In “judgment” over the congregation at Rome, the Apostle Paul told them “not to judge.” For “we will all stand before the judgment seat of God… then each of us will give an account of himself to God” (Romans 14:10, 12). Paul was not contradicting himself but operating from this worldview: God gives us different […]
Worship Reflecting a God-Given Pattern
December 21, 2013 by
This in an excursus on worship from a lesson on the Old-Testament book of Exodus. It speaks to many of the issues concerning worship in our current-day setting. Exodus 25:40: “See to it that you do according to the pattern that you were shown on the mountain.” This one verse lays out an important principle for […]
Living Out the Faith in the Lutheran Church
August 20, 2012 by
By Pastor Rich Futrell All congregations and pastors in the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod pledge to uphold and follow the Lutheran Confessions. That’s a basic requirement of membership. And that’s also what separates us from all other Christian churches. At my ordination vows, I, as your pastor, vowed to “perform the duties of [my] office in […]
