Thy Strong Word — Free-Text First Friday: The Past and Future of Church Membership

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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.

Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, 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 graciously underwritten by the Lutheran Heritage Foundation. Through the mission gifts of people like you, LHF translates, publishes, distributes and introduces books that are Bible-based, Christ-centered and Reformation-driven. Learn more at lhfmissions.org.