In reply to Josh Peterson.

Some of us older pastors have seen some disappointing and arrogant attitudes and theologies rise in portions of our synod iduring the last 25 years. While we were taught to share the gospel in every possible manner, circumstance and condition, I hear young pastors today tell me that it's not their job to evangelize in the community because they are shepherds of their flock alone. I've heard young pastors claim that evangelizing isn't that important, because if God wants someone to be saved then they are part of the elect and they will be in heaven one way or the other anyway, and God doesn't need me to do it. This is a twisted version of the doctrine of election, and frankly is laziness. Saint Paul tells us in first Corinthians nine, "though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews... to the week I became week, to win the week. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings." Paul is working his tail off to share the gospel day and night in every possible way as if souls we're at stake.
Some in our beloved synod put great effort on practicing 'proper, elegant, historic, traditional, classic' worship forms. Seminarians are taught today not to deviate from the hymnal in any way, while 40 years ago many of us were regularly using special worship services provided by synod's own evangelism, stewardship, education, and other departments. These were biblical and well written, focused and relevant. Nine times in Holy Writ we read, "sing unto the Lord a new song! " One of the reasons our churches are declining is that we are speaking in a foreign language to folks today. God's Word has not lost any power, but we must use creative and relevant ways to bring God's Word to this generation. One can hold onto God's pure Word and still use some more modern worship forms. The congregations in our synod that are growing by leaps and bounds are generally the ones that use creative worship music and instruments. It is heresy to claim that one must use specific worship forms and instruments, vestments and genuflecting to properly worship our good and gracious God. There is a subtle Aryan arrogance flowing in our Synod by some who have confused the pure gospel with German traditions. We have churches and schools closing in the inner cities, purchased by a different denomination, and then thriving within a few years. And many of those new churches are proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ. Sometimes our traditions can get in the way of the gospel being heard by both believers and unbelievers. We make them jump over cultural hurdles and hoops that turn them away. We now have great new Lutheran, BIBLICAL conferences and workshops to help young pastors grow, such as our Best Practices conference, and Pastoral Leadership Institute. These and other training opportunities can bridge the gap between our wonderful and ancient gospel, and people and situations of the 21st-century. True wisdom is knowing what we must never change, and what must change as we reach a new generation of people for Jesus Christ.