Luke’s Reviews > Gospel DNA: Five Markers of a Flourishing Church > Status Update

"The early LCMS didn't consider a variety of ministry lanes threatening to the pastoral office. On the contrary, the church supported multiple offices for the movement of the Gospel."

"Pioneers are adapting methods to bring the transformational and eternal hope-giving love and power of God to all. Much more is possible. Bridges can replace barriers when people adapt eternal truths to new contexts."

"If truth becomes mean, it's not fully the truth. If truth becomes divisive instead of delightful, fearful instead of fruitful, there is a problem. Some view controversy as a sign of the true church. Sometimes it is, but at other times it simply indicates you're being mean, unfaithful to Christ's calling."

"What do you do during a pause? You stay faithful by continuing to put the Gospel to work. ... You resist the devil's attempt to make paralyzing fear the prevailing spirit. ...You refuse to believe that the church is not advancing. ...You redouble efforts to share the Gospel. ...You receive what God is teaching you in the wilderness. ...You keep putting the Gospel to work and you watch"