May/June 2023 issue of Faith & Fellowship

On July 9, 2020, a six-year-old boy and his four-year-old sister were at a friend’s house. After growing bored inside, the three kids decided to play in the backyard. Upon entering the yard, the friend pointed to one dog and said, “That’s the nice dog.” He then pointed to a second dog, a German Shepherd, and said, “That’s the mean one.”

Imagine you were a door-to-door salesman for vacuum cleaners that sell themselves. No, really! You don’t have to prepare a sales pitch or anything. You just knock on the door, show them the vacuum, and they either buy it or don’t. Wouldn’t that be an easy job?

Have you ever thought about planting a church? About ten years ago, God spoke to me in a pastors’ meeting where I heard that the best way to see new people come to Christ was through church planting efforts.

Jesus is endowed with all the authority of heaven and earth (Matt. 28:18). And it is in and because of this authority that he calls us, commissions us—yes, commands us—his Church, to “go into all the world and make new disciples.” As such, we consider ourselves a Disciple Making Church, and we seek to multiply new disciples.

Why do I give to the CLB? I give out of thanksgiving for a body of believers who have been faithfully preaching to me, shepherding me, and feeding me with Word and Sacrament, so that I might grow in faith and grace for over 40 years, even when I was but a “guest in the house,” not a member.

It was a cold January Minnesota evening, after a busy Christmas season. A good night to stay cozy at home. Would anyone be brave enough, or interested enough to come to church for a seminar about leading Bible studies?

Faith & Fellowship magazine recently interviewed Lutheran Brethren Seminary distance student Josh Graber, on-campus student Eric Reese, and graduate, missionary Claire Rose, about the importance of studying God’s Word.

Today, in January of 2023, I have in front of me a small booklet which we use to deliver a clear description of the current objectives of the Church of the Lutheran Brethren. It comes down to four words: Call, Partner, Unleash, and Multiply.

Ruth came to Hillcrest Academy in Fergus Falls, Minnesota as a Junior, bringing with her a well-marked Bible, since she had been following Jesus from childhood.

"Well, it’s time.” Have you ever used that line? I am using it today because it is time to announce plans for a change in leadership at Lutheran Brethren Seminary.

March/April 2023 issue of Faith & Fellowship

As baptism and communion, rest and life, God come near in Christ—all in the new covenant are anticipated in the old, signaled by such things as circumcision, Passover, promised land, Jerusalem, temple; so while less obvious yet as profound is Jesus’ commission to go make disciples pre-echoed in the very first commission of the Old Testament.

The first seven years of my life were spent in Ethiopia. I remember life there being very challenging. Water was scarce. Food was scarce. I feared the weather, as it contributed to the scarcity of food and could also often lead to the lack of shelter.

But when I think of mentorship and discipleship over my 57 years, I always recall people first. Men and women freely and joyfully shared their faith and lives with me, pointing me to Jesus because they loved Jesus and loved me, especially when I wasn’t very lovable.

During a recent lunch with some newer friends, the question was posed: “How did you decide to become a pastor?” My answer usually catches people off guard. “I didn’t.”

As we reflect back, our parents and grandparents were supportive of Christian ministries, and we believe that our support of LBS and the other CLB Ministries would find favor with them. Their stewardship and generosity have given us the opportunity to continue their legacy.

Women Together is the tagline for the Women’s Ministries of the Church of the Lutheran Brethren (WMCLB) vision and values statements that were formed this past year. This has also been fitting for this year’s WMCLB focus project, which supports a group of women meeting the physical needs of their families and community all the way across the ocean from us in Chad, Africa.

"So, how were you called?” During this past year and a half of studying at Lutheran Brethren Seminary in preparation for mission work in Chad, I’ve been asked that question more than a couple of times. What does it mean to be called

For too long the narrative dominating high school guidance counseling offices was that you need to go to college, and you need to do it fast. Don’t wait and certainly don’t pause, or you will never finish. But why does that have to be the narrative?