The Coffee Hour from KFUO Radio

How did the new "Missouri Synod" position itself in the midst of other synods? Was fellowship possible with other groups? What became of the other synods that existed in the mid-1800s, and when did the German identity become less significant for the Lutherans who founded the Missouri Synod? Hear these stories and the influence of characters such as Johannes Andreas August Grabau and L.F.E Krause.Rev. Dr. Cameron A. MacKenzie, Professor of Historical Theology at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Indiana, joins Andy and Sarah for our nine-episode series on the History of the LCMS. Find more from Dr. Mackenzie at video.ctsfw.edu.

This issue of LW encourages us to be a hopeful community. In current English usage, “hope” usually expresses a wish about something yet to be determined, such as, “I hope I don’t have cancer,” or “I hope the Astros win the World Series.” In the Bible, hope does not convey mere wishfulness; rather, it conveys expectation — patiently waiting for God’s reliable promises in His Word to be fulfilled, since He “has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” (1 Peter 1:3). Christian hope is not in this life, with all its changes and chances. Paul says, “If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied. But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead” (1 Corinthians 15:19–20). Through Christ, you “are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God” (1 Peter 1:21). Your hope is sure and certain because it rests upon “the word of the Lord [that] remains forever” (1 Peter 1:25).Rev. Carl Roth, pastor of Grace Lutheran Church in Elgin, TX, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about the “Searching Scripture” feature in the March 2024 issue of the Lutheran Witness titled "A Community of the Word" on 1 Peter 1:22–2:3. This year, "Searching Scripture" is themed "Elect Exiles" and will walk through the First Epistle of St. Peter. Follow along every month and search Scripture with us!Find online exclusives of the Lutheran Witness at witness.lcms.org and subscribe to the Lutheran Witness at cph.org/witness.1 Peter 1:22–2:322 Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart, 23 since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God; 24 for“All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass.The grass withers, and the flower falls,25 but the word of the Lord remains forever.”And this word is the good news that was preached to you.A Living Stone and a Holy People2 So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. 2 Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— 3 if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. esv.org

What is the role and scope of a pastor or a mental health professional when someone is experiencing a mental health crisis? Stephen M. Saunders, PhD, Schneider Endowed Distinguished Professor of Psychology at Marquette University, and author of Martin Luther on Mental Health: Practical Advice for Christians Today available from Concordia Publishing House, joins Andy, Sarah, and guest co-host Deaconess Tiffany Manor to talk about the scope of help a pastor or church worker might offer to one experiencing a mental health problem, the scope of a mental health professional when it comes to mental health and faith, why it's important to understand and respect these distinctions, what congregations can do to be helpful in caring for those with mental health problems, and what congregations can do to address the stigma of mental health problems and mental illness. Find more information on NAMI (National Alliance for Mental Illness) at nami.org.Hear Mental Health Mondays each Monday at 9:00 a.m. CT, or listen to all episodes at kfuo.org/tag/mental-health-monday.Disclaimer: Dr. Saunders is a professional clinical psychologist and is very pleased to offer ideas and suggestions about mental health and mental health problems on these shows. However, one of the most important pieces of advice Dr. Saunders frequently gives is to get professional help when you need it. Nothing said on these shows should be taken as therapy or treatment or as a substitute for personal consultation with a professional.

How does a church family and culture help to form and shape future church workers? Rev. Dr. Scott Murray, Senior Pastor at Memorial Lutheran Church in Houston, Texas, and 3rd Vice President of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, joins Andy and Sarah for our Set Apart to Serve Series to talk about his formation as a pastor, who was significantly supportive during his pastoral education and formation, how Memorial Lutheran Church shows her commitment to encouraging and raising up church workers, how the acolyte program has given opportunities to encourage youth to consider church work, and how the vicarage program has increased awareness in the congregation of church work vocations.Learn more about the Set Apart to Serve Initiative at lcms.org/setaparttoserve.Christ’s church will continue until He returns, and that church will continue to need church workers.Set Apart to Serve (SAS) is an initiative of the LCMS to recruit church workers. Together, we pray for workers for the Kingdom of God and encourage children to consider church work vocations.Here are three easy ways you can participate in SAS:1. Pray with your children for God to provide church workers.2. Talk to your children about becoming church workers.3. Thank God for the people who work in your congregation.To learn more about Set Apart to Serve, visit lcms.org/set-apart-to-serve.

