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LUTHERAN L AYMAN January - February 2018

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SPEAKING UP

By Rev. Dr. Ken Klaus Speaker Emeritus, The Lutheran Hour

Unadulterated FACT

C

anadian Louis Alexander Slotin had to bring together nuclear material to see how much was needed for a chain reaction. If not enough fissionable material, nothing happened; if too much, it would go “boom!”

On May 21, 1946, Slotin was at Los Alamos, New Mexico.

He pushed together two hemispheres of uranium, and, as the mass became critical, used a screwdriver to pull them apart. But the screwdriver slipped, bathing the room in a bluish haze. Slotin did not try to save himself; instead, he used his hands to tear the two

Indeed, you will not find any event in history which is as universally powerful as the cross and empty tomb of Jesus. hemispheres apart. Nine days later, he died of acute radiation.

The official report said his courageous act had saved seven others who were in the room with him as well as others nearby.

Two-thousand years ago, Jesus Christ, God’s Son, put Himself between death and humanity in an action which had never been done before or since. Jesus took to Himself the condemnation and the destructive force of sin and died so the rest of humanity

might be saved; so all who are given faith in Him might live.

Two beautiful stories of selfless sacrifice—the first, of a fellow who gave his life to save friends; the second, of the Savior who embraced a terrible death so citizens of this sin-saturated world might be rescued from everlasting punishment. As is often the case, some people prefer to believe an alternative ending. Regarding Mr. Slotin, some men in that room died from illnesses linked to radiation poisoning. Some men criticized Louis for avoiding safety protocols and using unsafe shortcuts—like trusting an unsafe screwdriver.

Some say Jesus was rich; others maintain He was poor.

Some say He was white; others hold He was black. One group of supporters say He was the Son of God who told divine truth—others maintain He was a self-appointed plagiarist of other men’s philosophies….

Indeed, you will not find any event in history which is as universally powerful as the cross and empty tomb of Jesus. There was a time when calendars of Western Civilization centered on the year 753 B.C., when Rome was founded. Yet, the more important event was the coming of the Christ to save us.

Other facts? The day Jesus rose from the dead, there were a few dozen believers. That handful of faith grew to 120 in the weeks before Jesus ascended into heaven. Little over a week

Reflections ON THE

MESSAGE

later, on Pentecost, the number of Jesus’ followers increased to over 3,000. When the last of the Apostles died around the end of the first century, there were an estimated half-million people who were committed to the Christ. This is in an age when witnessing was done face to face and without a microphone.

By the end of the third century, many of the temples of the ancient gods had been deserted.

Today, experts say over two billion souls acknowledge the Savior as Lord—which makes Christianity the greatest success story in the history of the world.

Unadulterated facts: Jesus Christ has carried your sins, was killed to save you, and has been raised to life so you might know death has been defeated. Today the Lord extends God’s invitation: Repent and be baptized in the Name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. To that end, if we can be of help, please be sure to call us at The Lutheran Hour. n

New TLH segment featuring discussions and practical life applications for listeners.

Taken from the radio message that aired on The Lutheran Hour on April 30, 2017.

L AYMAN The Lutheran

Vol. 89, No. 1 January - February 2018

Dr. Gerald Perschbacher (LL.D.), Editor • Andrea Thompson, Layout Subscription: $5. Printed bi-monthly. Send color photos for use. Photos sent to the paper may not be returned. Lutheran Hour Ministries, The Lutheran Hour, Bringing Christ to the Nations, BCTN, This is the Life, Ayer, Hoy y Siempre, Cristo Para Todas Las Naciones, Esta Es La Vida, Para el Camino, THRED, and The Hoffmann Society are ® registered marks, or SM service marks. The Puzzle Club is a service mark and trademark of Int’l LLL. All rights reserved, 2018 Int’l LLL. LHM Response Center: 1-800-876-9880

Bringing Christ to the Nations—and the Nations to the Church

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By Douglas Rutt

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hould we embrace technology for the sake of the Gospel, or avoid it? Is it legitimate to make use of the internet, satellite TV, Facebook, Twitter, etc., to spread the Gospel?

With all the bad stuff out there via those media, is it appropriate to use those same channels of communication to share the lifegiving message of Jesus Christ?

While it may seem obvious to many of us that, yes, we should use any tool at our disposal to make the love of Christ known to the world, this has not always been a forgone conclusion. Like today, almost every technological advance since the time of the early church has provided opportunities—but also challenges—as well-meaning people, who were able to realize that something “history changing” was taking place, sought to sort out the implications of using those new advances. Would it be good in the long run, or would it have serious, negative, unintended consequences?

Many people saw the good in putting new technology to work in the spread of the Gospel.

But one man in particular had a BIG vision regarding its use. He saw the need for the Gospel far beyond one city or country. His vision encompassed all of God’s creation in the quest to be bringing Christ to the nations.

His name was Dr. Walter A. Maier. He and the technology of radio were “born” almost simultaneously: he in 1893, and Marconi’s first wireless 1894. Both matured side-byside. Maier, at a young age, distinguished himself as scholar and professor (earning a Harvard Ph.D. in Ancient Semitic languages).

He was an extraordinarily dynamic preacher and energetic leader of the Missouri Synod’s youth movement in the 1920s. He was most intrigued by the miracle of radio.

As early as 1923, when Maier was editor of the Walther League Messenger, he asked the question, “Why not Lutheran radio?” Soon plans were being made to install a low-power

His name was Dr. Walter A. Maier.

He and the technology of radio were “born” almost simultaneously …

transmitter in the attic of one of the wings of the seminary complex in St. Louis, Missouri.

Thus, KFUO Radio was born, going live on Dec. 14, 1924.1 As the 1920s progressed, radio clearly was going to be a powerful new factor in the course of history, but should it be used on a larger He scale for preaching? Maier was not alone in that thought. Professor Theodore Graebner of Concordia Seminary, From top to bottom: Maier preached the St. Louis, writing in The Lutheran Witness, made the first first radio message suggestion of a national broadcast, under the caption: “Shall we of The Lutheran Hour use radio?” in 1930; Marconi’s Graebner pointed out in his article: “It was Jesus Himself who first radio transmitter; complained that the children of this world were wiser in their Today, everyone young and old has generation than the children of light. And this applies today a chance to hear in the matter of radio. Certainly, the enemies of true religion the Gospel! and of good morals are making use of this wonderful means of communication, while evangelical Christians are lagging far behind.” He concluded: “Should not the beginning now being made on a small scale through the installation of a radio plant in Concordia Seminary be followed … no one living by similar efforts elsewhere, until no one living in this country shall be beyond the in this country range of sound Christian preaching and teaching through the radio?”2 shall be beyond On Oct. 2, 1930, the “experiment” was launched: The first coast-to-coast broadcast of The Lutheran Hour via the CBS Radio Network. Several men were the range of key promoters. Among them were Dr. Graebner, Rev. Richard Kretzschmar, sound Christian and, of course, Dr. Maier, who believed in the potential of radio to make Christ’s preaching love known. Incredibly, after two months, the program was receiving more correspondence than any secular or religious program on the air! Within 15 years, and teaching by 1945, The Lutheran Hour was being heard in many parts of the world by means through the of short-wave radio in places like Argentina, Australia, Bolivia, Brazil, British radio … see next page The Lutheran Layman January - February 2018

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By 1945, The Lutheran Hour was being heard in many parts of the world via short-wave radio …

Guyana, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Ecuador, Haiti, Hawaii, Mozambique, New Guinea, New Zealand, Paraguay, and the Philippines.3 The Lutheran Layman reported on the bold plans to make use of emerging technologies to continue the momentum, stating that The Lutheran Hour “… will, likewise, put forth every effort to go forward for Christ in Europe and in the Far east, as well as to employ the rapidly developing facilities of frequency modulation, television, and international shortwave for the services of the

Gospel. Far-reaching plans have been laid, and preliminary resolutions have been passed, as reported previously in these columns.”4 While it seems like the matter was settled, there still was controversy over the use of radio. Some thought that it wasn’t a proper means to communicate the Gospel—that the Gospel should be preached from pulpits, in churches, and not across radio waves.

There was a lot of concern about those who would hear the message, but have no way of connecting to a congregation. Naysayers had arguments against

the use of the “secular” and even “pagan” radio as a medium for the proclamation of the Gospel. New technologies always bring challenges!

In fact, since the beginning of the Christian church, the idea of using the latest technology played a key role in the extension of the Good News in Christ Jesus. The writings of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, as well as the rest of the New Testament writers, were published and preserved because they could be written down on the new, superior material called parchment— scrolls of animal skin that had been processed by the latest technology to be suitable for lasting documents.

This new, durable medium could be read and re-read among believers.5 Moreover, one could write on both sides of the page, making it easier for the creation of a book or codex requiring half the surface than a long scroll. Technological experiments took place for new ink dyes and chemicals.

By God’s blessing, there was new technology used in the delivery of such Christ-centered writings.

Epistles by the Apostle Paul and others were meant to be read and circulated through the Roman world, made possible thanks to the technology of systematic roadways that provide the means for relatively safe and rapid communication. Thus,

Various Means of TEchnology Bear Results Overseas through lhm LIBERIA:

THAILAND:

LHM Bible Correspondence Courses are being translated into a new language.

In a four-hour period, 445 people at an event stopped by the LHM table and received a word about Christ.

CHINA: LEBANON:

We average 30,000 new Facebook followers per month. In ten months we have exceeded 300,000 followers.

Over three months, Equipping the Saints workshops in seven provinces involved nearly 2,300 people.

ETHIOPIA:

Seminars on Christian outreach have equipped professors and pastors, even Orthodox priests.

CAMEROON:

Student seminars are including non-Christians in discussions about Christianity.

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INDIA:

More than 1,500 students were enrolled in Bible Correspondence Courses in a three-month period.

SRI LANKA:

148 students attended two LHM gatherings about Christ; most were non-believers.

Paul extended his personal preaching as his letters were read before entire congregations in places where he could not be present. The same was true for the four Gospels.

Fast-forward to the time of the Reformation in the 1500s. Clearly, the latest technology made it possible for the Gospel of Jesus Christ to reach far beyond the hallowed halls of the University of Wittenberg, where Luther taught. It was the relatively new technology of the moveable-type printing press of Johannes Gutenberg that offered this momentum. However, not all were pleased. A contemporary of Luther, Conrad Gessner, a Swiss scientist and bibliophile, was deeply concerned with information overload because of the dissemination of mass-produced books.

He described so much information available to common folk as “confusing and harmful” to the mind.6 Even as late as the 18th Century, Malesherbes, a French statesman, railed against the mass-produced book, claiming that reading (relatively) inexpensive books lent itself to social

isolationism and would circumvent the news and information that properly should come from the pulpit.7 But Martin Luther quickly recognized the potential for good, and is credited for conducting the first mass-media marketing campaign in modern history. Luther’s writings went like hotcakes! He was responsible for 20 percent of all pamphlets and tracts published from 1500 to 1530, during a time when only five percent of the population could read.

