Pastor's Portal

September 2025

Rev. David Schmidt

September 1, 2025

Last January, Todd Biermann from Concordia Center for the Family visited us to share a transformative approach to discipleship: faith formation starts in the home, led by families and supported by the church. This biblical model flips the old idea that the church leads and families support, which often falls short. This inspired me to attend their family discipleship training in April at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis. There, I learned practical ways to empower parents as the primary faith leaders for their children.

Back home, I met with Jennifer Akbar, our children’s ministry leader, and Ryan Nichols, our youth leader, to plan how we can live out this vision. We crafted a letter to families with children, outlining our commitment to partner with them. We’re equipping parents with resources at key milestones: an Enduring Faith Beginnings packet at baptism, My First Catechism for preschoolers, a Bible in third grade, a Small Catechism during Confirmation, and a devotional book at high school graduation. We’re also encouraging families to join Sunday School at 9:00 AM and Family Night on Wednesdays (6:30–7:30 PM, starting September 3), where Dan Price will lead an adult class on the Book of Hebrews. I will begin teaching on the Book of Genesis during the Sunday School hour beginning September 7 to ground us in the foundations of faith. Children will receive weekly questions to spark faith conversations at home.

Looking ahead, we plan to send Jennifer and Ryan to the family discipleship training to deepen our approach. We’ll keep finding new ways to support families in leading discipleship, ensuring our children grow up knowing and loving Christ. Join us in this exciting journey to build a faith-filled generation together.