this question: Who first encouraged you to consider the pastoral ministry, and what effect did that encouragement have on your life and on your desire to become a Lutheran pastor?
Ashes to Ashes?
Dr. Knippa suggests [in the April 2008 Family Counselor] the questioner look at www.lcms.org for a “historical and scriptural perspective” regarding cremation. He then refers to this with no scriptural references. I would suggest that LCMS add the Bible reference of Joshua 7:15, 25, where we are told that an accursed criminal had to be purged
Pastors Wanted
St. Paul asks in Romans 10, “How are they to believe in Him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?” Synod’s congregations will need around 2,700 pastors in the next 10 years, an average of 270 each year, just to fill retirement vacancies.
Keep up the good work
Bravo! The April, 2008 Lutheran Witness deserves a gold star. This is the best edition in a long time. The articles are relevant, fresh, and thought provoking. May God bless this ministry! Glenna OsbornMember of St. Matthew Lutheran ChurchLee’s Summit, MO Thanks for the free copy of the Witness. Our former congregation’s pastor chose to
Rural revitalization: a good idea, but is something missing?
The idea of the rural community as a mission field is right on! For more than 30 years, Dr. Hunter, a rostered LCMS pastor, has been helping churches big and small work toward the effective transformation of the Lord’s Great Commission to make disciple of all peoples. I have heard him say time and time