See the Face of Jesus and the Heart of God Our December Encourager articles were supposed to be about the accomplishments of the Mid-South District this year. Let me list them: Generation to Generation is being launched; we’re doing re-plants of congregations with the assistance of the Center for US Mission; we’ve made arrangements for […]
President Paavola
Service for His Kingdom takes sacrifice – submittal of servanthood
It all began when the well-intentioned mother of the sons of Zebedee (James and John) who asked Jesus to allow her two sons to be seated at His right and left, “… in Your kingdom.” Whose mother doesn’t want to have the best for her children? The parent who sees the dedication to any cause […]
Happy Reformation!
That’s right, on October 31, 1517, a professor of theology and Catholic monk named Martin Luther nailed 95 questions – propositions – on the door of the Chapel at Wittenberg Castle Church. The sound of a hammer hitting a nail not only rang on the streets of Wittenberg, but sounded a revolution that has changed […]
President’s Forum 2017
President’s Forum held at the District offices July 24, 25, 2017. The President’s Forum is a time when the Presidents Emeriti come to hear the major events affecting the Mid-South District, and assist in planning for the future endeavors of the District in service to our congregations, schools, ECC’s, and professional church worker staff. Pictured […]
Stewardship
“Okay Pastor, how much does God want me to give?” This question or some variation of it comes up every time a pastor is asked to talk about stewardship. However, it’s the wrong question! Stewardship is NOT about giving money… at least not in the total sense of the word in Christian parlance. Stewardship also […]
When Everybody Plays Their Position
In 1979, Herb Brooks, the coach for the University of Minnesota hockey team, began assembling a list of 20 men who would represent the United States in the Winter Olympics. By the time he whittled down a number of amateurs from high schools and colleges across the country, he had assembled the youngest composition of […]
What can we do about our kids?
It happens in almost every congregation at one time or the other, “What can we do about our kids?” Today’s children (under 18 years of age) are raised in homes and in churches who have walked away from Christianity. Despite the youth program, mission trips, and youth gatherings, the youth, in increasing numbers, don’t want […]
“The Great Imperative”
Do you have a seat in President Trump’s Cabinet? Probably not. But, Matthew’s Gospel closes with what most of Christianity calls the Great Commission because it speaks of imperatives – commands of Christ. There aren’t two commands, but one: to make disciples. But, most of our church body focuses on the command without remembering where […]
A Call to Prayer
Marriage. Life. Religious liberty. They are all deemed “controversial” in the public square, buzz words for “Don’t talk about this at the neighborhood party” or, “Stick to discussing the weather and sports…just to be safe.” And yet each topic matters. Fundamentally, they matter because people matter. And people matter to us as Lutherans because they […]
District President Paavola Honored as Guest ‘Bishop in Residence’ at Canadian Seminary
In early March, Mid-South District President, Rev. Dr. Roger Paavola was invited to serve as guest speaker and Bishop in Residence (an honorary English title) during the three-day convocation at Concordia Lutheran Theological Seminary, St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada. An alumnus of the seminary and affiliated Brock University, Paavola participated in meetings with seminary students […]
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