The secret to his popularity was his writing style, designed to be interesting—to capture people’s attention. He often used the vernacular of common people, as well as satire and humor.

Soon, his Message of Good News made it throughout the Holy Roman Empire and beyond.8 I recall one scholar commenting, “Thanks to the breadth of his distribution methods, Luther’s message reached across educational and geographic boundaries. He wrote pamphlets and hymns, and he created cartoons attacking his adversaries in no uncertain terms.”

Cutting-edge technology made it possible to reach a mass audience. This caused drastic changes in society. Luther’s messages, books on medicine, and maps could be reproduced quickly and accurately. All kinds of information suddenly became available even to rural peasants, who, if they couldn’t read, would have someone read aloud to them. see next page

CAMBODIA:

Strategic plans for outreach include video filming, puppet performance at a public school, a live radio broadcast, and a Bible study group for factory workers.

ARGENTINA:

Well over 12,500 have responded to the Gospel proclamation with 1,727 of them referred to churches; radio spots are aired on 19 radio stations.

TURKEY:

Turkish language programs are now on a YouTube channel plus satellite broadcasts.

INDONESIA:

In a three-month period, more than 600 educators attended seminars by LHM on how to be closer to the Lord.

LAOS:

Besides Facebook activity, training courses were held in local churches recently; the LHM center also is active in a soccer sports ministry.

BRAZIL:

The LHM ministry center is working toward becoming self-sustaining by 2020.

CHILE:

35 Project Connect Spanish booklets in this country are now made available by LHM via health clinics.

For more information about LHM's international work or to support the growing outreach, go to lhm.org/international.

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Luther acknowledged the technological advances at his disposal, stating that God had divinely sent the printing press to spread the Gospel. Luther far outpublished his Catholic peers, and when compared to the works by the top 18 Protestant authors, those penned by Luther account for nearly two of every three publications.

Copyright laws were not fully developed in those early years of printing, and printers were not so restricted. They obtained copies, then printed numerous reproductions. In fact, Luther became so popular that printers sent people to take notes during his sermons to immediately print copies for distribution. He even had manuscripts he was working on stolen from his desk so they could be printed even before he finished!

Luther appealed to scholars and common people.

In his own way, he conducted “focus group studies.”

For example, when writing his translation of the Old Testament and New Testament, Luther read passages to his housekeeper and other everyday folk to be sure it made sense. Nowadays we would call that “market research.”9 Since Luther’s time, God has given us many additional tools to propagate the message of full and free forgiveness to a lost and hurting world—in Bringing Christ to the Nations—and the Nations to the Church. In 1989, Dr. Edward Westcott delivered a stirring message lauding the use of any tool available to proclaim God’s love to the world: “Today we have rapid jet air travel, so as to arrive at any destination around the globe, practically within 24 hours, whereas it used to take weeks and even months of travel to reach one’s destination. We have modern telecommunication 6

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technology, to phone or fax almost anywhere in the world. And that’s not to speak of the possibilities through radio and television. Friends, I do not—I cannot—believe that God has given us these tools just so people can make more money! No, he has given us these means to make his love known.”10 So, back to our original question on the use of technology in service to the Gospel. Since the time Westcott made that speech, there have been even more far-reaching advances in technology that he could not have anticipated. First is the seemingly infinite amount of information now at our fingertips with the development of the the internet and tools like Google.

A person can immediately access information on virtually any topic, for good or for ill.

Second is the rise of powerful social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc., that the internet has made possible. Today, people are connected through any number of special interest communities or groups. Those communities range from members with the most insidious of evil intents, such as terrorist groups or human trafficking rings, to innocuous networks which revolve around harmless hobbies and pursuits, to clusters people who come together for more positive purposes, such as promoting the cause of justice or charities to help the poor and underprivileged.

The third major technological breakthrough is the proliferation of mobile devices, which put the above-mentioned tools at people’s fingertips at any time.

Around the world, people who never had the luxury of owning a personal computer, let alone an internet connection, now have plenty of power available through the little device they carry around in their pockets. When Steve Jobs introduced the iPhone on Jan. 9, 2007, he touted it as a “three-in-one” device, with music playing capability, telephone, and internet.

Even Jobs was short-sighted in not recognizing that soon the smart phone would be a thousand-in-one (or even more!) device with capabilities to carry out a seemingly limitless number of functions.11 We can have it all, from the Bible to commentaries, printed sermons to audio podcasts, streaming videos to instantaneous communication with friends and community members, wherever we are in the world— right here on one little device in our pocket, a small device that can be used for good or ill.

Another technology that has advanced significantly, while become increasingly cost efficient, is satellite television. Almost anyone in the world, with a small satellite dish, can receive a nearly limitless array of television programming because of the more than a thousand satellites orbiting 22,000 miles above the earth. In many places, particularly developing nations, satellite technology (along with cellular networks) have allowed consumers to “leap frog” the whole era of land lines and cables. Satellite television makes

It is our firm conviction that the power of the internet and social media can be harnessed for the extension of God’s kingdom.

…God has given us these means to make His love known. it possible for the masses to watch programing including news, sports, and entertainment, 24-7. The content is more widely controlled than the internet— but there is still plenty of negative programing that gets past regulators.

All these technological developments carry negative and positive effects. Yet, harkening back to my reference from Graebner, we consider the validity of the complaint of Jesus, that “the children of this world were wiser in their generation than the children of light.” At LHM, we have had a history of making use of technology, even embracing it, as something that can and should be used— wisely to be sure—but used nonetheless, to make God’s love known to all.

It is our firm conviction that the power of the internet and social media can be harnessed for the extension of God’s kingdom. In the United States, THRED.org engages people over a variety of topics that have deeper, spiritual implications. It allows people to obtain information, but equally important, they can connect and dialogue with others and process the issues, problems, and challenges faced today. Social media gives people the opportunity to self-select regarding which group, topic, or issue with which they wish to engage.

Social media, such as Facebook, is

used by virtually every one of LHM’s ministry centers and partners around the world. It opens new and easier ways for people to connect with ministry center staff. Moreover, through the power of sharing, people can extend the message far beyond what would be possible through our single efforts. One ministry center, for example, sends out a daily devotion to a group of 60 or so members. Research indicates that those 60 recipients almost immediately reshare the devotions to over a thousand people. That is only the first round. If those thousand people re-share the message with only 10 people each, the reach is now well beyond 10,000 in a post that originally went to only 60 recipients.

On one international Facebook site, we have routinely had posts shared by over 1,700 people. The average user of Facebook has 338 “friends.” That means a post shared by 1,700 people has probably reached well over half a million! What is more, unlike radio, those messages are more directly targeted to people who are likely interested in the message being shared.

The power of social media for the sake of the Gospel is enormous since the Message can get to huge numbers likely to have an interest in the topic because it comes from a “friend.”

Another example of using technology effectively to reach hard-to-reach places is our LHM partnership with SAT-7. Through this Christian satellite television network, in programming recently launched, we have the capability to reach into millions of homes in the Arabic-speaking world— the Middle East and North Africa—with information on what Christians believe and teach. If we didn’t make use of this technology, it would be difficult, even impossible, to reach those people in a timely manner.

Like Dr. Westcott proclaimed over 25 years ago, we don’t believe God has given us the communicational technology that is available so people can make more money! He has not given us all this merely so we can entertain ourselves, wasting away our day with meaningless Facebook posts. God has given us these tools to bring his Message of the Cross—the message of God’s love to people who need it. n Rev. Dr. Douglas Rutt serves as director of International Ministries for LHM.

Endnotes

See www.kfuo.org/about-us/mission/history for further details, including pictures.

Already in the Dec. 19, 1922, edition of The Lutheran Witness, page 407, Professor Graebner expounded on the virtuous benefits radio offered for the proclamation of God’s Word: “Shall we ever be able to accustom ourselves to the wonder of it?”

3 See The Lutheran Layman for Oct. 2, 1945.

4 Ibid.

5 See www.skypoint.com/members/waltzmn/WritingMaterials.html, accessed Nov. 13, 2017.

6 Reference www.macleans.ca/society/technology/boo-a-brief-history-of-technology-scares, accessed Oct. 23, 2017.

7 www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/science/2010/02/dont_touch_that_dial.html.

8 The Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation was a formal title for the confederation of noble lands in Central Europe that prided on being successor to the original Roman Empire.

9 See Hope Winsburough’s “Our Common Bond: Some Lesser-known Facts about Lutheranism’s Founder” in Thrivent Magazine, Winter 2011, Vol 109:658 (www.thrivent.com/magazine/ winter11/ourcommonbond.html, accessed Feb. 1, 2011) 10 Based on my personal reminiscences of the 23rd biennial convention of the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, Rapid City, South Dakota, June 26-29, 1989, and the message by Dr. Edward Westcott.

11 See www.theverge.com/2017/6/29/15889300/iphone-killed-phone-steve-jobs-10thanniversary-texting-internet-communication, accessed Oct. 23, 2017.

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Fielding TOUGH

By Paul Schreiber

QUESTIONS

O

n any given day, the Response Center at Lutheran Hour Ministries is doing a lot of things.

Beyond handling queries about ministry resources, fulfilling product orders, and addressing other issues, there are the phone calls and emails LHM receives. Often of a sensitive and personal nature, these require a thoughtful and tailored response.

These may come from callers with a personal issue, a theological question, or another pressing concern.

The feedback LHM offers is critical to its endeavor of providing service and equipping believers with Christ-centered hope. “When it comes to phone calls, we will answer basic questions and, if relevant to their question/concern, we will mail or email booklets and/or links to LHM’s online resources.

Naturally, we will pray with them as well. On occasion, however, a person will want to speak with someone on our staff. Then we connect the individual with a person in-house who can take the call or return a call to that person,” said Linda Cox, lead representative for the Response Center.

For instance, in this year of focus on Martin Luther and the 500th anniversary of the Reformation, the topic of faith and works is much on people’s minds. Even with Luther’s famous rediscovery of the Gospel’s exclusive power to save—as beautifully stated in Romans 1:16-17, and the preeminence this passage gives to faith over anything humans can contribute—the question often remains: How do works figure into our salvation?

To this question, our staff replied: “It is totally and completely true that we are saved only by God’s grace, through faith in Jesus—and that works add nothing to this. But as the proverb goes, ‘We are saved by faith alone—but faith is never alone.’ Works come along naturally where faith is.

“Put all your trust in Jesus our Savior, and don’t worry about the works. They will come along naturally, and you don’t need to be anxious about

Often of a sensitive and personal nature, these require a thoughtful and tailored response.

are now cherished by God—not because they are intrinsically valuable, but because they are the way His children say ‘I love you’ to Him.” Then there was the query about the supposed omniscience of Satan. “This is a great question.

