Lutheran Vocational Evangelism

(An Introduction)

Momma always said, “Practice what you preach.” That phrase reminds us that it is what be believe that guides how we live. In “church” language we would say that Momma understood that Doctrine, what we believe, should guide practice, that is how we live, what we say and do.

Our guiding principle in church then is that doctrine and practice are not and cannot be separated, rather our practice, what and how we do what we do, is guided by what we believe. The corollary of that is true as well. What what and how we do what we do informs what we believe. In other words, because we believe the Ten Commandments are still valid for us today, we do not steal, murder, covet, lust, gossip and the like. Because we do not steal, murder, covet, lust, gossip and the like, we bear witness of the fact that we believe the Ten Commandments are still valid for us today.

Using our guiding principle of doctrine and practice, what does that mean for us as Christians and even more specifically as Lutheran Christians concerning how we reach out, how we do evangelism? This series of bulletin inserts titled “Lutheran Vocational Evangelism” will explore ways in which we as Lutheran Christians do evangelism from a specifically Lutheran understanding of God’s Word. In other words, how do we as Lutheran Christians understand how God tells us we are to be God’s “witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8b)?

Certainly there are many preconceived notions, stereotypes, misunderstandings and fears concerning the whole idea of being an evangelist or even a witness. Therefore, one goal of this series is to give you a better education and understanding of what the Bible says about being witnesses so that you may have joy and confidence in the witnessing of your faith to others. Along the way we will offer definitions of words, clarification of belief, and simple ideas that may be incorporated into your everyday life.

1 of 52 - © Rev. Dr. Ronald A. Bogs (2018)