The Solid Rock - Here I Stand
The modern American religious landscape presents the Church with both a challenge and an opportunity. Christians increasingly find themselves living within a culture that bears less resemblance to historic Christianity, and more resemblance to the pagan world into which the apostles themselves preached. What previous generations may have assumed regarding biblical literacy, moral consensus, reverence for God, or even a basic understanding of Christianity can no longer be assumed. The surrounding culture is increasingly marked by confusion regarding truth, identity, morality, and the nature of humanity itself. Yet, this reality should not drive Lutherans toward fear, panic, or theological compromise. Rather it should drive the Church back to the very solid foundation upon which she has always stood: Christ crucified and risen for sinners, delivered through His means of grace. At Mount Calvary, biblical theology deeply informs and shapes this eastern outpost, not by chasing novelty or cultural relevance, but by remaining steadfast in the historic Christian faith once delivered to the saints.
The Church that Christ is building at Mount Calvary remains focused on Word and Sacrament ministry, and the mission of baptizing and teaching those God is calling to His Church. This mission begins not with man, but with God Himself. The Father sends the Son, and the Father and the Son send the Spirit. Christ then sends His Church into the world with the proclamation of repentance and the forgiveness of sins. Jesus declares in John 20:21, “As the Father has sent Me, even so I am sending you.” This understanding fundamentally changes how Lutheran’s approach mission. Mission is not first the activity of the Church; mission is Christ’s activity through the Church. The Church does not invent her message, nor does she reinvent herself to suit every age. She receives from Christ what she is to proclaim and administer.
This becomes especially important in a culture increasingly shaped by secularism, individualism, and practical paganism. Modern culture seeks spirituality detached from authority, morality detached from truth, and religion detached from repentance. Even within broader Christianity, churches are often tempted to replace historic Christian worship with entertainment, doctrine with emotional stimulation, and catechesis with vague inspiration. Churches are often told that if they desire to reach modern people, they must become less theological and less liturgical. Yet, the Confessions continually direct the Church back to the orderly and ordinary, but mighty means through which Christ Himself works. The Augsburg Confession Article V states: “That we may obtain this faith, the ministry of teaching the Gospel and administering the Sacraments was instituted.” Through these means, “as through instruments, the Holy Ghost is given.” This remains central to Mount Calvary’s mission and identity. At Mount Calvary, mission is not understood primarily as church growth strategies, emotional experiences, or shallow theology. Rather, mission is understood sacramentally and confessionally. Christ gathers sinners through preaching, Baptism, absolution, catechesis, and the Lord’s Supper. In a restless and unstable culture, there is growing hunger for something rooted, historic, reverent, and true. Mount Calvary provides stability grounded in Christ and His gifts that are offered to sinners for the forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation. On this rock, He will build His Church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it.
Your servant in Christ,
Vicar Michael Usner
