By John Helmke We long to be “an Acts 2 church” focused on verses 42–47. It was a time when controversy was not yet mentioned and the scandal of Ananias and Sapphira’s fraud was still three chapters off. “Every day they continued to meet together … enjoying the favor of all the people….
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Another Look at Romans 16:17–20[1] By William J. Hassold Paul’s directive in Romans 16:17, “avoid them,” has significantly influenced the attitude of some in the LCMS as to the proper way in which to relate to other Christians and even other Lutherans. This passage helped to shape the attitude of the fathers of the…
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A Presentation at the Daystar Free Conference Portland, OR, 16-19 January 2000 By David G. Truemper The conversation – and frequent banter – about the ministry, the church, and the reign of freedom therein has occupied a great deal of the Daystar online conversation for the better part of a year. Our organizers/leaders invited a…
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Arnold J. Voigt (Revised October 1999) The following contains resources and commentary in dialogue with Women in the Church: Scriptural Principles and Ecclesial Practice, A Report of the Commission on Theology and Church Relations of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (St. Louis: CTCR, September 1985). Introduction The question of women’s participation in the life, structure, and…
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As members of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod desiring to support the mission of the Synod and to be faithful to Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions, we declare the following to be our Eucharistic understanding and practice: Christ instituted the Sacrament of His Body and Blood to nourish and…
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Affirmations of God’s Mission Adopted by The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (1965) Prayer Read at the Beginning of the Report of the Floor Committee on Missions: O God the Father, who didst send Thy Son into the world to redeem the world, which Thou didst create for Thy glory; O God the Son, who hast redeemed…
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In Nomine Jesu A Statement We, the undersigned, as individuals, members of Synod, conscious of our responsibilities and duties before the Lord of the Church, herewith subscribe to the following statement: *ONE* We affirm our unswerving loyalty to the great evangelical heritage of historic Lutheranism. We believe in its message and mission for this crucial…
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By David Domsch For the last decade the LCMS has received significant contributions from the Marvin M. Schwan Charitable Foundation. Though this donor’s identity has been known for some time, the size and use of its gifts have remained largely hidden. This brief inquiry into the foundation and its relationship to the LCMS Board…
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The Priesthood of ALL the Baptized1 By Luther Engelbrecht2 As the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod struggles with proposals with regard to its corporate structure, there is a bigger challenge confronting the church body. This is the need for a deeper understanding and more effective response to God’s will and way regarding “who” we are and…
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By Michelle Eckert Since all Lutherans read the same scriptures and adhere to the same confessions, their vehement disagreement over the issue of women’s ordination might seem puzzling, at least at first. While some freely grant females a place behind the pulpit and the communion table, others insist adamantly that women may not fill…
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