The Lutheran Spokesman (September 1996)
Christian Education
In this issue:
It Takes A Good Follow-Through
We Are People Of The Cross
Looking Back in the Lutheran Spokesman
The Devil And His Angels Are Real
The Crypto-Calvinists Triumph
A Light Shining in a Dark Place
Editor's Smorgasbord
Meet: Craig F. Owings
Women's Fellowship Day
Announcements
For Circulation and Subscription Information, click here.
Articles
Ask any good athlete who throws a ball, swings a bat, or swings a golf
club, and they'll tell you that same thing: it takes a good
follow-thorugh. You follow through with your arm after you release the
ball. You follow thorugh with the bat after you make contact. A good
follow through is the key to better results in the performance of many
sports.
We could draw the same conclusion in the all-important area of
Christian education. When it comes to spiritual needs and the
nurturing of Christ faith -- whether it be for ourselves or for our
children -- it takes a good follow-thorugh.
God's Effective Method
Of course the type of "follow-through" that we need is not something
we have to discover or perfect. God has spelled it out. God has given
us the "follow-through" of His Word.
Remember what Jesus said to His followers? "If you abide in My word,
you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the
truth shall make you free." Remember what the Lord promised in the Old
Testament? "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is
old he will not depart from it." God has promised that the teaching
and the learning of His Word will bring good results. God has
predicted that the faithful use of Scirpture will produce good fruit
in the hearts of young and old. We can trust God to keep His promise,
because His Word has trememndous power to build up our knowledge
and our faith in the saving truths of the Gospel.
Follow Through With Yourself
As parents and role models for our children, we can never live by the
motto: "Do as I say, not as I do." Children watch how their parents
act and often mimic the habits of mom and dad. We teach by example,
even in matters of our spiritual life.
Parents who make the time for prayer, family devotions, and Bible
study will give their children the right example to follow in their
future years. Those parents will also reap benefits for themselves.
The influence of God's Word is sure to give us greater knowledge of
Christian doctrine, a steady growth in our faith, and motivation to
serve in the Lord's kingdom.
Before you follow through with your family, be sure to apply the
"follow-through" of Scripture to yourself.
Follow Through With Your Children
In my study of the passages that pertain to Christian education, I've
noticed a striking pattern. Most of God's commands to instruct the
child are given to parents rather than the church.
To parents God has said: "These words which I command you today . . .
you shall teach them diligently to your children . . . " (Deut. 6:6-7).
To fathers God has said: "Do not provoke your children to wrath, but
bring them up in the training and admoniiton of the Lord" (Eph. 6:4).
God has given the responsibility of Christian education primarily to
Christian parents. But that is not to say that the church shouldn't
help. By all means we should use the "follow-through" of Sunday
School, confirmation class, Christian day school (if available) and
ILC. But never should these programs and institutiions of the church
replace the involvement and the influence of parental training. Talks
to your child about the problem of sin, the love of Christ, and the
power of the cross. Discuss with your teenager the Lord's will for
chastity, marriage, money, and stewardship. Show them what God has
said. God will surely follow through in the heart and mind of your
child.
We can't be absentee parents when it comes to the spiritual training
of our children. But neither should we think that good results depend
on human efforts. The follow-through of Christian education is
entirely under the powerful control of the Holy Spirit who has said:
"My word . . . shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish
what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it"
(Is. 55:11).
When you follow through with the Word, the Word will follow through
with you and your family.
-- Pastor Steven Sippert
If you were o visit each of our CLC congregations across the country,
you would note many differences. There are obvious differences in the
size and architecture of church buildings. In some places you might
worship in a converted garage with 20 other people; in another
location there might be 200 worshipers in a brand new sanctuary. You
would experience a variety of service orders and hear several
different Bible translations read.
Yet, I'm confident that you would feel at home no matter where you
might be, because one thng would be the same whether you were at a CLC
church in Alaska, California, Florida, or wherever. You could be sure
that the worship held there would be centered around the cross of
Christ. That is what defines us and makes us who we are. We are people
of the cross.
There is nothing new in that. St. Paul reminded the Corinthians that
they too were people of the cross. He wrote: "When I came to you,
brothers, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom as I
proclaimed to you the testimony about God. For I resolved to know
nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified"
(1 Cor. 2:1-2).
