RevDrLarson

Husband, father, grandpa, pastor, doctor of ministry, professor of practical theology and wretched sinner redeemed only by Christ Jesus.

[RevDrLarson @larson_rev]

"Unity must not come at the cost of Truth" Rev. Johann Gottfried Scheibel, 1830 - leader of Old Lutherans in Prussia

[Dr Jordan B. Cooper @DrJordanBCooper]

In today's video, I have a conversation with my friend Joel Biermann on a number of important issues in the church today.
https://t.co/P1iouRRkMs

[RevDrLarson @larson_rev]

Explore Holy Scripture's divine inspiration, inerrancy, and supreme authority, centered fully on Christ Jesus, which encourages us to feast on Scripture as the perfect nourishment for the soul and the sure foundation for faith and life. https://t.co/NS7vyA1HpZ

[RevDrLarson @larson_rev]

@CowboyShepherd2 I served on Edson DD946

[RevDrLarson @larson_rev]

@revcjackson God bless you in the blessed milestone!

[RevDrLarson @larson_rev]

@LaLaLisaCooper Can I stick to the Psalms? I really struggle with poetry <unbecoming whine>

[RevDrLarson @larson_rev]

@WmWeedon @boundtotheword Here. Here.

[RevDrLarson @larson_rev]

The Lutheran Confessions weren't written to win arguments. They were written to comfort consciences. That's still the standard. Not silence. Not softness. Clarity in service of mercy.

[RevDrLarson @larson_rev]

@TartanLutheran @HannesGassman It’s true. Melanchthon penned it as an addendum to the AC to deal specifically with the office of the papacy. But it joined the Symbols to ease tormented consciences. With that, as 21st c Lutherans lets us all resist the temptation to use it to maim but to rebuke & build up.

[RevDrLarson @larson_rev]

@WmWeedon @boundtotheword That term was employed a while back and it became laden with other baggage and accusations. So the term was short lived. Our document on Holy Communion is pretty clear.

[RevDrLarson @larson_rev]

@logos_asarkos Not really. Just a boomer.

[Lutheran Sage @LutheranSage]

Here's a reality I have been trying to highlight for the last few years that people are going to have to eventually accept whether they like it or not...

"Bivocational ministry could realistically be 50% of all calls in the future."

It's sort of wild to think that in 2026, a seminary like ALTS has to put out a video explaining why an "online seminary" program makes sense for many, as these reasons should be common knowledge today. But they have to unfortunately because there are so many people still attacking "online" programs as inadequate.

We've seemed to forget that pastoral formation for the majority of church history was heavily focused on apprenticeship, which is (arguably) closer to what good online-hybrid programs offer today. And we don't even discuss apprenticeship training as a primary option today for pastoral qualification, which is odd since many pastors (including residential graduates) will report the best formation came from doing the field work in vicarage, not classroom proximity. (This is quite true for a majority of professions.)

Many congregations needing pastors today are smaller, rural, or bi-vocational contexts and not large churches that can support a fully-funded residential-trained pastor needing full-time salary and benefits. So many churches have closed their doors over the years (and still are) because of our inability to meet the needs of these churches and parishes needing a bivocational pastor. Online programs that allow the student to continue working while going through school (and after) make sense for all of these situations, not to mention second career individuals.

None of what I said above, or what the gentleman says in this video.... speak negatively against residential programs. Look, I can go to the grocery store and do my shopping in-person or I can order everything online and have it delivered or picked up. At the end of the day, both options got me what I needed, through two different paths.

[RevDrLarson @larson_rev]

@LaLaLisaCooper Prayers for you and your boys!

[RevDrLarson @larson_rev]

Drawing on the words of Jesus, the St. Paul, and Martin Luther's 1526 treatise "Whether Soldiers, Too, Can Be Saved," this Memorial Day address calls us to remember the fallen with daily gratitude worthy of their sacrifice. https://t.co/dPTVIhU2Oi

[RevDrLarson @larson_rev]

@TohuWaBohu57 @redeemed_zoomer The 80 copy is expanded.

[RevDrLarson @larson_rev]

@LutheranSage Since the church is made up of saints who are sinners on this side of heaven, we need to constantly be in a state of reformation. Our help is in the name of the Lord!

[RevDrLarson @larson_rev]

@___mithrandir_ Here is a Hammer of God study guide by Dr. Pless.

https://t.co/s1KSAmxRNL

[RevDrLarson @larson_rev]

@SwordofFire37 @DrJordanBCooper “I believe that I cannot by my own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ, my Lord, or come to Him; but the Holy Ghost has called me by the Gospel, enlightened me with His gifts, sanctified and kept me in the true faith”

[RevDrLarson @larson_rev]

Church fellowship isn’t our achievement. It is the work of the Holy Spirit. Where the Word is purely preached and the Sacraments rightly administered, the Holy Spirit gathers, enlightens, and unites His people.
https://t.co/a9dye9M9OR

[Tim Carr @CowboyShepherd2]

As we salute our fallen brothers and sisters this weekend, remember, some civilians might thank you for your service. A simple “you’re welcome” or “it was my privilege” are fine. Just because we’re veterans doesn’t mean we have to be the Holiday Police.