Dear Nathan, We live in a time of significant controversy in the church. We labor in God’s vineyard amidst contentions contrary to the classic catholic faith of the church. As you await closure on a call for your ordination, I write these reflections on fidelity in ministry. Hear these words from the Holy Scripture: “Preach […]
Is Theological Discussion Possible in the Metropolitan Chicago Synod?
Let me answer the question in the title in the affirmative. We have had theological discussions in the Metropolitan Chicago Synod. One major discussion concerned the ecumenical proposals before the ELCA in 1997. I remember several hundred people making it through a Thursday night rainstorm to Carthage College in 1996 to engage in a discussion […]
Fidelity to the Catechism
The Society of the Holy Trinity is committed to fostering the life of prayer, study and faithful parish practice among pastors of the Lutheran Church. A key component of this life is the use of the Small Catechism. The Society’s Rule stipulates that members will “Provide sound catechesis for all candidates for baptism and confirmation, […]
Faithfulness in Mission and Ministry
Start with the Sending Let’s begin at the end. Sunday in and Sunday out, the Eucharistic Liturgy ends with a commission. It’s Easter rendition may sound like this: “Go in Peace to Serve the Lord. Alleluia!” You know the assembly’s response: “Thanks be to God! Alleluia!” That cousin of ite missa est — the mass […]
Separated by a Common Faith
Many things impede full fellowship between Lutherans and Roman Catholics: a history of conflict, theological disputes, and differing approaches to church governance, to name a few. In practice, a foremost impediment is cliché. Centuries of mutual ignorance and even hostility generated lowbrow and persistent images of the brethren separated by a common faith: crawling Catholics, […]
Fidelity to the Holy Trinity
Introduction According to the founding statement of the Society of the Holy Trinity, “Ordained to the Ministry of the Word and Sacraments in Christ’s Church, called to such an office in Lutheran churches, we form together an ordered society of pastors. We commit ourselves to gather regularly for hearing the Word, celebrating the Lord’s Supper, […]