Moments with missionaries: Hendersonville, North Carolina
Paul E. Zell I was practicing my sermon on a recent Sunday morning when I got a phone call. Doris* wanted to confirm what time the service was. “I can’t come to church today,…
Walk by the Spirit: Part 2
In spite of the First Commandment, idolatry still persists in our world. John A. Braun Idolatry? Today? Yes! And in familiar and unfamiliar forms. Paul walked the streets of Athens and noted the statues of idols…
Confessions of faith: Jennifer Nelson
Unable to pay for her sins even as a nun, one woman finds the peace of the gospel. Jennifer Nelson I grew up as a Roman Catholic, but I confess…
Heart to heart: Parent conversations: How can we prepare children for summer camp?
How can we prepare children for summer camp? When I was going into eighth grade, I went to band camp for a week during the summer. I had a blast,…
Ambassadors: Help them see Jesus : Part 8
Quiz the intimidator Thomas H. Trapp In my early years as a full-time campus pastor, I attended a gathering of diverse university religious clergy. Intriguingly, they invited a Christ-centered scholar to speak to a group of mostly skeptical…
Welcome Home: Part 1
A man finds a sense of belonging after returning to a WELS church. Rachel Hartman After growing up in a WELS congregation in Wisconsin, Kyle Oppermann left to join other church bodies as an adult.…
Teen Talk: We pray
Time with Grandpa brought lessons about praying to our heavenly Father. Joshua Van Sluytman When I was little, I enjoyed spending time with my grandpa on the farm. My favorite time was riding with him on the tractor while…
Christian roots
Old photos lead to a special golden wedding anniversary moment. John A. Braun The journey all started early in their marriage with a box of old family photos in the attic—a big box,…
On grief and grieving: A Christian perspective
Glenn L. Schwanke In 1969 Elisabeth Kübler Ross published her groundbreaking book On Death and Dying: What the Dying Have to Teach Doctors, Nurses, Clergy and Their Own Families. The…