Friends of the Seminary Day
Please join us on Oct. 1 for Friends of the Seminary Day where men and women gather to learn more about the vital mission of the seminary. Presentations highlight some of the ways our faculty ...
Behold, Behold the Lamb!
Prof. em. Forrest Bivens manages Grow in Grace’s mentoring program. In late August he sent a devotion to the mentors; we thought it would be much appreciated by our entire ministerium. Our thanks to Prof. ...
“Thank You, Father!”
King Herod had thrown a huge party for himself and his guests. As part of it, he “invited” his step-daughter to dance for them. She danced so well that Herod made a rash – and ...
Did I Sign Up for This?!
“Did I sign up for this?” I know I asked that question on occasion. You too? The Gospel reading for this Sunday is the end of a lengthier segment. Jesus is about to send out ...
Preach the Word – July/August 2020
Volume 23, Number 6 Delivery Matters I can still remember my first real “preaching” opportunity—evening chapel at MLC during my senior year. I triumphantly finished writing my manuscript. It felt so good to be done! ...
Watch Yourself and Your Doctrine Closely
It’s easy as WELS pastors to read the first paragraph of Sunday’s gospel (Mt 7:15-29) and mentally check off this pericope as having no rebuke for us. Jesus urges his hearers to be constantly watching ...
Give What You Command, O Lord!
“Give what you command [O Lord], and then command whatever you will.” In St. Augustine’s Confessions, that was his memorable way of capturing this comforting scriptural truth: God himself effectively works in us to will ...
Preach the Word – May/June 2020
Volume 23, Number 5 Go Deep As you know by now, I’m a fan of simple preaching. I love Luther’s assessment of a good preacher: “He’s the best preacher who can teach in a plain, ...
“Do Not Be Afraid!” The Urgent Message of Easter Messengers
What fears do you, like the two Marys in Sunday’s Gospel (Matthew 28:1-10), bring with you to the tomb this Easter week? Perhaps never in our lifetimes has it been as easy to identify a ...
Preach the Word – March/April 2020
Volume 23, Number 4 What's the Point? I have a confession to make. I once attended Joel Osteen’s church. Okay, twice. I went twice. My wife and I lived in Houston, TX for a year, ...