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Saw a bunch of questions on Facebook about innovating, reaching the unchurched, handling pastor shortage, dealing with multiple small congregations, adopting a megachurch model, etc. Thought it was worth going through them all. I will put all the questions in the post below in case any other pastor wants to answer too: " I grew up in and left the ELCA over a decade ago now because of severe theological concerns. As such, I've long since moved on from my "cage state-y Exposing the ELCA" phase. I know that topics like abortion, women's ordination, immigration, etc. generate plenty of anger, which in turn generates plenty of engagement, which in turn generates plenty of algorithmic upvoting; but aren't there other things we can actively engage on? At current rates of membership decline, the ELCA is projected to die in 25 years. The LCMS isn't far behind that. This post isn't saying "let's stop arguing theology" (theology is important), but it is asking "can't we focus on the looming existential threats a little more?" I'd so much rather spend time on this group addressing questions like these: 1. What are innovative ways your church is engaging the unchurched? 2. How does Lutheran theology offer real hope to Millennials and Gen Z folks who have decided it isn't in church? 3. How can Lutherans engage the increasing diversity of the United States? 4. A flood of pastors is projected to retire in the next few years (already happening). What is your church doing to help raise up pastors beyond just saying "that's the Synod's job"? 5. What are the most God-honoring options for small Lutheran churches facing imminent closure? Selling off the building? Becoming a multi-site of a larger Lutheran church? Turning it into a bar or Arts center? 6. What do we think about multi-site ministry? The "megachurch" trend among Evangelicals has largely turned into multi-site since you lose the overhead costs of a huge building. Is it Biblically-sound, or of the Devil? 7. Some young people are leaving Evangelicalism for Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy. Why aren't they finding Lutheranism? Why is it so hard to find us? "

Weekly or Monthly? Grape juice or wine? Open or closed? Does the pastor act like the dictator for communion practice? Or is he a servant to be directed by the congregation? This is what we discuss in this video featuring Rev Daniel Ross and Brother Matthew Gehne Find more of Matthew Gehne here: https://www.instagram.com/matthew.gehne/ linktr.ee/matthew.gehne Let's get into it!

In this Bible study we talked about: 00:00 Introduction to the Third Commandment and its significance 00:28 The Biblical and Jewish understanding of the Sabbath 02:20 Misinterpretations and abuses of the Sabbath in Jesus' time 05:32 The purpose of the Sabbath: Rest and Recovery 08:14 The Christian understanding of the Sabbath and Holy Days 11:12 The New Covenant and the spiritual rest in Christ 17:20 How to sanctify and keep the Holy Day in Christ 20:11 The role of God's Word in making a day holy 23:08 Relics, superstitions, and the true source of holiness 26:51 The danger of superficial religious practices 30:46 The importance of God's Word in daily life and worship 33:05 Rest as a gift from God and its connection to faith 35:23 The danger of neglecting God's Word and spiritual laziness 38:08 Conclusion: The true meaning of the Third Commandment and living holy in Christ

In this Bible study we talked about: 00:00 What does it mean to take God's name in vain? 04:48 Common ways God's name is misused in society 09:50 The seriousness of misusing God's name and its consequences 16:32 Teaching children to honor God's name with joy and reverence 22:06 Practical ways to incorporate God's name in daily life 27:46 The power of calling on God's name in protection and prayer 30:29 Summary and encouragement to respect and use God's name rightly

In this Bible study we talked about: 00:00 Introduction to biblical warfare and God's justice 00:45 The story of Midian and the command to wipe out civilizations 02:31 Jesus' teaching on leading others to sin and God's harsh judgments 04:43 The importance of context in understanding God's commands 06:24 The morality of war and God's justice in the Old Testament 08:14 The mercy of God and the possibility of redemption for enemies 10:01 The horror of child sacrifice in ancient civilizations 11:42 The concept of God's justice versus human understanding 13:34 The inclusion of Gentiles and enemies into God's family 15:30 The importance of trusting God's wisdom and plan 17:20 The division of spoils and conquest in biblical history 19:12 The foreshadowing of future consequences in biblical narratives 21:10 The dangers of trying to outdo God's justice and mercy 23:02 The story of Jonah and God's mercy towards enemies 24:47 The importance of faith and trusting in God's plan 26:36 The sovereignty of God and human limitations 28:28 The future promises and warnings in the Bible 30:09 The legacy of biblical conquest and God's justice 31:58 The importance of understanding biblical history in context 32:44 Conclusion and encouragement to trust God's wisdom

In this Bible study we talked about: 00:00 How to conduct a service without a pastor using hymnal guidelines 02:19 Changes needed in the service of the sacrament without a pastor 03:51 Explanation of the first and second commandments and God's jealousy 06:22 The concept of God's wrath and love extending to generations 10:48 The danger of false teachings and traditions of men 14:20 Understanding the meaning of Matthew 7 about false prophets 18:03 The importance of genuine faith over outward appearances 21:39 The role of Scripture and the danger of church control over interpretation 26:31 God's promises of mercy versus the appearance of blessing in the world 30:27 Rejoicing in God's blessings and trusting His plan 32:26 The importance of gratitude and contentment in Christian life

