Journey Back to Confessional Lutheranism

This was a letter that speak close to how to look at confessional Lutheranism-Tim Suttton

I’m a lay person who has been constantly being educated in what it truly means to be a confessional Lutheran. I love it! It’s been a slow learning, growing process over more than a decade now. I mean, I have always been a Lutheran, born and bred. Baptized into the Lord’s family at three weeks of age, I have always just believed. I felt awe, fear, and respect for our great God, and knew he loved me so much He sent His only Son to save me from my sins. John 3:16 was my confirmation verse, and I had to do my pre-confirmation speech on it.

It wasn’t until I was an adult that I started having a lot more contact in my life with people of other Christian persuasions. I mean, I never knew you had to ask Jesus to live in your heart! I had just known He was always with me, and I could pray to Him whenever, wherever I wanted. Life had always been lived with worship on Sunday, but most of the rest of the week was spent doing ordinary family things, like kids home work, cooking, cleaning, working outside the home, etc. I attended Bible Studies sometimes when offered. I was involved in the LWML, helped with VBS in the kitchen or crafts, and started reading my Bible.

I started listening regularly to Christian radio, and I have to admit, I think it was helpful in making me feel closer to God and growing in my faith, but I kept hearing things on there, like, “Are you sure you are saved? Have you been born again? Have you ever asked Jesus in your heart?” I mean, I had never felt a rush of emotion like some people would talk about. I never had the spirit just make me soar. I started to wonder a bit if I really was “born again”. One day I stopped by my church, and my pastor was there and I asked how I could know if I was really “born again”? He gave me such comfort. He brought me back to my Baptism. He asked me if I had been baptized. I said yes, of course. Then he asked if I had been confirmed, believed that Jesus died for my sins, and said it did not matter how I felt. Our emotions don’t matter. It was all what He did that mattered, not what we do. What comfort I felt! I left his office feeling so much better. He also told me that even my wondering about it meant I had faith, because someone without faith wouldn’t even think about it.

I’ve gotten to realize through the years how precious our Lutheran faith and heritage are. That is why I became involved in the CLCC (Confessional Lutherans for Christ’s Commission) I feel the Lutheran faith is being attacked on all fronts. It is attacked by other faiths, because we won’t just unite to get along. Yet, the main threat to our faith in this day and age is coming from within. Many of our own people do not realize how special our given faith is, and they want us to be more like everyone else. The other churches have more “fun” in worship. They “show “their faith better by trying to live perfect lives. Somehow, that’s going to earn them brownie points with God. The problem is they don’t realize what is at stake to lose. The Sacraments would need to be the first to go, since those are the big dividers. They haven’t thought through how really precious they are. The CLCC seeks to help Lutheran lay people to learn to appreciate being Lutheran again, and when they understand that, they can be confident in defending it. With joy! Then other people will want the freedom that we have in Christ!

I’ve been able to become much more discerning now over the years. I am saddened when I find that some people are trying so hard to take that freedom away.

“I believe that I cannot by my own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ, my Lord, or come to Him. But the Holy Spirit has called me by the Gospel, enlightened me with His gifts, sanctified and kept me in the true faith. In the same way He calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies the whole Christian Church on earth and keeps it with Jesus Christ in the one true faith. In this Christian Church He daily and richly forgives all my sins and the sins of all believers. On the Last Day He will raise me up and all the dead and will give eternal life to me and all believers in Christ. This is most certainly true.”

This part of Luther’s Small Catechism stuck with me while I went through what I did. I never realized it till years later, when these words kept coming to my mind, and I knew I had learned it somewhere, but where? Then I searched a catechism I found when at my Bible camp, and there were the words that meant so much to me. He does it all! For me!

Getting people to remember the catechism they memorized in their youth, and to appreciate the truths it taught them is a very important step to appreciating the true faith. I think our history can also be important to know. The CLCC hopes to get seminars going in different parts of the country so we can get together to learn more about our history, the Lutheran confessions, and many other topics. Please check out our web site, THECLCC.org. We would be happy to answer any questions you have about the mission of the CLCC, planning a seminar in your area of the country, your becoming involved personally in the CLCC. We are looking for more new members. We also want to sign up congregations for membership.

We started a new group on the Wittenberg Trail for the CLCC. We hope you will check us out. Confessional Lutherans have to all work together to teach people what the true Christian faith is. It is too precious to not nurture.

