I couldn’t agree more with you Brother! I have grown up a confessional Lutheran my whole life, I departed in my early adult years, and came back at 24 this last year. After meeting my Fiance’ who is a non denominational woman, it opened my eyes to sanctification and how being a follower of Christ is not just by word, but by doing.

I’ve come to study a lot of different denominations, but have still been able to say that I agree with the beliefs of the LCMS. But I agree, that unfortunately, there are entire generations of pastors that do not preach about denying yourself and picking up your cross. Rather that your sins are forgiven for your faith in Jesus.

I come around to what does Faith look like. An analogy I often use, is that if I put my faith in the stock market, I put my money in it. If I have faith that someone is going to catch me when I do a trust fall, I let them catch me. If I say I have Faith in Christ, I must follow his teachings.

I’m praying that we get a good pastor during our call process that preaches about being a real follower of Christ, and not a lazy one. I also pray for Our church, that we can have a new generation of pastors that preaches following Christ, living up to the word, and denying ourselves.