The utheran L

WWMay 2005 ITNESS ITNESS VOL. 124 NO. 5

OUR SEMINARIES: OF SUCCESS Also: The Precipice of Eternity

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The utheran L Athanasius St. ITNESS WA Magazine for the laypeople of the lutheran church — missouri synod Features may 2005 16 THE PRICE OF SUCCESS by Roland Lovstad 4 Enrollment grows at our seminaries, but success has a price. Rolf Bruderer/Masterfile 4 WITNESSING TO YOUR UNCHURCHED SPOUSE 1616 by Lyle Muller God loves your unchurched spouse, and He can use your love as His instrument.

‘I BELIEVE’ by Daniel Inyang, Masao Shimodate, 20 and Reg Quirk The three great creeds of the Church summarize our Christian faith and are an integral part of our Lutheran Pam English Confessions. ON THE PRECIPICE OF ETERNITY 10 Official periodical of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod through the Board for Communication by Marc G.DiConti Services, Ernest E. Garbe, chairman; Rev. J. Thomas Lapacka, executive director. 10 In a , where people face the possi- Staff: Rev. David L. Strand, interim executive editor; Don Folkemer, managing editor; Joe Isenhower Jr., news editor; Paula bility of sudden death, God’s assurance of Schlueter Ross, contributing editor; John Krus, senior designer; eternal life becomes all the more critical. Corinne Latimer, marketing manager and advertising sales; Pam Burgdorf, coordinator; Carla Dubbelde, editorial manager, district editions; Karen Higgins, editorial assistant; editorial office: 1333 S. Kirkwood Rd., St. Louis, MO 63122-7295; (314) 965- 9917, Ext. 1228. © 2005 The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Reproduction

. McCoy of a single article or column for parish use only does not require T permission of THE LUTHERAN WITNESS. Such reproductions, however, should credit THE LUTHERAN WITNESS as the

Shane source. Cover images and “Shedding Some Light” cartoons are epartments not reproducible without permission. Also, photos credited to D sources outside the LCMS are not to be copied. Published 11 times per year by Concordia Publishing House, 3558 S. Jefferson Ave., St. Louis, MO 63118-3968. Individual sub- scription $18.48 per year. Organized congregation subscriptions Letters Notices and district editions offered at reduced rate if submitted through 2 23 local churches. Standard A postage paid at St. Louis, MO. Lifeline Family Counselor For subscription information or address changes, 9 26 e–mail: [email protected] by Lori Grosse Q&A/ The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod 27 1-888-THE LCMS (843-5267) www.lcms.org 14 National News Shedding Some Light e–mail: [email protected] Member: Associated Church Press Searching Scripture From the President Evangelical Press Association 19 28 May 2005 (ISSN: 0024-757X) Vol.124, No 5 Andrew Simcak Jr. Gerald B. Kieschnick Cover photo by Harold Rau om Openlander T Simple Service Page 3 To subscribe, renew, or to give a gift subscription, call Concordia Publishing House at: 800-325-3381.