Kari Anderson
Public Relations for the Confessional Lutherans for Christ’s Commission

America the ......

A Response to USA Today Article “Faith in America: Get Ready for Change”

August 27th, 2011Post by Norm Fisher

While adding a church to the Evangelical-Lutheran Liturgical Congregations website, I came across this article written by Pastor Pautz of Our Savior Lutheran Church in Muscatine, IA. It is a great response to a USA Today article that you may have missed in the Lutheran Witness.

Pastor Pautz introducing the article by DP Brian Saunders found in the Lutheran Witness:

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This is an article written by our District President – Rev. Saunders which is reprinted from the recent Lutheran Witness. Blessings.  Pastor Pautz

Helpful definitions

A recent USA Today article, published May 16, 2011, by Oliver Thomas entitled “Faith in America: Get Ready for Change” forewarns the Church that “change” is on the way. That is no surprise to the holy Christian Church since “change” is at the heart of her confession. The change Thomas is offering, however, is not the same as the change of the historic Church. Instead, he suggests that the Church needs to change what she believes, teaches and practices. In other words, she needs to change everything.

It is helpful here to define what is meant by change. Change in the holy Christian Church is about repentance. Repentance is change that takes place in the heart and life of the convicted sinner, not the organism called the Church. Repentant change in the Church occurs when the perfect Law of God confronts the wayward and erring soul, bringing the unrighteous to his knees in confession of his sins. The Holy Gospel then rescues the broken soul with the promise of forgiveness in Christ Jesus. At the same time, it creates faith that receives God’s forgiveness. Thus, it is truly change. In short, the change is not in the Church and its creed but in the heart of the sinner whose life is now lead by love for God and for neighbor.

The Church is also, by its very nature, creedal. So, to change a creed means the essence of the organism itself has changed. To change the essence of an organism is to change the organism itself. The consequence of that kind of change is that the organism ceases to exist.
In other words, to change the creed of the Church is not only to change the Church, but it is to speak of no Church at all. Without the creeds, we are left to our own fallible and erring whims for truth. That is why the authors of the Epitome in theBook of Concord write:

“Immediately after the time of the Apostles–in fact, already during their lifetime–false teachers and heretics invaded the church. Against these the ancient church formulated symbols (explicit confessions) which were accepted as the unanimous, catholic, Christian faith and confessions of the orthodox and true church, namely, the Apostles’ Creed, the Nicene Creed, and the Athanasian Creed. We pledge ourselves to these, and we hereby reject all heresies and teachings which have been introduced into the church of God contrary to them” (Tappert, 465:3).

Holes in the argument
A few points in the article in particular are worth discussing. First, it is interesting that Thomas points out that the populace today is more attuned to a God who is a “big God and is unbound by Scripture or learned scholars.” And yet, shortly thereafter, he leans on the wealth of knowledge of these “scholars” to discredit the apostleship authority and the hierarchical structure that has formed the current governance in the Church.

Apart from Scripture, we have no way of knowing the Son of God who reveals to us the will of God the Father. While He may be larger than creation, creation cannot believe in Him apart from the Word in which He reveals Himself. That means Thomas is simply in error when he says the Early Church had no clergy structure.

In fact, Paul instructed Timothy and Titus to appoint elders (clergy) in the local parishes where they served as overseers. As such, already in the time of Paul, the Church had formal structure. The Church was also growing, and the larger the group the more necessary it was that there be an organized structure for the sake of maintaining a faithfulness to a common confession and practice. The same is true today.

Next, Thomas makes the argument that the Church will become more counter-cultural. This, too, is no new thing, nor is it surprising. The Church is itself a culture that is in this world but not of it. She has her own language, music, relationships and disposition toward the lost. She addresses the lost with the Gospel (her unique language) that the Holy Spirit may have the venue to bring the erring heart to repentance and faith. The Church has never asked the lost world what it would like her to be based on its opinion of truth. Only the Church has the divinely-revealed truth to offer to mankind. Only she can communicate and bestow that truth upon the repentant sinner.

The Church’s response
Thomas affirms that the change that the Church needs to embrace is “loosey-goosey.” The silliness of that phrase alone is enough to discredit his suggestions. Maybe that is what he means when he says that the Church has already changed its worship times, places and instrumentation and that changing its beliefs is the next logical step.