Paul could certainly have preached a different message. He could have
wowed his audience with the latest Greek philosophy or his own views
on life. The people of Corinth loved debating and discussing new
ideas. It has been said that every street corner in Corinth had its
own resident wise man who would expound on the meaning of life.
Our Only Real Hope
So why make such a big deal of preaching the cross? Why do we gather
here as people of the cross? Why do we stress it to the point where
the three-year-old in Sunday School knows the safest answer to any
question is: "Jesus died on the cross for my sins"? Put simply: It is
our only real hope!
Do you want peace and security in life? Do you want the certainty that
your time here is not just a cruel joke, a waste? You won't find those
things in manmade philosophy. Only the message of the cross has
life-creating power. At the cross we first of all learn the truth
about ourselves. We are not good people, or at least better people
than some. We are sinners who are accountable to God and deserving of
condemnation.
But there at the cross something else stands out even more than our
sin -- and that is God's incomparable love. "God so loved the world
that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him
should not perish but have everlasting life" (Jn. 3:16).
Jesus Christ took on our identity. The Word became flesh. He was
determined to take our place, even to the point of dying for our
crimes. The Father turned His back on His Son, not because of any sin
in Jesus, but because of the world's sin which was laid on Him. "God
made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might
become the righteousness of God" (2 Cor. 5:21).
Because of the cross, we don't have to carry a heavy load of guilt
around with us. We don't have to go through life looking back over our
shoulders in constant dread of God's justice crashing down on us.
Instead, we have been set free from sin to praise and serve our living
Savior.
And isn't that why we are here? Thank God for making us people of the
cross! Amen.
-- Pastor Michael Eichstadt
Another Convention devotion (condensed) by the Chaplain, Pastor
Michael Eichstadt, under the theme: "Who Are We?"
From September 1964* --
GO! NEEDED: RELIGIOUS EXTROVERTS. He started out by climbing up on a
pillar 12 feet off the ground and living there. Even this soon seemed
too close to the contaminating earth, and he built taller pillars.
Finally he settled down for 30 years on a towering pillar over 100
feet high.
Thus Simeon Stylites set a new style for the fifth century. He and the
other "pillar saints" who quickly imitated him were simply carrying to
the extreme a religious outlook that was most popular then and still
finds much support. A desire for complete separation from the sinful
world, combined with a hope for greater personal peace in a
contemplative life was moving many to retire into isolation. The
deserts were dotted with hermits seeking to gain their life by
"losing" it in self-denial and poverty. Monasteries and nunneries
multiplied rapidly and were filled with souls eager to shut out the
evil world with thick walls and protect their own spiritual welfare by
a secluded life with others of like mind in small, self-contained
communities.
Too exclusively they were concerned with working out their own
salvation with fear and trembling. They had too little sense of
responsibility for the needs of those outside the fellowship. They
felt that anyone else desiring to share their position and spiritual
blessings should, after all, know where to find the cloister gate.
Predominantly these people were spiritual introverts. They were by no
means convinced that they were their brother's keeper, if this meant
anyone outside their own specific "brotherhood." Their outlook on life
was an unbalanced distortion of a healthy Christian attitude.
Surely there is a proper place for introspection in the life of
Christ's followers. The Lord himself frequently felt the need of
withdrawing to a mountain or desert place apart for periods of prayer
and contemplation.
But He did so to find new strength to return to the world of men and
seek and save that which was lost. After all, He Himself had come into
the world not to be served, but to serve. He humbled Himself and
became obedient to the death of the cross only because of His great
love for others, and an acute awareness of how much had to be done to
save such lost sinners.
And He has made clear the need for spiritual exroverts in the work of
His Church. Indeed, the world is evil, and the Lord lovingly urges His
own to flee from the evil and not to be a part of the world. Yet His
instructions to them are clear, "Go ye INTO all the world and preach
the gospel to every creature." He calls upon us, not to withdraw by
ourselves with our precious salvation light, but to be the light of
the world and the salt of the earth.
Would that we could get more of the balanced outlook that was given to
Saint Paul. He knew well the importance of taking heed unto himself
and all the flock over which the Holy Ghost had made him overseer. He
knew how to examine himself. He dreaded the possibility that after
preaching to others, he himself might be a castaway. He was endlessly
concerned with preserving the purity of the Gospel, on which
everyone's salvation depends.
