We need to preach more about the Gospel!” a wellmeaning pastor admonished his brothers at a pastoral conference.

At my request, The Lutheran Witness staff has put together this issue to inform the good folks of Synod about the financial realities that we face. The funding of this multi-billion-dollar institution called The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod is complex, to say the least. Learn more about the Synod’s blessings, gifts and challenges.

What is the source of our Resurrection joy? President Harrison reminds us that Jesus’ death is our hope and comfort in the midst of life and especially at Easter.

In the midst of a weak economy and unstable foreign relations, not to mention a country increasingly unwelcoming of the Lutheran faith, it can sometimes feel like there is little hope for the church. President Harrison reminds of Christ’s love and the strength that is ours in Him.

So, what is this “life together” in the Church? What does it mean that we in the Missouri Synod are “in this together”? And what finally holds us together anyway?

This month, Pastor Harrison offers some practical and hopeful ways for the church to begin to move forward in Christ-centered unity. For more on pastors preaching the Gospel, congregations showing mercy to their neighbors, and the church living together under Christ’s forgiveness, read on.

In this month’s letter, President Harrison concludes his series of three articles on the “Witness, Mercy, Life Together” emphasis for the church and the world. To find out more about these themes, check out www.lcms.org/emphasis.

In this month’s letter, President Harrison continues his series of three articles on the “Witness, Mercy, Life Together” emphasis for the Church and the world. To find out more about these themes, check out: www.lcms.org/emphasis.

In this month’s letter, President Harrison begins a series of three articles on the “Witness, Mercy, Life Together” emphasis for the Church and the world. To find out more about these themes, check out: www.lcms.org/emphasis.

The greatest eras in the history of the Church have all begun with repentance. Those times when the Gospel of free forgiveness by faith in Jesus Christ has shone brightest in missionary witness and expansion—in a burning desire to care for the weak and needy with Christ’s own mercy, and in zealous and creative endeavors in church life and organization—have all begun with the preaching of repentance.