However, there’s just one small problem with the underlying premises in Thomas’ article: These are not creedal issues. The Church will do the unbelieving world far more good by sticking with its faithful adherence to the Word of God expressed in the creeds of the historic faith.

In other words, the living ought never ask the dead how the living should live their lives. By doing that, the living condemn the dead to an eternal death. The cost of each soul is too precious and valuable to leave the lost to their own ways.

Children Don't Like Church?

Children in Church

I visited recently with a man in my town that told me that he would not attend a church that had a sign
in the back few pews saying that they were reserved for people with small children, because he believed that children should be sitting closer to the front of the church. I had never really thought about the signs suggesting that they sit there, just that if they wanted to, but he is right. Why have signs at all on the pews in the back? Everyone with small children should be encouraged to sit closer to the front. Children seem to behave much better nearer the front than in the back.

I’ve been learning these things lately about how important it is for children to be in church, where they
receive the same gifts of worship that adults receive. When children are closer to the front, there are
fewer distractions for them. It can’t be fun to look at all the people’s backs and not even be able to see
the pastor. In the front they can see the pastor better, and what he is doing. He is acting in the stead
and by the command of our Lord, Jesus Christ. When he makes the sign of the cross and gives the
absolution of sins, it is for them, too. Children are sinners and need to hear their sins are forgiven just
like the rest of us do. They will receive the comfort that knowing they are forgiven brings to them, just
like it does for us. They are a part of the priesthood of all believers, because they are baptized. .

As things happen during the service, parents can explain to them what is happening in a quiet voice.
They can point out things of interest. When a baptism occurs the children will actually be able to see
how they were made a child of God, too.

Of course, children will become restless at times, because they are children. Parents can be told when
they are encouraged to bring them closer to the front to take them out when they fuss, but to bring
them right back in. Church is for them, too, and they shouldn’t start to look at their acting out as a way
to get rewarded with time to play in the crying room. The crying room should be more for the quick
disciplinary trip, or for an occasional small crying infant, not for toddlers that can and should be taught
how they should behave in church. This is God’s house, and they need to be on their best behavior in
the house of the Lord. It may be a way to teach respect. That is sadly lacking in our world today.

I’ve watched a few families in my church that sit near the front, and this is what they do. I’ve also
listened to Todd Wilken and some of his guests on Issues Etc, and they have had programs about the
importance of kids being at the worship service. Todd said his son was singing the liturgy from his crib
before he could even speak. We know these children are small believers because they were given the
Gift of faith at their baptism. God promises His Word does not return void. Children learn through
repetition. They learn the Christian faith through the liturgy they hear in church. They will learn how
they are being fed by God, to help them live their lives through the rest of the week, and hopefully
realize they need to continue to be fed throughout their lives. I think it’s time to encourage big
Lutherans and little ones to sit in the front of church.

Kari Anderson
Confessional Lutherans for Christ’s Commission (CLCC)
June 24, 2009

Which Part of Life is More Important

There is a tendency among us to view life as a series of compartments in which we play and sometimes conflicting roles. At home we are one kind of person, at work another, at church another, at play still another. We have learned to act one way in one situation, and another way in another situation in order to be successful or cope with the circumstances.

The way we live our life-roles is often inconsistent with what we profess on a Sunday morning. We break speed laws. We lose our temper with the wife and kids. We don’t always watch our language. These things are all part of our growing in faith in Jesus. The stronger our faith, the less the inconsistencies.

But these inconsistencies/compartmentalization result from other contributing factors. Compartmentalization can result from (l) having found Christianity a nice but impractical way of life; viewing Christianity as excellent insurance for eternity, but unemployable in most situations here. (2) not having discovered how the Word of God applies to one’s life, not knowing what our gracious God expects.

Compartmentalization of one’s faith has only one cure: Bible study.

D. Bible Study is Above and Beyond the Normal

There is also a feeling in our Christian family that only "super Christians" do Bible study. Whether it is private study, family devotions, or group study, it is felt, only really good Christians will be so committed to the Word. Bible study has come to be viewed as an act of "super-arrogation". It is supposed to be done only by truly saintly people. Did you ever hear a member excuse himself from Bible study with, "I admire these people in the congregation who attend Bible study, but a common Christian like me could never be like them. Bible study? No. You certainly can’t expect me, an ordinary believer to be that good of a Christian."

