Articles published in the monthly Together in Prayer newsletter.
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)
Every organization has something we may call “operating expenses.” Ours include items like basic utilities, maintenance of properties, bank fees, administrative travel, audit fees, postage, printing, participation in church conventions and conferences, and more – expenses that make the organization … (read more)
The World Mission Prayer League is a Lutheran, confessional faith community: we are introducing the concept over the next few months. The World Mission Prayer League does not gather around hierarchy (as do some of our Catholic friends.) We are … (read more)
If you know anything at all about the World Mission Prayer League, you may know that we are a Lutheran missionary community. Many of you are devout Lutherans, too: you will be pleased, I should think. Others, however, will be … (read more)
“[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.” (Philippians 2:6,7) … (read more)