Lutheran Mission

Book: Apply the Word

noreply@blogger.com (Richard Schwedes) — Tue, 04 Aug 2026 01:30:46 +0000

Every preacher wants to see God’s Word impact their congregation.

We wrestle with meaning, check the original Greek, and consult commentaries to make sure we’re faithful, articulate, and gospel-driven . But what if, in our diligence, we’re neglecting application, leaving our listeners informed rather than transformed?

Richard Coekin is passionate about application and candidly shares his own mistakes and growth in preaching over the past thirty years. Writing for both new and experienced preachers, Coekin lays out what good application is, what it’s not, and how to develop in this vital area so congregations don’t just hear the Word, but are equipped to put it into practice.

Key Points

The Problem with Expository Preaching: Why accurate textual exposition often neglects clear, practical application, leaving congregations informed but unchanged.
Defining True Application: What faithful, text-driven application looks like (and distinguishing it from legalism, moralism, or subjective opinion).
Application to the Heart: Shepherding listeners across different life situations—addressing tired parents, anxious believers, proud leaders, and skeptical guests.
Nuts and Bolts of Sermon Preparation: Practical techniques and structural tools for incorporating clear application directly into sermon outlines and delivery.

Available on Amazon

Worship and Study resource: Creation in Christ Day

noreply@blogger.com (Richard Schwedes) — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 00:30:20 +0000

Creation in Christ or Feast of Creation has been introduced into the liturgical calendar to be celebrated on 1 September or the nearest following Sunday.

Grounded in the ancient liturgical tradition of the Orthodox Church, “Creation in Christ” (or “Feast of Creation”) celebrates God as Creator and ponders the great mystery that everything was created through Christ. And, as a result, it also inspires us to care for the gift of the created world. Although the rich theme of Christ’s activity in creation abounds throughout the liturgical year, setting aside this day brings an important focus to this mystery.

Resources

Creation in Christ Web site

LWF information

Consultation on Common Texts - recommended texts and rationale

ELCA - Year A worship resources

2026 August Lutheran Fellowship Gatherings weekly resource

noreply@blogger.com (Richard Schwedes) — Sun, 26 Jul 2026 05:55:27 +0000

AUGUST weekly resources

Click on the weekly links below to access the weekly resources

August week 1: Pentecost 10 Proper 13 Matthew 14:13-21

August week 2: Pentecost 11 Proper 14 Matthew 14:22-33

August week 3: Pentecost 12 Proper 15 Matthew 15:10-28

August week 4: Pentecost 13 Proper 16 Matthew 16:13-20

DONATE HERE

The Lutheran Fellowship Gathering weekly resource is for small groups or small worshipping communities to help them connect with God and each other focussing on the Gospel reading of the Revised Common Lectionary

I have made this resource available is to support people who wish to gather around God’s Word, focus on Jesus and to grow as part of God’s church.

You may want to use it to help you start a small group in your church community, or to gather people in a community where a Lutheran church currently is not present.

This resource is offered free of charge to non-commercial situations, on the understanding that you will not charge for copies or its use.

This resource has been developed by Pastor Richard Schwedes, richardschwedes@gmail.com

If you have feedback, suggestions or improvements feel free to email me

Study: Lutheran Hermeneutics - The Bible in the life of the Lutheran communion

noreply@blogger.com (Richard Schwedes) — Sat, 25 Jul 2026 08:08:45 +0000

For Lutherans the Bible is the word of God

The Bible is also read in hugely diverse cultural, political, economic and religious contexts.

The Bible in the life of the Lutheran Communion engages with the question how Lutheran churches in such varied contexts can reach a shared and mutual understanding regarding their reading and interpretation of biblical texts.

Chapters

Introduction: The Lutheran churches’ focus on the Bible and its interpretation
What does sola scriptura mean?
Challenges of interpreting the Bible today
Opportunities for reading and understanding the Bible in the twenty-first century

Download a copy of The Bible in the life of the Lutheran Communion here

Resource: Beyond the hymnals - New Lutheran Hymns

noreply@blogger.com (Richard Schwedes) — Sat, 25 Jul 2026 00:25:13 +0000

Beyond the hymnals resource arose because every year new original hymns are composed for Lutheran congregations and worship. Many of these new hymns grow out of a pastoral need or situation.