Bible study tends not to viewed as a natural outgrowth of our faith in Jesus. Rather it is thought of as a fine but abnormal act. Instead of seeing contact with with the Scriptures as an avenue of expressing our appreciation for God’s grace,  study is considered burdensome. Instead of believing the the normal desire of a child of God will be to learn more about his heavenly Father, the average member seems to believe he knows enough and needs no more.

If the level of contact with the Lord through his Word is to increase in our Synod, this and the other attitudes I have mentioned need to be corrected.

It is my opinion that the Lutheran Church is not doing the Bible study (in public and private) that our Lord would expect from us. Nor are we promoting or encouraging the level of Bible study that would be God pleasing.

I fear that unless we realize this weakness and actively take steps to remedy the situation, we stand to lose the truth and purity of the Word we now enjoy.

Confirmation equals Graduation

Our church also seems to be under the false impression that confirmation is Bible study graduation. Isn’t there a mind-set in our church populace that if a person can endure the "tortures" of grade school confirmation he will have learned all that he will ever need to know about God? No more Bible study will ever be necessary. Isn’t confirmation viewed as a kind of doctorate in Christianity? It seems to be overwhelming sentiment that after confirmation a person stands on the pinnacle of spiritual erudition. And if anyone suggests that more Bible study is not only beneficial but essential, these spiritual giants will proudly point to the wall and say, "Look at my confirmation certificate and my picture. Can anyone so cherubic and clothed in such radiant white robes need more contact with the Scriptures?

That’s an attitude that crosses all ages, income, and social groupings. It’s amazing! Even those intelligent and very responsible individuals in our congregations who realize a need for continuing education in their particular field, have a hard time seeing the same need for their souls. It’s the same with our brothers and sisters who see no need for refresher courses in spiritual health matters, but would never go to a doctor who is satisfied to practice medicine solely on the basis of his med-school education.

We might add that our synodical system helps to promote that mentality. For which age groups is our Sunday school material intended? Pre-school through eighth grade. It makes it seem as though school children need Bible study. Added to that is a lack of concentration on encouraging Scripture study among teens by providing a Sunday morning Bible class geared specifically for them. We do our teens a disfavor by not making Bible-study a part of our program for them. What are we teaching them with youth group meetings that center on recreation? We also promote the idea that Bible class is just for children when we pastors make it a point to get our members to send their children to Sunday school, but fail to encourage parents also to attend. So in essence we as parents are teaching them the very thing we wish them not to do.