Yet with all this occupation with the requirements of those that
already believed, his ears were always listening for a cry from
Macedonia or elsewhere, always attuned to other souls that needed his
help. His eye were always open to the needs of strangers who were
pathetically worshiping an "unknown God."
This apostle had learned, in whatsoever state he was, therewith to be
content. Yet he never learned to be content with the number of people
he had helped bring into the fold of Christ. He was never content to
have his flock remain a small one. He was never content to see others
ignore or reject the Bread of Life which he and his flock found so
satisfying and essential. Rather was his passion for souls so great
that he solemnly assures us he could wish himself to be cut off from
Christ and damned, if that would bring his fellow Jews to trust in the
Lord Jesus Christ.
The same apostle who felt the need of going to Arabia for meditation
and study in preparation for his ministry as a missionary, would never
have been tempted to crawl onto a pillar for the rest of his life. The
unbelieving community round about was for him primarily a mission
field to be reached, not just a danger to be shunned.
(Pastor Norbert Reim)
* We have been looking back in issues 30 years past. Due to space
constraints this article has been delayed until now.
This article begins a new series. After the series of articles on
the Devil has run its course, other "revelations of Scripture" could
treat such subjects as Antichrist, Sin, Grace, the Last Days, etc.
-- Ed.
The devil! Yes, we hear his name fairly often. It is commonly used in
the attempt to add emphasis to language. In spite of the name being
frequently spoken and heard, very little thought is given to the devil
himself.
That is exactly as the devil would have it. He has found it good
strategy, also in the spiritual realm, to be underestimated or even
unnoticed by the adversary. The devil is happy to be considered only a
myth.
Reliable information about the devil is readily available. It comes
from one specific source which is ignored by most people. That is
because the devil has succeeded in spreading the lie that that source
is not to be taken seriously. The source is the Bible.
In Scripture God reveals the truth about the devil. God knows the
devil well because He made him. We read at the end of the creation
account: "Thus the heavens and the earth, and all the host of them,
were finished" (Gen. 2:2). Just before that we are told: "God saw
everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good" (Gen.
1:31).
God made the devil, but God made him good. The devil was one of the
created spirit beings we know as angels. However, the devil was not
satisfied with his position. He incited the same dissatisfaction in
other angels. Jude 6 speaks of "the angels who did not keep their
proper domain; but left their own habitation." Peter refers to them as
"the angels that sinned" (2 Pet. 2:4).
Not long after creation, the devil showed his hatred of God. He
attacked God's foremost visible creatures -- Adam and Eve. By deceit
he led them into sin. Since that time, the devil has continued to
direct his cunning and strength toward the temporal and eternal
destruction of the children of God. His special goal is to destroy
their faith in Jesus as the Savior. It is important that we believe
this if we are to have a correct understanding of sin and grace.
Jesus, the Son of God and true God Himself, referred to the devil a
number of times. He cast out devils from people possessed by them. He
Himself was tempted by the devil. The devil and his legions do exist.
We are to be aware of this and to be on guard against the devil.
As we shall see in future articles, we have good reason to fear him.
We do well to heed the warning: "Be sober, be vigilant; because your
adversary, the devil, walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he
may devour" (1 Pet. 5:8).
-- Pastor em. Keith Olmanson
How the Formula Of Concord Was Forged
Part Eight
The Crypto-Calvinists Triumph
Before Luther's death most of the doctrinal battles were against the
Medieval errors of Roman Catholicism. After his death in 1546 the
errors of John Calvin began to undermine Lutheran doctrine.
Calvin's errors, in this controversy, concerned the two natures of
Christ and Lord's Supper. What someone believes about Christ will
inevitably be reflected in what he believes about Holy Communion.
Calvin could not believe that the resurrected Christ could pass
through solid walls (John 20:19). Similarly, he could not accept the
Real Presence of Christ with the elements of the Lord's Supper. In
addition, he separated the work of the Holy Spirit from the Word, so
the Sacraments of Holy Communion and Baptism were symbolic and not
effective in Calvin's thought.
Once again, Melanchthon's unionism, timidity, and lack of honesty
played a tragic part in launching the evil Crypto-Calvinist party. His
desire for union with Calvin's Geneva and with Rome caused Melanchthon
to change his views and try to strike a compromising position
somewhere between the truth, Rome, and Geneva.