We know from the Bible that God knows all things, including the human heart. He also knows our past, present, and future, and nothing is hidden from Him. This is what we call His ‘omniscience,’ and He knows everything….

“The devil, on the other hand, is not God. He is a created being, and he has a great many natural gifts and talents that outshine human beings by far— things like intelligence and experience, in this case.

He also appears to have a network of spies (if we are correct in thinking that the demons report back to him). So, he can give the appearance of knowing everything—but he doesn’t, really.

“I want each person to know that we care about them, that their concerns are very important to us, and most of all, that God Himself cares about them and has given His own Son Jesus for them. them. Now that we are saved by grace through faith, we can actually start to enjoy doing good works— just as a small child loves to gather dandelions for his teacher. The dandelions are of little value in themselves, but the teacher cherishes them because they are the child’s way of saying ‘I love you.’ In the same way, even the smallest good works we do 8

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“The devil is like this. He would love for us to believe him all-knowing, but he is not.”

The concerns the Response Center addresses are varied. For instance, LHM has received questions such as, “What are people in heaven experiencing?” and “How do you know if a person’s faith (conversion) is real?” Others have focused on

Communion, the age of the earth, free will, forgiving oneself, praying in Jesus’ Name, and whether or not Martin Luther considered Catholics to be Christians.

While our staff doesn’t claim to be expert in all fields, the responses they provide do seek to meet one demand: they are Christ-centered and Biblically based.

“The basis for everything we write is what we find in Scripture. If Scripture doesn’t tell us, then I have to say so. There are some cases where the Bible doesn’t tell us something straight out, but a possible answer can be inferred. In those cases, I explain what I’m thinking, but I clearly mark it as speculation, because I don’t want anyone to get my opinions (even based on Scripture) mixed up with what Scripture itself clearly teaches,” said Dr. Kari Vo, one of LHM’s responders, along with pastoral staff.

Handling questions and comments from concerned individuals in the field is another way LHM gets to become involved in people’s lives. It’s an excellent opportunity for our staff to interact with others and speak to those things they are feeling strongly about. It’s another way we can reach out and, if possible, help others in their Christian walk.

“I want each person to know that we care about them, that their concerns are very important to us, and most of all, that God Himself cares about them and has given His own Son Jesus for them,” Vo added. n Paul Schreiber reports on the impact of LHM’s ministry work in the United States.

ON THE MOVE

By Phil Johnson, Chairman, Int’l LLL Board of Directors

Preparing TOGETHER Are you prepared? Are you ready to give a reason for the hope we share in Jesus?

I

n Peter’s first letter to the church, he spends a great deal of time instructing and encouraging these believers in their conduct within the larger culture. These new believers were part of a pagan culture that was becoming more and more hostile toward followers of The Way. He provides instructions for wives and husbands, servants, and all those under human authority. He especially zeros in on their conduct as pilgrim citizens— living in the world but journeying toward their true home.

In chapter 3 verse 15, Peter sums up his thoughts by encouraging the believers to “revere Christ in your hearts as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.” I am struck by the insight that the “you” is plural. We could translate the verse to read, “You all need to be prepared to give a reason for the hope you all have.”

Why is that important? I believe Peter emphasizes that our call to witness is a team activity. As we conduct ourselves as followers of Jesus, people around us are bound to notice, and we need to be ready to answer their questions. Our actions and our words are important, because we do not only act on our own behalf, nor do we speak only for ourselves.

We do both together as the body of Christ.

Think of it this way: Over one million people each week hear the broadcast of The Lutheran Hour, on the radio or on their phone or computer or some

other mobile device. The Word of God is shared, their heart may be touched, and you, yes, YOU, may be the one that is asked to give a reason for the hope that was expressed. Or, you may find a way to serve someone in Jesus’ Name in a way that touches their heart and moves them to ask another believer, someone they know, why you would do such a thing. Now it becomes that believer’s role to give a reason for the hope we have.

All around the world, every week, over 70 million people come into contact with words or actions that point them to Jesus Christ as their Savior and friend through the efforts of Lutheran Hour Ministries’ Ministry Centers. Every week there are people all around the world that may be looking for someone who can help them to understand the hope we have in Christ. Your gentle words of hope may be shared in response to actions, or respectful words may be shared as an explanation for your acts of service.

We are linked in this process of proclamation as we, working together, offer a reason for the hope we have in Jesus Christ.

Are you prepared?

Are you ready to give a reason for the hope we share in Jesus? If you

could use some help, support, or encouragement, then I urge you to consider the resources available for you and your congregation at the Lutheran Hour Ministries’ website (lhm.org). Classes and witness tools, demographics and personal devotions, are only some of the resources designed to equip believers for this most important task of living out our calling as Jesus-followers.

All of us have received the hope we have as a gift through Christ. LHM has resources to help you share this wonderful gift. Find some like-minded friends. Form a team. Gather with a small group so you—all of you together—are prepared for every opportunity of Bringing Christ to the Nations—and the Nations to the Church. n

Sermons from The Lutheran Hour

by Rev. Dr. Dale Meyer featured in new book

Pasadena Parade The 2018 LHM Tournament of Roses Parade float was titled: Bringing Christ to the Nations, under the parade theme, Making a Difference. The float was based on three Bible passages—John 3:16, Matthew 28:19, and Matthew 5:16.

Scheduled guest riders (shown in order below) were Phillip Johnson, chairman Int’l LLL Board of Directors; Linda Stoterau, on behalf of the LCMS Pacific Southwest District; Pastor Glenn Lucas of Abiding Savior Lutheran Church in Lake Forest, California; and Daniel Andriamanjaka, director of the LHM Madagascar Ministry Center. These individuals represented a variety of persons using their skills and talents, plus their passions and pleasures to make a difference in the lives of others. n Since the 1950s, the float entry has been the ongoing project of the Southern California District of the Int’l LLL.

Find more inspiration from The Lutheran Hour in Word Alive! 52 Selected Sermons

by Dale A. Meyer. The selected sermons reflect more than 40 years of his dedicated ministry!

Available now at tripillarpublishing.com or call 714-290-8032.

Hear Rev. Dr. Meyer on The Lutheran Hour!

Listen anytime at lutheranhour.org or download the FREE mobile app!

The Lutheran Layman January - February 2018

9

Those Small and Insignificant Things: Silent Witnesses

T

he season of Lent is that time of year when we humbly consider the magnitude of what God did for us through the cross—that blunt, ordinary instrument of wood by which He bridged the divide between Himself and sinful mankind, offering upon it the life of His only beloved Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ.

In Silent Witnesses, Lutheran Hour Ministries’ Lenten devotions for 2018, we look at the significance found in some of the ordinary things that surface in the Gospel narratives of Jesus. Things like rope (nets), clay (pots), water (the pool of Bethesda), silver (drachma coins), oil (ointment), a donkey, a sponge, a placard (inscription above the Savior’s head), embroidered cloth (temple curtain), and more figure into the story of Jesus’ life as telling details. In the mute character of these simple and mundane things, we find God adding wonderful brushstrokes to the Savior’s message of love and reconciliation.

Beyond the testimony of the Gospel writers capturing the life of Jesus, “There were silent witnesses, too—objects, animals, and places that played a part during key moments of Jesus’ suffering, death, and resurrection. We find them in the pages of the Gospels as well. Though they cannot speak, they can show us something of His love and mercy toward us,” said Dr. Kari Vo, LHM’s theological writer and the author of these devotions.

The Spanish version of Love Came Down is Testigos silenciosos (“Silent Witnesses”).

“There are stories about events that we tend to

read and re-read many times throughout our lives.

One of them starts every year on Ash Wednesday, and ends—with a new beginning—on Resurrection Sunday. The story remains the same, but we don’t.

We grow in years; we deepen our faith; we go through the highs and lows of life; and we change.

Sometimes those changes make us see things from a different angle, and we find a perspective we’d never found before. That’s what Vo has done in this year’s Lenten devotions. She’s retold a well-known story from a different perspective, bringing God’s Word to life so that it may keep growing within us,” said Beatriz Hoppe, manager, Office of the Speaker of The Lutheran Hour, and the one who translates the devotions from English to Spanish.

For instance, consider a single piece of cloth and what it says about disgrace and humiliation in this devotion excerpt from “Covering for Shame.”

“Most of us know shame. Shame for something we’ve done long ago, something almost forgotten until a chance word reminds us, and we cringe.

Shame for something that was done to us, that we know was not our fault, but we can’t shake the memory. When the soldiers crucified Jesus, they took His clothes away. Almost every painting and crucifix in the world shows Jesus wearing a loincloth, but that’s more a reflection of what we hope happened rather than what really did happen. The Romans normally crucified people naked. Shame was part of the punishment.

“And this, too, Jesus bore for us. He came to be

E

MOBILE, AUDIO, AND SPANISH ALSO AVAILABLE!

ach year Lent directs our thoughts to the life, suffering, and death of the Savior. It’s a time for devout reflection on what Jesus endured on our behalf and especially what He won for us: salvation through His triumphant resurrection over death. These are Lutheran Hour Ministries’ 2018 Lenten Devotions, Silent Witnesses.

For more information, visit

LHM.ORG/LENT 10

The Lutheran Layman January - February 2018

with us, within our pain and shame, to take it from us and onto Himself. He took our shame to give us His honor—His comfort—His glory. He died naked, in order to clothe us in His forgiving love. There is no shame so deep that Jesus has not taken it upon Himself. And in exchange He gives us—Himself: our Savior, our Lord, our Healer.”

As with Love Came Down, LHM’s 2017 Advent devotions, accompanying reflection questions will be available with Silent Witnesses in both English and Spanish. These questions give the user another angle from which to consider that day’s message.

Silent Witnesses will be available to read online or to hear as a podcast. These devotions can also be received as an email subscription throughout the Lenten season, beginning Feb. 14. Presently, you can access the downloadable version, including a large-font text, bulletin inserts, bulletin shells, and PowerPoint slides. Audio availability begins Ash Wednesday, Feb. 14, with Mark Eischer, senior producer for The Lutheran Hour, reading the devotions. Visit lhm.org/lent for all the details. The Spanish version, Testigos silenciosos, will be available on the web for print on Jan. 8, at paraelcamino.com/cuaresma. They will go live on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 14.

The regular Daily Devotions from Rev. Dr. Ken Klaus, Speaker Emeritus for The Lutheran Hour, will not run during the Lenten season; they will resume again on Tuesday, Apr. 3. n

Changing Lives with the Gospel through You 2017 Annual Ministry Impact Report Brothers and Sisters in Christ, 2017 has been a time of great excitement throughout the church as we not only celebrated 100 years of mission and ministry through the International Lutheran Laymen’s League/ Lutheran Hour Ministries, but also the historic anniversaries of the Reformation and the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League. While these remembrances have allowed us to celebrate past blessings, they’ve also provided a chance to look at new opportunities on the horizon to share Christ’s love with lost and hurting people around the world.

