LCMS

LCMS Convention hymn of thought

On July 13, 2010, In Hymnody, LCMS, LCMSConvention, Lutheran, by Rev. Tucher

Here is my hymn of the day.

Lord, Keep Us Steadfast in Your Word (LSB #655)

Lord, keep us steadfast in Your Word;
Curb those who by deceit or sword
Would wrest the kingdom from Your Son
And bring to naught all He has done.

Lord Jesus Christ, Your pow’r make known,
For You are Lord of lords alone;
Defend Your holy Church that we
May sing Your praise eternally.

O Comforter of priceless worth,
Send peace and unity on earth;
Support us in our final strife
And lead us out of death to life.

LCMS Convention hymn of thought

On July 11, 2010, In LCMS, LCMSConvention, Lutheran, by Rev. Tucher

As the 64th Regular Convention of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod really got underway today, I think it fitting that certain things be kept at the forefront of the minds of the delegates. I’ll post a hymn each day or so during the Convention which I think focuses our attention on what is at the heart of the Convention – the Gospel.

Church of God, Elect and Glorious (LSB #646)

Church of God, elect and glorious,
Holy nation, chosen race;
Called as God’s own special people,
Royal priests and heirs of grace:
Know the purpose of your calling,
Show to all His mighty deeds;
Tell of love that knows no limits,
Grace that meets all human needs.

God has called you out of darkness
Into His most marv’lous light;
Brought His truth to life within you,
Turned your blindness into sight.
Let your light so shine around you
That God’s name is glorified
And all find fresh hope and purpose
In Christ Jesus crucified.

Once you were an alien people,
Strangers to God’s heart of love;
But He brought you home in mercy,
Citizens of heav’n above.
Let His love flow out to others,
Let them feel a Father’s care;
That they too may know His welcome
And His countless blessings share.

Church of God, elect and holy,
Be the people He intends;
Strong in faith and swift to answer
Each command your Master sends:
Royal priests, fulfill your calling
Through your sacrifice and prayer;
Give your lives in joyful service—
Sing His praise, His love declare.

I particularly like the words from stanza two, “Let your light so shine around/That God’s name is glorified.” This is my fervent prayer of the Convention – that God’s name is glorified. That means that all persons there respect one another and that all actions made by the Synod in Convention are in lines with the Holy Scriptures and the Lutheran Confessions. If said actions are made this way, then God’s name will indeed be glorified.

Thoughts from history for the 2010 LCMS Convention

On July 9, 2010, In Books, Issues, Etc, LCMS, Lutheran, Quotes, Seminary, by Rev. Tucher

As we as The Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod prepare for our 2010 Convention, I think it is wise to remember words from J.A.O. Preus, the 9th president of The Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod. These words come from his presidential report to the delegates of the 1977 Convention.

As a church we have been known and are still known as people who are vitally concerned that the Word of God be preached in its truth and purity, that the entire program be based upon God’s holy, inspired, inerrant, and powerful Word. The Word brings the church into being, and the Word is truly our rule and norm for faith and life in all the activities that we carry on. We cannot yield one jot or tittle of God’s holy Word. And the Word is the means for carrying out our mission. It is all we have. It is all we need.

We have emerged from a serious doctrinal controversy, in which we are probably the only Christian church in America and probably the only Lutheran Church in the world which seriously and earnestly confronted the issues raised by modern historical-critical methods of Biblical interpretation and honestly and forthrightly dealt with them…

The strength of our beloved Synod has always been a unique blend of concern for a pure doctrine which has brought about our strong confessional stance, coupled with the overwhelming desire to carry out the Great Commission. ¹

1) Quoted from A Seminary in Crisis by Paul A. Zimmerman, available from Concordia Publishing House.

