ICHABOD, THE GLORY HAS DEPARTED - explores the Age of Apostasy, predicted in 2 Thessalonians 2:3, to attack Objective Faithless Justification, Church Growth Clowns, and their ringmasters. The antidote to these poisons is trusting the efficacious Word in the Means of Grace. John 16:8. Isaiah 55:8ff. Romans 10. Most readers are WELS, LCMS, ELS, or ELCA. This blog also covers the Roman Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodoxy, and the Left-wing, National Council of Churches denominations.
7. Therefore, if you wish to consider the word in its true meaning, you must identify a Christian by the fact that he only receives something from Christ, and has Christ within him; for this is what the word properly means.
Just as a person is called “white,” because of his white color, black because of his dark color, large because of his size. So also one is called a “Christian” because of Christ, who dwells in him and from whom he receives his blessings. So, if one is called a Christian because of Christ, he is certainly then not called a Christian because of his works. From this it also follows that no one is called a Christian by reason of his good works.
If this be true, as it undoubtedly is, then it must follow that our orders and sects do not belong under the Christian name, and they do not develop Christians.
8. Therefore they are deceivers, who preach or teach in the church, and occupy themselves with commandments, works and statutes, that accomplish nothing.Although they pretend to be Christians, nevertheless they still, under this name, attempt to burden and torment us with their commands and works. By reason of my works I may well be called one who fasts, one who prays, or a pilgrim, but not a Christian. If you were to weave all your works together and add to them all the works of others, you would still not have Christ, and from these things you could not be called a Christian. Christ is something different and higher than law and the commandments of men. He is the Son of God, who is ready alone to give and not to receive. If I am so wise as to take what he offers, I have him, and if I have him I am then justly called a Christian. Thus you have the distinction as to what a Christian is and what Christ is.
9. Now this Gospel teaches us that Christ is the greatest and highest person, renowned in all the world, not in order to terrify the people, but to pour out all earthly and heavenly gifts, so that all men may depend upon and trust in him, and continually receive from him alone what they need. If sin terrifies my conscience and preachers of the law come and want to help me with their works, they will accomplish nothing. Christ alone can help here and no one else. Yea, the others only make it worse, even if they were Peter or Paul, or even Mary, the mother of God herself. Christ alone can do this, being ordained of God to the end that he should send forth the good news in which is proclaimed how my sins are to be forgiven gratuitously, without any work or merit on my part, only and simply out of pure grace through faith in this Christ. If now I accept what is preached I have a comfort that my sins are forgiven me before God and before the world. If I at heart hold fast to this, then I am a Christian, and for this I thank God through Christ, who at all times gives me his Holy Spirit and grace, that sin may not harm me either here or at the day of judgment.
10. If I fear death and do not like to die, I find in this Christ a comfort and medicine, so that I care nothing for death. If terrified at the anger of God, I have here a Mediator. Many a one runs into the desert or puts on garments of coarse hair, and thinks he will force God not to be angry with him; but it will amount to nothing; whoever has not this Christ, on him the wrath of God remaineth forever, for it is so decreed. John 3:36.
11. Therefore, whoever would have a joyful conscience that does not fear sin, death, hell, nor the wrath of God, dare not reject this Mediator, Christ.
For he is the fountain that overflows with grace, that gives temporal and eternal life. Only open thy heart and hold it forth and you will receive all.
He gushes and flows forth, and can do nothing else but only give, flow and gush forth, if you can only believe it. You justly deserve that people should call you a Christian, when you are called a Christian by virtue of what you receive from Christ; if not, and you want to give him so much, you are no Christian. This is the rich precious word which St. Paul praises so highly, and can never sufficiently praise, that he so graciously gives us his Son, to pour out his grace over all who receive it. Romans 3:24 and Romans 8:32; Galatians 3:25.