Letters Internet dangers did God permit this? Why didn’t He stop it?” ...[C]ouples who say that soft porn is The real questions are, “Why are harmless are playing with fire and setting we so foolish as to build our homes themselves up for a possible personal hell. along a coast where seismic waves Paul Koehler can strike? Why didn’t the authori- Omaha, Neb. ties have a warning system in place? Why is it we always blame God for our foolishness and expect Him to step in when we blow it?” May I say I WOULD LIKE TO MENTION SOME ISSUES ALTHOUGH I APPRECIATED THE TIMELY again, God gave us a brain; let’s use not raised in your important article article on Internet dangers, I was it! (April ’05) on the dangers of Internet disappointed that Pastor Sonnen- I know I could say something pornography. berg focused only on cyber-sex. here about Satan’s role in all this The fact that it’s easier to prevent Any overuse of the Internet (chat and refer to Rom. 8:22 (“We know addiction to porn than to recover rooms, e-mail lists, surfing) can be that the whole creation has been from it leads me to suggest that harmful to marriages and families. groaning as in the pains of childbirth everyone consider Internet accounta- I am currently struggling in my own right up to the present time”), but I bility software. This software moni- marriage with a spouse who spends will leave that to the theologians. tors, but does not filter, the Web sites endless hours online. He partici- Rev. David A. Graef you visit and then sends a list of any pates in many discussion lists—not Valparaiso, Ind. questionable sites to your accounta- involving pornography but rather bility partner(s). One such software theology. In some ways pornogra- Alms (and more) for the program, “X3watch,” is actually free. phy would be less troublesome to poor Raising this topic with a potential confront because it’s so obviously I AGREE WITH EVERYTHING REV. accountability partner also can open a sin. It is easy for my spouse to Wagener wrote in “Remembering doors to a Christian witness. justify his behavior when it is done the Poor” (March ’05). It’s what he Another problem is couples who “in the name of the church.” left out that bothers me. allow so-called soft porn into their Anonymous lives. Because pornography is pro- Certainly almsgiving is an impor- tant part of Christian life, but gressive, it can get to a point where a Asking the wrong remembering the poor also means man cannot have normal sexual question relations with his wife without hav- Christian advocacy on their behalf. ing to “recall” pornographic images. IT WAS GOOD TO READ IN “CHRIST AND Consider the passage from Isaiah So, to couples who say it’s harmless the Tsunami” (March ’05) that (58:6b–7a) calling for removing the to view “soft” porn because it “turns someone can be honest with the chains of oppression and the yoke them on” or is “good for both of question, “Why did God allow it?” of injustice (advocacy) and sharing them,” you are playing with fire and by answering, “I don’t know!” As bread with the hungry and shelter- setting yourselves up for a possible the author said, not even Jeremiah ing the homeless (almsgiving). personal hell. and Elijah can give us the answer. The Biblical prophets often While intimacy is much more But does anyone else feel as I spoke out to rulers on behalf of the than sex, how sad that our culture is do? Does anyone else wonder if hungry, homeless, and oppressed. turning one of God’s greatest gifts we’re asking the wrong question? I God’s people are called to speak and into a false promise. How sad that keep asking myself, “Where were act in the same way today. We can pornography, affairs, and all other we humans in all this?” contact our elected officials, urging things people chase to get some sort God gave us a brain and common action and legislation in line with of extra pleasure ends up destroying sense, so why don’t we use them? our Christian beliefs about God’s the very pleasure being sought and We build cities and homes in flood concern for the helpless poor. We takes away from the real deal: the plains and tornado alleys. We live in can join with other Christian groups basic, God-given gift of sex between the predictable paths of hurricanes that have a proven record of respon- loving spouses. or next to volcanoes or on earth- sible and successful advocacy for Paul Koehler quake fault lines. And yet when the poor. Omaha, Neb. catastrophe strikes, we ask, “Why Almsgiving is essential to the

THE LUTHERAN WITNESS

Christian life, and I thank Rev. Wagener for making the case so well in his article. But God wants us to be advocates for the poor as well. Robert C. Droege Rockville, Md.

Screening out sin

I WAS INTRIGUED BY THE Q&A COLUMN, “The Sin We’ve Inherited” (March ’05). The column fell just short of stating that sin and death are genetic, imply- ing that sin (and presumably also death) is inherited in a manner analo- gous to the inheritance of our physical features “and even some diseases.” Biomedical research has progressed to the point where the exact genetic alterations (DNA muta- tions) responsible for many inherited human diseases are now known. Consequently, human embryos pro- duced by in vitro fertilization can be screened for the presence of the faulty genes before intrauterine implanta- tion, thus avoiding the birth of a child with a devastating and eventually lethal genetic disease for which both parents can be carriers without having the disease themselves. Another con- sequence of genetic research— research being actively and success- fully pursued using “knockout mice” —is the possibility of preventing a specific gene from being inherited. Thus, continuing the analogy to genetic diseases, it would seem the technology now exists—if only we knew which of the 20,000–25,000 genes in our nuclear DNA is or are responsible for original sin—to remove the sin we’ve inherited or at least avoid passing it on to future generations. On second thought, the “old Adam” likely doesn’t reside in our mitochondrial DNA, which we inherit almost exclusively from our mothers (that is, ultimately, from Eve, but with some inherited mutations). David A. Brase, Ph.D. Rockville, Md.

