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Full-Text Articles in Arts and Humanities
Documentation: Authority In The Church, C. F. Walther, Arnold Krugler (Translator)
Documentation: Authority In The Church, C. F. Walther, Arnold Krugler (Translator)
Concordia Theological Monthly
In 1879 Dr. Walther delivered a long essay to Iowa Lutheran congregations who were reluctant to join the Synod because they feared the Synod would arrogate to itself excessive authority over them. With extensive citations from Scripture, Luther, the Lutheran Confessions, and the Lutheran fathers, Walther developed his concept of the proper relationship between Synod and congregations.
First Communion And Confirmation, Berthold Von Schenk
First Communion And Confirmation, Berthold Von Schenk
Concordia Theological Monthly
The decision concerning the right age for First Communion is the prerogative of the pastor in the setting of his congregation. Every baptized child of God should receive the sacramental grace imparted in Holy Communion.
Sharing The Body In The Body, Arthur Simon
Sharing The Body In The Body, Arthur Simon
Concordia Theological Monthly
I have little to share with you on the Eucharist and the Christian life other than my own odyssey in this respect, so let me be frankly biographical. What I have learned about the holy meal and the holy life cannot be separated from the agonies and joys of those who have shared the way of Jesus with me, so I am indebted especially to the people of my parish, including, and above all, my colleague John Puelle.
Preaching And Liturgical Life, Robert M. Starenko
Preaching And Liturgical Life, Robert M. Starenko
Concordia Theological Monthly
Preaching is an event, a living, pulsating action of God, as real today as it was yesterday, as vital for contemporary man as it was for first-century man. Preaching is always an eschatological event, part of the on-going action of God through His Son so that wherever that Word is proclaimed, God is calling and gathering His people, bringing them together into the oneness of Christ's body, the church, leading men to response, fitting them for service in His world.
The Gospel Approach To Counseling, Kenneth Siess
The Gospel Approach To Counseling, Kenneth Siess
Concordia Theological Monthly
Pastors are discovering today that the issue of pastoral counseling comes up repeatedly, both in their pastoral practice and in their study. A survey conducted several years ago revealed that of the people interviewed 42 percent indicated that they sought out a clergyman as their first source for help in an emotional crisis in their lives. Most pastors can attest readily to the reality of such a statistic. Day after day they are being sought out by people who find themselves in some kind of stress and are looking for help. In response to this demand pastors are becoming increasingly …
Wholeness-Oneness, William H. Kohn
Wholeness-Oneness, William H. Kohn
Concordia Theological Monthly
Perhaps we have "a thing" going in our church. In a memorable convention in Detroit four years ago our church acted in a most distinctive way. Aside from several bold administrative decisions, such as recognizing the autonomy of developing national churches overseas and creating a unified Board for Missions, our church collectively penned and proclaimed the total mission of the church in six brief resolutions and then summarized them in six concise but meaningful statements. We called them the Affirmations on God's Mission.
In Many, Much, Richard R. Caemmerer
In Many, Much, Richard R. Caemmerer
Concordia Theological Monthly
Pastors of large churches have always had to suffer from well-meaning brothers who masked their sometimes subconscious envy behind a hearty "I'll bet you just wear yourself out on that big job." In addition, two movements of thought have recently bedeviled them. One is that God is dead, and perhaps the whole operation should be turned into a used-car lot. The other is that the parish is dead, that it is a shame for people to come on a Sunday and be comforted when they ought to give up all and live in tenements. In all three corrosive comments is …
Lodge Practice Within The Missouri Synod, John W. Constable
Lodge Practice Within The Missouri Synod, John W. Constable
Concordia Theological Monthly
The history of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod reveals that the Synod grappled with the problem of lodges almost from its beginning. In the present essay the author proposes to undertake a chronological survey of the Synod's viewpoints reflected in its official meetings and publications, in books, tracts and conference essays, and so forth. The topic of doctrinal opposition to lodges will not be discussed in any detail since American Lutheranism is all but unanimous on this point. Some attention will be paid to other Lutheran denominations and to possible cultural and economic influence on the lodge practice of the Synod.
