Stephen C. Krueger Mundelein, Illinois Feast of the Reformation — 31 October 2000 Introduction I have a seminary diploma which reads, “Concordia Seminary in Exile.” That dates me to a particular few years in the history of the Missouri Synod when those who shaped me considered themselves “in exile,” along with the community of…
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Bob Stuenkel Editor’s Note: Few events have shaped Lutheranism in America more than those connected with Seminex whose 40th anniversary is being observed this year. Prior to that time incremental steps were being taken to foster Lutheran unity in the nation. Under the Lutheran Council (LCUSA) campus ministers across the country worked and worshipped together. …
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Pr. Joel Nickel Joel Nickel is a pastor in the NW District of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. He is well known in the area for his ecclesiastical art. In this article he addresses the ruling of the Committee on Constitutional Matters (CCM) which is printed after his response. This scholastically reasoned opinion effectively elevates…
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Norm Metzler *Dr. Norm Metzler taught Systematic theology and Ethics at Concordia University in Portland Oregon. He recently served a vacancy at a congregation where he worked with a deacon in training to complete his program and get licensed by the district. The deacon then was contracted to serve a vacancy at a neighboring congregation which…
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Accessing the Work of John Collins for Current LCMS Discussions[1] By Richard Gahl Whenever an ecclesiastical office is discussed in the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod it is customary to turn to Scripture to ascertain if/how such an office or function is described. The intent of this essay is to bring to the discussion some recent findings…
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Robert Schmidt* *Robert Schmidt served as a missionary to Nigeria in the 1960s, a campus pastor at several universities, and a professor of theology at Concordia University in Portland. A fuller treatment of “The Coming Kingdom” was recently published in the Nov. 2013 issue of Missio Apostolica – The Lutheran Society for Missiology. The…
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Robert Sylwester Emeritus Professor of Education University of Oregon Evangelicals responded very negatively to Charles Darwin’s theories of evolution. Retrospectively, they might have said in effect, ‘Well that’s interesting. Gather credible data, and when your actual discoveries pose significant theological implications, we’ll take another look.’ The scientific community did seek credible data, and when DNA was added…
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This is the third article in the Epiphany (Winter) issue of the Daystar Journal on the subject of missions. It inquires whether the present synodical directives are the best way to reach out to those affected by the homosexual debates going on in the nation. “Marriage Policies” of the LCMS: Are We Seeking to Reach…
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Listening: An Undervalued Mission Skill by Richard Gahl* Richard Gahl served congregations in Indiana and Pennsylvania before accepting the call from the Ohio District to serve as its Executive Director in 1981. He retired in 2005. During his district service he served as Chairman of NAME for five years, co-edited the two editions of the…
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The Epiphany (Winter) Issue of the Daystar Journal will be devoted to the mission of the church. It is a very pertinent topic and was the subject of a recent LCMS conference. Our first article addresses the question, “What Is the Purpose of the Local Church?” The question has particular relevance to small…
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