Convention Greetings

On July 27 I brought greetings to the convention of the International Lutheran Laymen's League on behalf of President Harrison and my role as LCMS Liaison to the LLL Board of Directors.

I am privileged to bring you greetings this afternoon from President Matthew Harrison and the six thousand plus congregations of the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod.  He regrets not being with you today, but after thirty-five LCMS District conventions with some twenty-five in June and July, he has been busy.  The mayor of Saskatoon mentioned his American “cousins” in his welcome this morning. I am one of those returned home.  My grandmother was born in Blind River, Ontario.  I have several generations of French-Canadian ancestry in m family tree. My family roots go further back in Canada than in the United States.

Since 1917 the International Lutheran Laymen’s League has been a vital partner with the Synod as one of its two auxiliaries.  Bringing Christ to the nations and the nations to the church remains the mission of Lutheran Hour Ministries through its signature broadcast under its dynamic speaker Greg Seltz.

From the rising of the sun to its setting, the name of the Lord is to be praised.  What was said of the British Empire at its zenith can be said of the Holy Christian Church and Lutheran Hour Ministries.  The sun never sets on the work of the International LLL. Lutheran Hour Ministries serves worldwide with offices on six continents. The twenty-first century is shaping up to be the one where the global south receives the Gospel with joy and gladness.  The southern hemisphere shows tremendous potential for the Christian church in the coming decades. Walk the streets of Saskatoon and visit its stores and eateries.  The world is coming to Canada too.

North America remains a challenging mission field.  No county in the United States has shown growth regarding the percentage of Christians to population in the last twenty years.  Apathy and apostasy are real barriers to the Gospel.  Cafeteria style spirituality where individuals select parts of various beliefs that appeals to them undermine the church’s catechetical efforts.  Still, the words of Jesus remain true.  He builds His church and the gates of hell cannot prevail against it.  The Holy Spirit brings people to faith where and when He will in those who hear the Gospel.

Lutheran Hour Ministries is an evangelistic arm of the Synod. The materials are excellent and award winning.  Encourage your pastors to take a new look at LHM publications and productions as tools for local ministry.  From its inception the Church has grown from faith to faith, person to person, an individual at a time repenting of their sins and being born from above through baptismal waters. LHM materials can be a catalyst for this to begin and for a person to be assimilated into the church.

It is easy to lament the decline of Christianity, and well we should.  However, this is not a time to wring our hands, weep and abandon the faith as irrelevant.  Jesus, the great I AM is always relevant, always practical, always appropriate for any situation or circumstance.  Neither the Church nor its auxiliaries will benefit from jettisoning the faith once delivered to the saints.  No, the preaching of the Word, the clear, consistent proclamation of the truth is needed more than ever.  The grass withers and the flowers fall but the Word of the Lord endures forever.  This is the Word that has been preached to you.  Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life.  He is the name above all names and the only name under heaven by which we must be saved.  The LCMS, the LCC and LLL/LHM will never go wrong in bringing Christ to the nations and the nations to the church.  From the rising of the sun to its setting the name of the Lord is to be praised.  So shall it be eternally.  Thank you for your partnership in His mission. May the Lord bless our work together in His name.

The Prophet's Call

The following was presented at the International Center of The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod on  Tuesday, July 17, 2012.  The text is from Amos 7:7-15.


The prophet’s task has never been simple.  An eloquent expression of it flows from the pen of Martin Franzmann: 

“Preach you the Word and plant it home

To men who like or like it not,

The Word that shall endure and stand

When flowers and men shall be forgot” (LSB 586:1). 

Amos preached to men who liked it not.  His message was one of judgment on Israel and her idolatrous worship.  When Israel split, King Jeroboam established Bethel as a shrine to keep his people from making a pilgrimage south to Jerusalem.  The northern monarchy had no problem mixing church and state.  Golden calves were erected as symbols of the deity who led them out of Egypt.  The revolt against the Lord at Sinai was renewed in Bethel.

