President Moldstad’s Annual Message

On June 15, 1520, Martin Luther was placed under the ban of excommunication by the Roman Church. The ban of Pope Leo X ordered that Luther’s books be burned, that Luther retract what he had written, and that Luther submit to the Church’s authority within 60 days. When that time expired, Luther boldly burned the papal bull and a copy of Rome’s Canon Law.
Later that year, Luther was summoned to the diet in the town of Worms, led by Emperor Charles V. Charles demanded that Luther recant his writings, but Luther replied that his conscience was captive to the Word of God. After leaving Worms, Luther’s life was spared through a friendly kidnapping. At the Wartburg fortress, Luther translated the New Testament into the language of the people.
What moved Luther to be so steadfast? He had a love for his Savior, worked in him by the Holy Spirit. He was ready to die for the faith, knowing that Jesus had died for his sins.
In his 1529 Small Catechism, Martin Luther’s explanation to the Sixth Petition of the Lord’s Prayer (“And lead us not into temptation”) did not ask God to keep us from going through trials. Rather, “We pray in this petition that God would guard and keep us so that the devil, the world, and our own sinful flesh may not deceive us or lead us into misbelief, despair, or other shameful sin and vice.” For God alone knows when and if a time of trial or testing is needed for us.
In spite of persecutions, the early Christians proclaimed Christ to a pagan world. The boil-riddled Job refused to curse God because of his troubles. We might know individuals who have endured an accident or trial only to overcome their troubles and accomplish great things. Baptized followers of Christ could view each obstacle of life as a moment to show forth the light of God’s Word into the world.
The convention theme, “Engaging Others with Jesus in Times of Trial,” intends to lead us to recognize that hardships can be turned into door openers to tell about Jesus and His grace. God’s people cannot answer every “Why” question, but they can point to Christ and the restoration of life from His empty tomb.
The Strategic Plan adopted by our synod in 2011 emphasizes Christian education as an important outreach goal. Each congregation needs to view itself as a “mission congregation.” God has certainly blessed our church body with 1) a good confession of faith in Jesus, 2) an emphasis on preaching and teaching both Law and Gospel, 3) dedicated pastors, missionaries, and teachers who proclaim Christ, 4) resources for mission outreach in our nation and to the world, 5) the sincere prayers of faithful people asking that God’s kingdom come through His Word, 6) the Means of Grace—Word and Sacraments—by which the Holy Spirit works in the hearts of sinners, and 7) our regular worship services and daily devotions that look forward to the time all believers will be gathered around the throne of the Lamb.
We live in a time of many attacks on our faith and Christian virtues, along with demonic assaults on God’s Word and those within the church who have forsaken biblical inerrancy to teach evolution origins. The growth of secular humanism within public education promotes acceptance of worldly philosophies and lifestyles among our Christian youth. It is very important to use God’s Word to proclaim His truths rather than trusting in political solutions. For God’s Word carries with it divine power to teach our youth so they can stand against those who oppose God’s truth. Therefore, Christian education efforts in our parishes—Sunday School, elementary schools, catechism classes, youth groups—are important ways to reinforce the instruction of Christian parents.
Tremendous miracles of grace can occur when the holy Gospel is preached and taught. God’s grace gives optimism amid trials and opposition to us and each generation following. May God grant us the grace to do His will and may He bless our Evangelical Lutheran Synod for the glory of His name and for the salvation of blood-bought souls.