A visit to Concordia...

 To those of you who are worried about Concordias:

I just got back from a weekend at CUW. Yes, it's winter up there, and there are harsh winds and hard, slippery spots. But there is also life, and there are many reasons to praise God for his faithfulness.

My daughter is there. She loves Jesus, and she loves things good, true, and beautiful. She has found a large group of friends there who do, too. 

A group of students who want to be faithful, fun, hospitable; who are not afraid to be loud or weird, to make a scene; who are committed to seizing the day and fighting for truth and pouring into each other during these college days.

These students dream big, talk loud, and play hard (Think contra dancing and card games with injuries and the loudest game of charades you have ever heard.)

They are the church’s future pastors, teachers, journalists, lawyers; each one determined to fight for Scripture (and the confessions,) to speak bold truths, to laugh long and argue passionately (even among themselves). 

How many college students willingly gather on a Friday night to welcome a friend’s mom and her siblings, for dinner and hours of games and fellowship?  How many can reign in the absolute frenzy and hilarity of those hours for a reverent, peaceful compline service at the end of the night? 

These students, right now, are at our university, learning together to pray for wisdom to love well and fight hard at the same time.  They study, sing, and pray together. They have found much to support their faith and give thanks for many faithful professors. They also acknowledge the hard, complicated battle that is all around them.

As we wrestle as a church, pondering anew what is the heart and soul of the church, of education, of faithful Christianity, of vocation, of love and mission,

Let’s also pray for these kids, trying to figure it out right there on the battlefield.  Let’s remember that it is complicated for them, too, as well as for all the professors and pastors trying to love well and live faithfully in these divisive days.

We must hate evil, but let us not forget to love what is good, and to celebrate and encourage those who keep showing up, holding fast to God’s Word. 

Pray with me, please, for this precious, blessed group of young adults

whom God is raising up to love goodness, truth, and beauty.

His work continues, His faithfulness to all generations. Praise Him.