As early as 1535 Melanchthon harbored anti-Lutheran views, but hid
them from Luther.
By 1540 Melanchthon had changed the Augsburg Confession to conform
with Calvin's views! Many people are still astonished today that
Luther's co-worker could alter a confession of the Lutheran Church on
his own. That is why Lutheran denominations adhere to the "Unaltered
Augsburg Confession" or UAC, as found on church cornerstones.
Melanchthon urged his followers to dissimulate, to cleverly deceive,
rather than reveal their positions to the pure Lutherans. Modern
Crypto-Calvinists, in the Church Growth Movement, also refuse to state
their doctrinal beliefs.
Joachim Westphal was the first to warn Lutherans of the influence of
Calvinism. Confusion was caused by Calvin's early agreement with the
Lutheran position and Melanchthon's secret conversion. Westphal's
polemics brought out Calvin's polemics, which clarified the
differences between the two confessions.
In Wittenberg a group of Melanchthon's followers conspired to deliver
Luther's Reformation to the Calvinists, not only by deceiving the
Elector August that they were faithful Lutherans, but also by driving
out the genuine Lutherans.
The Crypto-Calvinists gathered Melanchthon's writings into a Corpus
Philippicum, with the approval of Melanchthon. The group of writings
included Malanchthon's false doctrine and excluded Luther's writings.
Those who did not subscribe to the document were deposed and driven
out of their church positions.
Early success made the Crypto-Calvinists bolder. They surrounded
Elector August and convinced him to persecute sincere Lutherans as
zealots and trouble-makers. Calvinist books were promoted to such a
degree in Wittenberg that Luther's books remained unsold.
The theologians craftily published a book, Exegesis Perspicua, which
advocated union with the Calvinists, surrendering all doctrinal points
to Calvin. Their triumph opened the eyes of the naive Elector, but one
more stroke completely destroyed them in their cleverness. (To be
continued)
-- Pastor Gregory L. Jackson
A Light Shining in a Dark Place
Our Lord's will is that His children might be more and more "conformed
to the image of His Son" (Rom. 8:29). There was a time in our country
when the educational philosophy of the public school was not in direct
conflict with Christianity. Today, however, there can be no doubt that
Secular Humanism is the prevalent philosophy of secular society, and
that it is found also in the public schools. This approach to teaching
is designed to produce children who are conformed to the ways of this
world, not the Lord's ways. Consider this comparison:
Humanism and Christianity
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Standard of Truth
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Man sifts through his theories to God's Inspired word is the only
discover the changing truths which source of truth for the faith
are relevant for himself and his and life of every believer
situation. through all lands and all ages.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Basis of Development
----------------------------------------------------------------------
People are basically good. The We are by nature dead in sin.
teacher's job is to build on that The teacher applies God's Word,
goodness in each child. Secular for only in Christ are we saved
education can save the world. and equipped for God-pleasing
works.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Purpose of Education
----------------------------------------------------------------------
We should lead the child to devel- We lead the child to Jesus to
op his character, talents, and find in Him salvation, as well
"self-esteem" so he can make the as the strength and will to use
most of himself. the gifts God has given, for His
Glory.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Motives in Education
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Individual accomplishment is pur- Christ's love is instilled, so
sued to instill personal pride and that we serve Him in thanks,
"positive self-image". Christ's love is used to promote
service.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Discipline
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Since each child determines his God's infallible Word points a
own truth, discipline must help person away from his own deceits,
him select what is best for so that each is brought back to
himself. God's ways, for the good of all.
-- Submitted to the Spokesman by a CLC pastor; slightly amended by
the editor.
WHY BILLY IS NO PAUL
The third week in June the Minneapolis Metrodome hosted a total of
348,000 people (not counting the nationwide television audience) for a
Billy Graham Crusade.
Some in the media have compared Graham to the apostle Paul. Here are
a few reasons why, from our vantage point, Billy Graham is no apostle
Paul.
While Graham denies the biblical teaching of infant baptism and the
fact that baptism is a sacrament (a sacred act in which God forgives
sins), Jesus Christ teaches: "Most assuredly I say to you, unless one
is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God"
(Jn. 3:5). And St. Paul writes: "According to His mercy He saved us,
through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit,
whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior"
(Titus 3:5f); again: "Do you not know that as many of us as were
baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we
were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ
was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also
should walk in newness of life" (Rom. 6:4). No, Billy is no Paul.