Bible Study In The Life Of The Pastor And His Congregation

The  Lutheran Church has a serious problem with Scripture. That sentence is not an attention getting device. The Lutheran Church does have a serious problem with Scripture. True, it is not a problem with what we believe about Scripture. By God's grace and guidance we still retain the teachings of their "truth and purity". The problem is in the way we as a Synod, handle that Word. The fact is we are not using God's Word as we should. We are not as familiar with it as our Lord wills us to be. Although we as a Synod proclaim God's Word as it was meant to be proclaimed, are not studying that Word, as it was meant to be studied. A Christian cannot read the Scriptures without being impressed, even overwhelmed, by the great importance that God has placed on the study of his Word. We are told again and again in many different ways that contact with the Scripture is an utter necessity for the Christian. We need the Word if we are to stay alive spiritually and to grow in our faith-life. Our God points out that frequent and regular Bible study is essential for every one of his children. It is important, first of all because constant contact with Scriptures is one of the ways the child of God expresses his gratitude for the eternal life the Lord has won for him (Jer 15:16; Col 3:16; 2 Ti 1:13). But the believer will also study the Bible to strengthen his faith in Christ (2 Ti 3:14-15; Jn 20:31); to aid him in godly living (2 Ti 3:16-17; Ps 119:9); and spiritual, growth (l Pe 2:2; 2 Pe 3:18); to teach him, sound doctrine (Eph 4:14); to comfort him (Ro 8:18, 28, 38; Ps 23, 91, 121); to enable him to give an answer (1 Pe 3:15); to enable him to transmit the Word to his children (Dt 6:1-7; Ps 78:5-6); and to mine God's treasure house (Psalm 119:72). But in spite of these and many other God inspired encouragements and admonitions, what amount of Bible study is being done in our Synod? How much reading and studying of the scriptures are our lay people logging each week? How much Bible study are are pastors doing? Or are our pastors discouraging their congregation from it? Our Bible weakness rears its ugly head in our Synod’s arm’s length approach to the need for evangelism. What number of our sister congregations carry on an active evangelism program? How many of our  members are involved in personally witnessing their faith? Why has the position of a full time evangelism coordinator met such opposition? That doesn't happen any more. If all of our people and all of our clergy were submerged in the Word as deeply as our God wants us to be, we would not have these kinds of problems. We would know what our God's will is for us as individuals, as congregations, and as a synod. We would know his unbreakable promises, We would trust our God to keep his promises. We would be motivated to act on his promises and carry out his will because of his love for us in Jesus. We Christians of the Lutheran Church have been entrusted with a most precious treasure--the God of the universe's saving Word. By his all-loving power we have been permitted to enjoy doctrinal unity in true teachings of those Scriptures. But what percentage of our brothers and sisters in Christ are taking full or even partial advantage of this treasure? Perhaps there are those of you who would not label this lack of contact with the Lord through his Word as "serious". But no one could possibly argue, "Our Lord is pleased with our level of Bible study." It seems to me that there are a number of factors that encourage a lack of Bible study in our circles. I’ve tried to group these factors under headings. There will be some overlapping. If that is burdensome to you, I apologize. But I felt it was necessary to outline my thoughts in this way so the points are as clear as possible. I. EXAMINING OUR ATTITUDES TOWARD BIBLE STUDY Whenever a problem arises in which we have some involvement it is best to examine ourselves. The question we will want an answer before all others is: What each of our roles as laymen and pastors are how have each played its part in  creating this situation? The flock gets its encouragement from the pastor.  What is the  attitudes which pastors bring  toward Bible study? ( Here’s a question which will take some Spirit-worked honesty.) There seems to me to be inconsistencies between what pastors know the Bible says about Bible study and how we carry out that Word. I believe the following series of questions will reveal some weaknesses in pastors, both personally and collectively. Lord, help us to truthfully answer.  These question are not just for pastor but for Laymen. However as a pastor we are here to show the importance of the Word. As laymen we also have the importance to show the importance to our neighbor around us. A. Questions about our Personal Devotion Time (For the word we replace it with Pastor,Laymen,your name.) How much time do we spend each day in prayerful, personal Bible study? Do we start each day by allowing the Lord to speak to us? Do we read over and think through a portion of his word in a devotional way? Do we take time to speak with our Father in prayer? Do we make it a point to lead our family in devotion? Is this a daily practice? Do we strive to make those devotions speak to every member of our family? Are we providing our congregation members with positive examples for private and family Bible study? When was the last time you spoke with one of your members about your own devotional life? Have you ever visited your members to personally show them how to hold family devotions? B. Questions about our Personal Devotion Priorities Do we suffer from the, "Martha syndrome"? Do we excuse ourselves from personal Bible study because we have too many other "more-important" things to do? Instead of "choosing what act is better" like Mary, do we skip over contact with the Word to clang around in the kitchen of the Lord's kingdom? Are there many times that we reason: I just don’t have time today for Bible study and prayer. I've got calls to make, meetings to prepare for and attend, a class to get ready for and teach, a counseling session to think about, a bunch of district committee work to finish up. How often do we excuse ourselves with the words, "Lord, getting into your Word has to take second place right now"? Have we failed to learn the spiritual secret Luther discovered? He tells us that the busier he was, the more time he took for prayer and study. Do pastors excuse Themselves from real, personal Bible contact by claiming that their sermon preparation, group Bible study preparation, etc. get them into the Word and meet all the pastors spiritual needs? If so, do pastors consciously prepare their sermons, their group bible study sessions in their adult information classes in a "personal" frame of mind? Do pastors actually invite the