“Keep preaching Jesus!” a mentor told me after a few years into ministry. I had spent the better part of an hour lamenting to him about the realities of the church. Our laments can go on forever as we labor in His harvest. Paul asks, “Where is the one who is wise?” (). In our day, we ask, “Where is the one who hasn’t returned to worship?” “Where is the one to protect life?” “Where is the volunteer to teach?” “Where is the one who is generous?” “Where is the one who believes?” Paul points us from the questions to the foundation of our faith: Christ. His crucifixion. His resurrection. His ascension. What should we do while surrounded with so many questions? Preach Jesus (). All the wisdom of the world leaves us always wanting, but in Christ we are filled with truth, comfort, and peace. We, as the baptized, faithfully lament the struggles by Word and prayer and even more boldly, “Keep preaching Jesus!”
Preach. Teach. Visit. Each week in the Minnesota North District, 198 congregations preach Law and Gospel, forgiving and retaining sin and serving their communities. Each school day, our 7 elementary schools, 1 high school, and 19 preschools proclaim the truth of Christ to our young people and instruct them in His ways. I am humbled each day by the commitment of each of our workers, congregational leaders, and all the baptized who keep receiving His gifts and serving in His name. Our first focus in Minnesota North is to go back to the sources. At every installation of our workers, we ask them if they believe, teach, and confess the truth from God’s Word and the Lutheran Confessions. If we are asking our workers to fulfill this service, we should probably be reading these too. We have invited all workers and members to follow a daily weekday plan of reading the Scriptures and Confessions while praying a psalm. “Lord God, keep us steadfast in Your Word. Amen.” Our other focus is on visitations. The Minnesota North District office has had many changes since the last Synod convention due to retirements and calls. Since I’m new and naïve to the needs of every church, we are committing ourselves this triennium to the intentional visitation of our 200+ churches, schools, and missions. We follow Paul’s words to Barnabas, “Let us return and visit … every city where we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they are” (). Each visit is centered on prayer, encouragement, and blessing by God’s Word. “O Lord, help us to visit and bring Your gifts to Your people. Amen.” Finally, we keep our eyes open to the many blessings and needs around us. Our visits thus far have showed us the many ways that the Lord is bearing fruit by His Word (). We have seen the joy of a celebration of fruitful ministry of pastor and congregation for 29 years. The humility of the saints of a sister congregation willing to help another congregation during a pastoral vacancy. The excitement of our schools seeing major growth in enrollment. But the visits also present many challenges. The anxieties of churches trying to fill pulpits. The financial struggles for congregations manifesting with an increase of dual/tri/part-time parishes. The fear of the future due to aging congregations. The darkness that surrounds us in our culture with policies that are not in line with biblical values. “O Lord, we give You thanks for the
blessings. Be our light and strength to boldly proclaim Christ and Him crucified. Amen.” Keep preaching Jesus! Keep preaching His crucifixion. His resurrection. His ascension (see ). Lord, have mercy.