Something from ... Gottesdienst regarding pastoral care

It is always nice when someone writes my articles for me.  Rev. Rick Stuckwisch (LC-MS pastor) wrote an article back in 2018, recently reposted on the Gottesdienst blog.  Gottesdienst is a blog overseen by a group of confessional pastors in the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod.  

Pastor Stuckwisch makes an appeal from a pastoral heart about the people he serves and his desire to see them more often.  In addition to more regular church attendance from all his members, he also is eager to provide pastoral care throughout many other moments in his members' lives.  I concur with his thoughts.  You can read Pastor Stuckwisch's article here.

Pastoral Counsel for election day

My pastoral advice for election day remains the same as always: "Put not your trust in princes, in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation.  When his breath departs, he returns to the earth; on that very day his plans perish." (Psalm 146:3-4)

No matter what happens, Jesus lives and reigns over all things for the good of his Church.  That is true when God's people get to enjoy prosperity and when God's people bear a cross of suffering.  Prosperity can be a temptation as much as it is a blessing.  Suffering, although painful, can be a blessing as it purges God's people of idols that they cling to and refines their faith.

No matter what happens tomorrow, the foundation of our faith remains solid and unmoved.

A Pastoral Concern and A Bible Class on suicide

Sudden death is a very grieving and shocking reality that many people have to contend with.  That shock and grief is intensified tremendously when the sudden death is by means of suicide.  Even Christians have committed suicide, which adds questions and bewilderment to the grief and pain.

What does one say?  How do the loved ones cope?  What comfort can be given to them?

During the Wednesdays in May, we will consider these challenges, based on the book And She Was a Christian.  The book was written by Rev. Peter Preus who had to personally grapple with all of this after his wife committed suicide which resulted from severe depression. 

What this class will not do:  The pastor is not a psychiatrist.  Therefore, he will not attempt to diagnose or cure mental illness.  The pastor is not God.  Therefore, he will not make judgments about individuals' eternal fate.  The pastor is not omnipotent.  Therefore, he cannot prevent anyone from attempting suicide.  The pastor is not omniscient.  Therefore, while he would like to give answers to every mystery, he cannot reveal everything.

What this class will do:  The pastor is obligated to proclaim what the word of the Lord says--both to expose sin and to proclaim God's grace to the sinner.  He will declare God's promises bring consolation to the grieving.  He will offer encouragement through God's word so that those who attend can offer comfort to others who are grieving.  He will direct you to where God has spoken and gives answers, but he will have to remain silent where God has chosen to remain silent. 

If you would like to order a copy of the book prior to our class, you may contact Pastor Schroeder to request a copy by April 21, 2019.  The cost is $25 per copy.  They will be distributed at church on Sunday, April 28 or when you come to class.  The class schedule is here:

And She Was a Christian

A Bible Study

Wednesdays in May (7:00 – 9:00 PM)

May 1
I. Introduction:  “Why Did He Do It?!”
1.  What do all suicides have in common?
2.  How is the suicide of a Christian a most troubling paradox?
3.  How does one deal with suicide’s stigma?

May 8
II. In Search of Someone to Blame
4.  Shall I blame my loved one who took his life?
5.  Shall I blame someone in my family?
6.  Did God give him too much?
7.  Was God making the best of a bad situation?
8.  Is it my fault he died?!
9.  How do I get past the nagging “If I had only . . .!”?

May 15
III. The Case against the Suicide
Suicide and Faith
10. What is faith, what is its source, and how does it save?
Faith’s Add-Ons
11.  Faith plus Obedience: Can a Christian choose what he knows to be wicked?
12.  Faith plus Reason: Can a Christian believe as he should if he cannot reason as he should?
13.  Faith plus Self-Esteem: Can a Christian believe in Christ if he cannot believe in himself?
14.  Faith plus Optimism: Can a Christian despair?

May 22
Suicide and Sin
15.  Did he really wish to die?  
16.  How did he get this way?
17.  But wasn’t he accountable?
18.  Is suicide the unforgivable sin?
19.  Did he have time to repent?

May 29
Suicide and Grace
20. How can a person remain a Christian if his illness is preventing him from hearing God’s Word?   
21.  How can I be sure he’s in heaven?

Pastor, was that aimed at me?!

Occasionally, a pastor preaches a sermon or makes a comment that hits close to the bone.  He speaks so vividly or pointedly about your fears, sins, or worries that you might think he knows your secrets.  You might even feel that the pastor is taking a shot at you. 

Well, yes, that may happen.  Not that the pastor is betraying a confidence or revealing a confession.  That is strictly forbidden.  The pastor has no right to divulge what is said in confidence.  The confessional is no place to gather fodder for sermons.

On the other hand, a pastor also cannot simply avoid topics because they are touchy.  If your daughter is living with a man outside of marriage (or pick a sin, it really doesn't matter which) and the pastor condemns that, he is not saying it just because he wants to pick a fight with you.  The pastor may not even be aware of what is going on.  The pastor is simply proclaiming God's will.  If you or your loved one are violating God's will, the pastor must show you.  You may not like it.  You may not like him for saying so.  Too bad. 

The pastor stands in the stead of Christ.  He is to speak for Christ, regardless of the consequences.  If the pastor, as he speaks for Christ, makes you angry, it is because you don't want to repent.  That is the hard truth.  Even though you might want to excuse it or deny it or lash out against it, it is the truth.  The pastor is obligated to proclaim the truth, even when it is hard.

Ultimately, the pastor's job is to lead you to Jesus Christ for forgiveness, comfort, and salvation.  But there can be no forgiveness or salvation when people cling to their sins.  The pastor can neither aid nor abett the enemy by bringing him comfort.  The pastor proclaims God's word so that you will see Satan's lies, especially when you are ensnared in them.  If you would rather embrace the lie than God's truth, then the pastor must note that you have allied yourself with the enemy.  He must tell you so.  He must tell you that you have made yourself the enemy of Jesus.  He cannot comfort you, forgive you, or suggest that there is salvation for you.

If you are ashamed of your sin, overwhelmed with guilt, or fearful of your place before God, do not avoid your pastor.  While his words may have sounded harsh, that served so that you would finally be terrified at God's wrath and to despise yourself for your sin.  That is a sign of repentance.  And the Lord is most merciful to the penitent.

No matter how bad you think your sins are and no matter how deep your shame runs, the grace of God is greater and the mercy of God runs deeper.  The pastor will tell you that the blood of Jesus purifies you of all sin.  He stands in the stead of Christ.  Through him, you will hear the words of God.  In Private Confession and Absolution, you will hear the words of Christ, "I forgive you."  At the communion railing, you will hear, "For you."  And yes, that is aimed at you.