Likewise Billy Graham denies that Holy Communion is a sacrament,
though Jesus Christ instituted it with the words: "Take eat . . . Take
drink . . . given and shed for you for the remission of sins" (Mt.
26:26ff, Mk.14:22ff, Lk. 22:15ff) Read what is written in Paul's first
letter to the Corinthians, chapter 11, and see again why Billy is no
Paul.
When it comes to the sinner's conversion, Billy Graham is known for
his altar calls or "calls for decision." Implying a human being can
decide or choose to believe by drawing on some latent innate spiritual
powers, Graham preached like this in the Metrodome: "(Jesus) knocks at
your heart's door. Open the door, please, and let him in. I'm going to
ask you to get out of your seat now and say, 'I want to experience
Christ. I want him to be my savior, Lord and master.'" By contrast,
Jesus Christ told His disciples: "You did not choose Me, but I chose
you . . ." (Jn. 15:16). The prophet Jeremiah pleaded: "Turn thou me
and I shall be turned, for thou art the Lord my God" (Jer. 31:18). In
this regard notice how St. Paul teaches that "no one can say Jesus is
Lord except by the Holy Sprit" (1 Cor. 12:3). In other words, Billy's
contention that by cooperating with God man receives part credit for a
spiritual turn-around is further evidence that he is no Paul.
Further testing of the spirits whether or not they are of God (1 Jn.
4:1) would reveal other areas where what Billy Graham teaches
conflicts with the Word of God -- areas such as the millennium,
progressive sanctification, limited atonement, unionism, and the
Antichrist.
None of this is to say that God can't use Billy Graham crusades for
some good. By whomever and whenever Christ is preached we say with
Paul: " . . .Whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and
in this I rejoice" (Php. 1:18). But such rejoicing must always be
tempered with an awareness of the subtle dangers of doctrinal error.
To preachers of international renown, or to local country preachers,
God's warning stands: "You shall not add to the word which I command
you, nor take anything from it" (Deut. 4:2). And as St. Paul writes:
"If we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than
what we have preached to you, let him be accursed" (Gal. 1:18).
"HOLY PEOPLE"
Our church office is favored with a gratis subscription to the
"Prairie Catholic," a monthly publication of the New Ulm (Minn.)
diocese. The May 1996 issue devoted many of its pages to a bishop who
recently died. It was said: "Other priests, family, friends, and
former students rose to share their stories about how grateful they
were to have been touched in some way by this holy man."
We have no problem with the title "holy man" being applied to the
bishop if it is to mean that he believed in Jesus Christ for the
forgiveness of all sins. The Scriptures call all such believers
"saints" by virtue of the alien holiness of Jesus Christ (see
Rom. 1:7, 1 Cor. 1:2, Eph. 1:1, Php. 1:1, Col. 1:2.; for greater
elaboration read Eph. 5:25-27, Heb. 10:14 etc.).
What troubles, however, is the implication -- from the page-after-
page description of the bishop's "good works" -- that this man was
"holy" in a way that set him apart from the simple Christian
believer.
All believers are privileged to bask in their holy status as it is
described by St. Peter: "You are a chosen generation, a royal
priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may
proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His
marvelous light. . ." (1 Pet. 2:9-10) Good works follow as a fruit
of faith.
"Let us then reject the stupid and godless notion about the term
'saints' according to which we imagined that the word was fitting only
for the saints in heaven and for hermits and monks on earth who had
performed certain extraordinary works. Let us now learn from Holy
Scirpture that all believers in Christ are saints." (What Luther Says,
Vol. III, p. 1251).
CAN YOU NAME THE CHURCH?
While in Eau Claire for synod convention I was out for my early
morning jog. I ran past this sign on a church in that city: "God
allows our choosing of Him to be His choosing of us."
The catchy sentense is -- as we see it -- not only theologically
loaded but theologically flawed. Can you name the denomination of
the church? (We'll give it in a future issue.) Hint: see the article
on Billy Graham above.
WHERE ARE THE MINUTES?