The goal of this resource is to sustain awareness and access to this treasure of Christian hymnody and to demonstrate possible uses for the Sundays and festivals of the Church Year, of Year A. They pray it is a source of inspiration to pastors, church musicians, worship planners, classroom teachers, composers, and others.

There are 211 hymns representing the work of 19 Lutheran hymn writers, ranging from the now sainted to current college students.

You can download the resource Beyond the hymnals - here

Free Bible Studies

noreply@blogger.com (Richard Schwedes) — Fri, 24 Jul 2026 23:35:23 +0000

The Church of the Lutheran Brethren offers free downloadable bible study series.

The studies available include:

Symbols of our savior - Lent Study
Spiritual Formation - working with Jesus to become more like Jesus
Our artists God
Full of grace and truth
Intentionally intergenerational
Mental health and the church
Partner in Mission
All things new
Identity in Christ
Identity in Christ - Justification
Innocent Blood
Triumphant Christian living
The truth in Jesus
The life in Jesus
Living Faith
From disappointment to joy
Directions in God's Word

These studies are available at https://clbforge.org/studies

Hymn Devotion: Devotions on hymns of the day (Church Season)

noreply@blogger.com (Richard Schwedes) — Fri, 24 Jul 2026 23:27:11 +0000

Behind every hymn there is a story.
Concordia University - Centre for Music helps us reflect more deeply on the hymns and their stories by offering us Devotions on the hymn of the day

Written by a wide variety of Lutheran pastors, teachers, church musicians and laity, each of these devotions seeks to unwrap the gift of the hymn text and apply it to the our Christian life.

To discover these devotions visit: https://www.cuchicago.edu/academics/centers-of-excellence/center-for-church-music/devotions-on-the-hymn-of-the-day/

Book: Uproar: Calm leadership in anxious times

noreply@blogger.com (Richard Schwedes) — Thu, 23 Jul 2026 00:47:52 +0000

Uproar: Calm Leadership in Anxious Times helps leaders understand the powerful impact that emotional processes have on the people they lead.

If “these are the times that test men’s souls,” never more than for the leader’s ability to think clearly, to be present calmly, and to challenge effectively.

It’s a time when leaders cannot be as anxious as those they serve; otherwise, the system is leaderless. Anxiety flows down like water from a leaky pipe. To lead effectively we must understand the impact of powerful emotional forces on people’s behavior, especially in anxious times.

Peter Steinke, bestselling author of Congregational Leadership in Anxious Times draws on decades of work on system conflict and personal experiences to share real stories of challenges leaders have faced and how understanding the power of emotions has dramatically influenced their success.

In this book, readers will observe important leadership characteristics such as separating oneself from the surrounding anxiety, making decisions based on principle and not instinct, taking responsibility for one’s own emotional being, staying connected to others including those who disagree with you, being a non-anxious presence, focusing on emotional processes rather than the symptoms they produce, knowing people naturally influence one another, and recognizing leader and follower as complements.

At the end of each chapter, there is a Leader’s Notebook, a short section to illustrate, enrich or engage your thinking about leadership.

As Steinke suggests, being anxious causes you to lose perspective, and leaders do their best thinking when they are not overly stressed and can think about options, doing their best work when they work on themselves.

So where are you in your leadership journey? No matter where you are―beginning, middle or end― this book will be one the most significant leadership books you’ll read.

Chapel Curriculum: Your word is growing in me

noreply@blogger.com (Richard Schwedes) — Tue, 21 Jul 2026 03:08:27 +0000

A chapel curriculum that has been developed by LCMS Lutherans for LCMS Schools.

