This weekend I spoke to 60 large church pastors who are a part of the the Lutheran Church (LCMS).  Billy Graham called the denomination a "sleeping giant."  The denomination as some unique strengths but is experiencing a long term decline as with many other denominations. As I prepared my time, I sensed the Spirit's leading to begin to write down a few questions. So at the top of the pad I wrote down, "Questions for our existence" and this is what spilled out. I decided to end my talk with these questions:


  • Are the Lutherans the only group that has the privilege to proclaim the Law and Gospel? If not, then why should Lutherans exist?

  • Why would an active Christ follower in 2009 want to be Lutheran if they weren’t born into it?

  • What is the single greatest reason to be a Lutheran in 2009? Why would a lost world care about that reason?

  • If we are stronger at educating children than other denominations why aren’t we a growing denomination?

  • Do we want to exercise the privilege of preaching without the responsibility being sent? (Romans 10)

  • Who are Lutherans sent to today? Who is your church sent to reach?

  • Does practicing the sacraments make you a church if you have jettisoned the mission of Jesus?

  • What is keeping the strongest churches in our pack from taking more risks?

  • If our strongest churches of the LCMS don’t take the risks then who will?

  • What’s keeping the denomination from dramatically celebrating the small pockets of true innovation?

  • Why aren’t the larger churches and the denominational leaders working better together for the future of the denomination?

  • What will the state of the denomination be in 2080?

  • Why do we elevate academia over action when our founder modeled both?

  • How come Lutherans have fewer large churches than many other protestant groups?

  • Who is solving our ineffective decision-making structures and policies and why aren’t large churches banding together to show the way?

  • What would you be willing to give up today in your church (speaking to the large church pastor) if it meant the denomination would be stronger in 2080?

















Topics: Date: Jan 26, 2009 Tags: