A Note from Pastor

This month the 68th Regular Convention of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, will be held from July 29 to Aug. 3, in Milwaukee.  The convention theme is, “We Preach Christ Crucified,” According to the Synod website, “In a world of uncertainty, the church’s proclamation, mission, and identity remain the same. We preach Christ crucified.”
    This is most certainly true.  It is easy to assume that this is the center of every church’s teaching and every pastor’s preaching.  Unfortunately, this is not always the case, even in our beloved Synod.  The reality of declining numbers of church goers increases the temptation to attract new members by any means possible, even compromising our teaching. The threat of being mocked or even persecuted at school, work and in our communities simply for confessing that Christ alone is the world’s Savior is growing. Fear of the consequences of standing firm against godless and immoral living hinders the preaching of repentance, so that the clear and simple message of the Gospel means little.
    But thanks be to God.  The Word of the Lord which proclaims the suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus will endure forever. So, while our Synod and our church will face many challenges and assaults from the devil and also from within and without,  in the years ahead, the message of Christ and Him crucified is still the message that brings comfort, faith and, forgiveness to those whom God loves and chooses to save. May we never lose this commitment.