Episode 3: The Impact of Grace, the Cross, and Vocation on Missions | Pastor Jonathan Schroeder

by | Feb 25, 2025 | God Loves Nobodies!

Three Confessional Lutheran Doctrines and Their Impact on Missions:

  • Centrality of the Means of Grace:

    • Word and sacraments are the tools the Holy Spirit uses to create faith.

    • Importance of Law and Gospel in bringing people to faith.

    • Story of Logan, an atheist who came to faith through the means of grace.

    • Importance of sharing and keeping the Word.

    • The balance between theological education and outreach.

  • Theology of the Cross:

    • Finding God in the midst of suffering.

    • Distinction between theology of glory (finding worth in works) and theology of the cross (finding God in suffering).

    • God reveals himself by hiding himself (the paradox of the cross).

    • God is hidden in suffering.

    • Story of Logan’s wife, Marnie, who was diagnosed with dementia but later baptized.

    • Importance of devotional life for missionaries to see suffering as a gift from God.

  • Lutheran Vocation:

    • Everyone has a calling, not just clergy.

    • All vocations are equal in God’s eyes.

    • We are masks of God, carrying out His work in the world.

    • Importance of recognizing the priesthood of all believers.

    • Story of how lay people in the congregation ministered to Logan and Marnie.

    • Vocation provides dignity, meaning, and identity.

Key Takeaways:

  • The interview emphasizes the importance of these three doctrines for understanding and carrying out missions.

  • Missions involves both sharing and keeping the Word.

  • God works through suffering and uses all believers to carry out His work in the world.

  • The interview highlights the power of the Gospel and the means of grace to transform lives.

  • It also underscores the importance of a strong devotional life for missionaries.

Resources Mentioned:

About Pastor Schroeder:

  • Pastor at Faith Lutheran Church in Sharpsburg, GA (SW suburb of Atlanta) for 25 years.

  • Chairman of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod Board for World Missions.

  • Extensive experience in church planting and growth.

  • Has trained numerous vicars (intern pastors) in mission settings.

  • Strong emphasis on outreach and missions.

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