For the past 100 years, God has used Lutheran Hour Ministries to bring messages of hope to the downtrodden, the lonely, the lost. Decade by decade, we have risen to challenges to proclaim the Savior. Each milestone required a bold step of faith. Today, with billions of souls in danger of entering eternity apart from Christ, the need to boldly proclaim the love of Christ is greater than ever. Lutheran Hour Ministries will not rest until we proclaim the Gospel to as many of these souls as possible, in ways they can understand.

We rejoice that you made the decision in the past year to partner with Lutheran Hour Ministries. Your support allows us to share the Good News with more than 71 million people each week in more than 50 nations around the world through a variety of culturally-relevant outreach programs and resources. Your gifts, prayers, and volunteer involvement allow hurting people to find answers and relief in the Gospel.

Please explore this year’s ministry impact report to see some of the ways God is working through you. I hope you are humbled to see how God uses our talents and treasures to make His Gospel known.

Thank you so much for your faithful support and for allowing us to support and encourage you in your daily life. May God bless you richly in the coming year!

In His Service,

Kurt Buchholz President & CEO Lutheran Hour Ministries

The Lutheran Layman January - February 2018

11

A Year in Review

How Your Gifts Helped LHM Share the Gospel in 2017 Lutheran Hour Ministries witnessed exciting progress in 2017 for each of the four strategic ministry priorities outlined in our comprehensive five-year strategic plan. Following are some of the ways in which LHM was abundantly blessed by God during the last year thanks to your generous support.

Grow God’s Kingdom through Expanded Media Outreach LHM’s flagship ministry, The Lutheran Hour®, reaches more than 1 million listeners each week through traditional radio, a mobile app, and its website. In a year where we celebrate LHM’s 100th anniversary, we are pleased to honor the legacy of The Lutheran Hour program by having Rev. Drs. Ken Klaus and Dale Meyer behind the microphone while we search for our next speaker.

LHM is launching a podcast network that will eventually include 10 offerings.

Three podcasts are currently in the works: Digging Deeper: a weekly webinar that delves into outreach topics covered through courses on LHM Learn; Action in Ministry: inspirational stories about LCMS congregations doing interesting outreach in their local communities; and Sentido Latino: a broadcast offering guidance for the cultural, moral, and relational challenges facing the Latino community today and connecting listeners to LHM's Gospel-based resources.

As technological advances evolve, LHM wants to engage the next generation in using their God-given gifts in media development for the sake of the Gospel.

In order to do this, LHM is creating the Walter A. Maier Award. This award honors exemplary media projects produced by students of the Concordia University System. The annual competition will also allow submitted entries to be used and shared within future LHM offerings to help bring the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the world.

Nine episodes of This is the Life – Classics are available on Pure Flix®, a Christian film and television studio that produces, distributes, and markets Christian-themed entertainment and family-friendly films. While this is the first outlet for online streaming of the beloved classic television show, we continue to seek additional opportunities and formats.

Energize, Equip, and Engage Laity for Outreach Our new LHM Learn website (lhm.org/learn) went live Aug. 1 and provides free outreach resources that help individuals reach out with the love of Jesus Christ in their everyday lives. In just the first few months, more than 1,800 people signed up for an account and more than 1,350 course hours were completed. Courses are developed under five categories: Christian Foundations, Cultural Concepts, Everyday Insights, Outreach Essentials, and Spiritual Reflections.

A new partnership with the Barna Group provides LHM with vital information about the beliefs and needs of both our own constituency as well as non-constituents. This research-based model not only positions LHM to provide timely and relevant offerings, but also situates us as an emerging thought-leader within the U.S. Christian church. LHM is developing outreach workshops for identified congregations based on this research. The design and writing of a monograph based on qualitative and quantitative research under the theme of Spiritual Conversations in the Digital Age has begun, and the finished product will be offered in 2018 for church leaders around the U.S. 12

The Lutheran Layman January - February 2018

Just in time for this year’s Reformation celebrations, A Man Named Martin – Part 3: The Movement wrapped up LHM’s threepart video Bible study series on the life and impact of Martin Luther. This final installment showed how the Reformation accelerated the transformation of a world already in flux. While armed conflicts, theological disputes, and heated controversies marked segments of society throughout medieval Europe, the march of the Reformation left its imprint on the face of culture and citizens alike.

Bring the Gospel to the Unreached Around the World LHM signed a partnership agreement with SAT-7, the first and largest Middle East and North African Christian TV network, to co-produce and air a weekly variety TV program for youth and young families in the region. This new programming will potentially reach tens of millions of viewers in 20 countries,

spanning from as far west as Morocco to as far east as Iraq and the Persian Gulf.

Individuals throughout Latin America who are seeking answers to some of the common issues of today now have a new online resource available, vivenciar.net.

Once visitors arrive at the website, they can look deeper into their selected topic and start an online dialogue with trained volunteers from LHM ministry centers in Latin America.

Widespread access to radio allows this medium to continue as an important outreach strategy for LHM globally. That’s why recent increased funding designated for additional proclamation programs around the world led us to invest in a new radio program in Kenya following a 15-year hiatus. The

program, called That’s It!, dramatizes common struggles and offers a biblical perspective in resolving conflict. It is unique in the region by using actors to modernize parables in vernacular languages.

Around 50,000 students from nearly 500 Lutheran schools participated in the Online Mission Trip to Madagascar during National Lutheran Schools Week 2017. This virtual mission adventure enriched students’ world-view as they watched engaging daily videos to expand their awareness of the world and how God’s church is at work. Beyond the videos, classes interacted with ministry staff by posting questions on Facebook and Twitter.

Engage Communities in the Digital Mission Field In today’s digital age, people increasingly go online to learn, connect, and even build relationships. LHM launched THRED Feb. 1 to share the eternally- relevant message of Jesus in this digital space. Through THRED, we are creating engaging content, like blog posts, graphics, videos, and more, that discuss real issues of life and faith.

The message of Jesus is core to the content, but THRED also allows different perspectives to be shared. By fostering open and honest dialogue between people from different backgrounds, LHM believes the Holy Spirit will work in these types of interactions.

Over the course of its first nine months, THRED has generated a total reach of nearly 3.5 million

(a weekly average of 79,825), more than 734,000 video views, and more than 108,000 likes, comments, and shares through its platforms of Facebook, YouTube and THRED.org.

It’s easy to get excited about the large groups being reached

by THRED, but LHM does not lose sight of the fact that these numbers represent real people—people like Jeremy for whom God may be using THRED to show them His love: “Honestly as a nonbeliever, I was blown away by the format of the conversation. Absolutely perfect

idea; I wish I would have discovered this sooner, and perhaps could find a way to be involved in the future.”

Ministry by the Numbers 71 MILLION +

63,104

People Reached with the Gospel Globally Every Week

1,800 +

North American Stations Airing The Lutheran Hour

75,000 Members Today

Annual Referrals to Churches

New Bible Correspondence Course Students Enrolled Annually Around the World

50 +

Countries Ministry Reach

58,283

492,115

21,494

Annual Responses to Outreach Efforts

1 MILLION

Listeners to The Lutheran Hour Each Week

Staff Members Worldwide

People Connected with Christian Communities Last Year

4,500 +

LCMS/LCC Churches Using LHM Resources

119,000

317

Video Plays in the Last Year on LHM’s Vimeo Page

108,701

Engagements (likes, comments, shares, etc.) through THRED Platforms

55,596

People Trained in Evangelism Last Year

734,293

Video Views of THRED Content

The Lutheran Layman January - February 2018

13

17% - FUND DEVELOPMENT

7% - ADMINISTRATION

9% - OTHER INCOME

LHM Board of Directors (As of Dec. 2017)

76%

I B U TI O N S

Income

O -C % 66

- M

International Lutheran Laymen's League and Subsidiaries Consolidating Statement of Activities (in thousands) Year ended May 31, 2017, with comparative totals for 2016 INT’L LUTHERAN LAYMEN’S LEAGUE

LHM FOUNDATION

2017 CONSOLIDATED TOTALS

$28,874 940 29,814

$1,611 2,195 3,806

$30,485 3,135 33,620

$29,284 150 29,434

OPERATING EXPENSES Ministries 25,024 Administration and Fundraising 7,619 Operating Expenses 32,643

162 162

25,024 7,781 32,805

24,138 7,398 31,536

3,644

815

(2,102)

OPERATING SUPPORT AND REVENUE Donor support Other income, net Operating income

Operating Income in Excess of Expenses Non-operating income Non-operating expenses Non-operating Net Income Endowment and other fund distributions

(2,829)

Chairman Phillip Johnson

Secretary Janice Wendorf

Maplewood, Minnesota

Grafton, Wisconsin

Vice Chairman Gene Partlow

Treasurer Paul Pettit

Williamsburg, Virginia

N

IN

IS

Expenses

Consolidated Operating

TR

TRY

Consolidated Operating

- ESTATE 25% GI F

TS

2016 CONSOLIDATED TOTALS

Directors Londa Borer-Skov

Michael “Mick” Onnen

Sacramento, California

Davenport, Nebraska

Jack Ficken

Leonard Pranschke

Fairview, Tennessee

St. Louis, Missouri

Richard "Dick" Gast

Andreas Schwabe

Mission Viejo, California

Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Gretchen Jameson

Weldon Schwiebert

Muskego, Wisconsin

Westland, Michigan

Kay Meyer

William Snow

St. Louis, Missouri

(As of Dec. 2017)

Officers John “Jack” Kidwell Chairman Bay City, Michigan

Brian Mitchell

Vice Chairman Lee’s Summit, Missouri

Jeffrey Craig-Meyer President St. Louis, Missouri

Loren Podoll

Secretary Riverton, Wyoming

David Lanius

Treasurer St. Louis, Missouri

Lois Engfehr

Assistant Secretary Collinsville, Illinois

Rev. Jay DeBeir Vice President St. Louis, Missouri

1,344 1,026 318 932

341 (341)

1,344 1,367 (23)

(932)

-

1,320 1,268 52 -

(1,579)

2,371

792

(2,050)

Net Assets, Beginning of Year 30,103 Net Assets, End of Year $28,524

15,613 $17,984

45,716 $46,508

47,766 $45,716

Lutheran Hour Ministries is the registered d/b/a name for the International Lutheran Laymen’s League.

A copy of the full audit report is available online at lhm.org/report.

