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Zitat

Why Don't We See This From Lutheranism?

As someone who's relatively "new" to the Lutheran Church (LCMS), I'm seriously wondering why we don't see more evangelizing ministries from Lutherans.

Specifically, why don't we see more of this type of thing from Lutheranism?


Now, perhaps these types of evangelizing ministries do exist within the scope of Lutheranism, but if they do I haven't seen them yet. Is there a reason why that I'm just not aware of?

Look, I get that we Lutherans are a formal, reserved, and quiet bunch generally speaking. I'm not saying there's anything inherently wrong in that, but might those distinct characteristics also be a contributing factor as to why we don't see more efforts to witness to others in our local community?

Last Summer, one LCMS Pastor who filled out while our Pastor was out of town shocked me when he gave a sermon on the importance of sharing your faith with others, but then spent a good 5-10 minutes talking about all the ways we should do that EXCEPT using open-air street preaching. In fact, the distinct impression was that he went out of his way to try and talk people listening out of the idea of taking the Gospel to the streets. Why?

Excuse me sir, but isn't that what Jesus and the apostles did? Isn't that what some well-known men of God throughout the ages did for His glory?

In addition, one of our Youth Groups is preparing for a mission trip this Summer. I just learned that the independent Christian organization that is coordinating things had to have someone come in to our church recently and teach the members of the Youth Group how to share their testimony and share the Gospel with those they will meet in the Dominican Republic!

Please don't misunderstand me, I'm not criticizing them so much as I am our beloved church. Pastors, Elders, Deacons, and Church Leaders alike (that includes me) need to come together and commit to making true disciples of Jesus Christ. It starts by teaching Lutheran laymen how to be comfortable enough to talk about their faith and how to share their faith with others. Why is that important?

Matthew 5:14-16 (ESV) 14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."

Yes, "let your light shine before others" for His glory, honor, and praise!

Forget the "Seeker Sensitive Movement" or this un-Biblical notion that we need to make the church "attractive" to the lost so that they'll come visit week after week.

The approach is not unlike the kind of advertising and marketing that the world uses when they put up billboards and send out brochures saying "Come! Come and get your needs met!"

First of all, it's not about us -- it's about Him. Second, what has that really gotten us though? Nothing but shallow sermonettes replaced by entertainment and music and, ultimately, false converts too.

If you're a Lutheran (or just a Christian in general), then what do you think about actually taking the Gospel of Jesus Christ to people like this?

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About JKR

Christian. Husband. Father. Friend.

2 comments

  1. I forgot this one too...

    Luke 14:23 "And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled."

    In Christ Alone,
    Jeff

    ReplyDelete
  2. Several months since writing this and my time spent studying Confessional Lutheran as well as what we believe, teach, and confess regarding The Church And The Office of The Holy Ministry has me seeing this MUCH DIFFERENTLY than I did before. For a quick explanation of what I mean by that, please visit Table Talk Radio and search for their "How Big A Missionalist Are Ya?" audio files.

    Grace And Peace,
    Jeff

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for visiting A Lutheran Layman! Please feel free to leave a comment or a question since we do not exercise censorship. We've seen a similar policy with other blogs and it's worth repeating: Please act as if you're a guest in my home, and we'll get along just fine. I think anyone would agree that the kind of back-and-forth that is characteristic of blogs/chat forums and social media is becoming tiresome for all of us. Still, we should confess, edify, and love (and contend and defend when needed). Bottom line? Search the Scriptures! Apply Acts 17:11 to anything and everything you find here and, if you do happen to disagree with something you find here (which is certainly ok), or think I'm "irresponsible" and "wrong" for writing it, then please refute my position by supporting yours with Scripture and/or the Confessions. I don't think that's an unreasonable request, especially for those who identify themselves as "Christians" here, right? Besides, Proverbs 27:17 tells us "Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another" and 2 Timothy 3:16 says, "all Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness." If you have an opinion that's great, I welcome it, but try to support it using God's Word. I mean, if the goal here is to help us all arrive at the truth of God's Word (myself included), then it should be easy to follow through on this one simple request (I'm talking to all you "Anonymous" visitors out there). Grace and peace to you and yours!

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