                The prophet saw a vision of the Lord holding a plumb line in His hand.  God was placing it in the midst of His people Israel.  The false worship sponsored by the house of Jeroboam will end.  The shrines and religious high places will become desolate, the land laid waste.  Amaziah, the priest of Bethel, protests.  He does not welcome such a prophecy in his presence.  He tattles on Amos to Jeroboam the king.  Before the king can issue a reply, Amaziah tells Amos to go back home and prophesy there.  Bethel is the king’s sanctuary and it is the temple of the kingdom.  Note carefully.  It is not God’s sanctuary nor His temple but that of the earthly ruler and his line.  Playing church is not being church.  God’s judgment falls on impostors and personal kingdom builders.

                Speaking truth to governmental leaders is never easy.  Ask President Harrison who made the good confession before Congress.  Politics and religion have clashed throughout history.  The state does not like to be told that it is in error or does not have the backing of the Almighty.  Nevertheless the Church must speak – boldly, confidently – assured that her Lord stands with those who are faithful to “the Word that shall endure and stand when flowers and men shall be forgot.”

                The evil foe is consistent with his attacks on the church throughout the ages.  If you can’t discredit the message, destroy the messenger.  Blame it on the delusions of a sinful, misguided prophet who really doesn’t know what he is saying.  Appeal to the glory of what man has built and accomplished.  Amos did not back down.  He quotes the Lord who said to him:  “Go, prophesy to My people Israel” (Amos 7:15).  Jesus commends Amos and all the faithful when He says:  Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you on My account.  Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven (Matthew 5:11-12).  As for the church today:

                        Preach you the Word and plant it home

And never faint, the Harvest Lord

Who gave the sower seed to sow

Will watch and tend His planted Word (LSB 586:6), Amen.

Astonishing Bravery

Alban Butler's "Lives of the Saints" is a two hundred and fifty year old chronicle detailing the life and often martyrdom of over 1600 saints from the early church.  July 3 is the date that Phocas is observed.  Here is Butler's moving summation.


When a cruel persecution, probably that of Dioclesian in 303, was suddenly raised in the Church, Phocas was immediately impeached as a Christian, and such was the notoriety of his pretended crime, that the formality of a trial was superseded by the persecutors, and executioners were despatched with an order to kill him on the spot wherever they should find him. Arriving near Sinope, they would not enter the town, but stopping at his house without knowing it, at his kind invitation they took up their lodging with him. Being charmed with his courteous entertainment, they at supper disclosed to him the errand upon which they were sent, and desired him to inform them where this Phocas could be most easily met with. The servant of God, without the least surprise, told them he was well acquainted with the man, and would give them certain intelligence of him next morning. After they were retired to bed he dug a grave, prepared everything for his burial and spent the night in disposing his soul for his last hour. When it was day he went to his guests, and told them Phocas was found, and in their power whenever they pleased to apprehend him. Glad at this news, they inquired where he was. “He is here present,” said the martyr,—“I myself am the man.” Struck at his undaunted resolution, and at the composure of his mind, they stood a considerable time as if they had been motionless, nor could they at first think of imbrning their hands in the blood of a person in whom they discovered so heroic a virtue, and by whom they had been so courteously entertained. He indirectly encouraged them saying, that as for himself, he looked upon such a death as the greatest of favors, and his highest advantage. At length, recovering themselves from their surprise. they struck off his head.

Butler, A. (1903). Vol. 3: The Lives of the Fathers, Martyrs and Other Principal Saints (18–19). New York: P. J. Kenedy.

Lord, grant us such courage and conviction to face our own death bravely!

Good Enough?

Years ago I was involved with a service project in the local church.  We were doing some outdoor work.  One of the volunteers repeated what soon became a mantra for the day:  "Good enough for government work!"  This struck me as odd on many levels.  Do we expect less quality from the government?  What is good enough?  Should we be content with the implied "good enough for the church" effort?

When it comes to salvation no one is "good enough" for all of our righteousness falls short of the glory of God.  By the works of the flesh no one will be justified in God's sight.  The Holy Scriptures require of us our best.  Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce (Proverbs 3:9).  Whatever you do in word or deed do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him (Colossians 3:17).

The firstborn was offered to the Lord and dedicated to Him.  Sacrificial lambs were to be one year of age without blemish or spot.  People and priests in Malachi's day were weary of giving the best to the Lord.  The  people offered inferior animals for sacrifice.  These were the diseased, injured or crippled.  The priests made no protest and offered what was presented to them.  The Lord was furious. God instructs the people to give the governmental leaders such inferior gifts and see how they would react.  It would be a great insult to the ruler and bring disfavor and reprisal upon the one who presented such poor fair. Cursed be the cheat who has a male in his flock, and vows it, and yet sacrifices to the Lord what is blemished.  For I am a great King, says the Lord of hosts and My name will be feared among the nations (Malachi1:14).

