The Joshua Victor Theory

Note: I recently composed this paraphrase of Luther's Small Catechism on the explanation of the Ten Commandments. Since it's 12 verses, it may be useful, for example, to sing a verse or two related to the commandment on which you are teaching, and then sing verses 10-12 as a conclusion, setting the commandments in the wider context of salvation theology and the rest of Scripture, leading us to Christ as our only Savior. Coming up in the 1 Year Lectionary, the Sixth Sunday after Trinity falls on July 23, 2017, and the Old Testament reading is the Ten Commandments from Exodus 20:1-17. If there is any feedback on the wording, this is a working draft, but I present it if it may be of service to the church. God's blessings!  The Ten Commandments Hymn Text: paraphrase of the Small Catechism by Joshua V. Schneider Meter: 87 87 D Suggested Tune: Joyous Light, LSB 932 1. God the Lord brought you from Egypt From the land of slavery Him alone you then must worship...

On the blog of a fellow LCMS pastor, Rev. William Cwirla, is a somewhat humorous, but perceptive 7-step “program” for how we as Christians should prepare ourselves for evangelizing (spreading the Gospel!). The 7 simple steps are listed below: Rev. Cwirla's 7-Step Evangelism Equipping Program™ 1. Talk to people about sin and Jesus' death and resurrection wherever and whenever you can. 2. Don't worry that people will think you're weird, you are. 3. When possible, invite them to church and hang with them through catechesis to their Baptism. 4. Practice talking sin and Jesus with folks in your congregation, most of whom are Christians already, but hey, if you can't talk about sin and Jesus in church, where can you? 5. Memorize the small catechism so you'll have something intelligent to say and don't just blather on and on about yourself. 6. Don't worry about failure; God works through that too. 7. No ifs, ands, or buts when it comes to faith in Jesus or it i...