MAY 2005

THE PRICE OF SUCCESS Enrollment grows at our seminaries, but success has a price.

by Roland Lovstad Challenges of changes In the midst of this success, ate last month, 165 men the seminaries also face an received their first calls incredibly daunting challenge. into pastoral ministry— L Enrollment increases require about 26 percent higher than five financial support to assure that years ago—the result of 10 years these new pastors begin their of steady growth at the Synod’s ministries without excessive edu- two seminaries in Fort Wayne and cational debts. St. Louis. “The funding model—the way That’s good news for Synod the church pays for the education congregations, considering that of its pastors—has changed over about 400 congregations are the past 30 years,” explains Mark actively calling pastors this Hofman, director of development spring. (About 400 more congre- at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. gations are vacant and not call- “We are so much more dependent ing.) It’s good news, as well, for a on bequests and gifts.” He says Synod that will need pastors and direct gifts accounted for 63 per- missionaries to grasp its “Ablaze!” cent of the income at Concordia vision of reaching 100 million Seminary during the current aca- people worldwide with the demic year. Thirty years ago, it Gospel of Jesus Christ by 2017— was only 16 percent. a vision that includes starting In the past, most of the semi- 2,000 new ministries. naries’ budgets was supported There’s more encouraging through the Synod’s national news: 250 men received vicarage budget, adds Ralph Schmidt, assignments this spring, meaning director of development at they will be available for calls Concordia Theological Seminary, next year—and seminary enroll- Fort Wayne. “Forty years ago, ments continue to grow. During [Synod provided] approximately this academic year, there were 70 percent at Fort Wayne. Today 873 full-time residential students it’s $245,000, about 2 percent. We studying toward ordination-297 at appreciate the Synod’s desire to Concordia Theological Seminary, support us, and we know the Fort Wayne, and 576 at Concordia Synod is supplying as much as it Seminary, St. Louis. (Adding grad- can with the limited resources it Dominic Rivkin, a second-year student at uate students, deaconess stu- has for national ministries.” Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, meets with Dr. dents, and part-time extension Rev. Glen Thomas, director of James Voelz, professor of exegetical theology, between classes. Rivkin will begin a new congre- students, enrollments totaled 389 seminary relations in St. Louis, gation in the French Valley area of California at Fort Wayne and 827 at St. comments: “We find scores of as a mission planter after this semester ends. Louis.) people who think their Sunday-

THE LUTHERAN WITNESS Photo by Harold Rau

F SUCCESS morning offering covers the cost of educating seminary students. It is difficult to say without sounding like we’re complaining, but the Synod subsidy to the St. Louis semi- nary is about $250,000, which would support the tuition of less than 15 students. This is the fiscal reality we have.” Emphasizing that the Synod was formed by congregations that saw the necessity of working together to educate pastors, Rev. Scott Klemz, Dr. Cameron A. MacKenzie, professor of historical theology, teaches a class of future LCMS pastors director of seminary relations at at Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne. Fort Wayne, adds, “If the church can provide for the cost of a semi- narian’s education, it provides a out of their own pockets,” he ability to raise money for student realm for giving students a refuge to observes. aid. This is a reality we have to be formed as pastors. And that In addition to tuition, students consider as we plan our financial comes back to the congregations.” have living expenses. Because a aid commitment each year.” With less subsidy from the majority of seminary students today Says Schmidt: “We need more Synod, the seminaries have are married with children, the hous- people to understand realities under increased efforts to raise gifts and ing and personal expenses vary which we live today so we can have donations. The seminaries use considerably. For example, Fort more regular support year in and those gifts to provide tuition sup- Wayne estimates an annual budget year out.” Speaking of donors, he port for their students. Hence, the for a family of four to be $35,545 adds, “We are dealing with the most need grows as every new student including tuition, fees, books and wonderful people in the world. enrolls. living expenses. Both seminaries Their hearts are with the church and Thomas says this year’s tuition at also assist students by sponsoring with their Lord. It’s a partnership St. Louis was $17,400, of which the food and clothing banks stocked that is bigger than the seminaries.” seminary pledged to provide with free items donated by area $11,400 through seminary funds, congregations. support from districts and “Honestly, student debt is very TO LEARN MORE congregations, and other sources. troublesome,” Schmidt adds. Noting With this support, a student’s out-of- that a majority of students are sec- or more information about support- pocket expense was $6,000, plus an ond-career, he says, “They have F ing education of future pastors, estimated $1,500 in books. given up jobs. They have families. contact: At Fort Wayne the tuition was Even if their wives work, trying to O Jeff Craig-Meyer, LCMS Joint $12,825 this year. Schmidt says a raise a family while the husband is a Seminary Fund, (888) 930-4438. significant amount is granted to a full-time student is very difficult. student. The seminary estimates They are on the hearts of seminary O Rev. Ralph Schmidt, that fees, books, and supplies add staff.” Concordia Theological Seminary, $1,645 to the direct cost-plus hous- Tuition support has removed a Fort Wayne, (877) 287- 4338. ing and personal expenses. “In barrier that kept some from study- O Mark Hofman, essence, less than 10 percent of the ing for the pastoral ministry, Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, seminary’s budget comes from according to Hofman. “Enrollment (800) 822-5287. tuition that students actually pay growth is outpacing our current