Why do we think that God is satisfied with second best or the dregs of what we have to offer?  He is a great and mighty King, the Creator, Redeemer and Sanctifier.  The Lord gave us His very best as Jesus became man and dwelt among us.  He took the worst humanity has to offer and bore its weight and consequences upon the cross.  The Father laid on His Son the iniquity of us all.  Less than best would not do.  We would still be in our sins if Jesus was blemished, lame or sick.  There can be no good enough for the Lord who demands perfection  (Matthew 5:48). The sacrifices of God are a broken and contrite heart.  This He will not despise.

Who are we to blame for the malaise of "good enough for the Lord" prevalent today? Pastors blame sin filled congregants still guided by the flesh.  Teachers lament student's out of school life and how difficult it is to teach contrary to the world and one's sinful flesh.  A growing number of Christians favor their own opinions in place of what is written and revealed in Holy Scripture. Christians expect opposition from the world.  When it comes from within the church it seems to hurt more.

The Lord holds His servants accountable for tolerating the sins of the people. Priests should never have accepted inferior animals for sacrifice.  They are to uphold the Lord's standard.  If they don't God was going to wipe their faces in the offal and dung of the animals they accepted.  God expects more from pastors and teachers.  He expects them to be the faithful stewards whom He has called.  For the lips of a priest should guard knowledge, and people should seek instruction from his mouth, for he is the messenger of the Lord of hosts.  But you have turned aside from the way.  You have caused many to stumble by your instruction.  You have corrupted the covenant of Levi, says the Lord of hosts (Malachi 2:7-8).

You have no one to blame but yourself is the judgment from God through Malachi.  Is the law you teach and proclaim faithful to the Lord who gives it for instruction of His people?  Do you shy away from presenting the law in its full sternness afraid that it might scare people away?  When you do this it is the same as accepting crippled, lame and inferior sacrifices and calling them good enough for the Lord.  Where is the fear and reverence of God?

Here we need the Lord's best.  We need Jesus the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.  He is here for you.  Jesus ransomed you from the futile, sinful ways inherited from your forefathers.  He did this not with gold or silver but with His holy and precious blood like that of a lamb without blemish or spot (1 Peter 1:17-21).  Jesus suffered once for your sins to bring you to God. He was put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit to bring you to God (1 Peter 3:16-18).  It is Jesus who causes you to be born from above in the waters of baptism.  He joins you to Himself and calls you to be faithful unto death so that you may receive the crown of life.  Jesus' life, death, resurrection and ascension are what is good to the Father.  His righteousness for your unrighteousness is the greatest trade ever made.  Nothing else is close nor good enough.

Are You Listening?

Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance.  The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction (Proverbs 1:5,7). Faith comes by hearing and hearing through the Word of Christ (Romans 10:17).  Blessed are those who hear the Word of God and keep it (Luke 11:28).
Have you detected the common theme in these verses of Holy Scripture?  Each refers to the blessedness that comes from hearing the Word of God.  Disciples are lifelong learners. They realize that Jesus has the Words of eternal life (John 6:63). All Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16-17).  To stop hearing the Word of God is akin to not breathing in the breathe of life that the Father gives us in Jesus through the Holy Spirit.  Hold your breath too long and you will pass out.  Not breathing for eight minutes or more can cause irreversible brain damage.  Breathing is a vital part of life.  So is hearing the Word of God.
What are you inhaling from the Word of God?  In His great wisdom the Lord spreads the faith orally and aurally.  God speaks, we listen. God breathed into Adam and he became a living being (Genesis 2:7).  Jesus breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit" and the Office of the Keys was given to the apostles (John 20:22-23) The Spirit works through that which is heard to bring the Word deep inside the listener. He forgives our sins that we may forgive others their sins against us.
Are you listening? There is no better place to listen and learn than in the Divine Service.  Are you involved in an organized study through your congregation?  Listen to God's Word and learn from Him.  This is the way of wisdom.

