Joyful Always?

If Paul had been writing to WELS teachers instead of believers in Thessalonica would the Holy Spirit have given a more realistic encouragement? “Be Joyful Always!” It seems an impossible demand for us to be joyful always when there are so many challenges that rob us of joy in our teaching ministry. In our religious keynote we will pursue a joy that lasts in every trial, as well as consider the Lord’s answers to some of the common thieves to joy in our ministry.

Dave Barkow has served as the pastor at Christ the Lord Lutheran Church in Cottage Grove, MN since 2009. During his 15 years of ministry he has also served as conference secretary and eight years as a circuit pastor. In addition to his Masters of Divinity in 2009, he also completed a Masters of Sacred Theology with an emphasis in systematic theology in 2018.