Photo courtesy Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne MAY 2005

SHARING THE GOSPEL ‘DOWNTOWN’ ason Rust is beginning a mission among the young professionals and Jempty-nesters who are residents of rapidly developing loft communities in Funding, recruitment, downtown St. Louis. quality Recently, the second-year student at Concordia Seminary finished a Bible Funding models are high on the study to prepare a core of mature Christians to lead this ministry. It is part of agenda of the LCMS Board for his fieldwork with Trinity Lutheran Church, a city congregation seeking to Pastoral Education (BPE) as it establish a satellite ministry downtown. He sets up a mobile office in a seeks to improve the financial sta- downtown café to be near the people who don’t “have physical or social bility of the Synod’s two seminaries. needs,” Rust says, “finding a way to make the Gospel relevant to them.” The BPE was formed by the 2004 In his classes, he finds an outlet to discuss his experiences. “It’s a great convention, which also declared education to be learning from the best theological minds,” he observes. “I’m immediate priority for seminary receiving a firm foundation to apply this understanding to ministry.” funding. Dr. L. Dean Hempelmann, — R.C.L BPE executive director, quotes from Res. 4-02A, saying it charges the board “to engage the entire church for counsel and support in resolving this crisis.” “The church is saying loud and clear that it’s willing to step up to the plate to support seminaries in what has become a critical situa- tion,” he says. “We are already studying current funding models to ascertain what the seminaries are presently doing in development.” The resolution calls for a plan to be put into place during this triennium. “The LMCS Board of Directors desires to support our seminaries and doubled the subsidy to seminar- ies for a total of $500,000 this fiscal year,” Hempelmann says. He adds that a total of $1,050,000 also went to the seminaries through the Joint Seminary Fund, which is adminis- tered by the Board for Pastoral Education. Along with funding, recruitment also requires participation by the entire church, Hempelmann believes. “The seminaries have to work continually on recruitment, but it should not be left to them. The church responds in homes and then in congregations by identify- ing, encouraging, and supporting men who can serve in the pastoral ministry. Again, the church wants to address this issue.” An informal study of actuarial As a field worker with historic Trinity Lutheran Church, Jason Rust, a second-year tables and the experience of Worker seminarian, sets up a mobile office in downtown St. Louis to reach a growing Benefit Plans indicate that if the population of young professionals and empty-nesters who live in newly devel- oped loft apartments in former downtown warehouses and office buildings. seminaries continue to graduate “I’m receiving a firm foundation that I can apply to ministry,” he observes. pastors at current levels, the supply

THE LUTHERAN WITNESS Don Folkemer

GRACE: A LIBERATING MESSAGE rom St. George, Utah, Rev. Matthew Nelson serves Mt. Zion, Kanab, of active ministers in 20 years will be less F and Good Shepherd, Richfield, both mission parishes. His ministry than half of what it is today. Considering includes Bible classes for unchurched people, including inactive Mormons. that most new pastors are now in their mid- The 2004 graduate of Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, 30s to early 40s when they begin their min- emphasizes study of Luke’s gospel—with lots of discussion. “The message istries—plus informed estimates of deaths, of grace in Jesus apart from works is exciting and liberating news to these disabilities, terminations, and retirements— folks,” Nelson says. the study projects a net loss of more than Outreach is part of Lutheran heritage, he adds. “The goal is not simply 100 active pastors each year. Bible study, but Christian baptism and membership in one of our churches. One approach to recruiting, Hempelmann Word and Sacrament are at the center of what we do.” says, is through the “What a Way” initiative. Nelson believes seminaries are “absolutely critical” to the Synod, A new Web site (www.whataway.org) offers stating, “They need to be supported and treated like the jewels they are.” resources and materials for prospective — R.C.L workers, plus information for congregations and current church workers. The site is part of an effort to recruit—and retain—pas- tors and other church workers. The BPE continues to monitor what Hempelmann calls “a balanced supply and demand” for pastors. He adds, “Of course, we need more pastors if we want to be a mission church to go to every location to preach and teach Christ and His cross.” Meanwhile, Hempelmann is confident that LCMS pastoral education is strong in theological foundation and relevant to the needs of the church in contemporary society. Guiding pastoral education—as well as pre-seminary and post-seminary continuing education—are the LCMS Themes for Pastoral Education, resulting from four years of interviews with church leaders, laity, synodical colleges, and seminary fac- ulty. The themes deal with academic readi- ness, pastoral practice, spiritual formation, mission outreach, the church and culture, community of faith, service of the baptized, administration, experienced faculty, life- long learning, flexible approaches to educa- tion, and international exchange. Hempelmann says the two seminaries are collaborating around a “wholehearted endorsement” of these themes. “There is a real unity and from that stems a focus for unity in our church. It is God’s Word as taught—and caught—in seminary educa- tion that ultimately unites us, and the strong fortress of the Word is found in seminary life.”

