See How Much God Loves You

God does not hate you. Though you are a sinner to your very core, still He loves you.

Whether your thoughts and desires are consumed by lust, pride, greed, envy, hatred, anger, resentment, covetousness, or any number of other sins, still He loves you.

Whether your words and speech are sprinkled with curses, false oaths, gossip, little white lies, unkind words, or any number of other improper words, still He loves you.

Whether your deeds and actions include physical harm, abortion, taking what isn’t yours, fornication, adultery, homosexual activity, pornography, or any number of other outward sins, still He loves you.

“God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).

That is the Gospel. The good news of salvation. That “in Christ God was reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them” (2 Corinthians 5:19).

Today Jesus Christ dies for you. To take the punishment you, by your sin, deserve. To die your death. He dies, and rises to new life on the Third Day, to give you the blood-bought gifts of forgiveness, life, and salvation. What’s more, what He won for all on the cross He gives to you personally in the waters of Holy Baptism. For it is into His death and resurrection that you have been baptized. There, at the font, He washed away your sins and clothed you with His perfect righteousness. “For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ” (Galatians 3:27).

Empowered by Christ’s word of absolution, live your baptism daily. Live as Easter people, as people who bear Christ’s name, as saints washed clean in His precious blood. As one of the redeemed, it is your joy daily to “put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and ... put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness” (Ephesians 4:22-24).

See how much God loves you. He gives you His most precious treasure—His own Son—to redeem you, to buy you back, to bring you home. Yes, God loves you dearly!

“In this is love, not that we have loved God but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins” (1 John 4:10).

One Single Shape

“From the beginning of creation, ‘God made them male and female.’ ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.”

Saint Mark 10:6-9

That Is Christianity

Objectivity

Many Christians look for signs and miracles. But there is no more miraculous sign than what happens during Holy Communion. Many Christians look for a religious experience, but there is no experience as vivid as tasting. Evangelicals talk about receiving Christ, something that happened way back at their conversion. But in the Lord’s Supper, as we are brought back to the Gospel again and again, we can continue to receive Christ. ...

Recovering the Lord’s Supper can remind all Christians that their faith is grounded in objectivity, in a God who created matter and became incarnate in history, in a Christ who redeemed us by giving His body — not just His “spirit” — in a bloody sacrifice.

Gene Edward Veith
except from This Is My Body

HT: Katie Skogen

Rights Being Denied

Found this on Facebook today, posted by one of my members. It is worth sharing:

If most of my Facebook friends are going to support people who are gay by posting the red equal sign, I am going to post two feet, the feet represent the millions who never get to breathe the air of this world, who never feel love let alone get married, those who never have the chance to have children or go to school or do anything many gays are afforded the privilege to do. They are never given this chance because a human decides that their life is unimportant because of a defect or being an inopportune time for the person who conceived them. This is for the millions of children aborted yearly. Talk about rights being denied.

Division

It is just as our Lord foretold. The truth divides. It divides those who confess it from those who deny it.

“Do you think that I have come to give peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. For from now on in one house there will be five divided, three against two and two against three. They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.” [Luke 12:51-53]

Salvation is God’s free gift to you. It doesn’t cost you anything, though it cost Jesus His very life. He redeemed you, not with gold or silver, but with His holy precious blood and His innocent suffering and death.

And yet, while salvation is free, confessing Christ’s name comes at a cost. Confessing His Word comes at a cost. Confessing truth comes at a cost. It is the cost of discipleship. This cost is the cross Christ’s own are given to bear. This cross takes many forms. Mockery. Intimidation. Bullying. Ridicule. Persecution. Division. Even death.

But fear not, O Christian. You have a Savior who has already shouldered the cross—the ultimate cross—for you. And He delivers the fruits of His cross—forgiveness, life, and salvation—to you in Word and Sacrament, that you might daily die to sin and rise to newness of life in Him.

By God’s grace, abide in Christ, His Word, His truth. Whatever the consequences, do what you have been set apart in Holy Baptism to do: Repent. Hear. Receive. Believe. Confess. Serve. Pray.

