"The goal is for this to be a place for respectful discussion; informed criticism; Christian orthodoxy; sound economics; traditional conservatism; civilized politics; interesting reviews of books, movies, television and streaming shows, and other artsy stuff; sports analysis; humor; fun; and more." - Ray Keating, editor, publisher, columnist and economist at the Keating Files
For about 20 years, Ray Keating wrote a weekly column - a short time with the New York City Tribune, more than 11 years with Newsday, another seven years with Long Island Business News, plus another year-and-a-half with RealClearMarkets.com. As an economist, Keating also pens an assortment of analyses each week. With the Keating Files, he decided to expand his efforts with regular commentary touching on a broad range of issues, written by himself and an assortment of talented contributors and columnists. So, here goes...
A quick video about the journey to and experience at the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod National Convention. Thanks to Jonathan Keating for creating this cool video!
I’m thankful for being a Christian. I love being a Lutheran. And I love my church, i.e., the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod (LCMS). And I’m excited about a new travel vlog from a pastor whose goal is to see all of the churches in the LCMS.
No doubt, someone out there did a double take, asking: Did I read that right – visiting all of the congregations in a church of about 2 million people? That’s right. More on that in a moment.
Is my church, the LCMS, perfect? No. Nothing this side of heaven is. And there’s plenty to complain about in every church. After all, we live in a fallen world. But the LCMS has so much to offer in terms of Word, Sacraments, and theological substance – and all most critically in service of spreading the Good News about Jesus Christ.
I like the way the LCMS sums up its mission (from the LCMS website): “In grateful response to God’s grace and empowered by the Holy Spirit through Word and Sacraments, the mission of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod is vigorously to make known the love of Christ by word and deed within our churches, communities and the world.” Adding a bit later: “The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) is a denomination that confesses the historic, orthodox Christian faith, a faith built on ‘the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone’ (Eph. 2:20).”
Good stuff. I’ve long said that the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod has the beef, and we need to do a better job at letting the world know.
Hence, my excitement about a venture – actually, it’s more accurate to say an adventure – being embarked upon by a friend, Pastor Tyrel Bramwell. He has started an online video series – a travel vlog – called “See the Synod” with the goal to visit every church in the LCMS. How cool is that? By the way, there are 5,998 LCMS congregations in the U.S.
This is a fantastic and fun way to see the congregations, pastors, people and missions in the LCMS, and to let the world know about the vital work the LCMS does within the larger Christian Church.
I’m on board with Ty for this journey, and I hope you are as well!
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