The editor receives a gratis copy of the Concordia Historial Institute
(CHI) Quarterly. The Winter 1995 edition had an article encouraging
each Missouri Synod congregation to take an inventory of its parish
records. Questions were asked such as: Where are the minutes of the
voters' meetings? Where are the records of the official acts (baptism,
confirmation, marriage, funeral)? Are Sunday bulletins and newsletters
being preserved? Is there a collection of photographs of confirmation
classes, pastors, teachers etc.? And perhaps one of the most
important questions asked was: Who is responsible for such records
in your parish?
After a question about secure facilities for such records, the CHIQ
writer goes on to tell how Europe's wars have been destructive of
parish records which are "particularly important to genealogists and
family historians." It is said that enemy troops often took these
records intentionally and destroyed them.
For a variety of reasons we may feel little urgency about record-
keeping. And after all, can't we take for granted our pastors are
doing this for us? Speaking from experience, I would answer that
question in the negative. Not all pastors are good at keeping current
and accurate records.
The encouragement to inventory church records was given as the Luther-
an church Missouri Synod is about to mark its 150th anniversary. God-
willing, it's not too far away when the CLC will mark a significant
anniversary of its own -- the 50th in the year 2010. One way it might
choose to do this would be to put together a book with a brief history
on each of its congregations.
For this, and other, reasons, ". . . your congregation will do well
to make adequate provisions for the preservation and use of your
extremely valuable and unique parish records." (CHIQ)
In Our CLC Classrooms --
Meet: Craig F. Owings
Craig F. Owings is a teacher at Immanuel School in Mankato, Minn. He
joined the teaching staff there in the fall of 1995. He teaches
primarily high school courses in the areas of grammar, literature,
math, and geography.
Mr. Owings graduated from Pacific Lutheran University in 1974, and
accepted a teaching position at Lakewood, Washington in an ELS church.
In 1991 he left the ELS and joined the CLC. In the summer of 1995 he
was declared eligible for a call into the CLC through colloquy.
He and his wife Kay have four chidren: Matthew (age 19), Michael (age
16), Meagan (age 14), and Adam (age 13). The youngest three children
attend Immanuel High School in Mankato.
He chose teaching as a career be cause he believes that "genuine
Christian education is of infinte importance, and eternal con-
sequence."
Outside of the classroom Mr. Owings enjoys hunting, fishing, sea
kayaking, and attending the sporting events of his children.
We welcome Mr. Owings into our CLC classrooms. May God, through him,
spread His Word.
About 135 women joined their hearts in praise and meditation around
the theme of Colossians 3:16: "Let the word of Christ dwell in you
richly in all wisdom, teaching and amonishing one another in psalms
and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your heart to the
Lord."
The occasion for this opportunity of fellowship was the sixth biennial
luncheon held on Wednesday, June 19 during the week of the CLC
Convention.
Ruth Sydow spoke on "Making Music in your Heart to the Lord," a
personal narrative of how music played an important role in the lives
of her and her family.
Mary Thom gave an informative talk on "Psalms and Hymns and Spiritual
Songs," relating the theme directly to our lives.
The women also enjoyed entertainment by Lynette Roehl, and flute and
violin duets by Laurie Lau and Lisa Sprengeler, with some piano
accompaniment by Sue Reim. There was a discussion of common problems
for different age groups of Christian women, led by Lois Mackensen,
Ruth Tri, Irene Eichstadt, and Marion Fitschen. Marion Dommer led a
choral number.
Coordinators for the luncheon were Sue Lau and Lois Porath, and for
the program Dorothy Lau. To make the day an enjoyable one, many others
helped with displays, tags, registration, decorations, serving,
setting up and cleaning up.
In order to continue this tradition we need a volunteer for general
chairman for 1998. If interested, please notify Mrs. John Lau by May
1, 1997.
-- Dorothy Lau
Announcement
Agreement has been reached on a doctrinal statement regarding the
understanding of the third use of the Law. This statement, arrived at
through study of the Holy Scriptures and the Lutheran Confessions, was
accepted and recognized at the 1996 Convention of the Church of the
Lutheran Confession as true to the teaching of Scripture. It was also
accepted and recognized as such in duly called meetings of St. Matthew
of Colorado Springs, Colorado and St. Paul of Golden, Colorado, Rev.
Delwyn Maas, pastor. Fellowship with these congregations and Rev. Maas
is herewith declared.
