There’s an expression sometimes shared among church planters: “What you do to get ‘em here, you gotta do to keep ‘em here.” In other words, if you plan to gain new members by catering to their every whim… well, you’d better get used to that. Or they’ll soon be gone.
Continue reading
The Texas District Office of School Ministry has been blessed over the years by the partnerships we developed with other Lutheran organizations. This year one of those partners, The Association of Lutheran Secondary Schools (ALSS), begun a new program designed to raise up the next generation of secondary leaders. The
Continue reading
His property was only a block from the northern Minnesota elementary school named Churchill and catty-cornered from my home. I don’t remember the man’s name. I only recall a vague image. Thin. Gaunt. Dark. Sad. Angry. Addled. Many children passed his property on the walk home. Many, when they walked
Continue reading
I got my hair cut the other day. I knew the girl who cut my hair from previous visits to the shop. She is attending a local community college and is studying creative writing and journalism. When I sat in the chair, I asked her how her writing was going.
Continue reading
Located across the street from an elementary and middle school as well as a fire station, Trinity Woodlands church plant has been the dream of many over a number of years. Previously organized as Christ Lutheran Church with a child development center (CDC), the leadership and members of both Christ
Continue reading
Rev. Landon Ledlow from Redeemer Lutheran Church in Austin sent me a copy of a social media post a few weeks ago. The post was from a man who lives in the church’s neighborhood. This is what he said: “I have not been to church in over 10 years, so
Continue reading
When Redeemer Lutheran in Austin opened its new 15,000-square-foot cafetorium late last year, it was just the latest physical manifestation of a grand spiritual vision. Redeemer’s church and school for decades have worked in concert to bring Jesus’ love to their rapidly changing north Austin neighborhood. The new facility simply
Continue reading
Martin Luther began his 95 Theses by stating: “When our Lord and Master Jesus Christ said, ‘Repent’ (Mt 4:17), he willed the entire life of believers to be one of repentance.” The word “repentance” means to return or to turn around. In God’s Word, He is the One doing the
Continue reading
Did you know that Texas District reflects a new church demographic for the twenty-first century? While general statistics in the LCMS show a declining, aging, mono-cultural church body, God’s mission in the Texas District is forming and shaping a church body that looks much different. What does the LCMS look
Continue reading
After His death and resurrection, Jesus told his disciples: “Go and share the blessing given to Abraham. Don’t keep it to yourselves. It’s time to extend the Message everywhere and to everyone… to All Nations!” Matt. 28:18-20 paraphrased Although Jesus was clear in His Great Commission, it took the disciples
Continue reading
