I was very impressed and encouraged by your article “It’s Not All Downhill!” in the February Lutheran Witness. Small churches need the encouragement to know that there is an alternative to declining attendance and membership. Most rural churches, especially in Middle America, are small, and many are declining. In some cases, they may be the
I’d like to comment about the February issue of The Lutheran Witness and about rural ministries. I went to a one-room school with eight grades, and I’m probably telling my age, so I’ll tell you it was a small farming community at Lutherville, Ark. I’m not advocating going back to this type of education, but
Reconstruction (spin) is not putting the “best construction” on historical figures such as Philip Melanchthon (the February Lutheran Witness). Let’s accept the fact that Melanch-thon excessively yielded to the political pressures in his later years. He did devalue the words that defined the precious Real Presence of Jesus in the Sacrament. Let’s also acknowledge that
Congratulations on your February article, “Word of God, Speak!” It was written for us “pew-sitters.” Every trade and profession has its own unique expressions understood only by their own. Example: What does “The pump lost its prime,” mean? Is it proper grammar? Or, “The rose boxes in holds 2 and 4 were stopped up.” We
by Dr. Jerald C. Joersz In John 11, Jesus raised Lazarus from death. Did Lazarus die a second time? Do the Scriptures answer this question? Only the Gospel of John gives us any information about Lazarus, including brief mention of him after Jesus raised him from death. In chapter 12, John tells us that after his
by Kim Plummer Krull The Haiti earthquake makes us think about how we can help suffering survivors and also about how we can prepare if a disaster hits close to home. Disaster preparation: LCMS World Relief and Human Care offers two disaster preparedness resources for families and congregations: Preparing to Meet the Challenge, a free,
To help an urban congregation minister to its community, a district turns to one of the greatest strengths of our Synod——its system of Christian education.
Haiti, Volunteerism, and a Desire to Help Commentary by Albert B. Collver III and Daniel Mattson The earthquake in Haiti has shaken the entire world and refocused attention on the poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere, if not the world. People from around the globe have poured out help to this island nation. In particular,
The LCMS has moved beyond the early emergency stage into the next steps of disaster response that, we pray, will share hope in Haiti long after it disappears from newscasts.
An online search leads to an encounter with a Lutheran pastor and an opportunity to find forgiveness, comfort, and release.
Balm for consciences afflicted by sin
Human life, no matter what stage of development and no matter what condition it’s in, is precious because of God’s creative work and Christ’s redemptive act.