Columns, Confessions, and Challenges by Pastor Walter Snyder Columns From vacation through back-to-school through my wife's out-of-town singing and recent surgery, a column that I thought I was temporarily suspending suddenly found itself weeks without attention. Before going on, be assured that vacation was a joy, I'm back in the saddle teaching religion class, Stephanie's trip to Phoenix with the Kansas City Chorus of Sweet Adelines resulted in a fifth-place finish in the international competition, and her thyroid was safely removed and she's now recovering. Why am I resuming? First of all, I enjoy it. The interaction with so many people brings new ideas, new challenges, and new opportunities to share the love of Christ and knowledge of His Word. I never feel like "Pastor Know-It-All" because for every question I can answer off the top of my head, there are several that require much research and some that will never be answered---at least not this side of Paradise. Secondly, too many people, either by email or in person have asked where the column went. I've heard in nursing homes, barber shops, grocery stores, from out of town guests at church, and elsewhere that "Ask the Pastor" makes positive contributions to many lives. Even many people who disagree with me on any number of points say that they enjoy being challenged to think about God and their faith from different directions. Confessions The second part of the title focuses on what I've done wrong. Evidently, some people have taken the very existence of this column and used it to taunt members of my congregation (and other Lutherans), by accusing me of using it to glorify myself, by claiming that I'm either confused, wrong, or nuts, or by using what I write as a blanket statement of the way every Lutheran thinks and judging others by my words. Thus, if I've offended you, I'm sorry. It was never intentional. If you think I want glory (and pardon me, ~Concordian~, but I don't really think that having my picture in a small town newspaper is the path to universal fame) then the point of the column is being lost---it's here to point to Christ and to explain Christianity from a Lutheran perspective. I hope that like the apostle Paul, my "bragging" is about the One who saves me, and not about this poor, miserable sinner. I owe an even bigger apology to those who ~aren't~ upset by what I write and since the sin is public, I must confess to you as well as to God. What sin? I listened to gossip. Actually, I listened to gossip about gossip about gossip. I paid attention to the bearers of anonymous complaints about my words rather than asking that those who disagreed talk to me. I didn't repeat what I heard, but still used it as an excuse to avoid the sometimes difficult task of weekly researching and writing the column. I am sorry that this happened and ask your forgiveness. I also ask your prayers for me. Challenges Finally, I propose some challenges. I challenge myself to continue answering as many questions as time and ability allow. I challenge myself also to be diligent with deadlines and continually faithful to Scripture and our Lutheran teaching. For others, also, I suggest some challenges. First of all, if you read what I write, then examine the Bible and the traditional teachings of the Church to test what I say. Second, if you disagree, but think that my interpretation is possible, then grant me the charity of holding and professing my beliefs. Third, if you think I'm really off about something, then call, write, email, or stop me in person and let me know what's wrong and why. Finally, I challenge those who want to tease or mock others or poke fun at my congregation or church because of what I say to refocus themselves. Before talking about Emma's "crazy pastor," or whatever it is that's been said, read Matthew 18:15-17 and follow it with the Epistle of James. Don't talk ~about~ someone until you talk ~with~ him. Maybe you'll find that along with a thick skin I also have a soft heart---any maybe you'll also discover that we aren't as different as you thought. Scripture quotations, unless otherwise noted, are from ~The Holy Bible, English Standard Version~, © 2001 by Crossway Bibles. Ask the Pastor, © 2003 by Walter P. Snyder. It may be reproduced in totality, including this disclaimer, by anyone, provided that no profit is generated by said republication and redistribution. Translations into other languages should similarly note the United States and any appropriate international copyrights, as well as God's Scriptural injunctions concerning the property of others. Walter Snyder is the pastor of Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Emma, Missouri and coauthor of the book "What Do Lutherans Believe."