And whether the cross you bear is light or heavy, don’t forget the Lord’s gracious words:

“Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on My account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” [Matthew 5:11-12]

The Misuse of Jesus’ Name in the Push for Gay Marriage

Today the Supreme Court begins hearing arguments as to whether or not states have the right to ban gay marriage.

One of the arguments repeatedly brought forth by some of those who support gay marriage—presumably by those who profess to be Christian, or at least want to use Christianity to support their position—is this: “Jesus never spoke out against homosexuality.”

If they are referring to an explicit statement condemning homosexuality by name, it is true. But that argument is neither logical nor legitimate. Jesus also never explicitly—by name!—spoke out against bestiality, rape, child abuse, kidnapping, torture, terrorism, and a whole host of other evils. However, that does not mean He had nothing to say on these sinful activities as well.

Here is the truth: Jesus explicitly reaffirms and reinforces the God-given definition of marriage—husband (male) and wife (female)—established in the Garden of Eden at the beginning of time:

“From the beginning of creation, ‘God made them male and female.’ ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.” [Mark 10:6-9]

Male and female. A man and his wife. The two becoming one flesh. What God has joined together. Jesus doesn’t mince words. He explicitly reaffirms and reinforces the God-given definition of marriage, which, by the way, has been the norm ever since.

What’s more, the remainder of Holy Scripture completely agrees both with the institution of marriage in Genesis and with Jesus. In his letter to the saints in Rome, the Apostle Paul describes homosexual activity as being “dishonorable” and “contrary to nature” and “shameful”:

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For His invisible attributes, namely, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. For although they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. … For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error. [Romans 1:18-21, 26-27]

Paul then goes on to equate “men who practice homosexuality” with “the unrighteous” (1 Corinthians 6:9) and labels this practice “contrary to sound doctrine” (1 Timothy 1:10).

So don’t drag Christ’s holy name into your push for gay marriage. It is not only illogical and illegitimate, it is downright sinful, blasphemous, idolatrous. Marriage—in God’s eyes—was, is, and always will be the union of man and woman, male and female, husband and wife.

In fact, marriage is a picture, a reflection, an icon of the most perfect union of all—that of Jesus Christ and His Church. He is the Groom; she is the bride. Though we are sinful and unclean, He has cleansed us through the washing of water with the Word, clothed us with His perfect righteousness, and is preparing us for the wedding feast of the Lamb in His kingdom, which has no end. This is the reality upon which every marriage is built:

Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her, that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that He might present the church to Himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. … “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. [Ephesians 5:25-32]

It is my prayer that the culture around us will continue to abide within this God-given blessing the way He established it. Anything short of this is sinful!

Palm Branches in Her Hand

Today—Palm Sunday—we celebrated Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. He, the King of kings, entered the Holy City on a lowly beast of burden. The crowds took branches of palm trees and went out to meet Him, crying out:

“Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!” [John 12:13]

Amidst all the Hosannas and palms, the solemn readings and Lenten hymns, the Divine Service and Lord’s Supper, my thought were partially elsewhere. Two months ago today our gracious God called my mother home to Himself. How could I not think of her? Two months. And Palm Sunday to boot. After all, we here on earth weren’t the only ones holding palm branches and rejoicing in Christ’s salvation. So was she. That’s the beauty of our life in Christ. It doesn’t end in death.

Saint John was given a glimpse of what my mother—and all those who fall asleep in Christ—are up to around God’s throne. This is what he saw:

After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” [Revelation 7:9-10]

Christ is your Savior too. He came to “hosanna” you, to save you from your sins. That’s why He entered Jerusalem. That’s why He allowed Himself to be betrayed, arrested, denied, accused, beaten, crowned with thorns, and crucified. For you!

On this side of death, we are privileged to wave our palm branches to the Lord who comes to us hidden in water, words, bread, and wine, even as we sing His praises. On the other side of death, we are again privileged to wave our palm branches, this time before the throne and the Lamb, clothed in white robes, even as we sing His praises.

