tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post1154779395202895712..comments2024-03-18T12:54:19.748-05:00Comments on Pastoral Meanderings: Keys to success. . . Pastor Petershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10653554256101480140noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post-92006972823444313322016-06-30T19:55:51.861-05:002016-06-30T19:55:51.861-05:00I've heard from multiple sources that when Pie...I've heard from multiple sources that when Piepkorn went up to the iron range in Minnesota as a missionary he baptized 64 people in the first year and 138 in his 38 months there. His secret - he went around teaching people about baptism and then baptized them. Pastor Peters I would agree that your friend, and great treasure of the LCMS, Will Weedon is dead on. Paulhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11411185552998416865noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post-36424619457591585922016-06-30T09:01:49.453-05:002016-06-30T09:01:49.453-05:00If we leave preaching, administering he Sacraments...If we leave preaching, administering he Sacraments, Bapizing and teaching, what else do we have to offer the increasingly hedonistic and pagan post-Christian society? Being relevant is In who defines it. Society thinks the Church irrelevant (unless we make it so, doing church for the unchurched). if we are doing what Christ commanded us, we ARE relevant by His deffinition. Social action is good and right, but it is the action of the believer in his/her vocation, not the 'job' of the pastor. Non-pastors do witness and 'preach' in their everyday lives. It is in understanding our 'duty' IS in being Lutheran (Christian) we fulfill our vocations and our commission.Janis Williamshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02947508427040251166noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post-44421354466034165712016-06-30T05:19:34.998-05:002016-06-30T05:19:34.998-05:00Pastor, I second John's words above. If you ar...Pastor, I second John's words above. If you are faithful to God's word and the Sacrements, I can hardly see how you are 'ill-equipped'.Ted Badjehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03220879004715648795noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post-37012022879132194812016-06-29T15:27:30.619-05:002016-06-29T15:27:30.619-05:00Excellent... This comment, needs to be repeated ma...Excellent... This comment, needs to be repeated many times and in many places: "What is our duty? It is to be thoroughly Lutheran, Lutheran in name and in deed; practical Lutherans, fulfilling our duties to God and to our neighbor, praying, going to the Divine Service, frequenting the Sacraments, keeping piety at home, avoiding sin, practicing virtue, loving God... for this is the way for us to assist the Lord in the conversion of America (or anywhere else), and there is no other."<br />Lee Turpenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10837202591353631997noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post-47432280007864331682016-06-29T08:02:46.354-05:002016-06-29T08:02:46.354-05:00I suppose those of us who are not pastors often fa...I suppose those of us who are not pastors often fail to realize how difficult it is to remain positive when churches do not grow, when they stagnate and seem irrelevant. I think that we are all "Illequiped" in our own efforts to meet the challenges of witnessing in an increasingly hedonistic and paganized secular culture. Our nation has moved into the pagan world and perhaps we are now in the Post-Christian era in America. Nevertheless, these circumstances were faced by the prophets of old, and the New Testament church throughout history. Our job is to remain faithful. Trust God. As for me, as I see the LCMS, it would be growing better and increasing if there was a more focused and instructional aspect to preaching. The 20 minute sermons I have heard over many years are often less than stellar. Secondly, the LCMS must be out in the community more than at present, and more engaged in soup kitchens, prisons, hospitals, and evangelizing. Thirdly, the LCMS must have year round weekly Bible studies, whether twenty people show up, or just two. It must be a staple, with no summers off, no holiday or vacation from sharing the word of God. While the culture may reject the things of God, He will still use the LCMS to bring in sheep, as He also uses other Christian churches. We cannot complain about lack of church growth if we are not working in the vineyard.John Joseph Flanaganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06596324816480709495noreply@blogger.com