A Statement from The Office of the President
The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod
1333 South Kirkwood Road
St. Louis, Missouri 63122
United States of America

As we look out across this world of ours and see the sin, evil and corruption which exists and all the social ills which afflict our globe, is it any wonder that the Psalmist was moved to write, "What is man that thou art mindful of him, and the son of man that thou dost care for him?" (Psalm 8:4). An honest accounting of our lives leads us to imitate the example of the tax-collector in the temple, "Standing far off, he would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, `God, be merciful to me a sinner!' (Luke 18:13). We realize how much we need a God who cares!

In the midst of this world of sin, our God did care. He reached out in caring love and sent a solution. He sent a Savior, who took the punishment which we deserve because of our sins. Because of the grace of God poured out in our hearts through the washing of Holy Baptism we are counted among those people about whom God says, "I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more" (Hebrews 8:12). Because of God's great love for us through our Savior Jesus we in turn our led to care for others.

It would be my feeling that we as a church body, as districts, as congregations and as individuals need to make a genuine and purposeful effort to reach out to others in our lives in caring ways-ways which show our love and concern for others. This is what I mean when I speak of our Synod being truly people-sensitive and people-centered. There are so many hurting people out there, for so many different reasons. There are countless opportunities to extend our care for others. Sometimes it will take the form of a caring telephone call or visit. Sometimes it will be in the form of a check written to help out in a specific situation. Perhaps it will be a card or note dropped in the mail. At times it may be a conversation with a total stranger who is hurting, or a talk with a close friend who needs support and concern. Through the mail and in person people continue to tell me that this emphasis in the five-fold vision statement is very important for our Synod. We must be a Synod characterized by a people-sensitive attitude, reaching out with the caring love of Christ to a hurting world.

Caring for one another is our way of showing our love for Jesus Christ, for as Jesus reminds us, "As you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me" (Matthew 25:40). In thanks to God for His great mercy we in turn reach out in care toward others. May God bless our Synod as we show this kind of Christ-like care for others, even as our God cares for us.

From: The LCMS President's Newsletter, May 1995, p. 3