From Bishop Miller: April 2026

Recently, several congregations in the Allegheny, Northwestern PA, and Upper Susquehanna Synods participated in a survey that asked one question: What do you hope for the sermon each Sunday? The survey results indicate a strong desire (almost 50%) for sermons to teach about the Bible and how to apply it in daily life. I believe that a differently worded question would have elicited even stronger support for Biblical preaching that applies to Christian living.

This survey brought me back to my time in seminary, particularly to the class on the Lutheran Confessions. I remember an assignment to write an essay on what to expect in a Lutheran sermon. I wish I could say I went back to look at what I wrote, but I have long since disposed of those old papers; but I can say with some certainty that the paper would have emphasized the proper relationship of Law and Gospel. I probably wrote something about how a good Lutheran sermon both accuses the hearers and provides the comfort of the Gospel. As some have put it: we comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable.

I have read only a few sermons by Martin Luther. In them he focuses on correct teaching and the proper understanding of faith, usually over against abuses of the church of his day. For him, the works of faith would flow naturally from those who hear the Gospel preached in its purity, that is the proper preaching of Law and Gospel. Still, at times, he felt the need to help his hearers to see what faith calls us to do, pointing to the works of Jesus on behalf of the widows and orphans, the sick, the blind, and the lame.

Go Tell It IN the Mountains offers training and resources for preachers in our three synods in an effort to improve in what we already do well. This initiative also includes goals to assist our members to become better hearers. I hope through this initiative we will all grow in our understanding of scripture and faith as we hear the Word and that we will proclaim the Good News to many as we live what we believe.