So, despite the loss I suffered two months ago, it was a joyous day. My mother was gathered around the same Lamb, the same Redeemer, the same Savior we were at Divine Shepherd. And she has palm branches in her hand too. That’s the beauty of our life in Christ. It begins here and now and continues for all eternity. Thanks be to God!

The New Terrorist

Mention the word terrorism and many images comes to mind. Radical Islamic extremists. Militia groups. Even quacks who bomb federal buildings.

Now we are told there’s a much greater threat. It’s the American who believes that every life is sacred, that the unborn child is living, that life is a gift from God to be cherished and protected.

You read that correctly. A study recently published by West Point’s Combating Terrorism Center (CTC) claims that the “pro-life paradigm” is a motivating factor in domestic terrorism. This 146-page report references abortion 76 times. Read more about it here.

My own government believes that I am a potential terrorist. Why? Because I am opposed to abortion. Because I believe abortion murders the child and scars the mother. Because I continue to pray for its end, work to elect politicians who value the sanctity of life, speak up for the rights of the unborn, and peacefully protest the slaughter of the weakest among us. Are you a potential terrorist?

Look at the picture below and behold the wonder of human life, the crown jewel of God’s creation...

“On You was I cast from my birth, and from my mother’s womb You have been my God.” [Psalm 22:10]

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you.” [Jeremiah 1:5]

Stomping on Jesus

Just heard of another example of Christianity being persecuted by the elites in our culture. This time it happened at Florida Atlantic University, where professor Deandre Poole told the students to write the name “Jesus” on a piece of paper, put it on the floor, and then stomp on it.

One student refused. He was suspended. And the university is standing behind the professor. Read more here.

Mr. Poole and administrators at Florida Atlantic University, let me remind you of the First Amendment:

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Perhaps you’ve never heard this before. Perhaps you simply choose to ignore it. But it is not in your power to prohibit the free exercise of religion. This includes, but is not limited to, Christianity.

Here are a few things the Triune God says about the name given to Jesus Christ:

“She will bear a son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” [Matthew 1:21]

“There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” [Acts 4:12]

“Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though He was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.  And being found in human form, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted Him and bestowed on Him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” [Philippians 2:5-11]

You have the freedom not to believe this. You can curse the name of Jesus is you want. But someday—whether you like it or not—you will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. I hope and pray you confess it as one of the baptized, as one of the faithful, as one of those who died in Christ and thus lives eternally in Him.

Persecute us if you want. Use the power of your vocation to belittle those who disagree with you. But try as you may, you cannot rob us of the joy of being in Christ. By God’s grace, I hope and pray you come to know that same joy. For it is the most liberating thing there is.

The Gift of Absolution

“When I urge you to go to confession, I am simply urging you to be a Christian.”

[Large Catechism: A Brief Exhortation to Confession]

A Christian confesses his sinfulness regularly. Why? Because he lives from Christ and His Word of forgiveness.

Confession happens in many ways. There is the general confession at the beginning of each Divine Service. There is the daily confession incorporated into the Our Father (“forgive us our trespasses”). And there is the confession that occurs in one’s own private prayers and meditation on God’s Word.

But there is another form of confession that most Lutherans (and most Christians) have never used. I’m speaking of individual confession and absolution—confessing your sins to your pastor and hearing Christ’s absolution personally spoken to you. Some know nothing about it. Others were never taught to value it. Still others view it as “too Roman Catholic.”

Based on God’s Word concerning the Office of the Holy Ministry, Martin Luther writes in the Small Catechism:

What is Confession? Confession has two parts. First that we confess our sins, and second, that we receive absolution, that is, forgiveness, from the pastor as from God Himself, not doubting, but firmly believing that by it our sins are forgiven before God in heaven. 

What sins should we confess? Before God we should plead guilty of all sins, even those we are not aware of, as we do in the Lord’s Prayer; but before the pastor we should confess only those sins which we know and feel in our hearts.

Lutherans make no law about coming to private confession. It is offered and given freely to those who desire this gift.