Rev. Matthew Nelson, a 2004 graduate of the Fort Wayne seminary, often rides a motorcycle to cover the broad distances between the two parishes he serves in Kanab and Richfield, Utah. His ministry includes Bible classes for the unchurched in which he emphasizes Roland C. Lovstad is a member the study of Luke’s Gospel with lots of discussion. of Immanuel Lutheran Church, Perryville, Mo.

Photos courtesy of Matthew Nelson MAY 2005

Chaplain Marc DiConti, left, visits with service people “outside the wire” at a checkpoint in Ramadi, Iraq in February. The man with the speaker, a civilian named Kaybee from Sudan, is a translator giving instructions to men about to be searched. He attends worship services led by Chaplain DiConti whenever he can.

ONON THE THE PPRECIPICERECIPICE OFOF TERNITYTERNITY InIn aa warwar zonezone,, wherewhere peoplepeople EEfaceface thethe possibilitypossibility ofof sudsuddenden death,death, God’sGod’s assuranceassurance of eternal lifelife becomes all the more critical.

by Marc G. DiConti Physical warfare and large-caliber weapons. From early September 2004, when Ramadi Seventy miles west of Baghdad is ust under seven years ago, I sat became our temporary home, more the Ar-Ramadi, the provincial in my pastor’s study in Laurel, than 200 in the battalion have been capital of Al-Anbar. It’s far enough JMont., contemplating a move wounded. Some returned home for to military chaplaincy. I had long from conveniences to be avoided by surgery, prosthetics, and rehabilita- desired to follow my father into the most reporters, those who come to tion; others healed “in country” and Navy, but the Lord gave me another Iraq to get their stories and leave. returned to duty. Still others—15 in path. Ramadi is part of the violent Sunni all—were killed. When the opportunity came later Triangle where extremist Muslim My normal week is spent between to enter the Navy as a chaplain, I insurgents are most active among the battalion’s three bases in the city. never gave much thought to the idea the Sunni Muslims, a minority in this Every few days, I travel in the “com- that I could minister in a combat largely Shiite Muslim country. bat train,” a convoy of Humvees and zone. Even though my eight-month Since our arrival, our battalion of 7-ton trucks that runs supplies deployment aboard the USS Prince- 1,200 Marines and sailors has between the bases. I jump aboard ton to the Persian Gulf at the out- engaged the insurgents in numerous and carry out my migrant ministry, break of the Iraq War was considered firefights on the streets in the city providing worship services, Bible a “hostile fire zone,” it could not pre- center and in residential neighbor- studies, counseling, an empathetic pare me for what I experience now. hoods. We have been attacked by ear. Through it all, I continually gauge I am assigned to a Marine infantry IEDs (improvised explosive devices) troop morale. unit—the storied 2nd Battalion of made from 155mm and My travels with the convoys have the 5th Marine Regiment—that has remotely detonated by cell phones, been harrowing. My Humvee has been in every major conflict since RPGs (rocket propelled grenades), been shot at three times—once on WWI. mortars of various sizes, and small- Christmas Eve—and IED-ed twice.