What progress has been made in Black Ministry in the last 50 years, and what challenges still remain? Ms. Nikki Rochester — active in the Coalition of Lutherans in Black Ministry, and Rev. Donald Anthony — Pastor of Grace Lutheran Church in Concord and Crown In Glory Lutheran Church in Salisbury, North Carolina, join Andy and Sarah to share their own involvement in LCMS Black Ministry, some key developments of LCMS Black Ministry in the last several decades, and how community-building and relationships matter in this work.Resources in this series:LCMS Black Ministry lcms.org/how-we-serve/national/black-ministryRoses and Thorns by Dr. Richard C. Dickenson cph.org/roses-and-thorns-black-lutheran-centennialRecommended reading from LCMS Black Ministry lcms.org/how-we-serve/national/black-ministry/recommended-readingThis Far by Faith augsburgfortress.org/store/category/286353/This-Far-by-Faith One Nation under God: Healing Racial Divides in America by Keith Haney cph.org/one-nation-under-god-healing-racial-divides-in-america-downloadable

We've come to the creation of The German Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Missouri, Ohio, and Other States in the first convention in Chicago in 1847. What happened at this convention, and who made up the first Synod? What institutions joined the Synod? Who was the first missionary, and where did he serve? Hear these things and a bit of trivia about the church where this first convention was held.Rev. Dr. Cameron A. MacKenzie, Professor of Historical Theology at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Indiana, joins Andy and Sarah for our nine-episode series on the History of the LCMS. Find more from Dr. Mackenzie at video.ctsfw.edu.

How does Classical Education serve the community and congregation? Rev. Stephen Kieser, Headmaster and Associate Pastor at Faith Lutheran Church & School in Plano, Texas, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about how and why Faith Lutheran School began, how a classical Lutheran school supports families in their congregation and community, the challenges of a congregation operating a classical Lutheran school in a consumer-driven culture, and stories from parents and children about why they love having a classical Lutheran school. Learn more about Faith Lutheran School at flsplano.org.

What is a helpful conversation? What is not a helpful conversation? Stephen M. Saunders, PhD, Schneider Endowed Distinguished Professor of Psychology at Marquette University, and author of Martin Luther on Mental Health: Practical Advice for Christians Today available from Concordia Publishing House, joins Andy, Sarah, and guest co-host Deaconess Tiffany Manor to talk about what makes good conversation about mental health, the goal of a helpful conversation, an example from Luther that can illustrate the application of advice we’ve discussed so far for helpful conversations, and what we should consider if planning to have a helpful conversation.Hear Mental Health Mondays each Monday at 9:00 a.m. CT, or listen to all episodes at kfuo.org/tag/mental-health-monday.Disclaimer: Dr. Saunders is a professional clinical psychologist and is very pleased to offer ideas and suggestions about mental health and mental health problems on these shows. However, one of the most important pieces of advice Dr. Saunders frequently gives is to get professional help when you need it. Nothing said on these shows should be taken as therapy or treatment or as a substitute for personal consultation with a professional.

Why is it fitting for Lutherans to adopt today, and what may be unique about Lutheran or Christian adoption? Rev. Michael Salemink, Executive Director Lutherans for Life, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about the upcoming Lutheran Adoption Conference, the need for adoption today, why it is fitting for Lutherans to adopt today, and what may be unique about Lutheran or Christian adoption. Learn more and register at Lutheransadopt.org.

What did Black Ministry look like in the 1960s and 1970s, and how did the civil unrest during that time shape Black Ministry? Rev. Dr. McNair Ramsey — Retired Pastor from Immanuel Lutheran Church in Wittenburg, Alabama, and serving as 1st Vice President of the LCMS Southern District of the LCMS, and Rev. Michael Shannon — Pastor of Faith Lutheran in Shreveport, Louisiana join Andy and Sarah to share their own stories of Lutheranism, Dr. Ramsey's education under Dr. Rosa Young in Alabama, Rev. Shannon's experience of converting to Lutheranism, the significant developments of LCMS Black Ministry in the 1960s and 1970s, and how the unrest among the broader society during this era shape Black Ministry. Resources in this series:LCMS Black Ministry lcms.org/how-we-serve/national/black-ministryRoses and Thorns by Dr. Richard C. Dickenson cph.org/roses-and-thorns-black-lutheran-centennialRecommended reading from LCMS Black Ministry lcms.org/how-we-serve/national/black-ministry/recommended-reading