The Congregation: Place Of God's Presence, Martin H. Scharlemann
The Congregation: Place Of God's Presence, Martin H. Scharlemann
Concordia Theological Monthly
Jerusalem lay in ruins. Its temple had been destroyed. In distant Babylon God’s people hung up their harps and sat down to weep. Where was God now? To be sure, He might be the Lord of the universe; but what was the point of this if His people were left to languish in exile? He had been present for them in the temple on Mount Zion; where could His people now seek His face?
The Social Worker And The Pastor As A Team, Ruth Wiederaenders
The Social Worker And The Pastor As A Team, Ruth Wiederaenders
Concordia Theological Monthly
In approaching the topic of the teamwork of a pastor and a social worker in meeting a particular need of a Christian, we must first treat the concept of teamwork to determine the possibilities of any action being performed. Webster defines teamwork as "joint action by a group of people, in which each person subordinates his individual interests and opinions to the unity and efficiency of the group; coordinated effort." The group or the team is specified as "a group of people working or playing together, especially as one side in a contest."
The Total Ministry Of The Church, C. Thomas Spitz
The Total Ministry Of The Church, C. Thomas Spitz
Concordia Theological Monthly
Our topic is an imposing one. Entire books and whole sections of libraries have been devoted to it. It forced an early decision in the development of this paper. Should we be talking and thinking about all of the ways in which the ministry of the church expresses itself or should we be looking at the total reality of the ministry of the church and then be dealing with essence rather than expression?
The Confirmation Instruction Of Children, Harold Dorn
The Confirmation Instruction Of Children, Harold Dorn
Concordia Theological Monthly
Purpose. We are all interested in improving our confirmation instruction. It was thought that one of the most practical ideas to find out how we might improve our individual techniques would be to make a survey of what our brethren were doing in the field. Such a study would indicate what materials and procedures were in use, our principal difficulties, and such matters that needed special study. The study might also point up new ideas and trends.
Keep Yourselves In The Love Of God, William J. Hassold
Keep Yourselves In The Love Of God, William J. Hassold
Concordia Theological Monthly
The Letter of Jude is one of the most polemical portions of the New Testament. The purpose of Jude, the brother of the Lord, in writing this letter was to appeal to his readers "to contend for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints" (v.3).
The Pastor After The Heart Of God, C. August Hardt
The Pastor After The Heart Of God, C. August Hardt
Concordia Theological Monthly
In the first of his Pastoral Letters (1 Tim. 3:1) Paul calls the office of a bishop (ἐπιοχοπή) a good work, χαλὸν ε̈ογον. That is a brief but beautiful and most significant characterization of the Christian ministry.
In What Way Does Christ Speak Through The Ministry?, Praelat Issler
In What Way Does Christ Speak Through The Ministry?, Praelat Issler
Concordia Theological Monthly
Our question does not simply ask in what way Christ speaks through the minister's sermon, but in what way Christ speaks through the ministry: Hence our first thesis treats of this office (diakonia), the ministerium ecclesiasticum. It is neither possible nor necessary to adduce a locus classicus for the institution of this office: we have such only for the Apostolic office. But Gospels and Epistles alike reveal the same factual situation - the "office" is there! Word and Sacrament require it and, as it were, create it as their own instrument.
The Administrators Of Parish Education, M. L. Koehneke
The Administrators Of Parish Education, M. L. Koehneke
Concordia Theological Monthly
It should be noted from the very outset that the administration of education in a Christian parish is a unique process, for it draws its concepts from the precepts of God, and not the ideologies of men. We shall therefore not spend time in the beginning of this paper with a presentation of the various definitions and methods of "administration" from secular sources. We do not disparage them; we rather prefer to try to develop our own from certain basic Christian concepts.
