In 1526, almost 500 years ago, Martin Luther visited a number of Saxon churches and was horrified and distraught over the spiritual condition of the people and the clergy.
Here’s what he said in the Preface to his Small Catechism …
The deplorable, miserable condition that I discovered recently when I, too, was a visitor, has forced and urged me to prepare this catechism, or Christian doctrine, in this small, plain, simple form. Mercy! Dear God, what great misery I beheld! The common person, especially in the villages, has no knowledge whatever of Christian doctrine
… everyone says that they are Christians, have been baptized, and receive the holy Sacraments, even though they cannot even recite the Lord’s Prayer or the Creed or the Ten Commandments.
What do you think?
Do similar conditions exist today in the culture? in churches? among families and friends?
Luther continues with an exhortation to pastors …
Therefore, I beg you all for God’s sake, my dear sirs and brethren, who are pastors or preachers, to devote yourselves heartily to your office [1 Timothy 4:13]. Have pity on the people who are entrusted to you [Acts 20:28] and help us teach the catechism to the people, and especially to the young.
The Church has much work to do!
To do our part, I’ve created a new web resource called Lutheran Spirituality (here). It will be the home for The Receptive Life spiritual formation process.
The goal of this new endeavor is to provide digital resources that will help you develop a distinctly Lutheran spiritual formation process that is rooted in the Scriptures, anchored in the weekly Divine Service, and framed by the chief parts of Martin Luther’s Small Catechism.
Unlike most spiritual formation programs that focus on the work, performance, or effort of the individual, The Receptive Life emphasizes the work of the Triune God and directs us to all of the places and means by which the Word (in Scripture, the Sacraments, and in Jesus) does its work on us.
The Receptive Life 90 Day Community Course
Here’s what I would like to offer …
The plan is to start the community course on Ash Wednesday, February 22nd and continue through Pentecost Sunday, May 28th.
During the 90 days I’ll provide …
- daily videos during the week that highlight one of the stations of The Receptive Life daily/weekly practice
- resources and materials to implement the practice
- access to the private Lutheran Spirituality community platform (think FaceBook without the drama) so that individuals can ask their questions, comment, or connect with others
You can sign up for The Receptive Life community course by going to …
When you sign up, you’ll receive the videos sent directly to your inbox and directions on how to access the private Lutheran Spirituality community.
Ekklesia Resources for 2023
In 2023 we’ll also continue our video and in-person study of the Book of Revelation. Pastor Monson and the saints at SALT Church in Troy have graciously welcomed us to gather on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of the month.
You can access all of the Book of Revelation videos and other Ekklesia resources in the button below.
When you click on the “resource” link, a full menu of options will appear.
You’ll be able to click on all missionary at large updates, the eXPlain it portal, ekklesia resources, The Receptive Life, a new “publishing” service for pastors and churches called the Gutenberg Digital Press, and other recommended links.
Thank you again for your generous support, encouragement, prayers and many kindnesses.
If you would like to continue to support the Missionary at Large position through East Bethlehem you can either give a charitable donation by check or through electronic giving. Here’s a link that will give you more information … Support Missionary at Large (here).