Text: Matthew 9:18-26. While he spake these things unto them, behold, there came a ruler, and worshipped him, saying, My daughter is even now dead: but come and lay thy hand upon her, and she shall live. And Jesus arose, and followed him, and so did his disciples. And behold, a woman, who had an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the border of his garment: for she said within herself, If I do but touch his garment, I shall be made whole. But Jesus training and seeing her said, Daughter, be of good cheer; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour. And when Jesus came into the ruler’s house, and saw the flute-players, and the crowd making a tumult, he said, Give place: for the damsel is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn. But when the crowd was put forth, he entered in, and took her by the hand; and the damsel arose. And the fame hereof went forth into all that land.
1. Dear friends, you know that the Gospel is nothing else than a sermon about one person who is called Christ. And although there are many other books written here and there, and many sermons preached by many different persons, both about the heathen and the Christians, yea, also about the mother of God, St. Peter, angels and many of the saints; yet they are not Gospels, for this alone is the true Gospel which sets before us Christ, and teaches the good things we may hope from him.
2. Of course there is also at times something in the Gospel on John the Baptist, Mary and the Apostles, but this is not properly the Gospel, for they are taken into consideration so as more perfectly to indicate whence Christ came and what his office is. So Luke relates the history of John the Baptist from the beginning, his conception and birth; and that of the Virgin Mary, all which is written not for their sake, but only for the sake of the one person Christ, so that everything written in the Gospel concerns this person Christ alone. In St. Paul’s Epistles there is nothing written about the saints, all there is about Christ alone. The Evangelists describe what miracles and wonders Christ performed; but they write of no work that John or Mary did; but only what Christ did, how he helped the people in body and soul, and how the people clung to him.
3. For God has decreed it is his will that all should cling to the one man Christ, to hope in him and hold fast to him if they would be saved. Thus they know nothing of any one aside from Christ, who alone has been presented unto us by God as our mercy-seat, as St. Paul writes, Romans 3:25. Hitherto one has clung to this saint, another to that, one has had Mary, another Saint Barbara, and there have been manifold sects and orders. But no one cared anything for Christ except for the name. We have had many mediators, all of whom we abandoned and held only to Christ. Therefore St. Paul says in Romans 1:2, that the Gospel was promised by God through the prophets concerning his Son. And he insists upon it so very strongly, that nothing avails in the Gospel except the one only person, Jesus Christ. He who knows this may well thank God, that he knows where to place his comfort, help and confidence, and he will then despise and cast away all sermons about other persons.
4. For this reason the Lord is pictured to us in today’s Gospel, mingling among the people, drawing all the world unto himself by his friendliness and comforting doctrine so that they may cling to him with their hearts, depend upon his goodness, and hope to receive from him both spiritual and temporal treasures. Nor do you see him take anything from those he heals and helps; yea, he receives nothing from them but scorn and mockery, as we shall hear. Good deeds proceed from him, but he receives mockery and scorn in return.
5. Now this is preached and submitted to the whole world, that they may learn to know this man aright, and to know how to become Christians, not how to become good and innocent. Other doctrines outside of the Gospel, like the books of the heathen masters, insist that the people should through them become good; again, the legends of the saints especially insist that the people are to live as the saints lived. To make good people does not belong to the Gospel, for it only makes Christians. It takes much more to be a Christian than to be pious. A person can easily be pious, but not a Christian. A Christian knows nothing to say about his piety, for he finds in himself nothing good or pious. If he is to be pious, he must look for a different piety, a piety in some one else.
6. To this end Christ is presented to us as an inexhaustible fountain, who at all times overflows with pure goodness and grace. And for such goodness and kindness he accepts nothing, except that the good people, who acknowledge such kindness and grace, thank him for it, praise and love him, although others despise him for it. This is what he reaps from it. So one is not called a Christian because he does much, but because he receives something from Christ, draws from him and lets Christ only give to him. If one no longer receives anything from Christ, he is no longer a Christian, so that the name Christian continues to be based only on receiving, and not on giving and doing, and he receives nothing from any one except from Christ alone. If you look at what you do, you have already lost the Christian name. It is indeed true, that we are to do good works, help, advise and give to others; but no one is called a Christian by reason of that, nor is he on that account a Christian.
The recent blackout of Vimeo during the worship service moved us to look for better options. We began with Ustream, which IBM took over and abandoned. Next came Vimeo, which started to improve but was too late for that.
The stats show over 21,000 posts; the topic of apostasy has been covered in great detail.
I am going to move the content into video and write a lot less. I will continue the Daily Luther Sermon Quotes and also post Biblical doctrine videos. Teaching New Testament Greek is definitely on the schedule, and Bethany will not charge $3,000 but $0. The larger figure is for "summer Greek," the excuse produced by unserious seminaries.
Bethany Lutheran Church, 10 AM Central Standard Time
Pastor Gregory L. Jackson
The Hymn #4God Himself Is Present The Confession of Sins The Absolution The Introit p. 16 The Gloria Patri The Kyrie p. 17 The Gloria in Excelsis The Salutation and Collect p. 19 The Epistle and Gradual The Gospel Glory be to Thee, O Lord! Praise be to Thee, O Christ! The Nicene Creed p. 22 The Sermon Hymn #239 Come Thou Almighty King
The roses are in honor of Anita Engleman and our Veterans.
In treatment - Kermit Way; Randy Anderson; ; Pastor Jim Shrader and Chris; Sarah Buck; Lori Howell; Dr. Lito Cruz and his father.
Pray for those suffering from emotional and metabolic stress.
Callie and her parents; little Aaron with the heart problem;
Pray for those suffering from emotional and metabolic stress.
KJV Philippians 3:17 Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample. 18 (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: 19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.) 20 For our conversation [ πολιτευμα, citizenship ] is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: 21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.
KJV Matthew 22:15 Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle him in his talk. 16 And they sent out unto him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest thou for any man: for thou regardest not the person of men. 17 Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not? 18 But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites? 19 Shew me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny. 20 And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? 21 They say unto him, Caesar's. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's. 22 When they had heard these words, they marvelled, and left him, and went their way.
Twenty-Third Sunday After Trinity
Lord God, heavenly Father: we thank Thee that Thou hast hitherto granted us peace and graciously spared us from war and foreign dominion: We pray Thee, graciously let us continue to live in Thy fear according to Thy will, giving no cause for wars or other punishment; govern and direct our magistrates, that they may not hinder the obedience due to Thee, but maintain righteousness, that we may enjoy happiness and blessing under their government, through our Lord Jesus Christ, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, one true God, world without end. Amen.
Be Followers of Christ
KJV Matthew 22:15 Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle him in his talk.
This is an interesting way to deal with Jesus Christ, the Son of God. The assumption is - "He is just another teacher and no different from other teachers. In fact, we are smarter than He is." That sounds odd to believers but the logic is typical of unbelievers. They harden themselves against the truth and carry on as enemies. Being clever is not the same as being truthful or sincere. The word sincere comes from Latin - "without wax." Broken pottery was put together with wax to hide the problem. Customers wanted them in the hot sun to see if they were without wax. People who were sincere were also called "tested by the sun" in Greek.
America lost a clever Lutheran professor (son of missionaries) who made a lot of money for himself, gathered many friends, and wrote books mocking the Trinity, the divinity of Christ, His miracles, His atoning death and resurrection. I heard Carl Braaten speak with great emotion about working with the Pope, during an assembly at Augustana College in Rock Island. I wonder what he thought about Pope Francis, SJ, fancying himself as the ultimate anti-Pope - not Lutheran but against anything resembling the Christian Faith.
16 And they sent out unto him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest thou for any man: for thou regardest not the person of men.
The opponents first had to establish that Jesus sinned by touching the coinage of the Roman Empire. The trap is so conniving that it builds a concept of Jesus being false and accepting the image of a pagan. We have to see this as a great lesson for ourselves. Jesus was without sin and only doing good things for others, but the abundance of His divine mercy and staggering miracles made His opponents angry and angling for this trap.
We should remember that the mildest form of faith in us is spotted by the Evil Foe and readied for a target. The faithful are addressed sarcastically "You can't possibly believe that..." I heard that a house where a "Lutheran" was visiting. He denied the resurrection.
KJV 1 Peter 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason (apology, defense) of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
17 Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not?
