The Rev. Brandt Hoffman, pastor of Christ Lutheran Church and School in Coos Bay, OR, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to discuss the topic of church membership.

This special episode features a provocative discussion about the changing landscape of church membership and what it means to belong to a congregation. The pastors outline the modern view that casts members as volunteers, attendees, and financial contributors and contrast that with historic notions of membership rooted in confession and authentic community. They’ll also discuss the future of church membership. It is simply fading away or will there be a return to a more traditional understanding? Or perhaps there’s a third way to understand church membership.

Free-Text First Friday: The Past and Future of Church Membership

Thy Strong Word reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God’s Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations.

Thy Strong Word is hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, and graciously underwritten by the Lutheran Heritage Foundation.

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Solomon begins this section by warning against envying wicked people and emphasizes the value of wisdom and understanding. Solomon highlights the strength that comes from wise counsel and the importance of perseverance in adversity. These proverbs also caution against seeking revenge, underscore the significance of fair judgment, and stress the value of hard work. The section concludes with reminders of the consequences of injustice and the importance of fearing the Lord and respecting authority.

The Rev. Glenn Roseman, pastor of Resurrection Lutheran Church in Franklin, NC, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Proverbs 24:1-22.

Step into the spiritually rich landscape of the Book of Proverbs, a text divinely inspired and attributed to Solomon, the sage king endowed by God with unsurpassed wisdom. This ancient scripture begins with heartfelt lessons from a father to a son, laying a foundation of moral and ethical guidance before unfolding into a collection of timeless proverbs. It uniquely personifies wisdom and folly as two paths that stand before humanity, offering a choice between a life filled with virtue, fear of the Lord, and understanding, and one marred by shortsighted pleasures and foolishness. Proverbs serves as a compass for those seeking to walk in righteousness, offering insights that resonate deeply with the human experience, guiding us toward a life of purpose and discernment according to God’s will.

Proverbs 24:1-22: Rejoice Not When Your Enemy Falls

King Solomon offers practical advice on self-discipline and avoiding excess. He begins by urging his son to listen and be wise, keeping his heart on the right path. He warns against excessive drinking and gluttony, noting that these lead to poverty and sloth. These proverbs focus on the importance of respecting parents, seeking truth, and maintaining discipline. Solomon concludes with vivid warnings against the dangers of drunkenness, describing its harmful effects and urging readers to avoid overindulgence in alcohol.

The Rev. Dan Eddy, pastor of Messiah Lutheran Church in Beloit, WI, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Proverbs 23:19-35.

Step into the spiritually rich landscape of the Book of Proverbs, a text divinely inspired and attributed to Solomon, the sage king endowed by God with unsurpassed wisdom. This ancient scripture begins with heartfelt lessons from a father to a son, laying a foundation of moral and ethical guidance before unfolding into a collection of timeless proverbs. It uniquely personifies wisdom and folly as two paths that stand before humanity, offering a choice between a life filled with virtue, fear of the Lord, and understanding, and one marred by shortsighted pleasures and foolishness. Proverbs serves as a compass for those seeking to walk in righteousness, offering insights that resonate deeply with the human experience, guiding us toward a life of purpose and discernment according to God’s will.

Proverbs 23:19-35: Drunkenness, Gluttony, and Sloth

King Solomon provides practical advice on self-discipline, wisdom, and the avoidance of excess. These proverbs warn against overindulgence in food and drink when dining with rulers, highlighting the dangers of gluttony and drunkenness. They also emphasize the importance of seeking wisdom and understanding, advising against envying sinners, and encouraging the fear of the Lord. Solomon counsels against the pursuit of wealth and fleeting pleasures, instead advocating for a focus on righteousness and the hope of a prosperous future through wise and godly living.

The Rev. David Fleming, pastor at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Grand Rapids, MI, and Executive Director of Spiritual Care for Doxology, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Proverbs 23:1-18.

Step into the spiritually rich landscape of the Book of Proverbs, a text divinely inspired and attributed to Solomon, the sage king endowed by God with unsurpassed wisdom. This ancient scripture begins with heartfelt lessons from a father to a son, laying a foundation of moral and ethical guidance before unfolding into a collection of timeless proverbs. It uniquely personifies wisdom and folly as two paths that stand before humanity, offering a choice between a life filled with virtue, fear of the Lord, and understanding, and one marred by shortsighted pleasures and foolishness. Proverbs serves as a compass for those seeking to walk in righteousness, offering insights that resonate deeply with the human experience, guiding us toward a life of purpose and discernment according to God’s will.

Proverbs 23:1-18: Do Not Envy Sinners

King Solomon offers wisdom on living a righteous and prudent life. He begins by encouraging attentive listening and the application of wise sayings to one's heart. Solomon emphasizes the value of trust in the Lord and the importance of applying knowledge through wise counsel and actions. He highlights the significance of fairness, integrity, and diligence in daily life. These proverbs also warn against exploiting the poor and being influenced by angry people.

The Rev. Ryan Fehrmann, pastor of Zion Lutheran Church in Wausau, WI, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Proverbs 22:17-29.

Step into the spiritually rich landscape of the Book of Proverbs, a text divinely inspired and attributed to Solomon, the sage king endowed by God with unsurpassed wisdom. This ancient scripture begins with heartfelt lessons from a father to a son, laying a foundation of moral and ethical guidance before unfolding into a collection of timeless proverbs. It uniquely personifies wisdom and folly as two paths that stand before humanity, offering a choice between a life filled with virtue, fear of the Lord, and understanding, and one marred by shortsighted pleasures and foolishness. Proverbs serves as a compass for those seeking to walk in righteousness, offering insights that resonate deeply with the human experience, guiding us toward a life of purpose and discernment according to God’s will.

Proverbs 22:17-29: That Your Trust May Be in the LORD

Solomon proclaims that a good name is more desirable than great riches and favor is better than silver and gold. He highlights the equalizing power of the Lord over both the rich and the poor and underscores the importance of prudence, warning that the prudent see danger and take refuge, while the simple keep going and suffer for it. Among the verses we’ll cover today is that famous proverb which tells of the importance of training a child in the right way, so they will not depart from it when they grow older.

The Rev. David Duke, pastor of Salem Lutheran Church of Buffalo, NY, and adjunct professor of Old Testament studies at Concordia Lutheran Theological Seminary in St. Catherines, Ontario, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Proverbs 22:1-16.

Step into the spiritually rich landscape of the Book of Proverbs, a text divinely inspired and attributed to Solomon, the sage king endowed by God with unsurpassed wisdom. This ancient scripture begins with heartfelt lessons from a father to a son, laying a foundation of moral and ethical guidance before unfolding into a collection of timeless proverbs. It uniquely personifies wisdom and folly as two paths that stand before humanity, offering a choice between a life filled with virtue, fear of the Lord, and understanding, and one marred by shortsighted pleasures and foolishness. Proverbs serves as a compass for those seeking to walk in righteousness, offering insights that resonate deeply with the human experience, guiding us toward a life of purpose and discernment according to God’s will.

Free-Text First Friday: The Past and Future of Church Membership

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