This Side of the Pulpit » Entries tagged with "LCMS"
The Horror! The Horror!
At the Oklahoma District LCMS Convention last week I was privileged to be an assisting minister at the opening worship service. I read the Old Testament reading and assisted with communion distribution. We had three “stations” and used the “drive-by” style for the sake of time, numbers and logistics. Not my favorite way to give the gift of the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ, but that’s the way it was done. I held the cup containing the … Read entire article »
Filed under: Theology
Addendum on This Week of Weeks
Think about the blogosphere, the Facebooks and internets and such the past few days. People are complaining about the “new logo” of the Synod. There’s a story about a pedophile pastor in the LCMS and what or who knew about it before his most recent arrest. There’s more scandal and biting and bad news than normal. It’s all part of it. The demons use whatever they can to take our eyes off our Christ and Lord hanging from the Tree which brings life. If you are caught up in these stories, just back off. Maybe next week. Maybe then engage. But for now pray, and if you have no strength for that, laugh and smile and work and eat. That is God pleasing too. … Read entire article »
Rubrics: Maximal and Minimal
I’ve gone on a rubric kick the last week as I contemplated (now preparing for) ministry at Grace Lutheran Church. They are higher church than Redeemer, and so I have some studying and homework to do. For instance, at Grace the Pastors genuflect during the confession, at the Words of Institution etc.. They use a lavabo and incense as well. All things I do not use here. What’s funny about this is that the Lutheran blogosphere is in a tizzy about rubrics and ceremony even as I am doing this homework and study. They are debating how much and how far and “is it necessary” and all. What I want to do is learn. We don’t have a good published official ceremony and only the mere suggestion of rubrics in our hymnal … Read entire article »
Filed under: Theology
The Rome or Geneva Post by Pastor Peters
Pastor Peters hit another one out of the park a few days ago. Here’s a choice paragraph: For every parish or Pastor who might be accused of mimicking Rome on Sunday morning, there are fifty who openly borrow from Willow Creek or Saddleback or which ever place or program is in vogue this week. The damage that this does is not limited only to the particular parish that trades in the sturdy Lutheranism for a flashy modern incarnation of a not so Christian Christianity. It ripples throughout our church body stealing our unity, raising conflict between brothers in the ministry and parishes that claim the same confession. It presents a muddled and muddied view of Lutheranism to the world — one that wears so many masks it does not even know … Read entire article »
Filed under: Theology
Ceremonies and Their Purpose
Here is an excellent post by Fr. Larry Beane (yes, a Lutheran “Father”–believe it) about our worship “style” or “height” be it High Church or Low Church. There are really too many passages worthy of being a pull quote, but here’s one: Ceremonies are not about looking pretty, but rather about communicating well and with excellence. Ultimately, it’s all about charity, humility, and love. A man who loves his wife will “take pains” in the way he acts around her, treats her, and speaks to her. Christ took great pains for us on the cross. And we “take pains” to confess this truth with clarity and in love. In the final analysis, it is all about God’s grace. My congregation has grown in ceremonies over the years I have been here, from a … Read entire article »
Filed under: Theology
Pastor Peters and Policing
Pastor Peters’ blog Pastoral Meanderings is a real gem. He offers the kind of pastoral wisdom that comes from years of experience, but retains the courage and conviction that all too often dies out as years in the pulpit increase. He posts today about a Roman Catholic priest removed for refusal to pray the Mass according to the rubrics. He does not advocate such policing in the LCMS but raises the point: whatever happened to submitting to one another for the sake of good order? Go over there and read his blog and add it to your reader. You’ll be enriched because of it. … Read entire article »
Filed under: Theology
All the Liturgy’s a Stage
Pastor Eric Brown thinks we’re all just acting up there in the chancel…and we have understudies. Ok, not really. But he does point out that when you worship with the liturgy (the real liturgy, not your made-up ones), worship doesn’t depend on the man at all, but the office and the body present. And others can, when necessary, “stand in” for the office. His post is here. … Read entire article »
Filed under: Theology
Does the Supreme Court Really Have to Tell the LCMS to Act Like Christians?
Today the Supreme Court is hearing arguments in the case Hosanna-Tabor Evangelical Lutheran Church and School v. EEOC. The Wall Street Journal has an opinion piece here. Essentially, a teacher at the school became “rostered” and was then called as a Commissioned Minister, a Called Teacher, no longer under contract. Good for her. But then she fell ill, went on partial disability for a while and after several months informed the school that her doctor believed she would be able to go back to full time in several more months. Then the Church and School royally screwed up. They changed their health care plans, cutting her benefits, hired another teacher and asked her to resign her call. She threatened to sue under the Americans with Disabilities Act, and she was fired. So … Read entire article »
Interview with Matthew Harrison
I haven’t been addressing Synodical politics too much lately here–haven’t been addressing too much of anything lately, for that matter–but here’s a link to a really fine interview with Synodical President-elect Matthew Harrison. I was impressed with his pastoral heart and his humble attitude. Hope you enjoy: … Read entire article »
Filed under: Theology
Rev. Joseph Myers
Joe passed away in his sleep yesterday. He was the pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Garber, OK, one of the churches in our circuit. In many ways he was a pastor’s pastor, the kind of man who represented what the LCMS was, and in many ways, what it should be: a faithful man, a joyful person, an excellent preacher, a lover of the Lutheran Confessions, humorous, witty and humble. Arrangements are forthcoming, but for now I ask your prayers for all, especially for his wife Mary and the people of Immanuel. May God have mercy on us all! ”Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “Blessed indeed,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them!” (Rev 14:13 ESV) … Read entire article »
Filed under: Theology
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