The haughtiness gives away the true attitude of the opponents. This approach can be used for topics that are only understood through faith. A good example is the Trinity, though it was well known and believed long before the New Testament began. The Atonement of Christ was clearly taught in Isaiah 53 and Psalm 22 - but not understood. Those 39 books of the Old Testament, which I teach year around are, like parts of an enormous mosaic where each piece by itself becomes overwhelming when all are put together. The Scriptures are unified and completely harmonious, which is why Luther called the Bible "The Book of the Holy Spirit."
Hagia Sophia, Constantinople
Notre Dame Library, South Bend
18 But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites?
Jesus knew exactly what they were thinking and planning. That is frightening for unbelievers but comforting for believers. We know and trust that the Lord of Creation knows our hearts, our intents, our trust in Him. He helps us even with the tiniest details of life, as well as the major difficulties and wounds. He begins to help us before we think to ask (Isaiah) and He blesses us far more than we pray. Those matters deepen our trust in Him and we realize He is always freeing us from sin.
Jesus sharply addressed these wise guys because He knew they needed to be shaken out of their pride and conceit. People rushed to see and hear Him because He alone taught the righteousness of God instead of the burden of the Pharisaic Law. Like the rich young man, people walked away, because they wanted material blessings but not the Gospel. Others were overwhelmed with food but want another miracle.
19 Shew me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny. 20 And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? 21 They say unto him, Caesar's. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's. 22 When they had heard these words, they marvelled, and left him, and went their way.
7. Here you see the master stroke the Lord uses. He asks them to hand him the tribute money and inquires whose image and superscription it bears. Then they answer him Caesar’s. He then freely concluded that they were subject to Caesar, to whom they were obligated to pay tax and tribute. As if he should say: Have you thus permitted Caesar to come among you, so that he mints your money, and his coin is in circulation and favor among you, then he has triumphed in the game, as if he said: you are to blame that Caesar is your ruler. What should they do now in the face of this answer? They marveled and went away, they thought they would conquer him in a masterly manner, but their wisdom and shrewdness deceived them.
As always Luther displays the humor in the response of Jesus, who has been set up as either the enemy of Judaism or of Rome. In many cases, asking a question solves the problem. Jesus asked the opponents to show what they had in coinage, revealing the simple fact that they were accusing Jesus of using Roman money (to subvert their nation and their religion). They were using the evidence against Jesus against themselves. They were astonished at His superior understanding and walked away marveling.
The churches of the United States failed a similar test. They were ordered to stop public worship. Hardly any church kept the doors open when ordered. However the US Constitution states -
First Amendment
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
Everything Jesus did was completely legal, and His innocence was proved. That only inflamed the opponents. Pilate washed his hands to show his rejection of the false accusations, but the potential for rioting led to the trial of Jesus being carried out.
Response today is similar, and the same errors against Jesus are repeated today. Our completely secular society, which lacks the divine purpose, is weak and futile against the fads and follies of the moment. Luther pointed this out clearly - God cannot lose the battle - it is impossible. The very actions against God are the ones bringing down the created order. The martyrs (literally, the witnesses) spread the Gospel by their willingness to die for the Word of God. As Bunyan pointed out - we may be in Castle Doom, but the Promises are in our pockets. We only need to use the Promises to escape the Castle.
Two forces are at work - God's plan and Satan's devices. If people take on the slave mentality, the end will come more quickly. That is in God's hands, as shown by the Roman Empire (one of my favorite hobbies). The Roman traditions were so strict and ridiculous that one Roman Emperor after the time of Jesus was able to do whatever he wanted in public because he was the Emperor. Rome began collapsing right after the death and resurrection of the Savior. Caesar Augustus led to Tiberius and Nero, then Caligula and total collapse soon after - exactly like all empires. (Go back a ways and the Republic of Rome required men to marry women or they could not be citizens of the Republic. Later, the Emperor Nero rode around with a boy as his "wife."
My parents, 70 years ago, used to say at the dinner table, "We are becoming Rome." They had a classical education in the public system, and they knew about Roman history, debauchery and collapse.
