We are pleased to release Rev. Al Loeshman's review of:

How to Start or Keep Your Own LCMS Congregation
A handbook for lay people who like Missouri Synod congregations the way they began and want to be certain about the presence of God in their worship services
by J. M. Cascione

The book may be ordered by calling 573-237-3110 or emailing cnmail@fidnet.com or replying to reclaimnews@earthlink.net. The price is $5.00 plus $2.00 for handling and shipping.

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Finally a book that is really practical on the mission field of the world. The mission field is where Christian people go for their education, their vocation or their recreation. Most people don't give a lot of thought to whether there is a real Lutheran congregation near their school, job or retirement cabin. There are not many real ones left. Many so called Lutheran Churches look and sound just like the flash-in-the-pan community churches on every corner.

Now we can say "So what!" Pr. Jack Cascione has written a simple, little handbook on titled, "How To Start Or Keep Your Own Missouri Synod Lutheran Church." Mission work in the hands of the people! What a great idea!

Of course, congregations also have been "spinning off" congregations since the LCMS was born. That is great. In Texas a congregation has spun off two and, along with other congregations, have supported them and another one.

Who says that Synod or District has to start a congregation in your neighborhood or town? You can do it. You don't have to start out with a $250,000 debt and have contemporary worship and rock music to get subsidy.

You may not need this book now, but perhaps there will come a time when it will be handy to have on the shelf. Get one now. And get one for someone who could use it now.

Perhaps you have wondered if your own home congregation is beginning to wander from its foundations. This book will give you the confidence that you and your fellow members "are the church, too," not just the pastor and the Board of Directors. The congregation in recent years has been minimized. This should not be. The congregation's confession of faith is the assurance that the Word and Sacraments administered in their midst are real.

Laymen have the right and duty to insist that the congregation and pastor keep its confession in line with the LCMS's confession. Too many have blindly followed the pastor uncritically. All that he teaches and advises should be judged by the Word of God. Laymen should have the basics of theology so you can judge. This book will give you the practical ways to keep your congregation faithfully Lutheran.

Now, if you worship a big pipe organ, a "fun" youth program or a building that you sunk lots of money into, don't buy this book. Get a Catechism. Your religion needs some work. But if you love real Lutheran Law and Gospel sermons and Sunday School lessons, you can do this on a small scale. And it may just grow.

Maybe the District can't meet its goals of planting congregations because they think only they can do it. But it is not true. You can do it. Do it, for yourself and your children and your grandchildren.

Put this handbook into practice for yourself, your children and your grandchildren. Serve the Lord by keeping and establishing true Lutheran congregations.

June 10, 2001