Essay explores our calling as Christians
Filed Under: calling, christs love our calling, Convention, essay, synod
Rev. Jonathan Schroeder, pastor at Faith, Sharpsburg, Ga., presented the convention's second essay on Wednesday morning. Titled "Our Calling," the essay expanded on the second half of the convention theme, "Christ's Love, Our Calling."
"I started research and study for the essay early in the year and have enjoyed a number of months of reading and feeding in the Word as I prepared to write," explains Schroeder. "It was certainly time well spent for my personal growth in faith."
The essay explores three callings of God in our life—our calling as God's child, as God's mask, and as God's church. Schroeder reminded delegates that our calling as the church is to preach the gospel by both sharing the Word and keeping the Word—maintaining doctrinal purity. "They are two sides of the same coin," notes Schroeder. "One drives the other."
Contemplating God's calling provided Schroeder much comfort and encouragement in his personal life and in his ministry. "I hope that it will bring similar comfort and encouragement to the delegates," he says. On Tuesday, delegates heard Rev. John Brenner, a professor at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, Mequon, present an essay on the first half of the convention theme. That essay was titled "Christ's Love Demonstrated in the Efficacy of the Means of Grace."
