Spiritual Life
Why Does a Church Operate a School?
Dear Faith, Let me state the obvious: Faith Lutheran Church and School has had some big struggles over the last few years. And these struggles have led to some frank conversations and difficult decisions about our ministry and mission. But as we have these important conversations about what we can and cannot do, it is most important to ask why we do what we do at all. The work of the church is not a practical matter. The church does…
The Miracle of Baptism
Dear Faith Lutheran Church and School, This weekend (11/16/2025) we will celebrate a Baptism at Faith, and I pray that it will be the first of many that I will administer here. The Sacrament of Holy Baptism is a precious gift from God. As we read in the catechism, Baptism works forgiveness of sins, rescues from death and the devil, and gives eternal salvation to all who believe this, as the words and promises of God declare. The Baptism this…
Humble, Persistent Prayer
Dear Faith Lutheran Church and School, This coming Sunday the Gospel readings point us prayer. In Luke 18, we read about the persistent widow who begs for justice. Her story is then followed by the parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector. Taken together these parables point us toward humble, persistent prayer. Prayer is both a command and a gift from God. Prayer has a way of properly orienting us toward God. In prayer we recognize our sinfulness, our…
What is Worship?
Dear Faith Lutheran Church and School, This week I was able to join our Wednesday night men’s Bible Study on the Augsburg Confession and an important topic came up. I’ll summarize the topic with this question: What is worship? As with many things, the answer to this defining question will then determine what and how we practice. Many Christians today think that worship is what we do. The idea is that we worship God by offering our prayers, our praise,…
The Heart is Deceitful
Dear Faith Lutheran Church and School, The devil is constantly attacking the human race. He tramples the church and the testimony of Christ in the mud. He lies incessantly. And the hearts of men believe him. For as the prophet Jeremiah reminds us, The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? (Jeremiah 17:9) Most of us can see this sickness at work in our world. We see it in those who commit and celebrate…