Jesus First Copies Outback Steakhouse
By Rev. Jack Cascione

 

In the following article from "Jesus First" we see that their theme of diversity and freedom is best captured by the adverting slogan from nationwide Australian restaurant chain, Outback Steakhouse: "No rules, just right." They speak like Hal Lindsey just met the golden calf. Their target audience is clearly hundreds of thousands of poorly trained LCMS laity who believe in God's direct incremental action in their bodies. (Hal Lindsey is the millennialist who wrote "Late Great Planet Earth" and predicted the end of the world in 1988.)

By breaking down the doctrinal boundaries of the LCMS "Jesus First" plans to help "build" toward the fulfillment of the multitude describe in Revelation 7:9. Romans 8 tell us that God has already accomplished this by the resurrection of Christ. It is called God's predestination of the elect.

While we are still here in this sinful world, Paul tells us in 1Cor. 11:19 "For there must also be divisions among you...." Any other possibility would mean Christians no longer live in sinful flesh in this world.

"Jesus First's" appeal to the free exercise of God's gifts by the priesthood of all believers could have no more excellent exposition than found in C. F. W. Walther's "Church and Ministry" and "The Form of the Christian Congregation." Let us pray that the Synod's Seminaries wake-up and seize the moment.

If PLI receives RSO status from the BHE in April, PLI's seminary without walls will suddenly have the opportunity to call all the professors it wants to a location in San Antonio, Texas, built with 14,000,000 LCEF dollars, that already has lots of walls.

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Why I Am Involved in Jesus First Leadership
By Gloria Edwards

Growing up just south of Ft. Wayne can be a very Lutheran experience. Every one I knew - family and friends - were Lutheran, LCMS Lutheran. Attending a Lutheran grade school and high school strengthened feelings that being Lutheran was the only possibility. At the time it seemed the only way to have a relationship with the Lord. Is indoctrination too strong a word? Perhaps. Perhaps not. Why would someone with that kind of background be involved in the Jesus First movement?

Little by little, slowly, God has opened my eyes and my heart. It took some time but it happened. Of course, other Christians have a close and personal relationship with their Savior. Of course, other church bodies are part of the Holy Christian church on earth. I look forward to the fulfillment of Revelation 7:9: "a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb."

Over the past years I've been blessed to work side by side with many women and men, some of whom participate actively in other Christian denominations. How refreshing it is too be able to share and learn and grow from these fellow Christians. How exciting to be able to grow in my own walk! I believe that God wants us to freely give of ourselves to others. In the same way he wants us to receive from these same friends, Lutheran or not.

What kind of church do I want? I want a church that seeks to build that Revelation multitude. I want a church where all women and men feel free to dialogue without being labeled. I want a church where differing styles of worship are welcomed. I want a church where my children and grandchildren are nurtured. I want a church that reaches out to all people groups. I want a church where women and men and children are free to use their God given gifts in service to the people of the world.

The Jesus First movement is about building that kind of church. It is not about power or control. It's about serving Jesus with all that we have and doing it with joy.

Gloria Edwards is the immediate past national president of the Lutheran Women's Missionary League