“You came to visit me”
“I was sick, and you looked after me as part of your congregation’s visitation ministry. I was in prison, and you came to visit me in connection with your congregation’s…
Preachers and listeners
Serving as a vacancy pastor recently put me behind a pulpit on a weekly basis. It had been quite a while since I prepared sermons with that degree of regularity.…
Meet FIC’s new executive editor
This month, James Pope begins as executive editor for Forward in Christ magazine. He brings a variety of experiences to this ministry, including serving parishes in Wisconsin and Florida; teaching…
What to know before you go
If you read issues of Forward in Christ like a Hebrew Bible—from back to front—the title of this column will not make much sense. On the other hand, if you…
District news: June 2022
Happy anniversary! MN—On April 24, Martin Luther College, New Ulm, Minn., celebrated milestone service anniversaries from the past three years. The 2020 celebrants included Peter Baganz, 25 years; Paul Bases,…
Hands off the Bible!
The Bible is God’s Word. He doesn’t want us to pick and choose what we believe. There are few acts in the Bible more brazen than this one by Jehoiakim,…
Light for our path: Does God hate us?
My friend believes that God hates us. He argues that God hates sin, and we are sinful; therefore, God hates us to the core of our being. I pointed out…
What I learned by answering questions
After six years, the author of the “Light for our path” column shares his insights. James F. Pope Six years ago, I knew my life was going to change. What…
Light for our path: Were Joseph and Mary engaged or married when Joseph learned of Mary’s pregnancy?
Were Joseph and Mary engaged or married when Joseph learned of Mary's pregnancy? Your question illustrates the need to bridge the culture gap of marriage customs and laws that existed…