Lord to speak with us--in their particular situation through this preparation? Do we ask him to help us by our preparation with our concerns, with our problems, toward our goals, or through our weaknesses? Or do pastors end up making our preparations in a "professional" frame of mind, thinking primarily about what the Lord is telling our congregation or class in these words? C. Questions about our Public Study Priorities How much time do pastors and teachers spend in preparation for our Bible classes? As much as for their sermons? If not, does the difference in preparation time reflect thinking that Bible study is somehow not as important as our Sunday sermon? Why is it that, although no pastor would think that Sunday worship is optional, not every pastor's weekly schedule includes leading a Bible class? In our sermons, newsletters, and other public communications do we emphasize Bible study (both public and private) as much as the Scriptures do? Do we overlook opportunities for applying portions of the Word that encourage contact with the Scriptures? When was the last time used an entire sermon to encourage all forms of Bible study? Do pastor express their concern when members aren’t doing Bible study? As often as when members don’t worship regularly? Do pastors make their members' frequency of worship the "litmus test" of their spiritual health? Shouldn’t pastors be just as alarmed if their frequency of Bible is low or non-existent? Perhaps I stand alone among you in having to admit there are such inconsistencies between what I know the Bible says about the importance of Bible study and how that is carried out in practice. If I stand alone, I'm glad I'm the only with this deficiency. I ask your prayers and encouragement. But if you stand with me, I pray for Spirit-guided change in us both. If attitudes toward Bible study are going to change in our congregations and throughout the Synod, the change must start with us, the shepherds. II. EXAMINING OUR BIBLE STUDY EMPHASES Related to our attitudes toward Bible study is what we perceive as the purpose of Bible study. We summed up those purposes in the introduction (some examples: an expression of our gratitude, means of strengthening our faith, an aid to godly living, a source of comfort). Once we are straight on the purposes for Bible study, we need to determine which emphases to stress in order to accomplish those purposes. I believe the Lutherans has a problem with proper Bible study emphases. The emphasis on imparting facts and figures in our approach to Bible study is so great thatapplying those Scripture truths to one’s everyday life is sold short. At times, good application even seems to be non-existent. Mostly application tends to be viewed as something tacked on to study--almost as an after-thought. Or that we as laymen of this world today don’t feel like we need to hear it. Perhaps you are thinking, "What is he talking about? I always try to apply the Word in my Bible, studies and sermons. Everyone else I know does, too." To that I’d reply, "I’m sure you do. I am not saying we don’t apply the Word. I am saying we don't stress application as much as it should be stressed." The process of teaching the Scriptures has been described as a "hook, Book, look, took" process. The "hook" is a good introduction that catches your class attention. The "Book" is the Bible and its use to establish spiritual principles. The "look" is the application. Here is taking the principle and showing how it applies in a number of situations. The "took" is the part of Bible study we often fall down on. "Took" is integration. It is the teaching of the effect a Scripture section will have on a person. It is the bringing out of the specific change or reinforcement in one’s life that will result from knowing a particular Word of God. Integration is taking application one step further to teach in specifics what a Word of God means. It is making a Scripture section part of a believer. It is leading students to determine how they will respond to God’s grace because of his message to us in a particular section. Take a moment to think about Jesus sermons. Where does the emphasis fall? Jesus, not to mention the other inspired writers, is very practical. The Savior made sure that his listeners knew what his message meant to them. Those who listened to Jesus came away knowing how God wanted them to respond. Consider Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. There is doctrine, history, and theology there. The bulk of his sermon, however, is application and integration. When Jesus met the woman at the well, the rich young ruler, Jairus, most of what he had to say was for appropriation, application and integration. Jesus is the master teacher. We are his students. What does that say about the importance of application and integration in our teaching?   A. Jesus is Savior, but not really Lord Our people know that Jesus is their Savior. That’s the basis of our preaching and teaching. But our people are weak on knowing that Jesus is also their Lord, their king to be obeyed. The members of our Synod are generally well aware that they are right with God, but are hazy on the righteous living that is to result from our imputed righteousness. (Confer our present budget crunch and view of evangelism.) It seems that even those brothers and sisters in Christ who are straight on the Gospel and secure in their forgiveness and eternity view the Savior’s encouragements to grow in faith as optional. A frightening number of our Christian family do not feel it’s necessary to take Jesus’ will for their lives seriously. There seems to be little desire to grow in Christ or to perfect our walk with God. Many of our fellow Christians act as though, since they are guaranteed heaven in Jesus, they have arrived. There is no more spiritual growth. There is no need for spirit-aided effort to draw closer to the Lord. Striving for the sanctified Christian life really isn’t necessary. It seems many are willing to take God’s free gift of forgiveness, but have a hard time showing their appreciation for it. This lack of desire to live for the Lord is apparent at the basic level: contact with the Word. Its only through the Word and the Spirit working in the Word that we Christians receive the power to live sanctified lives. If we shun this Word, we cut ourselves off from any hope of growing in Christ. That should cause us pastors to wonder what part we’ve played in creating, establishing, and maintaining this kind of attitude. Are we guilty of giving the impression that real sanctified living ends with occasional worship attendance? Are our expectations of what constitutes a Christian life lower than our Lord’s expectations? Are we in the habit of shrugging our shoulders at meager Bible class attendance and thinking, "That’s just the way things are. You can’t expect more?"

