Date: 2004-11-18 07:42 Subject: The End is Near Security: Public Mood: aggravated

Now that we are near the end of the Church Year and about to begin another year of Grace, I am convinced more than ever that the end of all things is nearer than what we imagine.

Not that I'm some sort of Trinity Broadcasting Network "prophet" but the time of His coming draws nigh.

The persecution of faithful, orthodox pastors in our "synod" continues. Every week I hear of another pastor who is being persecuted because he dares preach the Gospel rather than the false gospel of "what's happenin' now". Itching ears cannot stand to hear the same Words every Sunday. When the spiritual father will not comply, then we throw him out and find someone else to give us what we want.

This shouldn't come as a surprise. Divorce continues to rise in our country. Marriage is as disposable as a paper plate. If we don't like our spouse, all it takes is a couple calls to a couple lawyers and, Bob's your uncle, you are free to marry anyone you want...and I mean anyone now that the demonic ruling of "same-sex marriage" rolls through Canada and a few places in the U.S.A.

Divorce has made its way into the Church. No longer do we view the Divine Call as a marriage between pastor and people. It's now viewed as a convenient contractual agreement that may be terminated at the whim of the Voter's Assembly. This is a decidedly Reformed attitude of the Office. A Reformed pastor has his contract renewed periodically and is always "up for re-election" so he must act like a campaigner and "press the flesh" constantly. One little foible or failure and he's out on his ear for the next guy.

Not so with we Lutherans. A Divine Call is a Divine Call. Pastor and people are wedded to each other until the LORD has need of that man someplace else or unless Scriptural principles forbid that pastor to continue in that Office anywhere...not just that particular parish. Sadly, the non-Scriptural principle of "for the good of the ministry" (pro bono ministerio) is now a popular excuse to off a pastor. The congregation says "It's for your (and our) own good that we 'vote you out'". Yes, irreconcilable differences have become a "Scriptural" principle for getting rid of a pastor.

There is something there when one compares the rising divorce rate in our country to the rising rate of throwing out Confessing, orthodox Lutheran pastors from congregations. Would that we not dispose of our LORD Christ and His Words of forgiveness, life, and salvation.

Pray for persecuted pastors everywhere. There's too many for me to name in my own "synod" right now. I'm praying for them. I hope you are too.

FatherDMJ