Learning at the Foot of the Cross
Two LCMS educators explain the philosophy behind a distinctly Lutheran education.
The Magazine
Sanctified Parenting
by Jill Hasstedt I was impressed when I visited the home of another young mother. Though her children were just toddlers, she had placed simply printed labels on items all over her house. Every day, she was teaching them new vocabulary and letter recognition using engaging activities and alphabet-themed snacks. Her goals were for enrichment
Teach Your Child to Think Like a Lutheran
by Dr. James M. Tallmon Roughly 20 years ago, a group of homeschoolers, inspired by British novelist Dorothy Sayers’ “The Lost Tools of Learning,” set out to apply the Sayers model to educating their children. A little more than a decade ago, a group of Missouri Synod educators, impressed by that movement but wanting to
Q and A
by Rev. Dr. Jerald C. Joersz Q: Do the Lutheran churches have an opinion concerning the Masonic Lodge and other similar organizations? A: Lutheran churches in the United States in varying degrees and at various points in their history have taken positions opposing lodge membership (particularly the Masonic Lodge), although some have relaxed or even removed their
Special Occasions
by Rev. Dr. Greg Wismar Many events in the worship life of every congregation happen on a regular basis. Each year, it can be expected that Christmas, Easter, Pentecost and the other major festivals will be celebrated as they occur on the annual Church Year calendar. The weeks from the First Sunday in Advent to
Shedding Some Light
404 ErrorAfter the Divine Service ended on New Year’s Day, I greeted the four-year-old great-granddaughter of a member of my congregation. “I have a purse,” she told me. I responded, “That’s wonderful. All I have is a wallet and a couple of pockets.” She then observed, “Yeah, but you’re wearing a dress!” Rev. Philip HouserPapillion,
About Joy
President Matthew C. Harrison looks at the topic of joy in the life of the Christian, reminding us that our ultimate cause for rejoicing comes from Christ Himself.
What Does the Bible Say About Pastors?
by Rev. Matthew Zickler Upon His resurrection, Christ appeared to His disciples and sent them with a particular, unique sending, making them apostles. However, as He did this, He also instituted the apostolic office that we still recognize in the Office of the Holy Ministry (see John 20:1923; Matt. 28:1620; Mark 16:1416; Luke 24:4649). Under
To the Reader
It’s not difficult for us to think well of ourselves and what we’ve accomplished in this life. We’ve gone to the best schools, we tell our friends, the most well-known colleges, the most prestigious universities. Never mind that our friends, who went to different schools and colleges and universities, say the exact same thing. But
Try Before You Buy: The Dangers of MaterniT21 (Web-exclusive Story)
by Dr. Debra L. Grime A new prenatal blood test called MaterniT21 can now evaluate the DNA of a baby before he or she is born and determine if the child has Down Syndrome with 99 percent accuracy. But now that the option is available, will more women opt for such tests? And more importantly,
Pastoral Care in the Country
A significant mission field is opening before the LCMS: the growing unchurched population in rural settings.
A Sacred Precious Gift (Web-exclusive story)
by Rev. Christopher Hall He formed our inward parts. He knitted us in our mothers womb (Ps. 139:13). God has created each and every person. But God creates and forms the inward parts of every insect, each and every bird, each and every microbe. What makes human life sacred? What makes Christians defend the born