President’s message: What’s love got to do with it?
Mark G. Schroeder From time to time I receive questions about why our synod puts a particular doctrine into practice the way we do. I had such a question recently…
President’s message: Whose finest hour?
Mark G. Schroeder In June 1940, fear and despair gripped the people of Great Britain as the Nazi German armies rolled across northern Europe, conquering Belgium, the Netherlands, and eventually…
President’s message: Safe in the power of God
Mark G. Schroeder It’s easy to forget that gospel ministry—and even living as a confessing disciple of Jesus Christ—can be risky. Recent political unrest in Ethiopia caused some frightening moments…
Focus on what is ahead
Mark G. Schroeder People who are near-sighted can see clearly what is right in front of their eyes. But when objects are farther away, they get blurry and out of…
Looking for perfection
Mark G. Schroeder How would you describe the perfect congregation? Would the perfect congregation be one in which every sermon is clear, interesting, practical, and holds your attention for 20…
Bringing Back Some Memories
Mark G. Schroeder Twelve years ago, I was first given the privilege of serving as your synod president. And now, after serving three terms, you have given me that privilege again. I thought it would be…
No contradiction at all
Mark G. Schroeder Apparent contradictions—with the emphasis on the word apparent. Apparent contradictions happen when two true statements appear to contradict each other, but in the end, there is no contradiction at all. Here are some examples: God…
More about the divine call
Mark G. Schroeder The news usually comes in an announcement after worship. Your pastor or one of the teachers in your school has received a divine call to serve in another place. That announcement comes as…
A few words about the divine call
Mark G. Schroeder What does it mean when your pastor or teacher receives a call to serve somewhere else? How is it that they were chosen to receive a call? If a call is divine (from God), why do they get to choose whether to accept…
An unexpected mission field
Mark G. Schroeder Every congregation has them. Every member in our congregations knows them. They may be out of sight, but in Christian congregations, they should never be out of mind. “They” are members of…
In defense of millennials
Mark G. Schroeder “One generation commends your works to another; they tell of your mighty acts” (Psalm 145:4). There is no doubt that every “older generation” tends to view the “younger generation” with a…
No time for silence
Mark G. Schroeder “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb” (Psalm 139:13). David knew. He knew that his life began not when he was…
Hindsight shows God’s blessings
Mark G. Schroeder Twenty-five years ago, in the spring of 1994, our synod was facing a time of uncertainty and divided opinions. Eight months earlier at the 1993 synod convention, the synod approved,…
Not just an emotion
Mark G. Schroeder It was their wedding day. The bride and groom stood in front of me, looks of excitement, nervousness, and happiness on their face. It was time for the wedding sermon.…
A very safe prediction for 2019
Mark G. Schroeder My wife and children absolutely hate it when I made predictions. That’s because my predictions more often than not are wrong. They cringe when I predict a…