Who Are You: the importance of “naming” things as they really are During the time of The Warring States, an era of intense conflict and social dysfunction within 6th century B.C. China, Confucius searched China’s ancient past to find a better way of life for the Chinese people. His solution began with the premise that [...]
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Why Are We Here? “…and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man…now write what you see, what is and what is to take place hereafter…” These words record the time when Jesus was walking through the lampstands of Asia Minor, commenting on what He saw and what was taking place. [...]
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-God’s plan is a MYSTERY but it is also an OPEN SECRET (1) its content was once hidden but has been revealed in the apostolic age (2) according to Ephesians 3:3-6, the heart of this mystery is God’s intent to unite into ONE COMMUNITY the two separate segments of ancient society: the Jew and the [...]
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One of my favorite authors to read is CRAIG VAN GELDER, who teaches at Luther Seminary in St. Paul Minnesota. Craig is a keen observer of North American culture plus he is a very good, concise writer — here are three insights that he gives us concerning WHAT KIND OF WORLD DO WE LIVE IN. [...]
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SOCIAL CUSTOMS AND LAWS AMONG THE ISRAELITES 1: CORAM DEO -when the Israelites saw the great power the Lord displayed against the Egyptians, the people feared the Lord and put their trust in Him (Ex. 14:31) -the people are to gather enough food for the day (Ex. 16:4) -they are not to put the Lord to [...]
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One of the most insightful, yet controversial books, was a short book by Oscar Feucht titled EVERYONE A MINISTER — here are just a few of the many statements about ministry and mission in the late 20th century that Oscar advocated as a Synodical leader for LC-MS congregational reflection and implementation 1: THE CHURCH NEEDS [...]
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-there is a time, and ours is such a time, when a NEGATIVE MESSAGE is needed before anything POSITIVE CAN BEGIN…there must first be the message of JUDGMENT, the TEARING DOWN -I would spend 45-50 minutes on the NEGATIVE, to really show man his dilemma…to show him that he is more dead than even he [...]
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A Theology of Mission Based Upon the Parables of Jesus INTRODUCTION -one-third of the recorded teaching of Jesus consists of parables…in the parables, Jesus is describing the kingdom of God in action and telling us something that happens when God is busy reestablishing Himself as King among humankind -in the words and works of Jesus, [...]
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Francis Schaeffer on the observation that much of modern theology merely echoes what the culture is saying and not what God is saying: -today, when we listen to the religion that is preached, it is largely the SAME THING the UNBELIEVING PHILOSOPHERS and SOCIOLOGISTS are saying…the only difference is that theological language is being used [...]
Harry Coiner, in the November 1964 CTM, wrote an excellent article on LAW and GOSPEL in Christian Education — here a few of his many fine statements: -the proper distinction between Law and Gospel makes Christian education properly Christian DEFINING THE TERMS “LAW” AND “GOSPEL” -THE LAW, in its proper sense, is the divine Word [...]
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Martin Scharlemann, in a November 1964 CTM article, writes about the CONGREGATION — place of God’s presence…here a few of his many interesting and insightful statements: WHERE IS GOD? -that God is there and that He is there for you are two different things…He is there FOR YOU when He adds His Word thereto and [...]
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Fred Mayer, in a March 1963 article on the voice of AC VII on the church, made these statements about the nature and purpose of the church: THE CHURCH AS ECCLESIA: the gathering of all believers -a child of seven knows what the church is, namely, the holy believers and the lambs who hear the [...]
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Bruce Metzger, in a March 1963 CTM article, made the following statements regarding the New Testament teaching concerning the church: -in the Greek New Testament the word commonly used for CHURCH is EKKLESIA, which occurs 114 times in 17 of the 27 New Testament books -in the Old Testament, a similar word referred to an [...]
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Victor Bartling, in a April 1965 CTM article, makes these statements about the church in God’s eternal plan: -essentially the church, like Christ, never changes…its foundations, its goals, its means and resources, its message to humankind always remain the same…but since the church is made up of human beings, it necessarily reflects in its historical [...]
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-these two questions have troubled me for quite a few years now and I thought I would share them with you…I am not trying to be hurtful in asking these two questions but WHAT ARE OUR MOTIVES for MISSION/MINISTRY and EXPERIENCING PARADISE? FIRST QUESTION: if all of your bills were paid as a congregation, would [...]
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AN ASSIMILATION EXERCISE -the following exercise is one that I experienced at a PASTOR AS LEADER seminar with Lyle Schaller back in the mid-1980s — it has stayed with me ever since: (1) the exercise requires at least 30-40 individuals (2) the large group is divided into a number of groups, ranging in size from [...]
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NEW MEMBER PERCEPTION -one of the important principles in the assimilation of new members is HOW the new member is PERCEIVED by the existing membership…is the new member viewed as an ASSET or a LIABILITY…often the new member is seen as a FINANCIAL ASSET ONLY with little consideration given to the person’s decision-making and stewardship [...]
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-some of these characteristics are somewhat dated to the 1980s and early 1990s but these recommendations from Lyle Schaller are still worth reflecting upon and considering in your congregation’s journey: 1: BIBLE PREACHING AND TEACHING ARE HIGH PRIORITIES FOR PASTOR AND PEOPLE…there is a strong emphasis on biblical preaching and teaching 2: EMPHASIS ON EVANGELISM…lay persons who [...]
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THE CHURCH ON PURPOSE 1. Commitment to purpose is the KEY to a congregation’s effectiveness -the Great Commission lays the double obligation upon us: (1) the strengthening of present disciples in their already existing discipleship (EDIFICATION as each believer matures and grows up into Christ who is the Head); (2) reaching out to those who are [...]
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THE PARABLES OF THE KINGDOM: AN INTRODUCTION TO A THEOLOGY OF MISSION INTRODUCTION TO THE THE NATURE OF THE PARABLES OF JESUS -one-third of the recorded teaching of Jesus consists in PARABLES…in the parables, Jesus is… (1) DESCRIBING THE KINGDOM OF GOD IN ACTION (2) TELLING US SOMETHING THAT HAPPENS WHEN GOD IS BUSY RE-ESTABLISHING [...]
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THESES ON MISSION FROM GEORG VICEDOM’S “THE MISSION OF GOD” (St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House 1965) Thesis 1 The Bible in its totality ascribes only one intention to God: to save mankind. Both the church, and the mission, have their source in the loving will of God. Mission, as the business of God, implies that [...]
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-this past week I regressed a bit and revisited my teenage years by purchasing the CD “Experience Hendrix,” a collection of some of Jimi Hendrix’s greatest hits — there are several songs that I recognized, especially ALL ALONG THE WATCHTOWER which I view to be his best song both lyrically and musically -the reason that [...]
-Roland Allen, an Anglican missionary to China from 1885 to 1903, authored several watershed books on missions of which my favorite is MISSIONARY METHODS: ST. PAUL’S OR OURS — here are just a few of the many observations that Roland noted from the Scriptures and Paul’s missionary experiences: -Paul, in his missionary labors, had a [...]
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-Roger Gehring, in his 2004 book titled HOUSE CHURCH AND MISSION, observed from his research the following significance of the house church as a community: (1) Christians were encouraged to a reflect a HOUSEHOLD ordered by God in Christ in their own families and house churches…and became capable of long-term survival and transition from one [...]
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-Roger Gehring, in his 2004 book titled HOUSE CHURCH AND MISSION, observed from his research the following significance of the house church as a building: (1) a room, usually the TRICLINIUM of a private domestic house (the triclinium provided an ideal room for teaching and preaching ministries, prayer meetings, table fellowship and the celebration of [...]
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