Lutheran Spokesman

“I’M GLAD YOU ASKED!” (FIFTH IN A SERIES)  Pastors Answer Frequently-Asked Questions Why Can’t CLC Members Join the Lodge? The constitutions of congregations within the Church of the Lutheran Confession (CLC) include a statement declaring that in order to hold communicant membership, an individual must be “. . . free from all unchristian associations and lodges.” When […] Read More

It must have been in one of the special Sunday cartoon strips that I saw it—because otherwise Bil Keane’s Family Circus cartoons were always in circles. I remember three frames. The first showed Billy (Jeffy?) in tears, running to find his mother. The second frame shows the same boy encountering his dad—tears were gone—“Oh! Hi, […] Read More

As we approach the 500th anniversary of the Reformation, we take a brief look at the lives of some of the most influential and important Lutheran theologians.   HEROES OF THE FAITH (FIFTH  IN A SERIES) Valentin Loescher “Whoever hears these sayings  of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man […] Read More

TLH = The Lutheran Hymnal, 1941;   WS  = Worship Supplement 2000;   SC  = Martin Luther’s Small Catechism; [  ] = Minor Festivals or commemorations in the Christian Church Year Jun 1 Isaiah 6:1-8 WS 771 Father, Son, and Spirit say, “Who will go for us?” – so all three persons take part in […] Read More

DEVOTION – GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT I’m pretty sure re-gifting is not a recent idea. Although it seems to be gaining popularity, there are those who consider it a tacky practice. The idea is that if you get three toaster ovens for your wedding, for example, you could give two of them away as gifts […] Read More

GEMS FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT (FIFTH IN A SERIES) One of the popular topics for jokes is mothers-in-law. Generally, the nature of these amusements is not very complimentary, as they poke fun at perceived weaknesses, shortcomings, and failings. Lighthearted quips can be good for the spirits, but not when they are demeaning to others. The […] Read More

“They were all filled with the Holy Spirit”  (Acts 2:4).  An expression I remember from my childhood is Emma go ‘het. It didn’t make much sense, but I knew what it meant. Forward with zeal and determination! I suppose the words were a rendering of a German-English phrase Immer go ahead! Always forward! The Jewish festival of […] Read More

Do I doubt that church will be a blessing in someone else’s life, as it is in mine? Perhaps I fear rejection, or being seen as a religious zealot. But remember– we are zealous for the Gospel. Invite: verb, transitive: to request the presence or participation of another person  FACT:  According to Barna Research, 73% […] Read More

NOTES FROM THE FIELD (FOURTH IN A SERIES) In this series, those involved with CLC foreign missions profile one area of our overseas endeavors. (Note: because of the risk of persecution, the full names of individuals, as well as place names, have been left out of the following article.) Martin Luther Bible School Martin Luther […] Read More

STUDIES IN THE NEW TESTAMENT “Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience. For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is […] Read More