Each Chapel suggests a simple theme on which to build a Chapel message, Bible verses that the Chapel message is based on, Song suggestions that connect to the Chapel message and Bible verses,

Includes:

Theme Song and motions, music score, chord charts, videos, and more!
Chapel Ideas for 35 Weeks of the school year that are thematically tied to “God’s Word is Growing Me.”
Chapels are sequenced to connect with major seasons of the church year

Week 1: Opening Chapel - God’s Word is Growing Me (Orientation to the theme)
Weeks 2-3: God’s Wisdom
Weeks 4-8: God’s Word and its reliability
Weeks 9-17: God’s Word was Growing Them (a look at important people from the Bible who were changed by God’s Word)
Weeks 18-29: God’s Word Gives Me…(a look at the promises God gives us in His Word)
○ Weeks 30-34: God’s Word Shapes My Values and Character (a look at how God’s Words can align our values and character can be more like his)
Week 35: Closing Chapel - Keeping God’s Word so that it continues to grow,

Theme graphics

To preview the resources visit https://mailchi.mp/cui.edu/your-word-preview

App: Weave Worship

noreply@blogger.com (Richard Schwedes) — Tue, 21 Jul 2026 02:57:08 +0000

A worship app built for the local church

Faster Discovery - Search by theme, Scripture, service fit, meaning, tune, doctrines and more.
Clearer Discernment - Learn more about how a particular song or hymn functions in the Lutheran service.
Better Building - Filter doctrinally reviewed resources, create setlists, find liturgy pairings, and sync to Planning Center Services.

Weave is a powerful, searchable worship planning suite that empowers pastors, music directors, and worship leaders to select songs and liturgical elements with theological confidence and clarity. Rooted in confessional Lutheran theology and attentive to the rhythms of the church year, Weave helps evaluate music by both its sound and its substance. It also integrates seamlessly with Planning Center Online, streamlining the planning process from reflection to execution.

Developed by the Center for Worship Leadership at Concordia University Irvine,

Book-pdf Be at Leisure-A Lutheran approach to outreach

noreply@blogger.com (Richard Schwedes) — Sat, 18 Jul 2026 14:22:08 +0000

"Be at Leisure: A Lutheran Approach to Outreach" addresses how outreach happens naturally within the congregation.

The advice in this book is not so much about changing practices as it is about focusing the faith of the heart on Christ, and teaching minds to think according to how the Scriptures speak.

Chapters

Motives - Approach (Diagram)
Faithfulness
Beauty
Hospitality
Procreation
Catechesis
Straying
Invitation
Good Works
Epilogue: Waiting

You can download a free copy of the book at https://steadfastlutherans.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Be-at-Leisure-by-Andrew-Richard.pdf

Worship and Study Resources: Leaving no one behind

noreply@blogger.com (Richard Schwedes) — Sat, 18 Jul 2026 07:25:49 +0000

In 2026, the Bible Society of New Zealand, in celebrating their 180th anniversary, are focusing on 5 powerful parables from the Gospel of Luke....with the theme Leaving no one behind

The resources they are providing are for all ages — designed to help individuals, churches, and ministries engage deeply with God’s Word.

Each week you will focus on one of the parables:

The lost coin
The lost sheep
The prodigal son
The Good Samaritan
The Sower

The resources available include:

Adult devotional bible studies
Teen devotional bible studies
7 day challenge plan
Children's lesson
31 day reading plan

For more information visit

https://biblesociety.org.nz/bible-month-2026/#bm

Resources: Faith and Lead

noreply@blogger.com (Richard Schwedes) — Mon, 13 Jul 2026 23:47:47 +0000

Faith and Lead: Faith Leadership for Everyone

Faith and lead provides on-demand courses, live ministry workshops, learning communities, and peer support for congregations, pastors, lay workers, leaders and members.

Resources available include

live learning
on demand learning
Ebooks
Podcasts
Blogs

You can choose to have becoming a member giving you access to courses and resources for no further charge or you can pay a one off fee for a resource/course.

They also offer a limited number of free courses and resources

Main Topics covered include:

Bible
Cultivate community
Faith and contemporary issues
Faith in daily life
Faithful innovation
Justice and service
Ministry leadership
Mission and Evangelism
Rural Ministry
Spiritual Practices
Stewardship and Sustainability
Theology and History

Begin exploring faith and lead https://faithlead.org/

A missionary idea: The whiteboard/butchers paper

noreply@blogger.com (Richard Schwedes) — Sun, 12 Jul 2026 23:16:36 +0000

In a place where your congregation gathers for fellowship place a whiteboard or butchers paper in a prominent place with some markers, and the following question:

How can we as a church, share God with our wider community through:
our relationships

technology

buildings

people?