14

Watertown, South Dakota

The Lutheran Hour Ministries Foundation

Trustees Kurt Buchholz

The Lutheran Layman January - February 2018

Kelly Keithly

LHM President & CEO St. Charles, Missouri

Yuma, Arizona

Phil Daniels

Alexandria, Virginia

Chesterfield, Missouri

Jack Ficken

Change in Net Assets

Lincoln, Nebraska

David Leege

Calvin Neeman Waterloo, Illinois

Int'l LLL Board of Directors Representative Fairview, Tennessee

Lynn Scudieri

Glenn Gerber

Shawn Sny

Katy, Texas

Saginaw, Michigan

Phillip Johnson

Karen Soeken

Int’l LLL Chairman of the Board Maplewood, Minnesota

Naples, Florida

Ellicott City, Maryland

ON THE MOVE You know you have been blessed— share it!

What the

Reformation Started A

t this point, the Reformation 500th anniversary celebrations are just a memory for most—and if that is the case I would say it is a bit sad. For some it was a moment to celebrate denominational heritage; for some it was an opportunity to study more about those pivotal days 500 years ago; for others it was an opportunity to review Luther’s teachings that have shaped the Protestant movement for generations.

We remembered the nailing of the 95 Theses on the Castle Church door in Wittenberg and the three Solas, the translation of the Bible into the language of the people, and Priesthood of all believers. And yet I have to wonder—is that it?

By Kurt Buchholz, President & CEO, Lutheran Hour Ministries

I guess I just want it all to mean something for today. Honoring our legacy, honing our theology, and praising our God in our celebrations are all great things to do, but I just don’t want it to end. Do you?

The Reformation started more than the Protestant church; it started a movement that changed the course of the world. It was word and teaching translated into actions. That’s what I would like to see for this anniversary year—the Church rise up and take Luther’s teachings to heart and make God’s Word known in the heart language of every individual everywhere.

We have trained ourselves to think that spiritual matters are the responsibility and role of the few whom we have been deemed professional church workers. We talk ourselves into believing that we don’t know enough to share Jesus with others, and we tell ourselves that we don’t have that gift or we feel so uncomfortable that we avoid the subject all together.

What if I told you that you are overthinking it, that you are uniquely created to naturally share Jesus as you live your life along your normal path? Because that is what Luther taught! He even made resources (the

Small Catechism) to help each and every Christian in this life of faith and sharing.

There is a temptation to read this through the lens of the law and only hear should, must, and ought, but that’s not the point. The point is that you know that you have been blessed, and God desires to bless others through you. You are blessed to be a blessing.

I am so happy to be a part of an organization that continues the legacy of the Reformation. At LHM, we create resources and services that not only reach tens of millions of people each week with the Gospel but also come alongside everyday Christians to give them the knowledge, confidence, and skills to see how God has already perfectly prepared them to naturally share Jesus with those already in their path.

I challenge each of you to make the Reformation real in your life today by getting on the internet and going to lhm.org/learn to sign up for your first course. I know that you will be blessed by this journey into knowing who God created you to be and seeing clearly those He has placed in your path that so desperately need His love. In this Reformation year, intentionally be a blessing to others. You know you have been blessed—share it! n

Seltz Spoke in Colorado; Meyer to Come Rev. Dr. Gregory Seltz, former Speaker of The Lutheran Hour, spoke at an event in the fall of 2017 as he transitioned into his new position as director of the Lutheran Center for Religious Liberty based in Washington, D.C. The speaking engagement was organized by the Rocky Mountain District of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod and was held in Lakewood, Colorado.

The heritage of the Reformation was the topic by Seltz and by two other speakers, Rev. Robert Tasler of Castle Rock, Colorado, and Rev. Roger Wohletz, pastor of Christ Lutheran in Denver. Seltz addressed the challenges for the Gospel in what has become a digital culture. Tasler portrayed Martin Luther and Philip Melanchthon as they told stories of their lives. Wohletz set the historical backdrop of the Reformation and the stream of life socially, economically, and politically in relation to faith. Other presenters spoke on present health issues and the augmentation of life, including mission efforts.

The event was promoted as the district’s Active Adult Gathering at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Lakewood, Colorado.

Named a SOAR event, the 2018 two-day gathering is set for Sept. 24 and 25, and Rev. Dr. Dale Meyer will be a presenter. For details, contact info@rm.lcms.org. n

Find peace for the future Give a gift through your will and find peace as you look to the future. You can provide for the people and causes that matter to you.

Contact the gift planning team at Lutheran Hour Ministries to learn how you can grow God’s kingdom through your will.

1-877-333-1963

lhm-gift@lhm.org

lhm.org/giftplan

The Lutheran Layman January - February 2018

15

LHM Staff Joined the CELEBRATION

T

he St. Louis staff of Lutheran Hour Ministries joined to praise God during a special Oct. 31st chapel celebration marking the 500th anniversary of the Reformation’s launch. The service was online (vimeo.com/240738033) to allow the celebration to be shared in every region of the globe where Lutheran Hour Ministries is active.

Rev. Dr. Tony Cook, director of United States Ministries for LHM (photo, on left), spoke about the meaning of the Reformation on his life and how the Gospel message has gained his appreciation more and more with each passing year. His words emphasized the growing aspect of faith as believers have their faith deepened by the grace of God. Special harp music was presented by Elizabeth Stearns on staff (photo, top right). Jeff Craig-Meyer, vice president of Constituencies (photo, center), sang a solo on Luther’s hymn, Out of the Depths I Cry to You. Organ accompaniment was by Jim Thielker, well known as a St. Louis-area organist. Six readings from Luther’s writing covered a range of topics that

were mainstream to the Reformation. All the hymns for the service had been written or composed by Luther.

Offering insights on the anniversary, Dr. Gerald Perschbacher, editor of The Lutheran Layman and LLL/ LHM historian (photo, bottom right), asked if the Reformation was an ongoing event, fresh and alive today. “Look around at the impact made during the Reformation,” he said, “and Photos by Elizabeth Miller you will realize how Martin Luther made his mark, even to the present.”

The Reformation advanced freedoms for Western civilization. “The role of citizens increased; education for the wider public became attainable, mass communication matured thanks to maximum use of printing presses; the speed of communication

increased rapidly from town to town, country to country, and eventually from continent to continent.”

Also mentioned were the rise of freedom of speech, the integrity of individuals, better laws, a deeper appreciation of the laity, the roles of parents, the importance of music and hymnody, and the realization of God’s daily presence. n

Connection through Prayer and Work at State Fairs “A Lutheran Laymen’s League member staffing the recent booth at the New York State Fair was asked for prayer support of a specific situation.

The man was assured of our prayers.

That was the experience of one of the 138 volunteers from 15 churches who were witnessing at the LLL Booth,” reports Fred Neebe, long-time booth organizer.

The assurance of special prayers and the sharing of Gospel material have strengthened countless people who stopped by the booth this past

16

year—and over many past years. This remains an active way of Bringing Christ to the Nations—and the Nations to the Church through the compassionate activity of motivated laity.

Local and regional LLL booths and exhibits, organized by LLL members in support of Lutheran Hour Ministries, have been a Godsend for decades. Some areas, such as the state of New York, still reap spiritual blessings through the distribution of LHM material centered on the grace of God through Christ Jesus.

“We continue to distribute New Testaments … and LLL material such as the Project Connect Booklets,” adds Neebe. The LLL booth also distributes the local production of Children’s Scripture Books.

Neebe reports that attendance at the 13-day fair was over a million visitors. “This takes a lot of volunteer support witnessing their Faith from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. We are thankful to our Lord Jesus Christ that we are able to continue this witness of the Good News of our Savior.”

For further details, email Fred Neebe at fneebe@stny.it.com.

At the 2017 Kansas State Fair, the LLL/LHM booth was coordinated by

The Lutheran Layman January - February 2018

volunteers from several congregations.

Donated funds made it possible.

Distributed items included Bibles, Portals of Prayer, materials for Sunday schools, and various religious items.

One official noted, “Praise and thanks to our Lord and Savior for providing these opportunities to share our faith.”

We are thankful to our Lord Jesus Christ that we are able to continue this witness of the Good News of our Savior.

Fair booth outreach also is popular in western Iowa, where regional LLL President Mark Astleford encourages volunteers to experience the joy of sharing God’s Word via the state fair. Mark, who has been active in the LLL and its Lutheran Hour Ministries since he was a young adult, reported that amid the difficulties of life including natural disasters and the excitement of seasonal sporting events, the memory of the booth experience lingers as a joyously high moment of Christian experience.

“One thing we are thankful for is the success of our district LHM Iowa State Fair Booth.” He added that a

By Gerald Perschbacher

new attendance record was set with more than a million people of all ages attending.

“During the 10 days, we distributed 1,545 Project Connect booklets, which offer Biblical guides covering a variety of issues of concern for readers, while offering them hope and spiritual guidance.” Also, 44 Spanish versions of the booklets were handed out.

“We distributed 2,700 booklets for children, which were mainly Christian coloring books and activity books containing Christian themes and messages,” he noted.

Other items distributed at the booth included 109 English Bibles, 25 Spanish Bibles, and 2,800 “Jesus bracelets” made by several groups of adult volunteers plus children who attended vacation Bible schools in the previous summer. Since fair inspectors watch for unmanned booths and “dis-invite” such displays, the LLL volunteers of Iowa West District make sure they greet the public throughout each three-hour shift. John Tews, a former LLL regional governor in the district, coordinates volunteers for the next state fair. n Dr. Gerald Perschbacher serves as editor of The Lutheran Layman and manages the LHM Research Center Archives.

Middle East & North Africa TV Programming

Begins in January

By Chad Fix

“Hearing the Gospel through mass media from the privacy of their own homes may be the only opportunity for many youth and young adults to hear this message at all."

T

he Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region has been engulfed in turmoil and suffering for decades, but especially over the past five years. Syria, Iraq, Libya, and Yemen are all in civil war, causing untold damage to human lives and physical infrastructure. More than 15 million people have fled their homes to refugee camps and abroad amidst fear and insecurity, with many of them ending up in economically strapped countries that has led to the biggest refugee crisis since World War II. These trends are especially troubling for a region with one of the youngest populations in the world (nearly 30 percent are between the ages of 15 and 29) and where youth make up nearly 60 percent of refugees in many camps.

Political turmoil, social instability, and high unemployment rates have led to a revolutionary wave of both violent and non-violent demonstrations, protests, and riots throughout the region amongst Arab youth and young adults, who are often the first affected in war, either through fighting or fleeing.

A new strategic partnership between LHM and SAT-7, the first and largest Middle East and North African Christian satellite network, seeks to address some of the concerns amongst the disillusioned youth who often feel neglected and ignored. The two Christian broadcasters are co-producing a television series from the SAT-7 studio in Cairo, Egypt, that will begin airing in Jan. 2018 on SAT7’s channel on the NileSat satellite. This broadcast will potentially reach tens of millions of viewers in more than 20 countries spanning from as far west as Morocco to as far east as Iraq and the Persian Gulf.