When hearing confession, I have the penitent (the one confessing) kneel at the altar rail in the empty sanctuary and use the order of Individual Confession and Absolution in Lutheran Service Book on pages 292-293. Check it out. Notice how the confession moves from generic (true of all sinners) to specific (true to you). Then notice how the pastor proceeds. First with the absolution. Then with a portion of Holy Scripture that speaks a word of comfort to you.

What sins plague you? What thoughts, desires, words, and/or deeds? Shame? A guilty conscience? The specifics are unique to you. But so is Christ’s Word of absolution for you. His forgiveness puts to death your sin, combats your shame and guilt, and creates in you a clean heart and pure conscience. That is the beauty of this gift. It personally delivers Christ to you!

Some have already made use of this gift. Some still do. Do you desire it as well? Let me know. I am happy to give you this Christ-centered gift. Come and learn what a beautiful thing individual absolution is, for it delivers the fruits of Christ’s victory directly to you!

When ministers lay on their hands,

Absolved by Christ the sinner stands;

He who by grace the Word believes

The purchase of His blood receives.

[LSB 614, stanza 6]

The Papacy

Today the Roman cardinals elected a new pope. Below is a sampling of how Lutherans view the office of the Papacy:

The pope is not, according to divine law or God’s Word, the head of all Christendom. This name belongs to One only, whose name is Jesus Christ [Colossians 1:18]. The pope is only the bishop and pastor of the Church at Rome and of those who have attached themselves to him voluntarily or through a human agency (such as a political ruler). Christians are not under him as a lord. They are with him as brethren and companions, as the ancient councils and the age of St. Cyprian show. [Smalcald Articles IV 1]

See the Smalcald Articles (Article IV) and the Treatise on the Power and Primacy of the Pope for an in-depth Scriptural critique of the Papacy.

Individual Absolution

Individual Absolution is a means of grace through which Jesus Christ delivers the forgiveness of sins He won on the cross to His people. This precious gift flows from the Office of the Keys, which Christ gave to His Church. Below is the Scriptural foundation for this gift and our confession regarding this gift.

Holy Scripture:

“I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”

[Matthew 16:19]

Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent Me, even so I am sending you.” And when He had said this, He breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.”

[John 20:21-23]

I acknowledged my sin to You, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,” and You forgave the iniquity of my sin.

[Psalm 32:5]

If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

[1 John 1:8-9]

The Lutheran Confessions:

Our church teaches that private Absolution should to be retained in the churches.

[Augsburg Confession, Article XI, 1]

Confession in the churches is not abolished among us. The body of the Lord is not usually given to those who have not been examined [1 Corinthians 11:27-28] and absolved. The people are very carefully taught about faith in the Absolution. Before, there was profound silence about faith. Our people are taught that they should highly prize the Absolution as being God’s voice and pronounced by God’s command. The Power of the Keys [Matthew 16:19] is set forth in its beauty. They are reminded what great consolation it brings to anxious consciences and that God requires faith to believe such Absolution as a voice sounding from heaven [e.g., John 12:28-30]. They are taught that such faith in Christ truly obtains and receives the forgiveness of sins.

[Augsburg Confession, Article XXV, 1-4]

We also keep Confession, especially because of the Absolution. Absolution is God’s Word which, by divine authority, the Power of the Keys pronounces upon individuals. Therefore, it would be wicked to remove private Absolution from the Church. If anyone despises private Absolution, he does not understand what the forgiveness of sins or the Power of the Keys is.

[Apology of the Augsburg Confession, Article XIIB, 2-4]

Absolution, or the Power of the Keys, is an aid against sin and a consolation for a bad conscience; it is ordained by Christ in the Gospel [Matthew 16:19]. Therefore, Confession and Absolution should by no means be abolished in the Church. ... Since private Absolution originates in the Office of the Keys, it should not be despised, but greatly and highly esteemed, along with all other offices of the Christian Church.

