Reflections on Walter Brueggemann’s The Prophetic Imagination by Robert Schmidt Have you noticed the “numbness?” Citizens of the most powerful nation on earth are in a funk. No, don’t pay attention to the wordsmiths who make their living championing and bashing. Look rather at the bus riders, the shoppers, the teachers, and the clerks. Then…
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Herbert Hoefer Editorial Note: Dr. Herbert Hoefer asks the pertinent question of why the dalits (or untouchables, as we used to call them) continue to come to the Christian faith even though they may have to suffer greatly for it. Dr. Hoefer indicates that our common faith provides dignity and worth to the most vulnerable…
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Herbert Hoefer Editorial Note: Dr. Herbert Hoefer was a missionary in India, is currently the LCMS area secretary for India, and holds the chair of missions at Concordia University in Portland, Oregon. He is also the chair of the Ethnic Ministry Task Force of the Northwest District. He recently served as the chaplain for the…
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Herbert Hoefer Editorial Note: As an interesting follow up to Luther Engelbrecht’s article on the “Priesthood of ALL the Baptized,” fellow Indian missionary Dr. Herb Hoefer reflects on the importance of the community in the evangelization of people from other faiths. Herb is at present the regional secretary for India for The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod….
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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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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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By David H. Benke January 12, 2004 1965 LCMS Resolution 1-01D: WHEREAS, Jesus Christ is Lord of all the world and in every area of life; and WHEREAS, The Christian recognizes no area of life that may be termed “secular” in the sense that it is removed from the lordship of Jesus Christ, though…
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By David Benke As a lad in Old Milwaukee, when drivers’ licenses were available at the tender age of sixteen, the only place to be and the only thing to do on a summer Saturday night was “bombin’ down the Avenue.” Wisconsin Avenue, that is. Slow driving down the straight wide center of the city….
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By F. Dean Lueking In an unguarded moment recently I agreed to write this article on a subject of no small scope. Unguarded, I say, because I’m writing this piece by the seat of my pants while out of the country and away from needed resources for references and documentation. Of necessity, then, I must…
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