THE LUTHERAN WITNESS U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 1st Class Shane T. McCoy

One was a vehicle-borne suicide enter a chow-hall-turned- life and has since been instructed bomb that went off just after we to sing and hear the Word. These and baptized (on Thanksgiving Day) passed, exploding just before the Marines’ and sailors’ Sunday service into the faith. Humvee following us. Mortars land may occur on a Friday, Saturday, or Another young Marine, who at in the bases with such regularity that Monday, in the evening or the morn- one time attended a Lutheran around sunset, the Marines humor- ing. But they not only make a joyful church, returned to his unit after a ously call the time on their watch noise as they praise God in songs, short stay in Germany to heal from a “Mortar:30.” Outside activities at they also receive spiritual renewal in shrapnel wound. He came back dusk are kept to a minimum. Spiritual warfare Coinciding with the physical war is a very real spiritual war over the hearts and minds of each soldier, sailor, and Marine. I understand that, for every moment we are here, every soul is on the precipice of eternity. Those whose faith is not in Christ’s work of righteousness face a tor- ment and separation from God for- ever. For these I am most fervent in my prayers and work to be used by God to win them for Jesus. After each death, in private min- The three men with Chaplain Marc DiConti, left, are some of the sailors and istry with individuals and with the Marines who attended a weekly Bible fellowship. Eventually, these groups men of the platoons of those killed, drew scores of men. and in every official memorial, I the life and promises of God’s Word. eager to know God more deeply. He have proclaimed the message of It is a beautiful experience to see and I completed his adult confirma- Jesus’ love, comfort, and promise God working in the hearts of many tion classes in February. and an invitation for His care. It has of these men. A daily brotherhood in Mature Christians among the been here, where sin abounds at its action has developed through hard troops have been emboldened to worst and brings violent death, that times where Jesus heals, encourages, share their faith and bring non- God’s grace abounds all the more, as strengthens, St. Paul assures us in Rom. 5:20. and enlivens. The Holy Spirit has shown the Faith has been power of His love in ministry to engendered and any may not have had reach the hardest of hearts and the increased an interest in religion, most closed of minds. Many may not through many M have had an interest in religion, but close calls when here they have opened up to the God extended but here they have opened up relationship Jesus has offered them. His mercy. What a privilege it has been to bear A Navy corps- to the relationship Jesus has the message of Christ, whether man came to preaching the cross in Christian faith in Christ offered them. worship or sharing His Good News after returning during impromptu visits in the from an early-morning patrol and believers to worship services. One “hooches” of troops. finding his quarters’ door and bed recent Christian convert, who was Looking past a makeshift altar- shredded by shrapnel from a mortar. wounded in action and then baptized and-pulpit combo of a box set on a If he had not been called that night just before Christmas, was used to table, the often dirty, exhausted, for patrol, he would have died. He lead a fellow Marine to new faith in stubble-faced, and spiritually hungry came to trust in Christ for his eternal Jesus after a worship service.

Photo courtesy of author MAY 2005

[A chaplain’s] “counseling skills will be pushed to the limit,” because a chaplain’s ministry mostly involves “people in crisis.”

Chaplain Marc DiConti, standing (below), leads a memorial service for four Marines who died in combat. Their rifles, helmets, and dog tags are displayed in the traditional memorial stand.

Worship services are especially poignant in a war zone where young military people are suddenly face-to-face with eternity and want to hear God’s Word above the noise of war. An improvised altar (not shown) and a chow-hall sanctuary are characteristic of war-zone worship services as U.S. Navy Chaplain Lt. Marc DiConti goes to where the troops are to minister to their spiritual and emotional needs.

THE LUTHERAN WITNESS Top photo: AFP/Getty Images Bottom photos courtesy of author

