We believe, teach, and confess at St. John Lutheran, North Prairie, WI

Here is our latest statement of faith at St. John. This will be a foundational piece for our ministry moving forward and also a document to be used for future leaders and the like. Some of the statements address current issues, and others address our core beliefs. Let me know your thoughts.


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)
U 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).

Catechetical Symposium and the liturgy

I am attending the Concordia Catechetical Symposium in Waukesha, WI. Our topic is The Liturgy and Contemporary Music. The discussion is quite good because there are many questions that are not asked in the whole "tradition" vs. "contempoary" debate.

Are the gifts of God being emphasized? Is it God's work or ours? Is it is focused on Christ? Do people see Jesus?

These are foundational questions for us to ask when looking at worship and then begin some good conversations and maybe a little debate.

More to come.

Most Protestant Churchgoers open to other denominations

Results from the latest Ellison Research survey, released Monday, show that 16 percent of Protestants are exclusively loyal to their denomination and will only consider attending a church within their current denomination if they were placed in a situation where they had to leave their current church.

The rest are open to considering other denominations. Fifty-one percent said they prefer one denomination but are open to others and 33 percent said they do not have any preference for one specific denomination.

Ellison Research found similar levels of loyalty among churchgoers to other products and services. Twenty-two percent said they are exclusively loyal to one brand of toothpaste and 64 percent expressed a brand preference (while also considering other brands); 19 percent will only consider one brand of bathroom tissue and 59 percent said they prefer one brand but are open to others; and 16 percent said they are loyal to one brand of pain relievers with 57 percent expressing preference for one brand but also considering other kinds.

This is shows a common trend within our LCMS. Many of the younger generation, born and raised LCMS somehow end up in another denomination that have completely counter doctrines and practices. Have we made our denomination choice to be exactly like our toothpaste, bathroom tissue, and favorite cereal? Do we no longer think of doctrine and the importance of clinging to God's Word and the Gospel? Where are we going wrong?

St. John is committed to making known the truths of God's Word which is why we are working on a current document of what we believe, teach, and confess that shows our beliefs which may not be in accordance to society, but in the WORD.

Living together outside of marriage? What's the big deal?

Thus far in ministry, majority of couples that wanted to get married were living together outside of marriage. Surprising? Not really. Why wouldn't they? Almost all TV shows and movies tell them too, we value financial stability above God's Word, and why not get our freak on before marriage? All the signs point to the convenience of living together first and then marriage. But that begs the question, "Why get married at all?" It is the logical next step and is one that is being entertained by many people today. Why go through the money, the hassel, and financial messiness if we get a divorce?

We are in a marriage crisis. The interesting idea is that if we live together first it will help lower the amount of divorce? So why is divorce 50% now and growing? Why is it that people have less meaningful marriages when first living together? Why?

My argument is that when we go counter God's design (Genesis 2, Ephesians 5), things get messy and we pay the consequences. Although there are no guarantees for couples who do not live together to NEVER get a divorce, the chances are stacked against you when one does.

Baptismal life and sexual immorality

This Sunday we addressed the subject of sexual ethics and the Christian life. It is amazing how little we discuss the beauty of our sexuality, especially as ones claimed in Baptism and redeemed by the cross.

One thing that struck me again was Paul's words from I Corinthians 6, "Do you not know that your bodies are a temple of the Holy Spirit?" He also makes a distinction of sexual sins above others. "All other sins are outside the body, but sexual immorality is within." This is important for us to remember as Christians. When we sin sexually we are uniting Christ with a prostitute. Our bodies are made for a perfect union of husband and wife. A union brought together at the Garden and to be lived out today.

May we live a sexually pure and decent life and husbands and wives love and honor each other.

Rabbits beware!

Today we placed a fence around our garden. My peas, tomatoes, and basil are being eaten like crazy! Now the rabbits and whatever is eating my garden will be forever shut out. Now my garden will grow without hindrance.

This is one of those moments where I remember back to some very good friends in high school and college that helped me stay away from outsiders could have hindered my faith. At the right time and the right place, God placed some good people in my presence kept me in line.

I do not advocate never talking to unbelievers or those who are lackluster, but we all must have people to encourage us in the Christian faith to remind us of Christ when tough things occur!

What's wrong with fooling around? Week 2

This week we will be addressing a question that not many people are necessarily asking in our world, but it sorely needs to be addressed. "What wrong with fooling around?"

Specifically we are discussing sexual ethics. Much of sexualitty is overtaken currently by the homosexuality debate. In the mean time, STDs are on the rise, out of wedlock babies are rising, and living together without marriage is the norm as opposed to the exception. Where do we even start to address these questions?

Please keep this in your prayers. We live in a live and let live society and the people whom are in our pews tend to be the ones promoting some of these behaviors. I must admit I went through a time where I didn't see it as a big deal! Yet, we address these things according to God's Word and that must be our guide. And our main goal is repentance and hearing the sweet words of forgiveness.

Lord have mercy