It’s all about trust
So often we think that things happen just by chance, luck, or coincidence. You’re on a vacation visiting New York City, and you’re walking through Central Park....
Lovingly intolerant
I can think of many words to describe my father, but tolerant is not one of them. Students in the Latin classes he taught at Northwestern College would agree. From...
Blessings too numerous to count
This year, we are privileged to celebrate the 175th anniversary of our synod’s founding. As we look back over those 175 years, we will find much to be thankful...
“Christ through us”: A synod convention preview
WELS is not merely a religious organization or a Christian denomination. More accurately, it is a fellowship of more than 1,200 congregations and 330,000 people...
Even in darkness light dawns
“Blessed are those who fear the LORD, who find great delight in his commands. . . . Even in darkness light dawns for the upright . . . They will have no fear of...
How do you measure success?
How do you measure success? In business, success is measured by increased sales and rising profits. In sports, success is measured by games won and championships...
What a view!
A long time ago, when I was in college, two friends and I decided that we wanted to spend a few weeks hiking in the mountains. We drove across the flat land of Minnesota...
A pastoral letter regarding man and woman roles
In 1993, after years of scriptural study, our synod in convention adopted the doctrinal statement “Scriptural Principles of Man and Woman Roles.” Like all faithful...
We know the results
By the time you read this, people in the United States already are going to the polls for early voting. Election Day itself is Tuesday, Nov. 5. By Wednesday, Nov....
Alone time
No matter how much of a social animal you are, no matter how much you love to spend time with friends and family, everyone needs some alone time once in a while....
More than a job
When I was a senior in high school, I found myself in a difficult dilemma. I was the youngest of eight children. By the time I was ready to graduate from high school,...
Waiting: Never easy but always a blessing
“Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD” (Psalm 27:14). Sometimes our waiting comes to an end when the Lord answers our prayer with...
A laudable goal . . . with some questions
The 2023 synod convention adopted an ambitious plan with the stated goal of opening one hundred new home missions in the next ten years. That effort began last year...
Faithfully serving you
This June, two men who have served faithfully as district presidents will conclude their time in that office. Jon Buchholz, president of the Arizona-California District,...
God is still building his church
The apostle Paul had been called by God to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ in many places and to many people. He watched as God caused the seed of the gospel that...
The mission of WELS schools
Christian parents holding their newborn baby are overwhelmed with emotions. They are thankful for the miracle of life that God has created. They are also filled...
Blessings in tragedy
Sometimes a tragic event can result in great blessings. That was the experience of the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod (LCMS). This year marks the 50th anniversary...
Confusion or comfort?
There are few doctrines in the Bible that are as misunderstood as the doctrine of election. This isn’t because the Scriptures are not clear. It happens because...
Never take it for granted
Religious freedom—the freedom not only to believe and worship according to one’s conscience but also to proclaim publicly and faithfully what God’s Word clearly...
A season of miracles
We tend to use the term miracle incorrectly. “It was a miracle that our football team won the game in the last seconds!” “It was a miracle that I didn’t...
Don’t miss the point
Sometimes it’s easy to miss the point. Jesus was talking to people who asked him about some Galileans whom Pontius Pilate had killed while they were worshiping....
Another humbling experience
The year was 2007. I had just completed my 18th year as president of one of our synod’s ministerial preparatory schools. I had the privilege of being part of the...
Our cross and crown
A portion of the “President’s report” that President Mark Schroeder presented to synod convention delegates on Aug. 1. As we embrace the cross and anticipate...
The public ministry and the divine call
What does it mean when an individual receives a call to share God’s Word with other people? Every Christian has been given the task of sharing and proclaiming...