Back from convention...renewed, but need breaks!

I'm back from convention and I had a good time. There was information overload, little time to hang out with others, and I don't want to see a resolution for quite some time.

Yet, it was empowering to see over 300 people committed to the ministry of the Gospel. It was great to hear wonderful preachers and Bible Study leaders. And to see the consistency of sound doctrinal understanding was amazing.

Coming from an ELCA college, I was bombarded with inconsistent theology and confusion to abound. What a breathe of fresh air to be among others who share so many common theological beliefs. We all probably need to remind our congregations of those beliefs, which is why our church is working on a rough draft of current beliefs to use as a foundation for ministry, leadership, and mission. Here is the format:

The fellowship of St. John Lutheran Church, North Prairie, WI believe, teach and confess that
+All mankind is sinful from conception (Ps. 51:5) and unable to reconcile themselves to God by any human efforts (Eph. 2:1; Rom. 3:9-18).
+ All mankind is saved only by the grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ who has atoned for all sins on the cross (Ephesians 2:8-9)

+Jesus Christ, true God and true man, is the only Savior of the world, as it is written, “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12).
+The Scriptures of the Old and the New Testament are the inspired, inerrant, infallible written Word of God and the only rule and norm of faith and practice.
+The waters of Holy Baptism work forgiveness of sins, delivers from death and the devil, and gives eternal salvation who receive this mark in the name of the Triune God (Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38)
+The body and blood is truly present in, with, and under the bread and wine in the Sacrament of the Altar. This Sacrament brings forgiveness, life, and salvation to all who faithfully partake. We also affirm that in order to partake in this Sacrament one must be baptized, able to examine themself, and share in a common confession (Matthew 26:28, Acts 2:42)

+All the Symbolical Books of the Evangelical Lutheran Church (the Lutheran Confessions) are a true and unadulterated statement and exposition of the Word of God.
+There is only one God – the triune God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit – “one God in three persons and three persons in one God.”

+ God created the world in six 24-hour days.
+ The stories of creation, the flood, Moses, Jonah, and all figures described in Holy Scripture were real historical events and people.
+ God created the institution of marriage as the lifelong union of one man and one woman (Genesis 2:2-24; Matthew 19:5-6)
+ Homosexual behavior, sexual acts outside of marriage, and living together outside of marriage is intrinsically sinful and counter the will of God (Romans 1:24–27; I Corinthians 6:9-20; I Timothy 1:10). We lovingly respond to such behavior with the same love and concern as all other sins, calling for repentance and offering forgiveness in the Good News of Jesus Christ when repentance occurs.
+ We uphold the sanctity of human life from conception until natural death (Jeremiah 1:5, Psalm 139:4).
+ We believe that Jesus shall return one day visibly and bodily to judge all people. Those who believe in Jesus will live forever, while unbelievers will be condemned to an eternity in damnation (Mk. 13:26; Jn. 5:27-29).

Firefighters, policeman, Walgreens, the food industry have no souls?

"Billy doesn't go to church. Can you believe it?" an older lady tells of her son. "What does Billy do?" He owns a cafe that is open on Sunday!

I remember these kind of statements being made concerning those who serve in unique jobs that are open on Sunday mornings. Many times we kind of scoff them not attending worship, but the minute we are out of church that cafe better have my food. If I am sick, that ambulance better be there. If my house is on fire on Sundy, they better be there. Interesting isn't. What is even harder is if they do come to church when they can, it is difficult to get them infiltrated into the life of the church. They are gone a lot, don't know many people, and have inconsistent schedules.

How do we minister to these individuals and bring them into the community? What are we to do when people are fulfilling their God given vocations, but miss out a chance for God's gifts?

Ideas are well appreciated!

Book Review of Quitting Church-Julia Duin

I just finished reading the book, Quitting Church by Julia Duin. Julia Duin is an editor Washington Post and has a masters of theology. She has charismatic roots and has experienced disenchanchment with the church in our modern world.