And encourage people to put down their thoughts

Article: Lutheran Ecclesiology - Jonathan Mumme

noreply@blogger.com (Richard Schwedes) — Sun, 12 Jul 2026 04:29:15 +0000

Jonathan Mumme's article in the St Andrew's Encyclopedia of Theology is Lutheran Ecclesiology.

The article covers

Introduction

Late medieval ecclesiological thought

The ecclesiology of the reformers and the confessions

General characteristics

Symbolical expression (the Lutheran Confessions)

Productive theological pairings

Invisible and visible

Faith and the means of grace

Church and marks of the church

Ministry (Amt) and congregation (Gemeinde)

Internality and externality as ecclesiological diagnostic

Historical unfolding

Orthodoxy and Enlightenment

The long nineteenth century

Recent and contemporary

Polities and particular ecclesial trajectories

Germany

Nordic countries

America

Amalgamations

Lutheran approaches to general ecclesiological concerns

Israel and eschatology

The church and the state

Current state of play

Federations, communions, and associations

Ecumenism and post-ecumenism

Directions toward the future

Lutheran Ecclesiology by Jonathan Mumme is available at St Andrews Encyclopedia of Theology

Book: Called to Witness - doing missional theology

noreply@blogger.com (Richard Schwedes) — Sun, 12 Jul 2026 03:54:14 +0000

One of the leading voices in the missional church conversation, Darrell Guder here lays out basic theological issues that must be addressed for the church to serve God faithfully as Christ's witnessing people.

Guder argues that there are major consequences for every classical theological locus if the fundamental claims of the missional church discussion are acknowledged.

In Called to Witness he delves into these consequences, saying that we need to keep doing missional theology until it is possible to leave off the "missional scaffolding" because, after all, mission defines the very essence and calling of the church.

Chapters

Reconstructing Theology: Mission and the Task of Theology
The Missional Challenge: De-Centering Christendom
The Missional Calling: The Apostolic Vocation of the Church
Why the Term “Missional”?
The Witness of God: The Trinitarian Foundation for Missional Theology
The Witness of God’s Word: Reading Scripture Missionally
The Witness of God’s People: The Royal Priesthood
The Witness of the Marks of the Church: The Nicene Creed
Integrating Theological Formation for Apostolic Vocation
The End of Missional Theology

Available on Amazon

Book: The Great Sending- God's heart beating through you

noreply@blogger.com (Richard Schwedes) — Fri, 10 Jul 2026 00:56:23 +0000

Will Sohns goes right to the heart—the heart of the missional problem—and offers a powerful solution.

God’s Sending is a call to join Him in something beyond self, beyond a congregation, and beyond a denomination. God is calling us to much more. His Great Sending is His heartbeat for the world that He wants beating in and through you.

Readers will learn to re-arrange their understanding of Scripture and life around God’s Mission…no longer arranging God’s Mission around their self-centered lives.

Each chapter in this collection of writings from renowned authors connects God’s heart to your own through a deep dive into Scripture. The Great Sending will begin new conversations in the church around the Great Sending (Missio Dei) and lead laity, congregations, and pastors to let God change the direction of local churches that are collapsing under protectionism and self-preservation.

The Great Sending is about opening up to God’s heart for the world. Let this book challenge you and call you to see God’s Mission and move your life to join God in the Mission.

chapters

Christ in the heart of the great sending
Engaging Disciples in the great sending
The great Christ sending
The great sending essentials
The great sending in the multiplication of Acts
The great sending in nature and culture
Nailing 12 missional theses in the great sending
Missional Resources
A missio dei catechism

The Great Sending is available on Amazon

Confirmation Curriculum - Lutheran House of Study

noreply@blogger.com (Richard Schwedes) — Wed, 08 Jul 2026 23:13:32 +0000

The Lutheran House of Study has developed a free online Lutheran Confirmation Course to assist congregations and members in preparing for people to be confirmed as members of their Lutheran congregation

The curriculum covers:

Luther's Small Catechism
The Bible and key bible lessons

The resources available include:

interactive digital lessons (modules)
custom-made videos
quizzes
drag/drop tasks
discussion questions
scripture passages
prayers.