In this Bible study we talked about: 03:25 Petra as Jesus, the Rock of Salvation 05:32 The Catholic View and Greek Text Challenges 09:48 Summary of the Greek and Biblical Context 10:01 Introduction to Numbers 25 and Israel’s Faithfulness 11:08 Israel’s Unfaithfulness and God's Justice 12:25 The Language of Unfaithfulness and Yoking to False Gods 13:46 The Incident of Phineas and Zeal for God 15:30 Infectious Nature of False Worship and God's Justice 17:37 Responsibility of Leaders and the Danger of Leading Others Astray 18:52 The Importance of Courage and Standing for Truth 21:49 Warfare in the Spirit and Clandestine Strategies 23:52 Census and the Next Generation of Israelites 28:29 Moses’ Final Journey and Joshua’s Appointment 30:38 Joshua as a Type of Christ and the Fulfillment of Law 32:18 Moses’ Death and Transfiguration of Moses in the New Testament 34:09 Offerings and Laws in Numbers 28-30 35:53 Vows, Promises, and Authority in Biblical Law 38:03 The Significance of Vows in Marriage and Family 39:26 Closing Remarks and Doxology

In this Bible study we talked about: 00:46 What does it mean to have God and trust in Him? 02:06 Idolatry in history and modern times 03:20 The cultural background of pagan gods and idols 05:00 Misconceptions about Jesus and saints 06:43 Trusting in God versus trusting in saints or relics 08:55 The danger of praying to saints and Mary 10:54 The biblical view of saints and intercession 13:00 The false trust in saints and relics 15:15 The danger of trusting in miracles and saints' powers 17:25 The proper understanding of God's gifts and means 20:28 The heart's trust and the danger of self-trust 22:19 The gospel of grace versus self-righteousness 25:03 The theology of the cross versus the theology of glory 26:59 The most common idol: ourselves 28:56 The importance of faith in Christ alone 32:14 God's provision through means and trusting in Him 34:55 Self-examination and the promise of God's help

In this Bible study we talked about: 0:00 The song of the well 05:05 The Conquest of Israel and Key Battles in Numbers 14:57 The Story of Balaam: A Prophet for Profit 24:26 God's Communication with Balaam and the Talking Donkey 29:21 Balaam's Blessings and Prophecies about Israel 33:22 Animals, Divine Communication, and Heaven

Tons of Bible verses talking about the ark, quite a few talking about Mary, but who is a better fulfillment of the ark, Mary or Jesus? Best place to look for that is in the text. Let's get into it! 00:05 Introduction to biblical typology and Mary 01:41 Typology examples: David, Psalm 22, Elijah, John the Baptist 03:22 The importance of scripture in theological interpretation 05:18 What does the Bible say about Mary and her significance? 07:11 The biblical references to the Ark of the Covenant 08:30 Comparing Mary and Jesus as fulfillment of the Ark 10:24 The purpose and contents of the Ark of the Covenant 12:38 Jesus as the eternal fulfillment of the Ark's contents 14:29 The localized presence of God: Ark, tabernacle, temple, and Christ 15:02 The significance of the Ark's journey and its typology 15:22 Revelation 11 and 12: The woman, the church, and the Ark 17:45 The role of Mary in biblical prophecy and typology 19:30 The dangers of misinterpreting biblical typology 21:47 Summary: Christ as the true Ark of the Covenant 23:36 Conclusion: Biblical fidelity over tradition and opinion

In this Bible study we talked about: 00:11 The role of the Book of Concord and the Bible in study 00:41 Historical context of Luther's catechisms 01:40 The significance of the Ten Commandments and Luther's emphasis on the first 03:04 What it means to have no other gods and trusting in God alone 04:30 The danger of trusting in idols like money, power, and saints 07:14 The false worship of saints and relics in Catholic tradition 09:08 The blackmailing of saints and the danger of idolatry 14:51 Trusting in possessions and the danger of materialism 20:26 The futility of trusting in worldly legacy and pride 22:16 The biblical perspective on trusting in worldly things 25:36 The importance of tangible faith and sacraments 27:43 The story of doubting Thomas and physical proof of faith 30:33 The scars of martyrs and glorified bodies in heaven 35:50 The assurance of forgiveness through sacraments and God's promises

In this Bible study we talked about: - Whether or not Job was a parable or history, and what difference it makes - Understanding text indicators of parables - Benefits of comfort for Job being history - Jonah and Adam and Eve are all stories some people thought weren't historical - What parables are used for - Poetic genre does not mean ahistorical narrative - Confusions about Job that we can't answer easily - The true blessings Job receives - Job teaches about the

In this Bible study we talked about: - The Israelites complain against God for water - Moses' sin - Death of Aaron - The Israelites complain against God about food - The Fiery Serpents (Seraphim) - The Serpent on the pole - How did God save the people by removing the Serpents - How do we know babies have faith - Difference between trusting faith, and intellectual assent - Humans are higher than angels

In this Bible study we talked about: - Explanation of what the Large Catechism is and who it is for - Christians reading the Bible and catechism daily - Pastors being held accountable to study constantly - The selfish motivations behind some pastors not studying - Luther insulting said pastors - Luther's Introduction to the Large Catechism

In this Bible study we talked about: - Numbers 16-17 - Korah's rebellion - People try to take over the priesthood from Aaron - God punishes them - Aaron saves a bunch of them - Creating new "good Works" - Fire as a purifier and punishment - Why God doesn't do as many miracles - God's appropriate wrath/anger - Aaron's staff buds and bears almonds