I don’t know if the LSB bulletin inserts have changed this or not. One can only hope. The Gospel for this past Sunday in the old three year series is prefaced by the addition of [Jesus said]. I realize that people need to be able to identify that Jesus is speaking, but just as important is the fact that He is speaking today, now not just in the past. (more…)
Archive for August, 2007
Jesus Says
Monday, August 20th, 2007A Response to a CTCR Response
Wednesday, August 15th, 2007August 14, 2007
The Commission on Theology and Church Relations
The Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod
1333 South Kirkwood Road
St. Louis, MO 63122-7295
Dear Commission:
Thank you for your letter of February 15, 2007 and the copy of “CTCR Response to Expressions of Dissent (2004-2006).” Our congregation studied these thoroughly for 12 weeks during our Sunday morning Bible class time. A response should be forthcoming from the congregation. What follows is my response.
You declined to address our concern about open communion and revivalistic worship saying that you did not believe these fell into the category of dissent from Synod’s position. Perhaps our concerns are not part of the Synod’s official position, but they were part of President Kieschnick’s official report to the Synod, and the Synod in convention officially accepted them.
Show Me The Potatoes
Monday, August 13th, 2007This article was originally written by me in 1999.
The phrase “show me the money” was made popular by the movie “Jerry MaGuire.” MaGuire is a sport’s agent. One of his football players threatens to jump to another agent. MaGuire cajoles, smooth talks, and promises. The football player retreats to the mantra, “Show me the money.” He wants to see some results from having MaGuire as his agent.
We all want results. Especially pastors. Especially this pastor. I recently preached my 1,000 sermon. That means roughly 2 million words have poured forth – or dribbled – from my mouth. I have written the equivalent of 32 four hundred page novels, and let me tell you, “I ain’t exactly on the best seller list.” The results have been paltry. I don’t confirm kids in the faith; I graduate them from church. When I baptize children into the family of God, I, more often then not, am bon voyaging their family. Most adults I have catechized in the faith are not lost to the lions but to the Saints [An NFL football team], the lake, the camp, or the bed.
Something’s Burning
Monday, August 13th, 2007That Kenny Rogers is a talented singer/song writer. He sings of war causalities, “Ruby,” racism “Reuben James,” and love burning “Something is Burning.” He paints when he sings. Well something is burning in the LCMS and I think it’s our theology.
The presidents of our two seminaries have now said that they find nothing “inconsistent” with Scripture in the Ablaze! movement. This is a pretty hearty endorsement. Not only is there nothing muddleheaded or false, there is nothing even “inconsistent” with Scripture. Surely they jest, or they don’t read the same Scriptures I do.
Take “Fan into Flames.” From the Synod’s own web site we read, “This effort reflects the urging of St. Paul to young Timothy to boldly use the gifts that God conferred on him.” What ‘effort’ is being referred to? Again from Synod’s web site, “Fan into Flame is the capital fundraising campaign endorsed by the 2004 Synodical Convention that will secure $100 million in new money (over and above current World Mission budget) to help reach the Ablaze! goals.”
To Establish a Specific Ministry Pastor Program
Saturday, August 4th, 2007Our Synod in convention resolved to establish a Specific Ministry Pastor Program with resolution 5-01b. This is how it was reported through my district. “This program allows for alternate programs to become ordained as a pastor. Members of both seminary faculties were involved in the drafting of this program and the program has the full blessing of both seminaries.” The report went on to say this will enable congregations to ordain youth pastors, music pastors, etc. Apparently, the word “minister” isn’t good enough any longer. (more…)
Me and Father Mackenzie
Saturday, August 4th, 2007“Father Mackenzie writing the words for a sermon no one will hear.” So sang the Beatles in “Eleanor Rigby.” How often I’ve been able to identify with him. Particularly in the depths of Lent when it seemed liked I had preached this already, or in the dry seasons when sermonizing was torture, or in the interminable Sundays after Pentecost. There isn’t really much encouragement to preach is there? O there’s encouragement to preach dynamically, to preach entertainingly, to preach clearly, to preach somehow, someway, but there’s always and adverb attached. And that qualifier can grind away in my conscience till it has produced a fine gravel that constipates my mind before a blank sheet of paper and palpitates my heart before a glass-eyed congregation. “Is this dynamic?” “Is this entertaining?” “Is this informal?” “Am I being too theological, too preachy, too vague, too…” You know the questions that are really accusations. (more…)