The Magazine

MERCY: Regarded by God . . . and Others

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.

All Those Translations!

by Dr. Jeffrey A. Gibbs The question is raised by all kinds of people: seminary students, devout church members, confirmation students, and perhaps every single Christian at one time or another. And the question is, “What is the best translation of the Bible?” We have, after all, the KJV, NKJV, RSV, NRSV, NIV, NIVI, JB,

From Augsburg to Webster

In your September issue, Dr. Joersz opines, “The practice of asking a lay assistant to commune the pastor during the Communion has become widespread and is considered the preferred option.”  Augsburg Confession, Art. XIV, rightly teaches “No one should . . . administer the Sacraments unless he be regularly called.”  Webster defines administer as “To

To the Reader

by Adriane Dorr It’s happened. Already stores are playing Christmas carols and plying you with promises of perfect presents. What happened to Thanksgiving? What happened to Advent? What happened to waiting? Not to worry. The Church does not operate like the world. The Church, in fact, thrives on waiting. It is unhurried, deliberate, thoughtful. So

Serving the one who serves

The Q & A in September provides a good discussion starter on this historic, yet often misunderstood, practice. I partake of the Sacrament first, so that I, freshly strengthened by it, can thus offer it to the gentleman who assists me in the chancel. He and I both, in turn, again having been strengthened ourselves,

Respecting the person and office

Your recent Q & A on “Who Communes the Pastor” gives with one hand yet takes back with the other.  The response rightly noted that Luther and those who came after him approved of the practice of the pastor’s “self-communion” in the Divine Service while at the same time condemned the “private mass.” However, the

An answer to the question

What has been written on page 23 of the September Issue of The Lutheran Witness contains an improper question and a wrong answer to the improper question. As to the answer given, Luther and Chemnitz are quoted as stating that he practice of a pastor communing himself within the Divine Service of a congregation is

The View from Here: Being “Little” Means a Lot

by Dr. Lane R. Seitz This past Sunday I worshiped in one of the smaller congregations in our district. There were approximately 50 people in wor-ship. We have approximately 40 congregations in our district that average less than 50 people in worship each week. In most of those situations, the congregation is served by a

What Makes America American?

PBS has chronicled the American experience in war, peace, depression, and prosperity. Now religion. Dr. Rast previews “God in America.”

Hitting the Million Mark

Hope Lutheran Church in Jackpot, Nev., has indeed hit the jackpot. Find out how Rev. Gary Benedix purchased the one millionth copy of Lutheran Service Book.

It’s Mission Month

Looking for ways to celebrate the Reformation and Mission Month? LCMS World Mission and English District President David Stechholz offer a variety of ways.

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