Articles published in the monthly Together in Prayer newsletter.
The World Mission Prayer League is a “Lutheran community in mission,” as you will have discovered by now (Handbook, 13). Over the past few months we have reviewed the basic tenets of this faith identity: we are saved only by … (read more)
“Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” (Luke 12:13) On many occasions, Jesus seems to ignore a question asked of him in order to address a deeper or more important … (read more)
Over the last few months we have revisited the faith convictions that stand at the heart of our believing community. They are “confessional” convictions. They are based in the inherited faith of the church of Jesus Christ throughout the centuries … (read more)
“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’” (Matthew 25:23) One of my responsibilities is to … (read more)
We are saved by grace through faith: this wonderful confidence stands at the core of our Lutheran Confessions. Only grace. Only faith. Yet the faith that is “only”… is never alone. “Oh, it is a living, busy, active, mighty thing, … (read more)
“Your servant has nothing there at all,” she said, “except a small jar of olive oil.” (2 Kings 4:2, NIV) In 2 Kings 4 we see a wonderful miracle of God’s provision for a poor widow. After the death of … (read more)
Last month we considered the irreducible core of our Lutheran Confessions: we are saved only, only by grace. But the Confessions say more than this. We are saved by grace – through faith. And only, only through faith. Here again … (read more)
Over the past few months I have written about changes introduced this year in the way that we subsidize and distribute missionary allowances. We will no longer use Estate Funds to directly subsidize allowances, though we will continue to use … (read more)
Last month we introduced the first of four “solas” that beat at the heart of our faith tradition: we teach what we teach, preach what we preach, trust what we trust – because we find it assured in the Word of … (read more)
In the project of Christian life and ministry there are many creative ways to wander. Have you noticed? Hierarchical communities may do unity rather well. They look “to the top” – to a single individual, sometimes – for a centering focus and … (read more)