To discover more about the Lutheran Confirmation Course visit

https://lutherhouseofstudy.org/confirmation/

Hymn: Soul adorn yourself with gladness

noreply@blogger.com (Richard Schwedes) — Tue, 07 Jul 2026 23:56:02 +0000

The hymn originally called "Schmücke dich, o liebe Seele" was written by German poet Johann Franck wrote the hymn following the devastating Thirty Years' War in Germany. Despite the grief, destruction, and personal tragedies that surrounded him, Franck penned a text designed to uplift the faithful by placing their focus on God. The hymn draws heavily from the Parable of the Wedding Banquet and imagery from Psalm 43, urging the individual to leave behind earthly sorrows and approach the Lord's Table with joy. So the hymn is often sung as a Holy Communion Hymn

Catherine Winkworth translated the hymn into English

The hymn is known as

Soul adorn yourself with gladness
Soul adorn thyself with gladness
Deck thyself my soul with gladness

Text and sheet music

https://hymnary.org/text/soul_adorn_yourself_with_gladness

Video versions

Book: Reformational Missiology: An Evangelical Lutheran Perspective for Global Mission

noreply@blogger.com (Richard Schwedes) — Tue, 07 Jul 2026 23:37:51 +0000

Reformational Missiology is about why Christians share their faith--not because they made it up, but because God calls us to share.

It explains how Lutheran beliefs, like being saved by grace alone and focusing on Jesus' sacrifice, shape the spread of the message of Jesus today. The book covers the Bible's teachings, history, modern challenges and practical ways to live out serving in God's mission today. Lutheran mission perspective may present different than that of other Christians, but all agree mission is about telling people God forgives them and invites them into His family.

Main themes covered

Biblical & Theological Foundations: Focuses on the missio Dei (mission of God),
Historical Perspectives: Traces how Lutheran historical doctrines shape the message and motive of mission today.
Worldviews & Culture
Contextualization & Translation: Explores practical ways to communicate the Christian message in diverse cultural settings without compromising core biblical truths.
Praxis and Modern Challenges: Provides actionable guidance on modern ministry, diaspora missiology, and local church missions without relying on a priestly hierarchy.

Available at Amazon

Book: Mission from the cross

noreply@blogger.com (Richard Schwedes) — Tue, 07 Jul 2026 23:22:51 +0000

Klaus Detlev Schulz unpacks a Lutheran perspective of mission that is centred and grounded in the cross of Jesus

“The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few.” Luke 10:2 Whether you go on mission trips or support them through prayer or funds, this book offers a great understanding of your involvement in the mission field. Discover the theology that underlies mission and connects you to this vital activity of proclaiming the Gospel.

The mission field is all around you—down the street and across the world. We are called to go and make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19) and to not be ashamed of the Gospel (Romans 1:16), so how do you live that out? This books covers important topics such as cultural anthropology, communication styles, linguistics, ecumenical issues, strategies and more.

Mission from the Cross is a valuable resource as it helps you understand how God blesses His children through your service in His kingdom. This resource explores the Lutheran theology of mission through a contemporary lens and focuses on how it is accomplished through God’s grace.

There are two versions of Mission from the Cross

Lay Reader Version

Available at Amazon

Academic Version

Available at Amazon

Book: Christ Alone

noreply@blogger.com (Richard Schwedes) — Tue, 07 Jul 2026 23:12:38 +0000

In our postmodern, pluralistic world, there are plenty of genuinely spiritual people who consider Christ a way to heaven, or even their way to heaven, but who refuse to acknowledge Him as the one and only way for everyone.

In their estimation, anyone who stresses an exclusive, saving faith in Jesus Christ is at the least intolerant and, at worst, completely ignorant. Yet as Rod Rosenbladt shows in this booklet, there are numerous evidences that support the centrality and exclusivity of Christ. He draws on these here to affirm that even in the face of sophisticated theological attacks, God's Word--and Christ's unique claims--still hold true.

In defending solus Christus Christians need not disregard the noble words or deeds of unbelievers throughout history. But there is One whose words and works stand far above all others, and whose entire existence proved His exclusive claims. And He deserves not only our worship, but our witness before a lost world.