The Public Ministry In The Apostolic Age, H. G. Brueggemann
The Public Ministry In The Apostolic Age, H. G. Brueggemann
Concordia Theological Monthly
In the hope of resolving the points of disagreement relating to the doctrine of the call, the ministry, and the Church, which for a number of years threatened the unity of the constituent bodies of the Synodical Conference, the convention in 1946 appointed an Interim Committee. In 1948 this committee of eight men submitted its findings to the Synodical Conference in a majority and a minority report.
The Pastor And Synod's Handbook, Arnold H. Grumm
The Pastor And Synod's Handbook, Arnold H. Grumm
Concordia Theological Monthly
"What a dreary and technical subject for an occasion like this, some might say, ''The Pastor and Synod's Handbook." Why not ''The Pastor and His Bible," or "The Pastor and His Sermon," or something else that has living value? What compelling interest can the Handbook of Synod have for a graduate of Concordia Seminary who, call in hand, is ready to enter the active ministry?
Objectives Of Parish Education, Arthur C. Repp
Objectives Of Parish Education, Arthur C. Repp
Concordia Theological Monthly
Every religious educator, whether he be pastor, teacher, or Sunday school superintendent, must be aware of and have ID understanding of the objectives of his parish program of education. Leaders of the Church must have before them specific goals which describe in concrete terms what they are trying to effect through their program of parish education. Several considerations prompt one to make such a broad statement. To begin with, there is a tendency for every one of us to become involved in an agency or an organization to such an extent that it becomes an end rather than a means …
The Una Sancta In Luther's Theology, F. E. Mayer
The Una Sancta In Luther's Theology, F. E. Mayer
Concordia Theological Monthly
Luther's concept of the Una Sancta was first and last soteriological; not sociological, not statistical, not organizational, not eschatological. Luther's emphasis on soteriology in his definition of the Church can be understood only in the light of his theological principle. Scholastic theology had not satisfied him. Its Aristotelian method had failed to bring assurance of peace to his heart, and its autosoteric principles had been unable to quiet his conscience. The Apostle's message: "The sinner is justified by faith alone," changed Luther's theology both as to method and to content.
The Practical Application Of Matthew 18:15-18, Walter H. Bouman
The Practical Application Of Matthew 18:15-18, Walter H. Bouman
Concordia Theological Monthly
The Lord Jesus Christ has wonderfully endowed His Church upon earth. To His Church, to the Christians, He has given the power to open and to close heaven, to bind and to loose sinners. And this is no empty gesture on the part of the Lord of the Church, for the Lord Jesus very specifically says: “Verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." Matt.18:18. And just as our congregations in their constitutions provide that all things are to be …
The Art Of Illustrating The Sermon, Karl H. Ehlers
The Art Of Illustrating The Sermon, Karl H. Ehlers
Concordia Theological Monthly
Introduction: The sermon's the thing-more than anything else in our ministry. ''Nothing contributes so much to keeping the people with the church as a good sermon," declares the Apology of our Augsburg Confession. If those were right who say that a pastor ought to devote one hour of preparation for every minute of preaching, it would follow that at least one half of his working hours are to be spent upon it. This is an exaggeration, which, nevertheless, serves a good purpose in emphasizing that none of us devotes too much time to his sermon preparation and many too little. …
The Means Of Grace From The Administrative Angle, P. E. Kretzmann
The Means Of Grace From The Administrative Angle, P. E. Kretzmann
Concordia Theological Monthly
The topic which is here to be briefly treated, chiefly on the basis of a problem which has recently been suggested for discussion, has been broached in the columns of this journal before, although not in an exhaustive manner. It is clearly not a mere academic question, nor may it be placed in the category of the adiaphora or a priori included in the field of casuistry, although certain situations may cause it to be placed under that heading. The problem, as it is before us, involves chiefly three loci in dogmatics, namely, De Ecclesia, De Ministerio Ecclesiastico, and De …
