A Theology of Acceptance

by Rev. Dr. Donald P. Edwards
St. Andrew Lutheran Church
203 South Main Street
Muncy, Pa. 17756-1505 

August 2007

Once again I leave Leisure Week 2 or what I prefer LEM Camp renewed in Spirit and ready to continue to stand up for Jesus. At LEM Camp we experienced the power of God, the love of Jesus, and the call of the Holy Spirit to as St. Paul reminds us, "Fight the good of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession" (1 Timothy 6:12). I willingly wish to step forward and say, we need a vital evangelical Lutheran ministry like LEM-East now, perhaps more than ever. I am willing and called by God to serve, as I have in the past as Director/Evangelist from 1991 -1993. I am willing to lead an LEM-East evangelism service/training/or teaching sessions in your church. I am willing to "fight the good fight of faith."

 Be clear, we are in perilous times where the Confession of Christ, the teaching and preaching of the Word, and our dogma of Lutheranism are being reduced each day and in every way for the Theology Of Acceptance. In this feel good society, we have noticed many denominations, seminaries, and pastors settling for preaching the popular, and not the proclamation of God's inerrant Word.  The reason is because they have learned that in this competitive world, many people only want to listen to what they like. This should not come as a surprise, the Bible has told us, 2 Timothy 4:3 records; "For there will come a time when men will not put up with sound doctrine . Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear." LEM-East has (and as long as I am involved) proclaimed the truth of God's Word. We believe that God's Word should first speak to us with it's full authority of Law and Gospel, and only then can we understand what God desires. We do not look to the Scripture to have it merely say what our itching ears only wish to hear.

 In this secular, humanistic, self-hugging world, we need a truth that is much greater than ourselves. That truth is found simply in, and only in Jesus. It is He who said, "I am the Way, The Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6). LEM-East  offers an opportunity of acceptance in Christ, by the blood of Christ. We believe that we are saved by God's Redeeming Grace, God's Holy Word, and our Faith in Him and not of ourselves, no matter how many come up with their theology of acceptance without Christ and His Word alone!

 I need to be renewed and LEM-East is desiring to serve in His Church. Help us to reach out more than twice a year with this message. Pray that God will give to LEM-East a greater vision. Pray that you will reach out to others in and in the name of Jesus. Pray that the Church will get back to the heart of the matter. "I'm coming back to the heart of worship." The Christian praise chorus goes. Will you join me and sing, "and it's all about you, Jesus."

Council Report by Pastor Bob

SUNY NEW PALTZ

 On Feb. 26, 2007 the  Atlantic District of the Lutheran Church Mo. Synod commissioned me to be a campus minister in New Paltz.  They suggested that I try to work with a group that has been on the campus for many years called the Student Christian Center. I discovered that they were very liberal and that they did not relate to the conservative, evangelical students.   I made a proposal that I could represent that group that believed that Jesus Christ is the only way to salvation and that the Bible is the only true standard for Christian living.  They rejected that proposal.  When that door was closed it was evident that God had different plans.  

God raised up about 40 prayer partners who faithfully keep this ministry in prayer.  I began to meet with the evangelical groups on campus, Campus Crusade for Christ, Rejoice in Jesus and Faith Unity Tabernacle.  I started to meet with Christian faculty and staff and asked if they would refer students and asked them to pray.  I asked the president of the Atlantic District if he would ask Pastors to send names of students to me.   I, with the help of others, sent letters to area clergy asking them to also send names. I made contact with the international student’s staff and asked if I could volunteer to help with conversational English or find host homes for students. 

Several local clergy and lay people have been helpful in giving ideas and praying.  I began witnessing on campus to students and have had the opportunity to share Christ with many who were willing to listen.  I have found many who are ignorant of the Bible and others who had Christian roots but no interest now. There are still those who are hungry for reality. 

I attended a conference in Seward Nebraska for campus pastors.   One of the results is that Suny New Paltz now is registered as a Lutheran Student Fellowship and is part of the International Student ministries inc. both under the Lutheran Church Mo. Synod. I am also now part of a cluster of 4 campus pastors that regularly encourage and share our needs and blessings with each other.  

Pastors Ryan Clark and Joe Scandura Jr. joined me at the university business faire and we met 23 students who showed interest .  2 students prayed to put their trust in Christ.   I have been contacting those students  to get to know them better and inviting them to come each Monday for Bible study.   4 have come .  

God has answered prayer by sending Pastor Joe Scandura Jr. who has made a commitment to join me each Monday evening.  It looks like an Alpha group will be starting soon which I hope to be involved with.    In order to be an official club under the student association we need some mature Christian leaders who can represent us on campus.  Please pray for that. In the mean time we will keep sowing seed.  Out motto is THE WHOLE GOSPEL TO THE WHOLE CAMPUS FOR THE WHOLE WORLD Mat 28:19,20.

We are claiming God’s promise from Psalm 1   "WHATSOEVER HE DOES SHALL PROSPER".   If you want to be a prayer partner please let me know.       

TO GOD BE ALL THE GLORY