[Smalcald Articles, Part III, Article VIII, 1-2]

We teach what a splendid, precious, and comforting thing Confession is. Furthermore, we strongly urge people not to despise a blessing that in view of our great need is so priceless. Now, if you are a Christian, … you will undoubtedly compel yourself to come to Confession and will beg me for a share in it. However, if you want to despise it and proudly continue without Confession, then we must draw the conclusion that you are no Christian and should not enjoy the Sacrament either. For you despise what no Christian should despise. … If you were a Christian, then you ought to be happy to run more than a hundred miles to Confession and not let yourself be urged to come. You should rather come and compel us to give you the opportunity.

[A Brief Exhortation to Confession, 28-30]

When I urge you to go to Confession, I am doing nothing else than urging you to be a Christian.

[A Brief Exhortation to Confession, 32]

The “Relevant” Church

“I think that the church in America today is so obsessed with being practical, relevant, helpful, successful, and perhaps even well-liked that it nearly mirrors the world itself. Aside from the packaging, there is nothing that cannot be found in most churches today that could not be satisfied by any number of secular programs and self-help groups.”

Michael Horton

Christless Christianity: The Alternative Gospel of the American Church

Self-Absorbed Happiness

The state of marriage in our culture is in disarray. Most couples nowadays shack up before marriage to “test drive” their potential spouse. Many get married for all the wrong reasons. And then there are those who are so self-absorbed with their own happiness that divorce becomes inevitable. After all, who could possibly love a narcissist as much as a narcissist loves him/herself?

Sadly, the state of marriage within Christianity isn’t much better. The attitude of most Christians who get divorced is simply this: I deserve to be happy. God wants me to be happy. My spouse isn’t making me happy. I’m going to file for divorce. Screw God’s Word. Screw the Church. Screw the pastor who says I shouldn’t. My happiness is all that matters.

Don’t fool yourself. God wants you to know and partake of the joy of His salvation in Christ. But earthly happiness wrapped up in a divorce that is contrary to God’s Word is sinful. Period.

Here is how one author decries the state of marriage and divorce in our midst:

Instead of looking to the Lord who instituted holy marriage to define what it is, a self-absorbed culture redefines marriage as a mere personal contract between a man and woman to be honored as long as they both shall will. ... The culture has lost the truth that a husband and wife are icons of Christ the bridegroom, and the Church, His bride. 

Divorce is prevalent among us Christians even though God hates divorce. ... Is this the promise of happiness that a culture of consumerism has promised? Hardly. Thank God Jesus will never divorce you. His love abides through the forgiveness of sins even in the midst of tragedies such as divorce. Perhaps we should remember there are reasons Jesus said, “What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate” (Matthew 19:6). 

Obviously, divorce is also difficult for children. One of the lessons children learn from divorce is that when troubles come, there is always the option to just leave. Instead of having the love of God in Christ passed on to them, a love that “bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things” (1 Corinthians 13:7), they are often left to experience the emptiness caused by the culture’s emphasis upon love of self. 

Marriage and family, as God instituted them, have at their root self-sacrifice, self-denial, and service willingly given to another. 

Pastor and Elders: Caring for the Church and One Another

Husbands and wives, forsake happiness on your own terms and utilize a daily routine of self-sacrifice, self-denial, and service willingly given to your spouse. Work toward your spouse’s happiness, not your own. And learn therein just how wonderful the holy estate of marriage is. True Christ-like marital happiness is found in selfless giving. Selfless loving. Selfless faithfulness till death do you part. Don’t take my word for it. Take God at His Word!

Most gracious God, we give thanks for the joy and blessings that You grant to husbands and wives. Assist them always by Your grace that with true fidelity and steadfast love they may honor and keep their marriage vows, grow in love toward You and for each other, and come at last to the eternal joys that You have promised; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Thrivent Financial for ???

Thrivent Financial for Lutherans is looking to become Thrivent Financial for Christians. Why? In their own words:

We believe that as a faith-based organization, we are called to help more Christians be wise with money and inspire them to live generously. By extending the common bond, we can help more Christians who are attracted to our mission.