On Liturgical Uniformity, R. R. Caemmerer
On Liturgical Uniformity, R. R. Caemmerer
Concordia Theological Monthly
It is a good thing to have liturgical uniformity. There is something of confessional value in a uniform liturgy. Also away from home the worshiper feels himself spiritually akin to his brethren of the faith where liturgy is familiar. In fact, if that liturgy preserves the traditional forms, he will feel himself akin to the Church of the past and will grow in appreciation of the Church Universal. Conversely, a lack of uniformity in liturgical forms is a cause of bewilderment in worship and a testimonial to a lack of that brotherly consideration which will lead units of the Church, …
The Pastor A Bible Student, W. Arndt
The Pastor A Bible Student, W. Arndt
Concordia Theological Monthly
To make an attempt in this journal or anywhere else to create enthusiasm in ministers for a study of the Holy Scriptures would seem to be about as superfluous as urging a professional concert Pianist to keep in practise by frequently playing approved exercises, or a surgeon to continue performing and witnessing operations. Is there a minister who is not convinced that faithful, regular study of the Bible is a necessity for him? Still, human weakness being what it is and hindrances of thorough, consistent Bible-study by the pastor increasing with alarming rapidity, a few words on this subject, introductory …
What Can Synod Do In Order That There Be More Uniformity In The Externals Of Our Public Services?, F. J. Seltz
What Can Synod Do In Order That There Be More Uniformity In The Externals Of Our Public Services?, F. J. Seltz
Concordia Theological Monthly
Not only has the lack of uniformity been lamented for the past fifty years, especially since the majority of our congregations have regular English services, but of late, through the revival of the study of liturgies in every section of the Christian Church, there have appeared definite symptoms which seem to indicate that just when we were about to be led out of the wilderness of liturgical confusion, we are to be led back into a new liturgical chaos.
The Pastor And Youth;, O. P. Kretzmann
The Pastor And Youth;, O. P. Kretzmann
Concordia Theological Monthly
At any given moment in his ministry the pastor in active congregational service is face to face with three age groups. A local church is a cross-section of the family of God. There are the old, for whom the ministrations of the servant of the Word are largely a preparation for a near eternity. There are the middle-aged who must be carried through sorrow and defeat even though their religious habits and attitudes have been fixed by the years. And there are the young, at one and the same time a very precious and a very unstable part of the …
The Pastor And Intracongreptional Organizations, W. E. Hohenstein
The Pastor And Intracongreptional Organizations, W. E. Hohenstein
Concordia Theological Monthly
Little has been written on the history of intracongregational societies, except with reference to young people's societies. The ladies' aid is the oldest society within the congregations of our synodical organization. Then follows the young people's society (or societies) and, more recently, the men's club. Some congregations with parish-schools have a parent-teachers' organization and in connection with it a preschool mothers' circle.
The Pastor And His Audience, P. E. Kretzmann
The Pastor And His Audience, P. E. Kretzmann
Concordia Theological Monthly
In that delightful book by Arthur Stevens Phelps entitled Speaking in Public we find, among the many scintillating epigrams and pungent sayings, this thought-provoking sentence: "It takes two to make a speech, the man that speaks and the man that listens." And again: ''If a speaker may be 'too full for utterance,' a congregation may be too full for audience." Both of these sayings contain much food for thought, especially for the Lutheran pastor.
Sermon Study On 1 Tim. 2, 1-6, Theo. Laetsch
Sermon Study On 1 Tim. 2, 1-6, Theo. Laetsch
Concordia Theological Monthly
Timothy, to whom this letter is addressed, had been left by Paul in charge of the large and influential congregation at Ephesus. Though still a young man, 1 Tim. 4, 12, Timothy was by no means a novice. Ho had been n "work-fellow'' of the apostle, Rom. 16, 21, for a number of years, had been entrusted with a number of important missions, and was one of the most trustworthy associates of Paul, Phil. 51, 20.