Chapters

Solus Christus in the Scriptures - The Bible Is About Christ
The Background of Solus Christus
Today’s Theological Attack on Solus Christus
The Offense of Solus Christus
Solus Christus and the Pastor
Summary and Conclusion and Further Reading

Available on Amazon

2026 July Lutheran Fellowship Gatherings weekly resource

noreply@blogger.com (Richard Schwedes) — Mon, 29 Jun 2026 13:33:53 +0000

JULY weekly resources

Click on the weekly links below to access the weekly resources

July week 1: Pentecost 6 Proper 9 Matthew 13:1–23

July week 2: Pentecost 7 Proper 10 Matthew 13:24–43

July week 3: Pentecost 8 Proper 11 Matthew 13:31–52

July week 4: Pentecost 9 Proper 12 Matthew 14:13–21

I have made this resource available is to support people who wish to gather around God’s Word, focus on Jesus and to grow as part of God’s church.

You may want to use it to help you start a small group in your church community, or to gather people in a community where a Lutheran church currently is not present.

This resource is offered free of charge to non-commercial situations, on the understanding that you will not charge for copies or its use.

This resource has been developed by Pastor Richard Schwedes, richardschwedes@gmail.com

If you have feedback, suggestions or improvements feel free to email me

Celebrating the Gospel of Jesus - Augsburg Confession

noreply@blogger.com (Richard Schwedes) — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 05:49:46 +0000

An early copy of the Augsburg Confession is currently listed for sale at 45,000 Euros (about AUD $73,730). According to the seller, its value comes from its provenance—originally owned by Lazarus Spengler, a close friend and supporter of Luther—its age (printed in 1530), and the fact that it is an authorised early edition (the fourth edition).

Yet the true value of the Augsburg Confession is not found in its price tag, its rarity, or its historical owners. Its real worth lies in what it proclaims: a clear witness that being a Christian is entirely the result of the saving work of Jesus, and that the Church exists to live from and share this Gospel. That is why many Lutheran churches set aside 25 June each year to commemorate the presentation of the Augsburg Confession.

On 25 June 1530, the Lutheran reformers publicly presented the Confession in Augsburg to clarify what it means to be a Biblical, Gospel centred church and Christian. It addresses:

Who God is (Articles 1–3)
How God communicates His saving love (Articles 4–6)
What is essential for Gospel ministry (Article 5)
How faith and good works relate (Articles 6, 18–20)
How the Church lives in unity and diversity (Articles 7–15)
How Christians live in the secular world (Article 16)
Christ’s return (Article 17)
The biblical understanding of saints (Article 21)
Practical issues that needed/needing attention (Articles 22–28)

The purpose of these articles was never to create more rules about God or the Christian life. Instead, they were written to help the Church see more clearly—through Scripture—that Christian faith is about what God is doing for us and through us in Christ.

As Paul writes in Romans 1:16:

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.”

So, commemorate the presentation of the Augsburg Confession, by focussing on Jesus and God’s saving Gospel, because this is why those who compiled and presented the Augsburg Confession

Bishop Richard Schwedes June 2026

2026 June Lutheran Fellowship Gatherings Weekly resource

noreply@blogger.com (Richard Schwedes) — Mon, 25 May 2026 03:52:05 +0000

June weekly resources

Click on the weekly links below to access the weekly resources

June week 1: Pentecost 2 - Proper 5 Matthew 9:9-26

June week 2: Pentecost 3- Proper 6 Matthew 9:35-10:33

June week 3: Pentecost 4- Proper 7 Matthew 10:34-39

June week 4: Pentecost 5 - Proper 8 Matthew 10:40-42

I have made this resource available is to support people who wish to gather around God’s Word, focus on Jesus and to grow as part of God’s church.

You may want to use it to help you start a small group in your church community, or to gather people in a community where a Lutheran church currently is not present.

This resource is offered free of charge to non-commercial situations, on the understanding that you will not charge for copies or its use.

This resource has been developed by Pastor Richard Schwedes, richardschwedes@gmail.com

If you have feedback, suggestions or improvements feel free to email me