The weekly, 60-minute variety show will dramatize real-life problems and struggles for young people and their families. Viewers will be encouraged to suggest topics important to them for discussion and will be offered the opportunity

to interact with dedicated program staff to seek guidance for everyday problems.

The format of the program is similar to what Americans see on late-night shows such as The Tonight Show, and includes live segments and pre-recorded, packaged videos. Taped in front of a live audience, the program will be filmed on a stage divided into three sections to accommodate live skits, musical/comedic entertainment, and sit-down interviews and/or discussion—with Christian values being communicated throughout each segment.

“This is a new strategy for us that we and SAT-7 believe will have great appeal to secular audiences,” says Eric Gates, LHM’s regional director for Africa and the Middle East. “Each episode will focus on a single topic such as struggling with relationships or economic insecurity that affects youth and young adults throughout the Middle East and North Africa.”

The current production schedule calls for weekly broadcasts as part of 26 episodes per year. At a Nov. 6 taping in Cairo, Gates observed more than 40 people involved in producing the program, including cameramen, actors, writers, and back-stage production crew. It is one of the most ambitious projects that SAT-7 has ever produced.

“Our goal is to become a visionary creator of original Arabic content for the region, while providing the best care and nurturing possible to those seeking to learn more about Jesus,” says Gates. “Hearing the Gospel through mass media from the privacy of their own homes may be the only opportunity for many youth and young adults to hear this message at all. We believe this project will provide hope for millions of people searching for answers.”

You can support this ministry effort by visiting lhm.org/MENA. n Chad Fix oversees the corporate communications of LHM.

Media Giant Aired LHM Specials In December, two of LHM’s popular Christmas specials aired at choice times on the Trinity Broadcast Network (TBN): Red Boots for Christmas and The Puzzle Club Christmas Mystery. These programs and others from LHM also were viewed on various outlets of NRBTV and Inspiration TV. Sharmon Perschbacher, syndication specialist, said: “Lutheran Hour Ministries has more than a 50-year history of airing television programs. We were in negotiations with TBN for 13 years, and this is the first time everything fell in place for them to air these two heartwarming animated Christmas programs.”

“… everything fell in place for them to air these two

heartwarming animated Christmas programs.”

Red Boots gave viewers the story of a German shoemaker who was against his town’s preparations for the holidays. An angel visited him, promising a gift that led him to see Christmas in a new way. The Puzzle Club Christmas Mystery was about missing nativity pieces. Searchers overcame obstacles to solve the mystery while conveying the message of Christ.

“Having these two specials on TBN is a solid step to this media giant running other LHM-produced programs. Discussions are underway for some of our Easter programs to air in 2018,” said Jim Arand, associate director for

The Lutheran Hour. “With numerous networks TBN has around the world, the opportunity ties in beautifully with LHM’s mission of Bringing Christ to the Nations—and the Nations to the Church”.

Launched in 1973 by Paul and Jan Crouch, TBN started as a single low-power TV station offering a few hours of Christian programming daily to the Los Angeles area. Now it broadcasts the world over on more than 20 Christian TV networks. Its content is available virtually anywhere via mobile devices, reaching more than a billion people daily. To learn more, go to www.smileofachildtv.org. n

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Historians were Honored by CHI A baker’s dozen of winners were announced recently as recipients of the annual Awards of Commendation by Concordia Historical Institute, the department of archives of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. The 13 awards for works that appeared in 2016 honored the advancement of knowledge of American Lutheranism.

Items being recognized ranged from regional histories to journal submissions, books, congregational histories, family histories, and non-print media.

Winners were Phillip P. Clark for A Communion of Saints: A History of Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church, Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania, 1740-2015; Irene Beethe, editor, for the family history Charles W. Ore: An American Original; Kate Allen and John E. Ingulsrud for the book, The Norwegian-American Lutheran Experience in 1950s Japan: Stepping Up to the Cold War Challenge; Kathryn M. Galchutt for the article, “Lutherans and the Civil Rights Struggle in Selma”; Sarah K. Nytroe for the article, “Lutheran Historical Pageants: Dramatization and Identity Formation during the Reformation Quadricentennial”; and Joanna Reiling Lindell for the article, “Early Printed Protestant Reformation Material in United States Collections: A Preliminary Guide for Researchers.”

Items being recognized ranged from regional histories

to journal submissions, books, congregational histories, family histories, and non-print media. Presenting the awards were committee chair David Fiedler and CHI’s executive director, Dr. Daniel Harmelink. Committee members read the commendations aloud to the distinguished audience of CHI members, awardees, dignitaries, and serious historians.

The rest of the winners announced at a CHI banquet on Nov. 9 in St. Louis, Missouri, included Thomas E. Rassieur for “Lutheran Paintings in America”; the publication Lutheran Mission Matters for its Jan. 2016 edition, Dr. Victor A. Raj accepting as editor; Scott Erickson for “North Park at 125: David Nyvall’s Enduring Impact on Christian Higher Education”; Susanne Kreutzer for “Deaconess Nurses in Germany, Sweden, and the United States: Transformations of a Female Model of Life and Work in the Twentieth Century”; Thomas Albert Howard for the major publication Remembering the Reformation: An Inquiry into the Meaning of Protestantism; James Van Horn Melton for Religion, Community, and Slavery on the Colonial Southern Frontier; and, in the non-print category, Martin Noland for Memories of Trinity Lutheran Church (Evansville, Indiana) on its 175th Anniversary. Ten additional historical efforts were saluted under “honorable mention” and included articles, books, and a website.

A special commendation was given to Dr. Gerald Perschbacher who represented the LLL and its

Coming all the way from Japan to the CHI Awards Banquet were Kate Allen and John Ingulsrud. Part of their research was done at LHM. Photo courtesy of CHI

Lutheran Hour Ministries as an Awards Committee member since 1988, several of those years as chairman. Early in 2018, he is stepping down from his committee position as the longest serving member to date. The annual meeting of CHI was held at the awards banquet and was chaired by Dr. John Wohlrabe, Jr., president, who also is editor-in-chief of the Concordia Historical Institute Quarterly.

More information relating to CHI, the 2016 awards, and the awards process may be obtained online at www.concordiahistoricalinstitute.org. n

New Books Capture the Ongoing Spirit of Reformation By Gerald Perschbacher The ongoing string of Reformation-related 500th anniversaries now is augmented by a new celebratory hardbound, 250-page book to enlighten readers, thanks to author Cameron A. MacKenzie. The new book, The REFORMATION, is published by Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, Missouri (for price and availability see www.cph.org or call 1-800-325-3040).

MacKenzie, a professor of historical theology at Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Indiana, has long ties to Concordia Historical Institute, which is the department of archives for the LCMS. The book is a delightfully well-balanced textual and visual walk through Reformation history. While many books just focus on Dr. Martin Luther’s early efforts, this tome extends into the history of the “Reformed” movement and extensions of religious reforming in England, various locations in Europe, and among Catholics. By God’s grace, when Luther nailed the 95 Theses in 1517, no one could contain the striving toward religious betterment and true Scriptural adherence.

The author summarizes: “Throughout the seventeenth century, adherents to rival versions of Christianity continued doing combat theologically, politically, and militarily. Religion remained a prominent feature in directing the course of events across the century” (page 243). On that same page he adds that “doctrinal statements and the laws enforcing them became the basis for the denominational differences between Christians we still find today.”

Nearly every page has a color visual representing an element of the widespread Reformation. The chapters are well detailed but not to the point of boaring 18

The Lutheran Layman January - February 2018

scholarliness. The deep benefit of the book is its ability to scan the nations and weave the reforming efforts into a tapestry of ideas and actions.

Individuals who were mainstream to Reformation thinking and events are plentifully represented. They include Erasmus, Emperor Charles V, Frederick the Wise, Staupitz, Tetzel, Leo X, even Gutenberg, Agricola, Zwingli, Menno Simons, Calvin, and dozens more. This lively book traces the actions, accomplishments, and challenges of the Reformation in a manner that is memorable and educational.

On the heels of the MacKenzie book comes a small paperback from Canadian Lutherans. The book is just under 100 pages and was put together under the expert editorial work of Mathew Block, who is honored for his expertise as editor of The Canadian Lutheran, the Lutheran Church—Canada’s (LCC’s) official magazine, not unlike The Lutheran Witness in topical nature. Titled Saints of the Reformation, it compiles stories about nine central luminaries of the Reformation: Martin and Katie Luther, Melanchthon, Eash and Voes, Johannes Bugenhagen, and artist Lucas Cranach, among others. A handful of drawings are interspersed in the book, along with suggestions on further reading. Visit www.reformation2017.ca/tell-me-more/saints-of-the-reformation/book.

The LCC’s website notes: “The book is available in print at the low cost of $4.62 (Canadian) each (plus shipping) from the online store Lulu. Those purchasing copies of the book online are encouraged to check Lulu’s home-page for coupon codes in order to save even more. Bulk orders may also be eligible for a discount, so congregation members may wish to order together for further savings on shipping and the cost of the book. The book is also available as a free e-book from Lulu for use on e-readers, mobile devices, and computers.” n

THRED

The

Courage to Listen

By Megan Panarusky

“Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves” (Philippians 2:3).

W

hen was the last time you had a conversation that changed you?

It could have been with a close friend or new acquaintance. It could have been a family member risking to tell you something hard that you needed to hear. It could have been a throw-away comment that struck you just the right way. So, what happened next? Were you excited by new insight? Challenged or thrown off balance? Curious about new possibilities? Wary of change?

Offended? Relieved? Even angry?

There are numerous reactions when our view of life is confronted by fresh information. But I want to applaud you, because you were open to hearing and considering the information in the first place. You had the courage to listen!

If you’ve heard anything about THRED, LHM’s digital outreach project that was launched nearly a year ago, you know we’re hosting conversations about life, faith, and Jesus among people of different backgrounds, perspectives, and beliefs. By God’s grace, these conversations have an impact—they can change people—and people courageously listen.

For people who don’t really know Jesus, it takes courage to listen to His words. It takes courage to listen to Christians talk about their faith and to consider the merits of Christianity.

Help that courage develop! How?

First, have the courage to listen yourself.

Start by letting your guard down and consider whether you can learn from someone else’s view of the world. You can be open to the possible value they offer. Allow their views to challenge you. Go into conversations with an attitude that you might be wrong about something, and you need people who might disagree in order to show you their point.

Scary? Yes, it can be. It means you can’t prepare for everything. It means you can’t come up with all the answers in advance, so you might be challenged.

Uncomfortable? Your own faith may seem challenged for growth. There may be a conversation where God appears weak and small.

But you know SOMEONE who isn’t scared. God isn’t scared!

