the Word Lutheran/Christian education without apology or excuses. Some 50-75 percent of our new families come through our school,” offers Pastor Pulse. “The principal, Doug Eisele, and the staff are fantastic at using the classroom as a mission tool. Because we work closely together and not in competition, both church and school continue to grow. I believe our school is one of our greatest blessings.” Members of Peace also concentrate on continuing education in areas other than the dayschool. On Wednesday evenings they offer a meal, worship, and classes for all ages. Pastor Pulse sees this midweek worship and study time as an excellent opportunity for new families from the school to become acquainted with the congregation. There is also a more indepth option for adults. “Four years ago, with the help of one of our vicars, now the Rev. Paul Koch, we began a Lay Theological Symposium. Each year we fly out a guest speaker from one of our seminaries for a three-day symposium geared toward upper-adult-level theological topics. This year Dr. Lawrence Rast (CTS Assistant Academic Dean and Associate Professor of Historical Theology) is coming,” says Pastor Pulse. Even with these successful programs in place Pastor Pulse knows there is a con-
JULY 2005
tinual battle to fight as faithful pastors labor to nurture and grow healthy congregations. “One of the greatest challenges in the lives of the people of the church comes from within the church itself. The church as a whole seems all too willing to fall prey to the ‘fads’ of Christianity. I suppose this is because we believe there is a magic wand out there that will solve all problems and fill all the pews,” observes Pastor Pulse. “Most of these fads do little more than keep the people of the church occupied with fixing themselves while they de-emphasize the foundational position of Word and Sacrament ministry. While most of these fads are generated outside of the LCMS, they often are adopted or adapted by our churches. This sends an inconsistent and confusing message to the people of our parishes.” In an effort to avoid those pitfalls that occur when the church follows the world rather than leads, Pastor Pulse offers this advice. “For the parish the answer is the same as it has been from the beginning— Word and Sacrament ministry grows and nurtures the people of God, not rocket science; but then why would it be—why should it be?” Pastor Pulse and his wife, Sara, have three children: Nathaniel (16); Jonathan (14); and Mikal Soo (12).
For the parish the answer is the same as it has been from the beginning—Word and Sacrament Ministry grows and nurtures the people of God, not rocket science; but then why would it be—why should it be?
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