Pastors’ Page
The Marriage of Pastors
Most Lutheran pastors are married; Roman priests do not marry. Why the difference in practice? Is it just a church tradition? Is it a symptom of a larger theological problem?
Underneath the issue of the celibacy of Roman priests is the authority of the pope to command and forbid things that are not in the Scriptures. Lutherans confess that no one has the power from God to command what God has not commanded, nor to forbid what He has not forbidden.
The Reformers of the Church were married and had families. They confessed the Bible truth with their words and actions and lives that marriage is a God-pleasing estate.
They correctly confessed that God does not offer extra credit for those who remain chaste and celibate. Our family arrangements or lack of them have no bearing on our salvation. Our redemption is through the merit of Christ and Him alone.
Martin Luther’s right-hand man, Philip Melanchthon, wrote the following words. They are taken from Article 23 of the Augsburg Confession, which was presented in 1530. This article is entitled on the Marriage of Priests.
… [Lutheran pastors] married wives and taught that it was lawful for them to enter into marriage. First, because Paul says, “Because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife” and “It is better to marry than to be burn with passion” (1 Corinthians 7:2,9).
Second, Christ says, “Not everyone can receive this saying” (Matthew 19:11), where He teaches that not everyone is able to lead a single life. God created human beings for procreation (Genesis 1:28). It is not within a person’s power, without God giving a unique gift, to change this creation… Therefore, those who are not able to lead a single life ought to marry. No human law, no vow, can destroy God’s commandment and ordinance…
It is clear that in
the
Seeing that man’s nature is gradually growing weaker as the world grows older, it is good to be on guard to make sure no more vices work their way into Germany.
Furthermore, God ordained marriage to guard against human weakness… We expect that at some point churches will lack pastors if marriage continues to be forbidden.
While God’s commandment [to be fruitful and multiply] is in force, and the custom of the Church is well known, impure celibacy will cause may scandals, adulteries, and other crimes that deserve punishment from just rulers. In light of all this, it is incredibly cruel that the marriage of priests is forbidden. God has commanded that marriage be honored… Paul, in 1 Timothy 4, says that a doctrine of demons forbids marriage (verses 1-3). This is clearly seen by how laws against marriage are enforced with such penalties.
One general observation: did you notice how frequently Melanchthon quotes the Bible to support his words? One might easily think of the Book of Concord as a tapestry of Bible passages woven together.
Is the Book of Concord just for Pastors Bare and Boehringer? No. They are for all people: pastors, theologians, and laypersons alike. They are important statements of faith. They are not necessarily easy to understand, but they are so important that everyone who is a Lutheran should be aware of what the Book of Concord is and should have a copy of the Lutheran Confessions. There is an edition of the Book of Concord prepared specifically for laypeople to read, filled with notes, annotations, illustrations, and many other useful materials to aid reading and understanding. It is titled Concordia: The Lutheran Confessions: A Reader's Edition of the Book of Concord and is available from Concordia Publishing House. You may order a copy on the Internet, or by calling 800-325-3040.
Keep on reading!
In Christ,
Pastor Boehringer
News
from Voters’ Meeting and Church Council
Below
are some highlights from both the April Voters’ Meeting and the May Church
Council Meeting.
The
Treasurer presented the following report:
General Fund Report – April 2008
|
|
Month |
Y-T-D |
|
Offerings |
44,101.21 |
475,987.38 |
|
Tuition/FEF/Registration |
2,459.50 |
30,093.50 |
|
Other |
57.60 |
22,054.46 |
|
Line of Credit |
0.00 |
0.00 |
|
Total Receipts: |
46,618.31 |
528,145.34 |
|
|
|
|
|
Actual Expenses: |
44,262.19 |
497,660.97 |
|
|
|
|
|
Balance: |
2,356.12 |
30,484.37 |
|
|
|
|
|
Budget: |
51,546.75 |
515,467.50 |
|
|
|
|
|
Other Detail |
|
|
|
Thrivent |
0.00 |
11,000.00 |
|
Miscellaneous |
57.60 |
1,054.46 |
|
Debt Retirement |
0.00 |
10,000.00 |
|
Other Total: |
57.60 |
22,054.46 |
The election
results from the April Voters’ Meeting are as follows: President,
Voters
approved the planned upgrades to the Church kitchen. The kitchen will be completely remodeled with
new cabinets, countertops, sink, and appliances as well as upgrades to the
plumbing and electrical infrastructure.
The cost for this project is estimated at up to $18,000 with an
anonymous donor contributing $15,000.
Also approved
by the Voters was the modification to the fee structure for students enrolled
at the school. Beginning next school
year the two fee method is being replaced by a single fee method with no
changes in overall cost. The new method
will be called the “Education Fee”, replacing both the Family Education Fee
(FEF) and Registration Fee. The Education
Fee would be $620 for one child, $790 for two children and $960 for three
children. Parents would have the option
to pay this in one lump sum in August or eight equal monthly payments. The eight payments equates to $77.50 per
month for one child, $98.75 per month for two children and $120.00 per month
for three children. If the first payment
is received in August, a $20 discount per child will be issued.
The Board of
Elders requested and received approval of the following change in
membership: Transfer out – Lina Douglas, with children Brittany and Bryce to St. Peter
Lutheran (LC-MS),
With the
Michigan WELS District Convention taking place June 10 to June 13, the June meetings
for Elders, Bd of Education, Church Properties and Church
Council has been rescheduled. It will now take place on June 17, 2008.
–– Wayne Maybaugh, Recording Secretary
From the Principal’s Desk
We are winding down to the end of the school year. As we near the end, things seem to speed up and get even busier with the award ceremonies, field trips, and athletic events. I want to thank all of you for your help and support this year and encourage you to continue to willingly use your gifts to serve the Lord.
Let’s finish the year strong and encourage our children to use their God-given gifts to His glory.
I also want to thank everyone who has handed in a pre-registration form for next year. If you have not yet done so, please take the time to fill it out. If you need another copy, feel free to come into the office for another copy.
We hope and pray to have everyone back next year. If you would like to sit down and talk with me at any time, you are welcome. Please contact me to set up a time.
I also want to encourage you to spread the word in the community about our school. We would love to have some new faces in our midst for the 2008-2009 school year.
We take this time to congratulate our 8th
graders:
If
you know of a
Dear members and families of
You are cordially invited to the
Graduation of Christina Megan Bare
Saturday, May 24th, 2008
at 10:00 a.m. at
Open House:
Sunday, May 25th, 2008
5:00-9:00 p.m.
at
Your
presence would be a blessing – presents not necessary!
Please
Note:
¶ Summer
Sunday School will begin on June 1st. There will be no Sunday School or Bible
Classes Memorial Weekend (May 25, 26, 27)
¶
¶ Shiawassee
Co. Fair –
¶
You
are invited
To the
Christian Marriage of
Pastor
Luke Boehringer
&
Sarah
Fritzler
on Saturday,
June 28th
at 2:30
p.m.
and to a
congregational potluck reception
for Pastor
& Sarah
on June
29th
at
12:30p.m.
at the
school
Bring a passing dish (no desserts).
Table service, dessert and beverages will be provided.