This kind of listening may draw you toward a greater faith. It forces you to ask again, “Who is the God I am following? What are His promises and what is His character?”

Remember these realities:

• His power is most apparent when you are weak: “He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me” (2 Corinthians 12:9). He works through means and situations that seem weak and foolish: “God chose what is foolish to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong” (1 Corinthians 1:27).

• He displays a radical humility and invites you to the same: “Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves” (Philippians 2:3).

• As when His followers hid in a locked room after his death (John 20:19), sometimes He is doing His best work while you are still gripped with fears.

You don’t need to be afraid of challenges, or not having answers, or looking foolish. Because your God is

strong, and He is working, and He goes with you into every conversation, He will not let anything separate you from Him. You get to show up, listen, respond as you’re able with a humble attitude, and trust in Him to do all the big, hard, important work of changing hearts in His own way, on His own timeline.

Our friend Greg Koenig of LHM passed to heavenly glory since our previous issue. Greg taught others how to have the courage to listen. Not only did he adapt to various teaching, writing, and communications positions throughout his life as opportunities arose, but he continually embraced the challenges of high school ministry, college ministry, and the growth of new churches. He fearlessly wrestled with whatever questions about life and faith that were brought to him. He is deeply missed on staff, but the courageous faith of that quiet writer is now amplified in our hearts and minds.

Whether you check out THRED on Facebook or THRED.org and truly listen to what others have to say, or whether you listen with an open mind and heart to the people in your world who have different perspectives and beliefs, take courage. God goes with you, and He has you firmly in His grip, no matter how the conversations go.

So, I’m finding the courage to listen.

Will you join me? n Megan Panarusky is LHM’s Lead Project Manager for THRED.

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A Celebration Worth the Wait

H

ave you ever been told, “the longer you have to wait for something, the more you will appreciate it when it finally arrives”? This was the case for LHM’s Thailand ministry center when it celebrated its 25th anniversary Nov. 11—approximately one year after its official anniversary date. The original anniversary celebration was scheduled for Nov. 2016, but was postponed due to the death of the Thai king a few weeks before the event.

This year’s celebration dinner was attended by nearly 200 donors and supporters of the ministry.

The event began with a time of worship and special songs and dances performed by ministry partners followed by Rev. Dr. Douglas Rutt, LHM’s director of international ministries, sharing a message based around the anniversary theme of “Thank the Lord for He is Good.” LHM President & CEO Kurt Buchholz provided an overview of LHM’s worldwide work and Gunya Na Thalang, LHM’s regional director for Asia and the original director of LHM–Thailand, thanked donors for their continued support.

“I feel joy and give thanks to God that we have been able to continue doing ministry for so many years without opposition,” says Monta “Boom” Ekwanit Denow, LHM’s director in Thailand. “I’m also thankful for the leaders and staff in our St. Louis headquarters who provide encouragement, prayers, and financial support and for our advocacy board, radio speakers, and staff who work so hard.”

LHM–Thailand primarily concentrates on using mass media technologies to proclaim the Gospel to the Thai people and to support local churches and LCMS missionaries in their evangelism efforts.

LHM’s work is rapidly expanding out of Bangkok into the central, southern, Lutheran Hour Ministries senior staffers Rutt and Buchholz (back row, on left) and northeast portions joined with regional staff to mark the celebration in Thailand. of Thailand. According to “I also remember how God used our radio ministry staff members, there is great with a man who listened to our broadcasts on a transistor potential for bringing the Savior to millions of Thai people who don’t yet know Him since the government radio while selling ice cream from his motorcycle,” says Denow. “He told us that he learned about God from our and people are currently quite open-minded and programs and he never felt alone while he was listening receptive to this message. because he knew that God was with him. He got baptized The ministry has impacted thousands of people and is now very active in his church.” through its outreach activities over the last 25-plus We give thanks to God for blessing our work in years, but Denow says two memories immediately Thailand and pray that He will continue to show us come to mind. the way toward the accomplishment of His mission. n “We assisted victims of the Dec. 2004 tsunami by providing kitchen supplies, life jackets, transistor “I feel joy and give thanks to radios, and fishing boats,” she says. “We then worked together with two local Lutheran pastors and church God that we have been able to members who continued doing follow-up activities continue doing ministry for so with the victims. As a result, 35 people who received many years without opposition.” our help were baptized.

New

Digital Project Unveiled in Latvia

By Chad Fix

I

n today’s world, fewer people are looking to the church for community and support—and for answers to some of life’s most pressing questions.

They are increasingly going online in search of digital solutions, connections, and relationships.

LHM is meeting them where they are by creating online spaces where people of diverse backgrounds can join authentic conversations about life and faith. Much like THRED in North America and vivenciar.net in Latin America, the recent repurposing of 20

stunda.lv in Latvia provides expanded opportunities to share the message of Jesus with people looking for answers.

The Stunda website, which means “Hour” in English, previously housed general information about The Lutheran Hour in Latvia ministry.

Now, in addition to their audio devotions, the website serves as a hub for various forms of content such as movies, quotes, individual stories, and upcoming events under a theme of “Going Social” and a slogan of “About Life and God.” A unique feature of

The Lutheran Layman January - February 2018

the site allows individuals to search by topic and pull up all available resources on popular subjects such as marriage and family, anxiety, loneliness, relationships, and much more.

“Much of the outreach in Latvia has typically been directed at older people, so this online approach allows us to connect with young adults living in urban areas,” says Rev. Peter Kirby, LHM’s regional director for Europe.

“Many young people there are trying to come to grips with their spiritual heritage. We are finding that by addressing the issues they deal with daily and then providing them with resources that offer answers, we are able to build connections with these people.”

Providing this type of topical content online also allows greater opportunities to reach people who live outside of Latvia. Many Latvians have relocated elsewhere due to poor economic conditions in the country, so this approach allows LHM to develop

online communities with people elsewhere as the content is shared through the website and social networks such as Facebook and Twitter.

The Stunda website also provides two sets of eight-session courses for people who are interested in learning more about the Gospel.

“An Introduction to Christianity” provides information about Jesus, the prophecies of God, the power of the Holy Spirit, the Bible, and a life that never ends. A session about Lutheranism explains Law and Gospel, Holy Baptism, Holy Communion, the liturgical year, and the history of the church in Latvia. A certificate of completion is provided once an individual completes the eight sessions within a course.

You can see what the site is all about by using Google Chrome to visit stunda.lv and then clicking the “Translate” button in the top right corner. n

"… this online approach allows us to connect with young adults living in urban areas."

Online Learning: a Fun and Enjoyable Way to Empower Your Faith

F

our new offerings join the catalog of online courses for LHM Learn.

First, a Christian Foundations course: in Watch.Read.

Reflect: The Reformation, Martin Luther’s teaching that all believers are called to read, understand, and share the Word of God with the world will be explored. The reformer’s keen conviction of the need for believers to be informed in God’s Word and earnest in sharing His Good News points to Luther’s passion for understanding the faith and being vocal in its proclamation.

Second, Stress & Worry in the Life of a Christian, an Everyday Insights course, considers strategies for managing stress and worry while looking at the causes and effects of anxiety in our lives. The focus is ever on God as our source of strength when things get us down. By course end, users

By Paul Schreiber

should be better equipped to effectively address their stress and worry; likewise, they should have greater confidence in helping others deal with anxiety issues.

Third, in Sharing the Good News, a Spiritual Reflections course, there are five focused meditations that offer insights and food for thought on how we can gain a hearing for the Gospel. Naturally, when we consider what God has done in our lives, we want to share this with others. It’s news that’s simply too good to keep to ourselves. Users will read accounts of people sharing their witness and how lives are impacted by the Gospel.

Finally, Love Came Down is a course drawn from the 2017 Advent devotions of the same name. Looking at select devotions, it considers the marvel of the Christmas narrative: the down-to-earth story of God coming to us in the form of a man, with the singular mission of redeeming lost and rebellious sinners through the innocent life of His only Son. Online courses from LHM Learn give believers the chance to grow in their Christian walk while learning Christ-centered and biblically sound principles for living out their faith. To find out more about these thought-provoking courses and how to embolden your faith and day-to-day witness, go to lhm.org/learn. n

Online courses are listed in the notice below.

Made Free By You! This summer, LHM introduced LHM Learn at lhm.org/learn. LHM Learn offers a large and constantly growing catalog of courses, covering five faithstrengthening categories. All of this content is available to help Christians grow in their faith and become more confident in sharing that faith with others.

To date, more than 1,600 people have signed up for LHM Learn and over 1,200 hours have been logged on the site as people use the site’s content.

Lutheran Hour Ministries has been humbled and blessed by this response.

More importantly, we are so excited to see how God will work in the lives of each person signed up for LHM Learn and the countless others who they will impact through their lives.

Beyond all the great content on lhm.org/learn, there is something else that makes this resource truly special.

All of this content is available for free!

After you sign up on the page, you can access everything at no cost to you!

By Brad Neathery

The only way that LHM can offer this resource for free is through the generous gifts of you and many additional supporters. Because of this, we offer a sincere thank you to you for your prayers and support for LHM Learn and the other ways that God is working through LHM. You are the reason that ministries like LHM Learn are able to get off the ground and make a difference in congregations and communities throughout North America and beyond.

In addition to our heartfelt thanks, LHM invites you to advance the Gospel further through your ongoing donations, prayers, volunteering, and sharing of LHM content with others.

You are helping people worldwide encounter the truth of the Gospel that is free to them because it was bought at a price by their Savior. n Brad Neathery works with philanthropic supporters of LHM.

LHM Learn

Outreach Resources at your fingertips

These online courses and webinars will cover five faith-strengthening categories and use an array of multimedia elements to help you gain a hearing for the Gospel message.

3

Individual, self-paced learning

3

Time for self-reflection and journaling

3

Optional small group discussion guides for home and congregational use

3

Easy access on any digital device— computer, tablet, or smart phone

3

A variety of learning methods designed for the adult learner

New Courses Coming Soon!

Register for FREE at lhm.org/learn today!

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Reserve the Last Saturday in April for Hands-on Outreach By Paul Schreiber

T

he sixth annual Men’s NetWork WORK DAY is coming on Saturday, Apr. 28. For the dozens of groups that have participated in the past, this is the time of year when brainstorming begins—when ideas are bounced around as to what projects they want to tackle when they go off their church campuses and into their local neighborhoods and communities to help those in need.

We’ve had church men’s groups set their hand to yard and landscaping work; Habitat for Humanity builds; trail clean-ups; building handicapped ramps; road and highway beautification; school and community park projects; helping seniors—those who have lost their spouses, or are confined to their homes; bathroom installation and roofing repairs; food pantry work; and loads more.

There’s no shortage of need out there, and the WORK DAY is an excellent chance for guys to express their faith not just by the things they say—but by the things they do.