HT: Issues, Etc – Web Extra: Profiles in Presidential Leadership in the LC-MS

Calls come, but not enough

On May 1, 2010, In LCMS, Lutheran, Office of Holy Ministry, Seminary, by Rev. Tucher

This last week, Tuesday and Wednesday specifically, both of the seminaries had their vicarage assignment and candidate placement services. Unfortunately, assignments and calls were not enough. At Concordia Theological Seminary, it was said that there were a few vicarage-eligible men that did not receive a vicarage assignment. This is not too terrible, as these men may petition for a delayed vicarage. The most grievous fact is that there are approximately 30 men who, having completed their studies, having met all their requirements, and having been certified by the faculty, did not receive a call into the Office of Holy Ministry. Of 60 eligible men from CTSFW, 21 did not receive a placement. Lord willing, that will change and change soon.

On Friday, April 30, Rev. Matthew Harrison, Executive Director of LCMS World Relief and Human Care (and God willing, future president of The LC-MS), preached at CTSFW. The sermon is only 6:40 in length, but I think a very well-preached sermon. To listen to it, check out his blog here.

Thoughts on the editorial, “How Many Seminaries?”

On August 9, 2009, In LCMS, Lutheran, by Rev. Tucher

Earlier this week, I received the latest issue of Concordia Journal from Concordia Seminary. In there is an editorial written by seminary president Rev. Dr. Dale Meyer entitled, “How Many Seminaries?”. There is a lot of the editorial that I agree with and I encourage you to read it. One thing I don’t necessarily agree with is the following statement:

We have to plunge our seminarians into the Bronx, into Belize, into Hong Kong, into L.A. (some of the many places where CSL students have gone) so that they are stimulated to find in lost souls, and saved souls as well, that point where the Word can engage the context in which the live.

Since I didn’t have the opportunity to go to the Bronx, Belize, Hong Kong or L.A., does that mean that my seminary education was not as edifying as it could have been?

Another quote from his editorial has me questioning something. President Meyer says that “Personally, I don’t see how we can continue to sustain two seminary campuses in the Midwest if current demographics, membership losses, and giving patters continue….” Which seminary would President Meyer advocate close? I’m sure he wouldn’t advocate Concordia Seminary, so that leaves my beloved alma mater, Concordia Theological Seminary.

Any comments from my readers?

“Walking Together” or Moving Apart?

On February 19, 2009, In LCMS, by Rev. Tucher

In our winkles as of late, we’ve been reading through a document entitled “Congregation-Synod-Church: A Study Document on Basic Theological Principles Underlying LCMS Structure and Governance”. This document has 22 “Basic Theological Principles” regarding LCMS structure and governance. When you read them, you might scratch your head. The language in them, while not contradictory to our theology and practice, will cause the reader to ask themselves whether or not this is what we truly “believe, teach, and confess.”

My biggest question in reading this document is this: Are we “walking together” or are we moving apart? Granted, this document is intended to be read and studied, discussed, and the like. However, it seems that there might be a push to move away from our polity which has worked for almost the last 162 years (04/26/1847). Why fix something that isn’t broken? Or, if it is broken, why has it taken 162 years to fix it?

Let us hope at our synod’s convention in 2010, we will truly be “walking together.”

Unity of the Spirit

On May 21, 2008, In LCMS, Office of Holy Ministry, by Rev. Tucher

In the May 2008 newsletter to pastors, President Kieschnick has some good words regarding the unity of the Spirit.

A word from St. Paul: “I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Eph. 4:1-3).
The unity we have as Christians is a precious gift of God. If it then behooves us as Christians to “maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace,” how much greater is our responsibility in this regard as ordained ministers of the Gospel?
While much could be written about these few verses in Ephesians, I find a comment in Kretzmann’s Popular Commentary worth sharing: “By striving after the virtues named by the apostle: love, peace, meekness, humility, long-suffering, patience, the Christians maintain the unity of the Spirit given to them in the Word. As soon as these virtues are disregarded, the result is dissension and disagreement, division and sectarianism.” It’s my prayer that all of us-and I begin with myself-will exhibit these virtues and maintain the gift of unity given us by God’s Spirit.

May this be our prayer!