On The Passing of a Pastor

The Lord Jesus called His servant Rev. Armand Mueller home last Friday at the age of 80.  He was in the 55th of ministry following ordination.  Armand was born into a Lutheran pastor's family in Argentina.  He knew German and Spanish before learning to speak English.  You would never know it for he had no discernible accent. Following graduation from seminary in 1957 he was called to his first parish in Idaho followed by churches in Washington, Nebraska, Kansas and finally at Trinity, Prairie, Illinois, the one where the grave of Martin Stephen is in the church cemetery.  Pastor Armand Mueller spent his last 19 years of parish ministry at Trinity before retiring in 1997 and moving to the town of Red Bud three miles away.

Retirement allowed Armand time to translate German, serve as a guest organist and do supply preaching.

In the fall of 1982 a freshly minted vicar was learning the art of ministry in a neighboring congregation.  Rev. Armand Mueller was always friendly, welcoming and supportive.  He treated the vicars as colleagues rather than the raw rookies that we were.  He shared stories from his ministry.  What stood out about Armand was his constancy, steadfastness and devotion to the pastoral office.  He served faithfully and well.  He put the interest of others ahead of his own.  He was Lutheran through and through without apology or arrogance. Pastor Mark Nebel captured this well in the funeral message.  Armand was the embodiment of a pastor.  The line between pastor and person merged into one.

The former vicar turned pastor returned to Southern Illinois in 2001.  Armand was the guest organist one Sunday.  Eighteen years had passed since they last spoke. Both served in the Northwest District.  Armand at Moses Lake, WA and the newly installed pastor fresh from seven years in Wenatchee, WA both in the same circuit. They quickly caught up with the vitae of one's life as reacquainted pastors do.  Always the disciple of Jesus, Armand continued to listen and learn in retirement, attending lectures and symposiums. My church had much less need for a guest organist in the ensuing years.  Our paths crossed less. I am the poorer for it.

Those involved in the Office of the Holy Ministry bear a burden for their people and congregations.  They shoulder that responsibility until called to a new field of service, to new people in a different setting.  Pastors are privileged to have access into the pivotal moments in the lives of people.  These include birth, baptism, confirmation, marriage, hospitalizations, crises, graduations, funerals and rites of passage. Pastors are called by the Holy Spirit to bring Jesus to their flocks.  Preaching, teaching, visiting, admonishing, encouraging, comforting, guiding, praying, baptizing, celebrating the Eucharist are ways in which this is done.  Pastors rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep.  All the while they are haunted by sins of omission.  Who have I not visited?  How could I have handled that situation better?  Is my preaching and teaching what these saints of God need?  Am I directing them always and only to Jesus and not creating a following for myself?

Like every other sinner, pastors are saved by grace and grace alone.  They too are baptized and redeemed by the Lord, saint and sinner simultaneously.  Their hope is the same Jesus they deliver to the flock.  They trust that the Lord is true.  His Word will not return to Him without accomplishing the purpose for which He sent it.  How they cling to the promise that one's labor in the Lord is never in vain. Jesus works through His Word and Sacrament creating a people for Himself in time and for eternity.  The Word of the Lord endures forever. The prophet Daniel saw from afar the importance of the pastoral office with heavenly eyes.  Those who are wise shall shine like like the brightness of the sky above; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever (Daniel 12:3).

Every Christian longs for the resurrection of the body and the bliss of heaven, when they will be in the Lord's presence with all the company of heaven.  They long to hear the words of Jesus:  Come you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world (Matthew 25:34).  Rest in peace, Armand!  I look forward to catching up with you again.

A Veteran Remembered

George Scharr 1922-1969

George volunteered for the Army in the weeks following Pearl Harbor.  A Detroit native, he was assigned to the Army's 35th Texas Division.  He participated in three invasions:  Salerno, Anzio and Southern France.  George was the heavy weapon's man for his platoon and carried the Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR).  He was twice wounded in combat..  Once in the left knee in Italy and then in his hands in Southern France.  George spent nine months of recuperation following the knee wound in England.  After the second wound healed he transferred to the 8th Air Force where he finished the war. Like 15 million other Americans he spent World War II in uniform. Thank you, George Scharr, for your service to the nation and for being my father.