Does the LCMS have a position on the public burial or marriage of a nonmember of a congregation? I always believed that one of the privileges of being a communicant member was to be allowed public baptism of your children, public marriage of yourself or your children, and a public burial, or “Christian burial,” from
A ‘Reading’ Lesson Every once in a while, at bedtime, Zachary, my 7-year-old, needs to talk. Sometimes he simply melts down. Everything seems so bad. But if you lie with him long enough and listen, things get better. Last night was one of those occasions. At one point he began to cry. He had lost
We “make and multiply” disciples by positively and naturally introducing our good friend Jesus to other people in our everyday life.
There were more than a few occasions . . . when I would stand on the steps of a home . . . and secretly, quietly hope no one would be home, or that no one would answer the door.
Outreach tools, resources and idea starters . . . to help you share the hope of our faith LCMS districts, ministries, congregations, partners, and individuals offer an array of tools to help us share the Good News of Jesus Christ in our homes, neighborhoods, and nation. Here are a few resources selected by Rev. Scott
You are reading a very special issue of The Lutheran Witness. Its focus is on people and institutions of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod bringing the Gospel of Jesus Christ to a world that needs so very much to hear God’s Good News.
by Terence Groth Some readers will remember the 1966 film The Russians Are Coming! The Russians Are Coming! In this comedy of the Cold War, a Russian submarine accidentally runs aground near a small New England town. Crewmembers come ashore to get help. The reaction of the townsfolk is surprise and fear. They are afraid
by Roland Lovstad Light of Christ: Sharing the faith on Sunday and every day — in Mandarin Chinese and English In response to a call to serve, a district and a suburban congregation reach out to a growing Chinese community with the Good News of Jesus. On a Sunday last November, at a crossroads in
A jeweler was getting married. When it came time to slip the ring on his bride’s finger, he hesitated. “With this ring …,” prompted the pastor, noting the jeweler appeared more than a little nervous. “With this ring …,” the jeweler began haltingly. “With this ring …” “Well?” said the pastor. “With this ring …
by Paula Schlueter Ross Anita Olvera’s passion for her ‘family’ opens doors—and hearts Anita Olvera still has trouble thinking of what she does as “evangelism.” As the self-described “social-ministries person” at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Fresno, Calif., Olvera took the congregation’s “adopt a family at Christmas” ministry to a new level when she suggested “adopting”
I would like to commend Susan Senechal for her brief but compelling article, “A Light in a World Gone Dark” (December, 2007). Unlike many of your contributors, Susan began where real life is – often dark and filled with tragedy – then soothingly applied the healing balm of the Gospel. So often your articles strike
A growing number of congregations see a need for outreach help, and “The 72–Partners on the Road” are ready to lend a hand.