ON DUTY

s this is written, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod and Afghanistan. (Navy chaplains serve the Marine Corps as A has 18 chaplains serving in war zones: 13 in Iraq, three well.) in Afghanistan, and two in Kuwait. Also on the Synod’s roster are 65 Reserve chaplains, 33 But in a war zone or not, military chaplains have a chal- who serve in the National Guard and Air National Guard, 24 lenging, yet rewarding, ministry, says Chaplain Mark J. with the Civil Air Patrol, and 27 Veterans Administration Schreiber, director of the Synod’s Ministry to the Armed chaplains. Forces. Schreiber says there is always a need for more chaplains. “Your counseling skills will be pushed to the limit,” His Ministry to the Armed Forces office, which operates as because a chaplain’s ministry mostly involves “people in part of LCMS World Mission, recruits, interviews, and crisis,” he said. Tragedies are common, especially during approves chaplain candidates. wartime, and “chaplains are often there to pick up the In addition to its work with military chaplains, the pieces shortly after the event. People who die in the service Ministry to the Armed Forces office also provides, through don’t die after a lengthy illness—they die young and they its “Ministry-by-Mail” program, devotional materials to die violently. And [chaplains] often have to go and speak to LCMS members serving in the military. The free packets, the family about what just happened. mailed four times a year, include Portals of Prayer and “So “Death certainly happens in the parish, but not with the Help Me God,” a newsletter produced by the Synod’s armed frequency and intensity of the situations in the military.” forces ministry. Chaplains might be called upon to conduct worship serv- Schreiber said the 5,800 people now receiving the packets ices at sea, on the side of a hill, or from the back of a jeep. represent a small portion of the LCMS members who serve They minister to people with wide-ranging backgrounds— in the military, and he encouraged others to forward the many of them non-Christian—with ample opportunities for names and addresses of their family members and friends in outreach. And they do get to travel the world. the military to his office. The Missouri Synod, he said, is the Of the 246 LCMS pastors currently serving as military only church body that communicates regularly with its chaplains, 97 are on active-duty members. “active duty” (includ- To submit names of LCMS members who are ing 17 “mobilized on active duty in the military, or for more infor- Reservists”) with the mation about the military chaplaincy, contact Army, Navy, and Air the Ministry to the Armed Forces at (800) 433- Force anywhere in 3954, Ext. 1337, or [email protected]. the world, including — Paula Schlueter Ross war zones like Iraq

Staff Sergeant Rick, left, was Chaplain Marc DiCont’s convoy driver. He was drawn back to faith far from home and amidst war when DiConti asked him to read a Scripture pericope at a worship service.

Seeing God’s work and life in Christ. return to the civilian parish work— Faith has been engendered and knowing I’ve been enriched through There have been so many heart- increased through many close calls my chaplain’s ministry experiences. warming experiences in this ministry. when God extended His mercy. But for now, I acknowledge God’s God has granted me a rapport with When I am alone, usually while desire to use me where I am at my military family here that might laying my head in one of three places presently, on the winning side in take years to develop in a parish set- I happen to sleep during this deploy- this spiritual warfare. ting. This rapport has brought many ment, I often pray for my to me with their prayer requests and safe return home early this confidential concerns. So many of Spring, to reunite with Jan Lt. Marc G. DiConti is a chaplain these occasions have been opportuni- in the United States Navy and was (my wife of 23 years), and ties for God to work through the with the 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine to fellowship once more Regiment. He returned home Office of the Keys and for the means with my children. As well, from Iraq March 30, 2005. He is of grace to do its deep, eternal, and I seriously contemplate a a member of New Community loving work of offering forgiveness Lutheran Church, Temecula, Calif.

Photo courtesy of author MAY 2005

SearchingSCRIPTURE

HOW TO OVERCOME SATAN by Andrew Simcak Jr.

atan, or the devil, is one we learn in Ex. 20:11 and of the three great spiritual Gen. 1:31. S enemies that Christians ______encounter in their daily lives— ______the other two are the world and In your own words, our own sinful nature. explain how holy angels One of the problems today’s become evil angels. Read Christians face is that so many 2 Peter 2:4. deny the existence of Satan. A ______recent nationwide survey of reli- gious beliefs released by the Barna ______Research Group shows an alarm- God’s Word does not tell us the Our strength is the result of ingly high number of church mem- nature of their sin, but because what Christ did for us through bers whose beliefs fall far short of they sinned, they become the ene- His death and resurrection. Read orthodox Christianity. Only 47 mies of God and all Christians. 1 John 3:8 and Rev. 12:10. percent of all adults surveyed It was Satan who tempted Eve The power to fight and over- acknowledge the existence of to sin in the Garden of Eden. Go to come Satan and his subtle, slick Satan, despite the clear Biblical Gen. 3:1–7 and read again how sin temptations is ours by faith in teaching. entered the world when our first Jesus Christ, who overcame While most Americans queried parents disobeyed the clear com- and conquered Satan. Examine by Barna still believe in God as the mand of God and succumbed to 1 Peter 5:9. What comfort can all-powerful Creator, a mere 21 the subtle temptation of Satan. you take from these words? percent of Lutherans (17 percent Satan himself tempted our Lord ______of Catholics, 18 percent of at the beginning of His ministry. Methodists, 20 percent of His temptations are related in ______Episcopalians, and 22 percent of Matt. 4:1–11. What were his three ______temptations of Christ? the Presbyterians) told Barna that ______they thought Satan was real. ______A Lutheran theologian wrote ______How comforting and assuring that this “tells us that even ______Lutherans are utterly out of step it is for us not only to know that with Martin Luther, to whom the What is Satan’s purpose in Jesus, during His life, was tempt- Devil was very much a reality.” tempting us according to 1 Peter ed by Satan as we are, but also to Even the Christians who know 5:8? know with certainty that Jesus Satan is real confront other major ______conquered Satan through His problems. We tend to take Satan ______dying and rising again. Because Jesus overcame Satan, we can too lightly, and we are not willing James reminds us that we need to understand and effectively com- also overcome Satan by faith in to take definite action against Satan Him as our Savior. bat and overcome his temptations. in James 4:7. To overcome Satan This is dangerous, not only for this and his temptations we need to life, but it can also rob us of God’s put on the whole armor of God. gift of eternal life. Read Eph. 6:10–18 and describe It is important to know and each of the pieces of spiritual believe that Satan is alive and well. armor with which God provides us. Rev. Andrew Simcak Jr. Satan and all the other evil angels is vacancy pastor at St. ______were originally holy—sinless Luke’s Lutheran Church, Houston, Texas. angels created by God. Everything ______that God created was very good as ______

