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Going to War
I believe it was German Field Marshal Helmuth von Moltke the Elder who accurately noted that “no plan survives first contact with the enemy” or something like that. Applying that observation to the present situation in our congregations, it means that abstractions and pious ideas won’t survive the daily slog of doing ministry. Jesus didn’t […]
Difficult Funeral Requests
Things to consider when asked to officiate a funeral for a non-member. Continue reading
Disagreement Among the Laity
What doctrines must one accept and believe as true in order to be a Christian? How much of our dogma must be accepted as true in order to be a member of this congregation? I believe that some pastors and congregations have wrongly held the laity to the same doctrinal standard which is properly reserved […]
An Essential Command
What is the Church (through congregations) commanded to do? Preach/Teach the Word of God and administer the Sacraments? Of course! But there are many things churches/congregations do which go into that – more than simply Sunday services, Sunday school, Bible classes, and traditional pastoral acts like confession/absolution or visitation of the sick and dying. Jesus […]