Exorcism as Mercy
Most of us equate exorcisms with scary Hollywood movies, but Rev. Geoff Boyle explains how pastors in Madagascar use the rite to cast the demon out and speak Christ in.
The Magazine
Strengthening Single-Parent Families
by Monique Nunes Traditional, two-parents families are, sadly, no longer necessarily the norm. How can the church assist single parents juggling work and children? The reasons really do not matter. The personal pain or historical circumstances that have led to the reality are not a priority. What matters most is this: How can the church
The Language of Christ’s Church
by Rev. Mark Sell I sat behind the lectern of Springs of Life Lutheran Church, trying to figure out where the service began. The pastor sent hand signals across the altar, and I strained to hear the words of the opening hymn. Got it! Sort of. I had no clue what I was singing. Or did
Name That Tune!
by Rev. Dr. Greg Wismar Aberystwyth. Alabare. Angelus. Aurelia. Azmon. All of these words that begin with the letter A can be found in most Lutheran hymnals. Why? Because they are the names of hymn tunes that are sung by Gods people from the pages of their hymnbooks. Just as every text that is used
The Season of Commencement
by Dr. Dennis J. Goff It’s not a season you will find on your church’s liturgical calendar, but it is a season of life that affects many families: graduation. Many young people will be heading out this month to commence their college education. Often times graduation exercises are referred to as “Commencement.” However, to commence
Focus and timely
The leading editorial of President Matthew Harrison could not have been better focused or more timely. We are lifelong Lutherans–in fact, former medical missionaries in both Asia and Africa–who left the ELCA a year ago to the security and solid confession of Christ that characterizes the LCMS. It was a difficult and wrenching decision for
Special May issue
Thank you so much for the May 2011 Lutheran Witness. The articles explaining the issues facing the LCMS were clear, concise and long overdue. I will be seeking permission to reproduce the entire issue for use in our Adult Bible Class. Rev. John ChristensenCheyenne, Wyo. Read More Letters to the Editor Send letters to
Lutheran Witness: August 2011
Our theme for August is “Lutheran Confession, Lutheran Mission.” Prof. John Pless takes an in-depth look at what makes Lutheranism distinct and why Lutherans are uniquely equipped to share God’s Word with others around the globe.
To The Reader
by David L. Strand With this issue, we say “God speed you,” Carla J. Dubbelde. For the past 22 years, Carla has held a key position: editorial manager of the stitched-in district editions of The Lutheran Witness. As the name implies, these editions are publications within a publication—the monthly news of LCMS districts bound within
Q & A
by Dr. Jerald C. Joersz A member of my family (raised LCMS) will not allow his children to be a part of anything connected to a church. He wants them to “make their own decisions regarding religion when they are old enough to understand.” How can I approach him about this without causing resentment? Your
Why Am I Barren?
Children are a heritage from the Lord—a gift from Him—and that good gift is received, not manufactured or made. In His wisdom and time, God makes mothers of women.
10 Minutes with . . .
by Kim Plummer Krull Amputees and prosthetics typically aren’t uppermost on the minds of most college students. But for Jonathan Naber and Adam Booher, the quest to develop an affordable prosthetic arm for people in developing countries has dominated much of their time at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Naber, 21, is president of