This weekend I spoke to 60 large church pastors who are a part of the the Lutheran Church (LCMS). Billy Graham called the denomination a "sleeping giant." The denomination as some unique strengths but is experiencing a long term decline as with many other denominations. As I prepared my time, I sensed the Spirit's leading to begin to write down a few questions. So at the top of the pad I wrote down, "Questions for our existence" and this is what spilled out. I decided to end my talk with these questions:
Are the Lutherans the only group that has the privilege to proclaim the Law and Gospel? If not, then why should Lutherans exist?
Why would an active Christ follower in 2009 want to be Lutheran if they weren’t born into it?
What is the single greatest reason to be a Lutheran in 2009? Why would a lost world care about that reason?
If we are stronger at educating children than other denominations why aren’t we a growing denomination?
Do we want to exercise the privilege of preaching without the responsibility being sent? (Romans 10)
Who are Lutherans sent to today? Who is your church sent to reach?
Does practicing the sacraments make you a church if you have jettisoned the mission of Jesus?
What is keeping the strongest churches in our pack from taking more risks?
If our strongest churches of the LCMS don’t take the risks then who will?
What’s keeping the denomination from dramatically celebrating the small pockets of true innovation?
Why aren’t the larger churches and the denominational leaders working better together for the future of the denomination?
What will the state of the denomination be in 2080?
Why do we elevate academia over action when our founder modeled both?
How come Lutherans have fewer large churches than many other protestant groups?
Who is solving our ineffective decision-making structures and policies and why aren’t large churches banding together to show the way?
What would you be willing to give up today in your church (speaking to the large church pastor) if it meant the denomination would be stronger in 2080?
