| Leadership / Delegation | Evangelism | Ministry
Sources |
Personal
Study/Devotion |
||
| Encouraging
/ Counseling |
Visiting
the Sick |
Confronting
Sin |
Dealing
with Conflict |
||
| Handling
Politics |
Marriage / Divorce |
| The idea for
this website happened while sitting in my doctor's
office, waiting for my appointment. Two men
sitting near me were discussing their congregation
recently separating from a large liberal Lutheran
organization and joining a more confessional
group. Their concern was how to manage
the spiritual needs of the congregation until they
were able to get a pastor. I happened to finish my appointment at the same time as one of the other men, and as we walked out the door I explained that I had been "eavesdropping" on his earlier conversation, and we spend some time discussing the difficulties of laypeople handling the spiritual needs of a congregation without a pastor. |
| As
confessional Lutheran synods deal with a shortage of
pastors, many congregations are likewise finding
themselves temporarily without a pastor, or sharing
a pastor with another congregation. Because of
this, laypeople are needed to take a greater
responsibility in serving the needs of the people in
their individual congregations. I hope through
this website to provide a variety of tools to help
the laymen serve their congregation in the absence
of a full-time pastor. I will be adding
additional information on an ongoing basis. |
|
Hopefully, your congregation will have a Vacancy or
Visiting Pastor who can direct your
efforts. It is my prayer that this
website will assist the Vacancy Pastor in guiding
your lay ministry. This website is my personal effort, and not part of any organization or church group. |
| Leadership/Delegation:
There needs to be a clear division of
responsibilities and expectations among the
laypeople involved in serving the congregation. |
| Leading a Service: This
section includes a sample liturgy, as well as an
explanation of what is needed in a confessional
Lutheran liturgy. |
| Ministry Sources: This
includes sources for Sermons, Prayers, Bible
Classes, and Sunday School materials. |
| Personal Study / Devotion:
It is important that you spend time in personal
study and devotion. |
| Encouraging / Counseling:
Because of the temptations and frustrations of this
world, there will be members of the congregation
struggling with personal issues. |
| Visiting the Sick: This
section will include sample devotions, prayers and
hints on ministering to the sick. |
| Confronting Sin: Unfortunately,
Satan will likely take advantage of the absence of a
full-time pastor to tempt members to disobey God's
Word and Will. |
| Dealing with Conflict: This
may be conflict between members, or dissatisfaction
with the leadership during the vacancy. |
| Evangelism: Tools to
help you reach out to your community with the Word
of God. |
| Politics: There is a lot
of confusion about the Christian's role in
politics. I hope through this series of essays
to provide some insight. |
|
The Lutheran
Layman, copyright 2026
Developed by
Pastor Glenn Oster
Glenn.Oster@gmail.com |
Want
to speak to a pastor? Visit our list of Confessional Lutheran Churches |