LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2010, front matter 113

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Robert C. Steinke, New Port, FL;
Faith (FG); LCMS 65; Pastor.
D. Cir. Couns.; Chm., BFMS. O.
Rotary 10; Library Bd. 10; Jaycees
7.

LAYPERSONS

Bryan Campbell, Stelleville, MO;
Immanuel, Rosebud (MO); LCMS
Lifetime; Telecommunications
Engineer. D. Conv. Deleg. C. Pres.;
Elder. O. Eagle Scout; Mem., Sons
of the American Revolution.

These are exciting times for a
church organization that knows
what she believes and can share
with others what she knows to
be true. The Lutheran Church—
Missouri Synod has a twofold challenge. First, we are called
to share the Gospel in language that people outside the church
can understand. Second, we are called to teach them the language of God’s people. The CTCR can be helpful in providing
resources to the people of God so that they are able to speak
and act in accord with the doctrine of the church.
commissioned MINISTERS

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The officially adopted mission statement of the CTCR is
“Empowered by God’s Spirit
through the means of grace, the
CTCR serves Christ’s church by providing theological guidance to pastors and congregations for retaining, confessing,
and proclaiming the Scriptural GOSPEL of Jesus Christ.” If it
is God’s will, I stand ready to serve.

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Mark Dowell, Columbia, IL; Peace,
St. Louis, MO (MO); LCMS 46;
Manager, Process Improvement &
Analytics. C. Elder 5; SS Tchr. 5;
Life Min. Coord. 8; Constitution
Com. 2; Miss. & Min. Com. 2.

Timothy D. Hardy, Mt. Clemens,
MI; LCMS 16; Trinity, Clinton
Township (MI); Teacher. S. Tchr.
15. D. Accreditation Com. 1; Youth
Gathering Volunteer 3. C. Bible
Study Ldr. 5; Call Com. 1.
I feel the world hears our message
and thinks that we are just trying to
point out flaws in others and trying to build ourselves up. I would
love it if the LCMS was more outreaching and vocal with our
motivation: every man, woman, and child be brought into a
relationship with God through the atoning sacrifice of Jesus
Christ. The world needs to know that the church is not in
opposition to people but that God is in opposition to sin and
that He has created a plan that redeems us from it.

“How do we resist pressures on the
Lutheran church to compromise
and water down its insistence on
the Biblical truths that have been
confessed since the time of the Reformation? We resist these
pressures by remaining firmly anchored in the truths of God’s
Word, the Holy Scriptures. The stormier the times, the more
the need for a strong anchor to hold us fast to God’s Word.
The Lutheran Confessions are that anchor” (Robert Preus).
“If you continue in My Word, you are truly My disciples, and
you shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free” (John
8:31–32).

Gail E. Hein, Loveland, CO;
Immanuel (RM); Teacher. S. Conv.
Deleg. 2. D. School Accreditation
Teams. C. Music Min.; Children’s
Min. Tchr.; Worship Plan. Team;
Bible Study Ldr.

Ray A. Moldenhauer, Long
Prairie, MN; Trinity (MNN); LCMS
40; Retired. S. CTCR 12; Conv.
Deleg. 3; CTCR FL. Com. 1. D.
BOD 11. C. LifeLight Bible Study
Ldr. 5; Elder; Chm.

In my experience as a Lutheran educator, I find that Scripture and our
Lutheran theology are immensely
practical, giving order and hope in
the confusion that is rampant in this sinful world. Living in
God’s grace can be challenging, so clear, helpful explanations
and accessible demonstrations of our understandings are necessary for this day. Opportunities abound for reaching out with
the grace and mercy God offers in Christ, and every means
should be taken toward this end.

Having served 12 years on the
CTCR, I observed the strong commitment of our church body to the
Scriptures and Confessions. God
has blessed our Synod with faithfulness to His Word and
mission. As Satan continues his attacks and as the culture
becomes more hostile, it is imperative that we continue to seek
the Spirit’s guidance as we study and apply Holy Scripture to
the issues we face. I see the CTCR as providing needed help in
doing this. May our Lord and Savior bless us as we carry out
His mission of gathering the lost into His kingdom.

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