THE LUTHERAN WITNESS

fromthe PRESIDENT

TERRI SCHIAVO AND LIVING WILLS r. Kieschnick’s commen- on The Lutheran Church—Missouri tary printed below was Synod’s collective thinking con- Dshared earlier with secu- cerning living wills: lar media and posted on the The Lutheran Church—Missouri President’s Page on the LCMS Synod regards it as an appropriate Web site. —Ed. and commendable ethical proce- The long, tortured saga of Terri dure for people to draw up living Schiavo finally has ended. Our wills (or advanced directives, as prayers continue to be lifted to our they are now more commonly gracious God for her family mem- called). bers, friends, and supporters from Obviously, the decision to pre- around the world, many of whom pare a living will is deeply person- had never personally known Terri al, and the decision to activate one yet offered prayer and support is profound. A person’s living will during her life and now express should be implemented only when grief at her death. the point has been reached where selves from case to case. It took two weeks for Terri to medical interventions are no longer Generally, however, in the final die following the removal of her effective expressions of care but analysis, we rely on and trust the feeding tube. This would seem to instead involve burdensome, informed of our medical indicate that depriving her of food unnatural prolongation of a per- professionals (who ought to be and water did not permit her to die son’s life and artificial delay of the natural process of death. aware of and respect our wishes Christians always strive to on this subject) and commend the re there times when protect and preserve life. Again, matter in prayer to our loving and A our aim is always to care, never gracious God. choosing not to to kill. As our church body’s artificially prolong life is At the same time, we are not Commission on Theology has required by God’s Word to stated, “Any decisions made in this acceptable in the eyes of God? stretch out or unnaturally delay highly complex area, and any the dying process for as long as actions taken that may later appear to have been wrong, have but rather caused her to die. As modern technology can keep a been redeemed by that forgiveness Christians, our aim should be heart beating. When the God-given which is available to all who put always to care, never to kill. This is powers of the body to sustain its their trust in the work and merits particularly critical when signifi- own life can no longer function, of mankind’s Savior and cant doubt exists regarding the and doctors in their professional Redeemer.” actual irreversible nature of the judgment conclude that there is no Finally, I commend to you the patient’s illness and his or her real hope for recovery, even with words of our Savior, Jesus Christ, ongoing desire to live. life-support instruments, a “I am the resurrection and the life. But what if we, unlike Terri, Christian may in good conscience He who believes in me will live, should enter irretrievably and “let nature take its course.” even though he dies; and whoever unquestionably, without the shad- Christians may disagree about lives and believes in me will never ow of a doubt, into the process of how the principle “always to care, die” (John 11:25–26). death? Would our end-of-life wish- never to kill” may apply to specific God’s grace, mercy, and peace es be clearly known to those decid- situations. They may conscien- be with you all! ing our fate? Should we create a tiously take different positions on living will? Does our church body what can and should be included in Jerry Kieschnick approve of living wills? Are there a living will that prescribes what Lives Transformed through times when choosing not to artifi- medical interventions should or Christ, in Time ... for Eternity! cially prolong life is acceptable in should not be used. John 3:16–17 the eyes of God? It should be noted, too, that e-mail: [email protected] Allow me to share some insight different factors present them- Web page: www.lcms.org/president

MAY 2005