As with other evangelical books I have read, Ms. Duin diagnoses the problem very well. "The faithful are fleeing from churches in the name of saving their faith." This is one of the major struggles in our current cultural battle of the individual and the wattering down of doctrine within the emergent culture. She tells of how people are frustrated with the church being irrelevant, wishy washy on their beliefs, and judgmental. All of these are very true within the whole church.

Yet, even with a great diagnosis of the problem, her major flaw is implying that the fix to it all would be a charismatic revival. To this point of the book it appeared to be going in the right direction. The dependance on oneself, the pastor, and the community to get excited enough, upbeat enough, and to see the spirit in energy, left her and many others yearning for more, but not knowing how to get it.

We would support some of her diagnosis of the problem, but would wholeheartedly disagree with the need for a charismatic revival. What the world needs today is a realization that we need God to intervene and for Him to come physically and with forgiveness. While a charismatic is looking for the spirit to move and lift their arms hoping for energy, we believe that God points us to our knees, points us to the Sacramnets, and we feel the Spirit by His means.

Give this book a chance (on sale of course) and see the problem and realize a better solution than what she gives! Christ!

What is God's will for my life?

This Sunday our congregation begins a sermon series concerning the many questions that people are asking today. Our first question is, "How do I know God's will for my life?" Hundreds of books are produced each year, purpose driven life was huge, and the radio is infiltrated with this subject. Yet, there are many ideas of what God's will might and hopefully will be, but often it looks beyond ourselves to find it (e.g. a better job, more education, more money).

In Lutheran theology, we will would advocate one does not need to look very far to find God's will. It starts right where you are. Am I a parent? Am I married? Am I a community member? Am I an american citizen? Am I a member of God's kingdom? All of these things are placed in your life to love God and serve your neighbor. Take a look at your life and see where God's will is right in front of you.

Prayers for Dr. Tiller's family. A big tragedy. A statement from Lutherans for Life

Lutherans For Life (LFL) joins pro-life groups across the country in extending our sympathy to the family of George Tiller, the late-term abortionist who was gunned down Sunday morning in his church. We join other pro-life groups in denouncing this action as evil. No circumstances justify the violent murder of another human being.
God’s Word tells us not to fight evil with evil but to “overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:21). Based on that same Word of God, LFL believes that abortion is a great evil, the violent murder of another human being that deeply grieves the Author and Redeemer of life. But we oppose the use of evil to overcome this evil. We have the greatest “good” there is to use against it, the Gospel of Jesus Christ. LFL strives to apply the Gospel to the life issues, to change hearts and minds so that people will turn to the Lord of Life and not the god of death as the solution to difficult circumstances. We want to make the killing of children in the sanctity of the womb as unthinkable and deplorable as the killing of George Tiller in the sanctity of his church.
While George Tiller was a member of a Lutheran denomination that does not officially oppose abortion, it should be noted that almost all other Lutheran denominations do take an official stance that opposes abortion and asserts the God-given value of human life from conception to natural death.
We commend the Tiller family and all affected by this tragic event into the loving arms of a crucified and risen Savior. May He be at work in all of this according to His good and gracious will.

The depth of sin once again on Hollywood

As the kids were in bed early last night, my wife and I watched the movie, "Taken." I wanted to watch it because whenever Liam Neeson is on, he usually kicks butt. Plus it was a shorter movie that had decent reviews.

What is striking about modern movies today is how they all paint a very faint picture of today and especially for the future. In this movie there is a father who has his daughter taken while on vacation in France. The movie includes sex rings of young girls, violence, and the commitment of a father to his daughter. At the end of the movie you feel like there is some hope, but you realize the depth of sin in our world.

Too often in America we consider sin to be simply bad thoughts, too much to drink, or a little freak on outside of marriage. However, sin is much more destructive. Since we are separated from our God it can get out of control without proper restraints (1st use of the law). People kill, people abuse, people lie, people cheat, people get hurt. This is why the law is so needed and when it is applied correctly the Gospel is even sweeter.

Check this movie out, but beware it will show you that we as a church have a lot more work to do and Satan is working ever so hard!

Ready for the week...

The last few weeks have been very busy with funerals and a wedding. This week looks to be relatively calm. More time for Bible study, Confession, prayer, talking with members, and discussions with the community. Awesome.