WORK DAY efforts • benefit others with sacrificial acts of help and group support; • are a powerful statement to the community of your church’s involvement on a grass-roots level; • open doors of inquiry from beneficiaries as to why you’re doing this work; • help others who often cannot adequately help themselves; • create opportunities for the Gospel to be shared.

A True Century of Service

O

n Dec. 3, 1917, a century ago, the Lutheran Laymen’s League came into legal and functional existence with the approval of its first constitution, as signed by A.G. Brauer, organizational secretary and one of the 12 founders. The formative time for the organization began at the first gathering of the founders on June 22 of that year and extended through the months leading to the “birthdate” in Dec. The purpose of the LLL as stated in that constitution was to “aid the officers and the Board of Directors of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Missouri, Ohio, and Other States with word and deed in business and financial matters.”

In 1929 the LLL underwent a major reorganization in preparation for the launch of its greatest project, The Lutheran Hour. The term Lutheran Hour Ministries came to use in the 1990s as a descriptive phrase indicating “what we are is the Lutheran Laymen’s League; what we do are Lutheran Hour Ministries.” In 1940, with the addition of Spanish for The Lutheran Hour and the expansion into overseas broadcasts, the motto and title for the program was changed to Bringing Christ to the Nations. On

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Those participating in this event in the past understand the outreach that takes place is something tangible and long-lasting.

Go to lhm.org/men/workday to find out more about this year’s WORK DAY. There you will find a customizable flyer to post your project; a link to our Facebook page dedicated to WORK DAY; bulletin inserts to create interest at church. There are even project suggestions if your group is stumped on what to do.

In 2017, hundreds of men participated. This year we’d like to see additional men’s groups join ranks and become part of a nationwide effort to lend their help and, in so doing, show the hands and feet of Christ at work.

As always, those participating will receive a very nice Men’s NetWork cap to wear the day of the event. n

By Gerald Perschbacher

June 16, 1993, that was extended to: Bringing Christ to the Nations—and the Nations to the Church.

Operationally, beginning in 1917, the LLL’s fiscal year began on July 1 and concluded on June 30.

Milestones along its path of success included paying off the synodical debt of 1917; raising a nearly $3,000,000 fund for the widows and orphans of full-time church workers; the raising of funds for the completion of the Concordia Seminary facilities in Clayton, Missouri; the launch of radio station KFUO from LHM its new studio on the campus of Concordia Seminary in St. Louis (the construction, equipping, and initial operational funding of that station being paid by the LLL); launch of The Lutheran Hour

“What we are is the Lutheran Laymen’s League; what we do are Lutheran Hour Ministries.”

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The best part of the WORK DAY (beyond the satisfaction that comes from serving others) is the fact that Christ is honored through these outward efforts of concern and elbow grease.

Those participating in this event in the past understand the outreach that takes place is something tangible and long-lasting.

Sometimes the rustle of a trash bag or the pounding of a hammer speak volumes to those who wonder about what the Christian faith in action looks like—and these actions may do so with a clearer voice than our well-meaning words and best wishes.

domestically and internationally; expansion of overseas offices in key areas around the globe; and the preliminary exploration and testing of Christian film efforts that led to the Synod’s TV launch of This is the Life in the early 1950s. The ultimate drive of the organization since its founding has been to motivate and equip the laity for service in supporting the Christ-centered work of the Church. n

CELEBRATION EVENT

Look for more details in upcoming issues of The Lutheran Layman!

New Reflections Segment

We now have the luxury of two very accomplished men sharing the microphone.

Complements Lutheran Hour Message W ith the introduction of The Lutheran Hour’s Speaker-pairing of Rev. Drs. Ken Klaus and Dale Meyer, a new program segment has been added: Reflections. In this post-sermon spot, Klaus and Meyer offer their unique perspective on the theme of that Sunday’s sermon as delivered by the other Speaker. This feature gives listeners another vantage point from which to consider the message.

Supplemental commentary from Klaus and Meyer gives listeners insight into the thought processes of these two gifted and experienced men of God. “We now have the luxury of two very accomplished men sharing the microphone. Because of this, we have a unique opportunity to feature both on each week’s program: the preaching Speaker will deliver the message, while the other will dig into a sermon-related topic or theme in the Reflections segment. Patterned like the Digging Deeper links in our video-based Bible studies, the Reflections segment gives listeners a chance to consider the sermon from another angle,” said Jim Arand, associate director for The Lutheran Hour.

For instance, commenting on a recent Klaus sermon entitled, “Show Me,” which underscored the weight our good works have before the world, Meyer replied to the question of why Christian acts of love and kindness are important. He said that while many people today do not believe in an objective standard of truth, our good works still point them to the Savior,

in whose Name Christians do these things. Beyond that, they point to the Bible, which is the basis for Christian action.

“Today most people don’t believe there is an objective standard of truth and conduct. So how do we who believe the Bible is truly God’s Word to us, how do we get God’s message and the Good News of Jesus into their consciousness, into their awareness?

How do we get them to listen to us? The answer is by our good works: by selflessly serving those in need.

Then people will ask us about the hope that is in us.

And I think Christians are doing that,” Meyer said.

Arand is pleased with the input both men bring to the table for The Lutheran Hour. “Both Klaus and Meyer are gifted orators and, at the same time, have very different preaching styles. In fact, I didn’t know

until recently they’ve known each other from high school,” Arand said. “They both use their God-given talents to share the Gospel message and do so in a way that is easy to understand and in a very engaging manner. Having both men a part of each program makes for a very special time in the life of The Lutheran Hour,” he added.

Since Nov., sermons on The Lutheran Hour have been preached by Klaus and Meyer. Together these veteran broadcasters have more than 20 years of service behind the microphone for Lutheran Hour Ministries. If The Lutheran Hour does not air on one of the 1,700-plus stations in North America that’s near you, listeners can still access messages from the program’s archives. These can be found and listened to online at lutheranhour.org. n

World Radio Day: A Tribute to the Everlasting Power of a Dynamic Medium

By Chad Fix Despite being more than 100 years old, radio remains a popular medium for information-sharing, education, and social change.

It has been used to help people, including youth, to engage in discussions on topics that affect them. It can save lives during natural or human-made disasters, and it gives journalists a platform to report facts and tell their stories.

The importance of this medium is why the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) started World Radio Day in 2012 as an annual event on Feb. 13 to celebrate how radio positively impacts millions of lives every day— and why we need it today more than ever. Notably, radio represents a focal point for community life, accessible even in the most remote and underserved locations.

“It has been said that more than 90 percent of the world’s population has access to radio,” says Rev. Dr. Douglas Rutt, LHM’s

“It has been said that more than 90 percent of the world’s population has access to radio.”

director of international ministries. “Radio can cross borders and reach into the homes, workplaces, and vehicles of people almost anywhere in the world, which is why it continues to be an important strategy in our global ministry efforts.”

From the first broadcast of The Lutheran Hour in 1930, radio has played a prominent role for LHM in mass proclamation of the Gospel. Today, in addition to The Lutheran Hour being broadcast throughout North America, as well as in France, Switzerland, the Caribbean, and England, LHM ministry centers around the globe offer many locally-produced, topical programs and syndicated episodes that encourage a wide variety of audiences to contact LHM to learn more about the Gospel. Respondents are prayed with, given Christian literature and/or information about Bible Correspondence Courses, and offered the opportunity to connect with a local church.

UNESCO invites all radio stations and supporting organizations to join them on Feb. 13 for World Radio Day 2018, a chance to celebrate radio and how it helps shape our lives! For more information on World Radio Day, please visit www.facebook.com/worldradioday. n The Lutheran Layman January - February 2018

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A

s we begin a new year, we find that the world faces the same problems. Often, it’s hard to have hope that the conflicts and crises in our world will ever let up. As Christians, we feel a unique despair as more people and cultures turn their back on the Lord. It can feel like the most honest response we can provide is to cry out, “What can I do?”

This year, Lutheran Hour Ministries Sunday’s goal is to start to answer this question for many congregations and individuals. LHM Sunday is focused on two distinct areas of global need where you and your congregation can get involved with LHM.

Outreach in the Digital Space The difficult truth is that less and less people are looking to the church and Christian communities for support and answers. Today, people go online in search of digital solutions, connections, and relationships.

what can I Do? LHM is meeting them where they are by creating online spaces like THRED in North America, Vivenciar.net in Latin America and social media channels worldwide. These digital environments seek to create spaces where people of diverse backgrounds can join authentic conversations about life and faith.

Go to lhm.org/thred to volunteer to share THRED content with your online community of family and friends.

Outreach in the Middle East and North Africa Many in this region are searching for hope and answers in the midst of seemingly endless violence and conflict. You can help LHM reach their hearts with the light of the Gospel. LHM uses a variety of bold strategies to share the Gospel from social media to new television programming.

A special Facebook group shares messages of hope.

The group has gained over 300,000 followers—who

Voter Registration for LHM’s Annual Election Begins in February As part of LHM’s upcoming election process, anyone who has given a gift to the ministry between July 1, 2016 and Dec. 31, 2017 will receive a postcard in early Feb. with details on how to become part of the voting membership in 2018. Members will have the option of registering online to receive an electronic ballot (the preferred method since it saves substantial ministry dollars) or mailing back the postcard to receive a paper ballot.

Since a new voting membership is established for each election cycle, you must sign up to participate in the 2018 election regardless of whether you registered (or voted) last year.

All members who register by March 15 will constitute the voting membership that will receive materials to participate in the annual election running from April 15 through May 15 for open positions on the Board of Directors.

Election results will be announced by the end of May so that the new Board will be in place at the beginning of the ministry’s new fiscal year on June 1. n

If you have questions about the election process, please call 1-800-876-9880 or send an e-mail to lh_min@lhm.org.

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The Lutheran Layman January - February 2018

then share with many more. LHM has also entered a new partnership with SAT-7, a Christian media organization in the Middle East and North Africa, to produce a weekly TV show that will be broadcast to millions of households.

You can get involved by going to lhm.org/mena to learn more about how you can impact souls in the Middle East and North Africa.

Your congregation can take the lead in reaching your community and the wider world with the hope of Christ. Take part in Lutheran Hour Ministries Sunday to learn how you can answer the question of “What can I do?” together with LHM. LHM Sunday is Feb. 4, 2018, but your congregation can take part in this special opportunity on any Sunday throughout the year. Go online to lhm.org/lhmsunday to learn more, order free materials, and download additional resources. n

Online Mission Trips LUTHERAN HOUR MINISTRIES

Witness global ministry and mission when you join LHM for our 2018 Online Mission Trip to Cambodia! Through this online experience, you will see how people live and how the Gospel is shared on the other side of the world.

For more information and to register, visit

LHM.ORG/OMTCAMBODIA