Americans today have all the power they need, to stand up for the Constitution which was based upon God's Creation (but not burdened by state sponsored denominations, like England's official religion). It is said that many came to America to leave behind the Satanism of Europe, which has blossomed all over the West.
The time has come for people to emphasize the true Word of God rather than venerating the corporate structure of their denominations.
23. Although they did not deserve it of the Lord, yet he teaches them the right way. And with these words he also confirms the worldly sword or government. They had hoped he would condemn it and speak against it; he does not do it, however, but praises earthly government and commands to render unto it what is due to it. It is therefore his desire that there should be magistrates, princes and masters, whom we are to obey, be they what they may and what they list; neither should we ask whether they possess and exercise government and authority justly or unjustly. We should only pay heed to that power and authority which is good, for it is ordered and instituted by God, Romans 13:1: You are not allowed to upbraid the government, when at times you are oppressed by princes and tyrants, who abuse the power they have from God: some day they will surely have to answer for it. The abuse of a thing does not make it bad, if it was good in itself. A golden chain is good, and it is not made worse by being worn around a whore’s neck; or if someone were to destroy one of my eyes with it, should I therefore blame the chain? Truly nay.
24. Thus one must also bear the authority of the ruler. If he abuses it, I am not therefore to bear him a grudge, nor take revenge of and punish him with my hands. One must obey him solely for God’s sake, for he stands in God’s stead. Let them impose taxes as intolerable as they may: one must obey them and suffer everything patiently, for God’s sake. Whether they do right or not, that will be taken care of in due time. If therefore your possessions, aye, your life and whatsoever you have, be taken from you by those in power, then you are to say: I give it to you willingly, I acknowledge you as my masters, gladly will I be obedient to you. Whether you use the power given to you by God well or ill, that is your affair.
25. But what if they would take the Gospel from us or forbid us to preach it? Then you are to say: The Gospel and Word of God I will not give up to you. This is not within your power, for your rule is a temporal rule, over worldly matters; but the Gospel is a spiritual, heavenly treasure, and therefore your authority does not extend over the Gospel and God’s Word.
We recognize the emporer as a master of temporal affairs, not of God’s Word; this we shall not suffer to be torn from us, for it is the power of God, Romans 1:16, against which not even the gates of hell shall prevail.
26. Therefore, the Lord beautifully summarizes these two things, and in one saying distinguishes them from each other: “Render unto Caesar the things that ,are Caesar’s, and unto God the things that are God’s.” This honor is due to God, that we are to hold him as a true, almighty and wise God, and attribute to him all the good things that can be named. And even if I do not render him this honor, he still keeps it; nothing is added to or subtracted from it. But in me he is true, almighty and wise, if I consider him as such, and believe him to be such as he proclaims himself. To the emperor, however, and to all in power, are due reverence, taxes, revenue and obedience. God will have the heart; body and possessions are the government’s, which is to rule over them in God’s stead. This St. Paul says to the Romans in round and clear words, Romans 13:1-7: “Let every soul be in subjection to the higher powers: for there is no power but of God; and the powers that be are ordained of God. Therefore he that resisteth the power, withstandeth the ordinance of God: and they that withstand shall receive to themselves judgment. For rulers are not a terror to the good work, but to the evil. And wouldest thou have no fear of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise from the same: for he is a minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is a minister of God, an avenger for wrath to him that doeth evil. Wherefore ye must needs be in subjection, not only because of the wrath, but also for conscience’ sake. Hence for this cause ye pay tribute also; for they are ministers of God’s service, attending continually upon this very thing. Render to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.”
27. And for this reason also has government been ordained by God, that it may uphold general peace, which thing alone cannot be paid for by all the money in the world. We just noticed a few things in the uprising of the peasant, what damage, misery and woe are caused by rebellion and the breaking of peace. God grant that things do not go further and that we experience no more. Enough is said on this Gospel. Of temporal government we have written a special booklet. Whoever desires to read it may do so. There he will find more on this subject.
