# dr joel (blogs) — RSS Amplifier Recent posts from the 1 feeds in the RSS Amplifier directory that cover dr joel. Page: Feed: --- ## [Luther Condemned Rigid Practices, Valued Liberty & Local Community in Worship; 2 Rural LCMS Iowa Churches Close When SMP Candidate Denied Due to New Age Restriction; LCMS Pastor Shortage Grows Larger](https://truthandlightmedia.substack.com/p/luther-condemned-rigid-practices) _2026-08-11 · Truth & Light Media · Karsten Christiansen_ Read Martin Luther's views on Christian Freedom; Mainline Seminaries are Shrinking or Vanishing While Non-Conformist Seminaries are Booming; Having More Babies is Good, But Won’t Stop LCMS's Decline ## [It Begins: The New LCMS 40-Years-Old SMP Requirement Results in the Closure of 2 Rural Iowa Congregations; Why Was No Age Exception Made?](https://truthandlightmedia.substack.com/p/it-begins-the-new-lcms-40-years-old) _2026-08-05 · Truth & Light Media · Karsten Christiansen_ Policy Has Real Human and Spiritual Ramifications, Especially in Small and Rural Communities, as 150-Year-Old Congregation Forced to Close After SMP Candidate Rejected Because of Age Restriction ## [The 2026 State of the LCMS Survey Now Open!](https://truthandlightmedia.substack.com/p/the-2026-state-of-the-lcms-survey) _2026-08-04 · Truth & Light Media · Karsten Christiansen_ All LCMS Pastors, Church Workers, & People in the Pews Encouraged to Participate & Help Shape Conversations & Ministries ## [LCMS 2026 Convention Recap Video, Podcast, & Overview Guide Developed & Released by Lead Time & LCMS Rev. Rob Bailey](https://truthandlightmedia.substack.com/p/lcms-2026-convention-recap-video) _2026-07-30 · Truth & Light Media · Karsten Christiansen_ Resources Provide In-Person Attendee & Delegate Perspectives & Detailed Proceedings Analysis Not Found Elsewhere ## [LCMS 2026 Convention Wraps Up: Synod Remains United in Doctrine, Divided on Topics Like Pastoral Formation, Roles of Women, Worship Practice, Altar & Pulpit Fellowship with AALC, "Lutheran Identity"](https://truthandlightmedia.substack.com/p/lcms-2026-convention-wraps-up-synod) _2026-07-28 · Truth & Light Media · Karsten Christiansen_ Concordia Seminary Professor Rev. Dr. Joel Biermann Reminds Pastors to Honor Ordination Vows, Live Lives Above Reproach, & Stop Behaviors that Harm Christ's Church; Can LCMS Fill 600+ Empty Pulpits? ## [Thinking About Pastoral Formation](https://truthandlightmedia.substack.com/p/thinking-about-pastoral-formation) _2026-07-19 · Truth & Light Media · Karsten Christiansen_ Concordia Seminary Professor, LCMS Central Region Vice President Candidate Rev. Dr. Joel Biermann, Shares His Unique Insights on This Important and Timely Topic ## [Sacred Spaces, Permanent Places: LCMS Concordia University Ann Arbor's Chapel of the Holy Trinity Deconsecrated](https://truthandlightmedia.substack.com/p/sacred-spaces-permanent-places-lcms) _2026-07-17 · Truth & Light Media · Karsten Christiansen_ A First Person View of CUAA's Legacy, Concordia University System's (CUS) History of 5 University Closures & Exits in 8 Years, the Pain of Closures, & the Loss of Ministry Presence in Communities ## [LCMS 2026 Convention Resources Developed to Help Educate & Equip Delegates & Convention Goers; Prayers for Godly Conversations, Independent Thinking, & Wise Decisions](https://truthandlightmedia.substack.com/p/lcms-2026-convention-resources-developed) _2026-07-15 · Truth & Light Media · Karsten Christiansen_ Rev. Dr. Joel Biermann Reminds Us to Think, Talk, & Act Like Christians; Efforts to Restrict & Reduce Women's Roles Incorrectly Apply Scripture; Synod Responds to Erroneous July 9 Election Email ## [1st Round LCMS Synodical President Voter Emails Received 1 Month After End of That Round; Mounting Concern of Possible Voter Disenfranchisement Has Some Calling Into Question Legitimacy of Election](https://truthandlightmedia.substack.com/p/1st-round-lcms-synodical-president) _2026-07-09 · Truth & Light Media · Karsten Christiansen_ Growing Chorus of Voters Call for the LCMS Board of Directors to Intervene and Demand a Single Round Election Between Harrison & Biermann Run by Competent Organization Fully Independent of Synod ## [Make any domain metal (Sponsored)](https://crawlproof.com/a/yDzN6vsFlODL) _2026-07-09 · **Sponsored**_ Turn any domain into a blacked-out metal landing page with an email waitlist ## [Institutional Self-Preservation Trumps Structural Reform: An Analysis of What the LCMS 2026 Convention Floor Committees Actually Did -- And What It Means for the People in the Pews](https://truthandlightmedia.substack.com/p/institutional-self-preservation-trumps) _2026-07-07 · Truth & Light Media · Karsten Christiansen_ 4 Committees Deviated Greatly from Submitted Overtures: Life Together, Pastoral Ministry & Seminaries, University Education, Structure & Admin; Delegates Can Restore Original Intent & Demand Votes