Yet another sad day for The LCMS

On May 6, 2008, In LCMS, Satire, by Rev. Tucher

Yes, it’s another sad day for The Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod. Another mission has been closed, this time in Burkina Faso and Togo, West Africa. Rev. James May and family will be leaving their missions this summer. The reason why: money. Unfortunately, money takes precedence over the Gospel. This comes from his latest newsletter:

I regret to inform you that due to programmatic and business decisions, World Mission has decided to cease employing me as a missionary in West Africa. This decision came as a shock to me and my family as it may also be a surprise to you.

World Mission has been pressuring me to move on and inform you as soon as possible. One reason is that I would be without a paycheck and insurance soon after we have a baby due in July. We hope that by the grace of God we could have another call in place when my salary and benefits terminate at the end of August 2008.

The decision leaves three newly planted churches in Burkina Faso without a theologically trained leader and also the Lutheran Church of Togo without a missionary which they had been awaiting for six years. Please keep all these people involved in your prayers.

I didn’t know him and his family all that well. I think I met him and his wife at an LLL deal or something during summer Greek back in 2001. Our thoughts and prayers go out to him and his family (with a baby on the way), the churches of Burkina Faso and Togo, and for the Church throughout the world so that the Gospel of Christ may continue to be preached, regardless of the cost.

What I’m hoping won’t happen will be the following announcement. Please note, this is purely satire and has not happened (and we pray that it won’t)!

ST. LOUIS – Churches close their doors across the country

Many churches across the country have closed their doors due to lack of funding. A decision by The Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod’s Board for Poor Church Spending (BPCS) has closed the doors of some 6100 churches because money became a bigger issue than the spreading of the Gospel. No statement was available, as there was no one left to say anything about the issue.

UPDATE 5/8/08

It has been brought to my attention that money was not the issue behind Rev. May’s termination as a missionary in West Africa. My apologies for any misconceptions.

Candidate Placements and the 33

On April 24, 2008, In LCMS, Lutheran, Office of Holy Ministry, Seminary, by Rev. Tucher

On Tuesday, Concordia Seminary, St. Louis held its Vicarage Assignment and Candidate Placement services. At those services, all vicar-elects were placed, while 20 pastor-elects were not placed. Of those 20, 3 were special cases. That left 17 men without calls to a congregation. St. Louis also had 5 deaconess-elects without calls.

On Tuesday evening, my alma mater, Concordia Theological Seminary, Ft. Wayne, held its Vicarage Assignment service. All vicar-elects were placed. The following evening, the Candidate Placement service was held. 13 men were left without calls to a congregation. 8 men also chose to pursue graduate studies. It’s possible that those men also were left without calls and chose to pursue further studies in hopes that calls would be forth-coming. Dr. Fickenscher said that it was his hope that all men would be placed into the Office of Holy Ministry by the end of July. We continue to pray for all of these men as they enter the role of shepherd and for those who continue to wait for calls.

“Response” for cancellation of “Issues, Etc.”

On March 20, 2008, In Issues, Etc, LCMS, by Rev. Tucher

The following is the “response” email I received from an email I sent David Strand, the Executive Director for the Board for Communications Services. When I say “response,” understand that I use that term very loosely. This is the standard reply that everyone seems to be getting.

—– —– —–

Dear Pastor Tucher:

Thank you for your e-mail. We are sorry for your disappointment over the change in KFUO-AM programming. However, we hope you will enjoy our future programs.

Sincerely in Christ,

David L. Strand
Executive Director
Board for Communication Services
The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod
314-996-1200

This electronic mail transmission, and any attachments thereto, may contain confidential information intended only for the named recipient(s). Any distribution or disclosure to another person is prohibited

Rev. Jared C. Tucher

LCMS Convention hymn of thought

LCMS Convention hymn of thought

Thoughts from history for the 2010 LCMS Convention

Calls come, but not enough

Thoughts on the editorial, “How Many Seminaries?”

“Walking Together” or Moving Apart?

Unity of the Spirit

Yet another sad day for The LCMS

Candidate Placements and the 33

“Response” for cancellation of “Issues, Etc.”

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