For starters, who is “calling” them to help more Christians? Also, how do they define “Christian”? Again, in their own words:

We don’t define “Christian,” just as we don’t define “Lutheran.” Christian faith is described in the Apostles’ Creed, which Lutherans and a majority of Christians have used for hundreds of years to profes their faith.

Mormons see themselves as Christians. So do Jehovah’s Witnesses. Will these groups now benefit from money invested in Thrivent by Lutherans? And what’s to stop any other non-Christian from making the same claim? If the issue is truly helping more people be wise with money and inspiring them to live generously, why stop with Christians? Couldn’t Jews and Muslims benefit? What about atheists and agnostics?

Bigger is not always better. For decades, Thrivent—going back to its AAL and LB roots—has been a Lutheran fraternal organization. It was Lutherans helping Lutherans. It seems that is coming to an end.

I will not vote for this change. I have no use for Thrivent Financial for “Christians who are attracted to our mission” (see above).

If the “common bond” is approved, I will actively direct Lutherans who wish to invest in a “faith-based organization” away from Thrivent. Besides, there is already a “faith-based organization” that exclusively serves LCMS congregations and members: Lutheran Church Extension Fund (LCEF). Visit them at www.lcef.org for more information.

quotes are from Thrivent Magazine, Winter 2013, page 8

Luther: Righteousness

“It cannot happen that he who is filled with his own righteousness can be filled with the righteousness of God, who fills none but the hungry and the thirsty.”

Martin Luther

HT: Anthony Voltattorni

2012 Statistical Report

Each year the congregations of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) complete a statistical report for the Synod. Divine Shepherd just finished its report. Below are some of these statistics and demographics for 2012.

Baptized Membership

• Total: 236
• Average Age: 40

Confirmed Membership

• Total: 199
• Average Age: 46

Weekly Church Attendance

• Sundays: 100

Vacation Bible School

• Members: 10
• Non-Members: 31

Congregational Demographics

• Age 0-14: 19% 
• Age 15-18: 8% 
• Age 19-34: 18% 
• Age 35-49: 18% 
• Age 50-64: 17% 
• Age 65+: 20%

Planned Parenthood

this speaks for itself...

The Pastor

Post-modern Christians have little use for pastors. For them, it’s simply “me and Jesus.” But Holy Scripture knows of no such thing as “me and Jesus.”

To be a Christian is to be a sheep of the Good Shepherd, and therefore a sheep under the guidance and oversight of an undershepherd. The word pastor means “shepherd.” In Holy Scripture, pastors are commonly called deacons, elders, and/or overseers. Below are ten examples of why the pastor is vitally important to the Christian.

If the pastor is unimportant or unnecessary, why does Jesus call the disciples to Himself and make them “fishers of men” (Matthew 4:19)?

“The one who hears you hears Me, and the one who rejects you rejects Me.” [Luke 10:16]

If the pastor is unimportant or unnecessary, why does Jesus institute the Office of the Holy Ministry on Easter evening?

“Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent Me, even so I am sending you.” And when He had said this, He breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.” [John 20:21-23]

If the pastor is unimportant or unnecessary, why do Saints Paul and Barnabas appointed elders in every congregation?

“And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed.” [Acts 14:23]

If the pastor is unimportant or unnecessary, why does Saint Paul link believing in Jesus Christ to hearing the Gospel, hearing the Gospel to the Word being preached, and preaching the Word to the Office of the Holy Ministry?

“How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in Him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!’” [Romans 10:14-15]

If the pastor is unimportant or unnecessary, why does Saint Paul state that the ascended Jesus gives shepherds to His Church?

“And He gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ.” [Ephesians 4:11-12]

If the pastor is unimportant or unnecessary, why does Saint Paul remind Saint Timothy of the gift given to him when he was ordained?

“Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you.” [1 Timothy 4:14]

If the pastor is unimportant or unnecessary, why does Saint Paul remind the church to honor the elders?

“Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching.” [1 Timothy 5:17]

If the pastor is unimportant or unnecessary, why Saint James encourage the sick to call for the elders in their time of need?

“Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.” [James 5:14]

If the pastor is unimportant or unnecessary, why do Saints Paul and Peter encourage the elders to shepherd the flock of God they have been called to serve?

“Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which He obtained with His own blood.” [Acts 20:28]

“Shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.” [1 Peter 5:2-4]

If the pastor is unimportant or unnecessary, why does Saint Paul go to such great length to list their qualifications and responsibilities?

“The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church? He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil.” [1 Timothy 3:1-7]

“This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you—if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination. For an overseer, as God’s steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.” [Titus 1:5-9]

“I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.” [2 Timothy 4:1-5]

While many other examples could be cited, these ten demonstrate why the pastor is vitally important to the Christian. Simply put, the pastor is the public deliveryman God uses to deliver His good gifts—Word and Sacrament—to His family, to you and me.

What’s more, even pastors need pastors—father confessors who hear their sins and absolve them in Christ’s stead. Like you, pastors are not perfect. Nor are they sinless. Like you, they are broken, in need of Christ. Nevertheless, Christ has placed them in His Church for your good.

So come and receive Jesus’ good gifts from them. Listen, believe, and live from the Word they preach. Call them to task when they abandon the Word or preach a different Jesus. Love them. And pray for them. Rest assure, they love you and are praying for you as well!

The Local Congregation

Post-modern Christians have little use for the local congregation. For them, it’s simply “me and Jesus.” But Holy Scripture knows of no such thing as “me and Jesus.” To be a Christian is to be a child of God, a son of the Father, and therefore part of a family of believers. Families gather together to talk, to listen, to eat, to share burdens, to help one another, to rejoice, and even to weep. God’s family gathers together for these same reasons, and more. Below are ten examples of why the local congregation is vitally important to the Christian.

If the local congregation is unimportant or unnecessary, why does Jesus call a group of disciples—a congregation!—to follow Him (Matthew 4:19)?

If the local congregation is unimportant or unnecessary, why does Jesus establish the Office of the Ministry (John 20:21-23) to baptize and teach (Matthew 28:19-20), preach the Gospel (Romans 10:14-17), administer the Lord’s Supper (1 Corinthians 11:23-26), care for the church of God (Acts 20:28), and give instruction in sound doctrine (Titus 1:9)?

If the local congregation is unimportant or unnecessary, why does Jesus place His authority in it as the bearer of His Word of truth (Matthew 18:17)?

If the local congregation is unimportant or unnecessary, why do the apostles organize congregations where the Gospel is preached and the Sacraments are administered (the book of Acts)?

If the local congregation is unimportant or unnecessary, why do the first converts on Pentecost devote themselves “to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers” (Acts 2:42)?

If the local congregation is unimportant or unnecessary, why does Saint Paul address nine of his epistles—Romans, 1 & 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 & 2 Thessalonians—to congregations? Why does Saint John address the Revelation of Jesus Christ to the seven congregations in Asia Minor?

If the local congregation is unimportant or unnecessary, why does Saint Paul call it “the household of God, which is the Church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth” (1 Timothy 3:15)?

If the local congregation is unimportant or unnecessary, why does Saint Paul encourage us to “do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith” (Galatians 6:10)?

If the local congregation is unimportant or unnecessary, why does Saint James encourage those who are sick to “call for the elders of the church” that they might pray over them (James 5:14)?

If the local congregation is unimportant or unnecessary, why does the author of Hebrews encourage his readers to hold fast the confession of our hope and stir up one another to love and good works, “not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some” (Hebrews 10:25)?

While many other examples could be cited, these ten demonstrate why the local congregation is vitally important to the Christian. Simply put, the local congregation is where God delivers His good gifts to His family, to you and me. So come and join this family. We are not perfect. Nor are we sinless. Like you, we are broken, in need of Christ. We are sheep who need the Good Shepherd. We are sinners who need His forgiveness, life, and salvation. And there’s always room for more, for there’s always enough Jesus to go around!

The Gospel of Self

The Gospel of “self” is believed and practiced by countless self-proclaimed Christians to their own peril...