Some time in the first century A.D., Jesus said “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s” (Matthew 22:21; Mark 12:17; and Luke 20:25), but what does that mean today in the twenty-first century? The upcoming Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod (LCMS) Texas District Circuit #14 Retreat will take up the topic “Render Unto Caesar”, and all are welcome to attend and participate in the discussion.
The retreat will be held Saturday, February 6, 2016, from 9:00 to about 3:00 p.m., at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Palestine, Texas. The Rev. Dr. Scott R. Murray, Fourth Vice President of the LCMS, serving the West Southwestern Region, will present. He has titled the day’s four sessions as follows: “Should the Church Speak to Caesar?”, “Who Are Our Partners?”, “First Amendment”, and “A Case Study: Houston Proposition 1”.
Rev. Dr. Scott R. Murray Photo: lcms.org
The Rev. Dr. Murray is the senior pastor of Memorial Lutheran Church and School, Houston, Texas, and author of numerous journal articles and two books. He earned his B.A. from Concordia College, Ann Arbor; M.Div. from Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne; M.A. from Loyola University, New Orleans; and Ph.D from New Orleans Baptist Seminary, New Orleans. He previously served five years on the Synod’s Commission on Theology and Church Relations.
The Circuit #14 retreats are always informative and well worth the time and trip to Palestine. Registration is $20 per person and includes abundant refreshments and a delightful and hearty lunch. Advance registration through your local congregation by January 30, 2016, is preferred to give those preparing the food (the Bethlehem LWML) the best possible idea of how many will attend, but registrations will also be taken at the door, usually beginning at 8:30 a.m. More information is available from your local pastor or the Circuit #14 Visitor, the Rev. Dennis J. Bragdon, by phone (979-966-2242) or email.
Circuit #14 of the Texas District of the LCMS is comprised of twelve East Texas LCMS congregations, with worship sites as far north as Hawkins-Holly Lake, as far East as Nacogdoches, as far south as Lufkin, and as far west as Corsicana.
The slider graphic and the banner graphic on this page were adapted from uncredited images found here, here, and here. Thanks go to Carla Adsit for composing the graphics. For more information on the Synod’s “Free to be Faithful” initiative, click here.