“The personal sketches contained in this volume… constitute a notable gallery of religious portraits. They cannot but be read with the deepest interest. - From the Introduction Of note are Wolsey’s Victim’s, William Tyndale, and Luther: His Triumph in Death Contents Titlepage Index of Names Introduction by C Bulkley 1. William Sawtre, First Martyr to Protestantism in England, A.D. 1401 2. Sir John Oldcastle, Lord Cobham, A.D. 1417 3. Richard Hun, A.D. 1516 4. John Brown, A.D. 1517 5. The ...
“A History of the Movement to make the Pope governor of the World by a Universal Reconstruction of Society from the Issue of the Syllabus to the Close of the Vatican Council.” From the Introduction: Contents Epigraph Titlepage Editor’s Preface Preface Postscript to the Preface List of Works Contents Book 1: From the Issue of the Syllabus to its Solemn Confirmation, December 1864 to June 1867 1. The First Command 2. The Encyclical “Quanta Cura”, 1864 3. Foundation of a Literature of ...
This issue contains “What is the Motive to Do Right” by Matthias Loy, “The Lafayette of the Reformation” by Pfleuger, and “The Christian’s Consolation In Contemplating Death And The Judgment” by Rev. M. R. Walter. “This Magazine is designed to supply the want, long since felt, of a Lutheran periodical devoted to theological discussion. Its aim will be the exposition and defense of the doctrines of the Church as confessed in the Book of Concord. Theology in all its departments is embraced ...
This issue contains The Charge of Narrowness by Matthias Loy, The Point of Emphasis in Preaching Christ to the Unsaved by J Sheatsley, Joseph Rabinowitz by Rev. Paul Janowitz, and many other articles. Enjoy! “This Magazine is designed to supply the want, long since felt, of a Lutheran periodical devoted to theological discussion. Its aim will be the exposition and defense of the doctrines of the Church as confessed in the Book of Concord. Theology in all its departments is embraced within ...
“The history of Christianity… moves under the influence of two generic ideas: the conservative, which desires to secure the present by fidelity to the results of the past; the progressive, which looks out, in hope, to a better future. Reformation is the great harmonizer of the two principles. “Conservatism without Progress produces the Romish and Greek (Orthodox) type. Progress without Conservatism runs into Revolution, Radicalism, and Sectarianism.” - Charles Krauth, from the ...
“Rome has never acknowledged her errors nor admitted her moral defeat. The lessons of past history are wasted upon her… A recent Catholic writer correctly says: ‘There is no doubt that the religious problem today is still the Luther problem.’ Almost every statement of those religious doctrines which are opposed to (Roman) Catholic moral teaching find their authorization in the theology of Martin Luther.” – William Dau Contents Preface. 1 Luther Worship. 2 Luther Hatred. 3 Luther ...
Clair Burkat (2022, Interim Bishop in the Sierra Pacific Synod)
Meggan Manlove (2023, NW Intermountain)
Becca Midweek-Conlin (2023, Arkansas/Oklahoma)
Phyllis Milton (2023, Virginia)
Religious News Service - She Is Loose! 2018
Briner: (Southwestern Texas Synod) has some of the fastest-growing cities in the entire U.S. along the corridor of San Antonio to Austin and beyond. We have people of all ages moving in, but they’re not generally coming to church. So we have an incredible opportunity there, but a lot of it is thinking about how are we different. We’ve become a really settled people who have become very comfortable with the way we’ve always done things. So trying to figure out, how do we be open to the Spirit and be open to the Spirit’s work? Because I’m telling you what, the Spirit is up to something …
Bishops: Amen. Yes, she is.
Briner: … if we would just let her out.
Bishops: Let her out. Get out of her way.
Briner: Open the doors and let her out.
Bishops: She’s out! She is loose!
Briner: I see that in all sorts of little ways. As I sit around the table and listen to this, I think, Wow, God, you are up to something. We’re working with a lot with congregations on, how do we cooperate with one another — not to stay alive, because that’s no good, it really is, how do we cooperate together for the sake of mission, for the sake of the world that Jesus loves so that we can be in the communities working with each other?