What Makes a Christian?

This is a clipit from a essay “What Makes a Christian” by Pastor John Moe.
This is a very good read to all that are interested.

"What makes a Christian?" Not a difficult question for any Lutheran who did his homework in Catechism class. "The Holy Spirit has called me by the Gospel enlightened me with His gifts, sanctified and kept me in the one true faith, even as He calls, gathers and enlightens the whole Christian church on earth." (Luther, Small Catechism, Third Article of the Apostle's Creed)
If man can man can "decide to follow Jesus" then the Made in America way of doing church is right and we'd better get rid of the ancient liturgy and hymns of the church because they sure do not appeal to non-Christians. If the truth be known they may not be all that attractive (in the sense of entertainment) to us who are in the church. I don't know of anyone who's favorite listening music is congregational hymn singing. But if the "natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit" as Paul says in 1 Corinthians 2:14. Then it seems to me that it is a theological impossibility to create a truly Christian, Spiritual "worship experience," to use the terminology of the Made in America way of doing church, which will be attractive to one who is not already a believer. Following the theology expressed by Luther and Walther, you may convict and condemn him with doctrine, in liturgy, sermon, and hymns, the holy Spirit may bring to life faith in Christ through the Word of Law and Gospel you present. But you cannot make the things of the Spirit acceptable to the natural man and still have the things of the Spirit.

It takes a Church to Raise a Child

Parenting is not for the faint of heart.  It is also not something parents should attempt to do alone.  Thankfully, those who are part of the church don't have too. In the church we are part of an extended family. The family of God and being family of God we are part of the body of Christ play a vital role in the raising of children.
When a child is baptized, he or she become washed with the blood of Christ from the cross which He shed for all so we can be new in Christ mercy.  At this time we as members of the church take an to oath to help the family raise the children up in the true faith.  While raising children is primarily the responsibility of the parents, it is not exclusively so.  After all, God charged the entire nation of Israel to teach the children. (Deut. 6).
How can church members assist parents in raising children to know and love the Lord? There are a number of practical ways.
First, support the children's ministry in your church.  This includes supporting the church budget, but also serving in ministries to children.
Second, speak to the children, not just to their parents. Ask them about their schools, sports, or hobbies. All of these things that we consider "small talk" are ways to enter their world and express love and concern. Through this small talk, relation-ships of trust develop that can be vital as that child grows older and need other people to talk to besides just mom and dad.
Third, older adults can have a profound impact on the children in the church family by befriending parents of young children. Many of our young parents did not grow up in christian homes. They have no models for what it means to disciple their children's or to parent in a godly way. Other young parents are often far away from family  Many of these long for mentors who will come alongside them, not merely as dispensers of wisdom, but as encouragers and friends. These parents need someone to remind them that, even when they fail, God is still at work caring for their children.
This is particularly important for single parents or for those who have a spouse who is not a Christian. Parenting is not something a person can do alone, Yet in our fallen world, many are forced to do so. the church can mitigate the effects of broken families by befriending both the parents and children in single-parent homes. By taking a single mom to lunch, watching her kids while she gets a night out,  or even going to the childrens's soccer game to cheer them on, church members can have a profound impact on the children from single-parent homes.
Finally, church members can pray for the children. Our children are part of a great spiritual battle, in that constant battler to remind our we are in a constant state of needing forgiveness for their sin. Just like all of us we constantly need to reminded to look toward Christ and what he did on the Cross. We will not win this battle through better programs or batter parenting techniques.  God must work in there hearts, so we as the body of Christ must do our part and pray for them. We pray even as the apostle Paul prays for the church, that God may give them " a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him" (Eph. 1:17)
It takes more than parents to raise a child. It takes a family - a large family. Thank God that He has given us the church to be the family of God and blessed us all with the privilege of raising children.