We are thankful to the Lord of the Church, Who after 20 years of
separation, has in His grace brought all parties involved to a common
faith and confession so that together we may proclaim the grace of God
in Christ Jesus. May the Lord continue to bless this reunion and all
of us of the Church of the Lutheran Confession with steadfast love of
the Truth. To God alone the glory.
-- Daniel Fleischer, President
Church of the Lutheran Confession
Installations
In accord with our usage and order, Paul D. Nolting, who was called by
Immanuel Ev. Lutheran congregation of Mankato, Minn. to be its pastor
was installed on June 9, 1996.
-- Pastor L. D. Redlin
In accord with our usage and order, Philip Strike, who was called by
Holy Cross Lutheran Church of Phoenix, Arizona to be principal and
teacher in its Christian Day School was installed on July 14, 1996.
-- Pastor Michael Eichstadt
Change Of Address
Pastor Paul D. Nolting
1706 Lamar Drive
North Mankato, MN 56003
Phone (507) 387-7035
Michael A. Sydow
503 Ingram Dr. W.
Eau Claire, WI 54701
Phone (715) 831-8201
Office: (715) 836-6624
Ruth Eserhut
10701 West Grange Ave.
Apartment #5
Hales Corners, WI 53130
Phone (414) 427-3069
Joint Reformation Service
The Minnesota Conference of the CLC invites area congregations to
attend a joint Reformation service to be held at Immanuel Lutheran
Church, Mankato, Minnesota on October 27, 1996 beginning at 4:00
p.m.
-- Pastor Rick Grams, Secretary
Killeen, Texas
St. Matthew of Dallas is conducting Sunday evening services (7:00
p.m.) in Killeen, 80 miles north of Austin. For location and details
contact Pastor Tom Schuetze at (214) 733-4535.
Announcement
Roland H. Gurgel has been declared eligible for call into the ministry
of the Church of the Lutheran Confession.
-- Daniel Fleischer, President
Great Lakes Pastoral Conference
The Great Lakes Pastor Conference is set for September 24-25th at ILC
in Eau Claire, beginning at 8:30 a.m. with a communion service.
Agenda:
1. NT Exegesis, 2 Corinthians 10:1ff -- Pastor David Koenig
2. American Legion Study -- Prof. John Lau
3. Prayer is the Christian's Vital Breath -- encouraging spontaneity
in prayer for and with one another -- Pastor David Reim
4. Success -- the Greatest Threat to Spiritual Life -- Prof. Michael
Sydow
5. Papam Esse Verum Antichristum* -- According to the new Baltimore
Catechism -- Pastor Leroy Dux
6. Eschatology -- For adult Bible Class -- Pastor Paul F. Nolting
Conference Speaker -- Pastor Egbert Albrecht
Conference Chaplain -- Pastor Mark Bernthal
Time will also be set aside for an open discussion on encouraging
congregations to discuss stewardship matters, as directed by the
Convention.
--Pastor David Reim, Secretary
* Translation of the Latin: "The Papacy Is the Very Antichrist"
-- Ed.
South-Eastern Pastoral Conference
Bethel, Houston, Texas
September 24-26, 1996
Agenda:
* NT Exegesis of 2 Thessalonians 2:13ff -- Pastor Jerome Barthels
* Book Review: Eucharist and Church Fellowship in the First Four
Centuries, by Werner Elert -- Pastor Andrew Schaller
* "What was the significance and benefit of fasting in Scripture? Is
there a proper use and benefit today?" -- Pastor Terrell Kesterson
* "To what extent may a called worker make use of the government aid
programs?" -- Pastor Thomas Schuetze
* "A study of 1 Corinthians 10:16-17 -- Especially: one bread,
therefore we who are many are one body" -- Pastor John Schierenbeck
* OT Exegesis, Essayist's choice -- Pastor Karl Stewart
* Book Report: This is My Body--Luther's Contention for the Real
Presence in the Sacrament of the Altar, by Hermann Sasse -- Pastor
Warren Fanning
* "A comparison/contrast between the rich young ruler and the expert
in the law and Jesus' didactic approach with each" -- Pastor Wayne
Eichstadt
* Discussion segments: Veterans' Organizations, Self-Esteem Question
Chaplain: Pastor John Klatt
Communion Service Speaker: Pastor Warren Fanning
-- Pastor Andrew Schaller, Secretary