The Unique gift of the Church: The Office of the keys

“Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.” John 20:22-23

What does the Church give that is unique to them? Coffee freely flows at the local café, fellowship abounds at social clubs, and volunteer opportunities are prevalent in every community. Even communal singing of “Piano Man” on karaoke night lifts our spirits.

The answer is simple: Forgiveness in Christ. We confess in Luther’s small catechism that the Office of the Keys is the “special authority which Christ has given to His Church to forgive the sins of repentant sinners, but to withhold forgiveness from the unrepentant as long as they do not repent (Small Catechism, Confession).” The Church follows Christ command from John 20 & Matthew 16 to forgive and retain sins. This no small task and is not just words; it is a divine act by the blood of Christ that frees a sinner from the shackles of guilt, shame, and a seared conscience. Even when we have the difficult task of retaining forgiveness to a sinner, the end goal is for the individual to have contrition and trust in the grace of Christ’s forgiveness. 

This unique gift is not bound to the size of your church. Whether it is 6 people in an old church or 300 people in a newly remodeled sanctuary, we receive the fullness of Christ. No pub, coffee shop, or travel league can absolve your conscience or reconcile you to God the Father. Come, receive the peace that surpasses understanding, now and forever.

In Christ (John 20:22-23)

Rev. Brady Finnern

CONGREGATIONAL ANNUAL REPORTING

It is time to submit your congregation’s end-of-year statistics and update your current list of lay leaders at the following website: lc.lcms.org.



If you cannot remember the username and/or password you created previously for your congregation, follow the on-screen helps on the login page to recover your credentials.

Rev. Gary Rehborg recently celebrated 40 years in ministry. He was ordained at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Henning, MN (his home church) in March 1985 by Rev. Paul Friedrich, his pastor and confessor. His placement congregation was Faith Lutheran in Tracy, MN.

Share your milestones and photos with the MN North District! mnndist@mnnlcms.org

LERT TRAINING—for Disaster Response

Redeemer Lutheran Church in Willmar is hosting a Basic LERT training (Lutheran Early Response Team) on Saturday, May 3 from 9:30am-4:00pm.:

The day is divided into three main sections:

1)     An introduction to the LCMS Disaster Response program

2)     Congregation preparedness

3)     Lutheran Early Response Teams

Congregations are encouraged to send a group of people to this training so that you can continue as a LERT-trained team when you get back home. Pastors, please share this information with your congregations.

Anyone who is interested is welcome to attend the training session. However, only LCMS members who are 14 years or older will receive certification as LCMS LERT volunteers. You will receive your certificate of participation, volunteer ID card, vest, and T-shirt from LCMS Disaster Response after the training is complete. Your LERT trainer will distribute all the LERT materials during and after the class.



All registration is done online. Please register as soon as possible at: www.lcms-lert.org 

1) Sign up for a free LERT account. Every volunteer needs their own email address. After setting up an account, sign up for the event.

2) Click on the “Districts” tab, then click on “Minnesota North District” and select the event you want to attend.  Please pre-register as soon as possible as materials must be ordered in advance.

Payment: Cost is $35 per person (includes all materials, refreshments and lunch). Pay at the event.  Make checks payable: “Minnesota North District – LERT training”

Any questions, contact: Rev. John Beck who is one of our District Disaster Response Coordinators and LERT Trainers, by email john6beck@gmail.com or phone (320) 249-4012.

Recruiting TIM Trainees

LuTMA is providing two online discernment events on Thursday, April 3. These identical, two-hour webinars help interested pastors to discover what TIM is and if this might be a ministry for which they are suited.  Details at LuTMA.org.

The Congress on the

Lutheran Confessions

"Confessional Lutheran Preaching Challenges & Opportunities"

May 13 - 15, 2025

At Crowne Plaza Aire, Bloomington near the Mall of America

Sponsored by Association of Confessional Lutherans, CLEF & Lutheran Press



For more info and to register go to: theacl.org

Lutheran Child and Family Services of Indiana/Kentucky has been providing hope and 

encouragement to children, families, and individuals in need for over 140 years. Since the early 2000s, the main campus on the near east side of Indianapolis has been a residential home to 

teenagers, working through program in hopes of reuniting with family, joining a supportive 

group home, or preparing for independent living. Auxiliary programs include service to the 

community through intergenerational programs with partner schools, traditional homebased counseling, and a food pantry with additional home delivery services. 

In light of the recent growth in spiritual services here at LCFS, and the projected growth in 

census on campus, Lutheran Child and Family Services is excited to announce its search for 

another full-time member of the Spiritual Life Team in the Spiritual Engagement, Education, 

and Development (SEED) department. LEARN MORE>>

Does your congregation have news to share? Send your photos and stories to our Lutheran Witness Editor, Rev. Travis Lauterbach at: the.lutheran.witness@mnnlcms.org

SAS School Resource Kit

The Continuing Assault on the Constitution and Parental Rights in Education

on the blog

What: Main Street Living apparel online store

When: Open now until May 24th

Cost: Prices vary per item

Store link: https://www.logo2promo.com/main-street-living.html

Delivery: April 26th recording at Zion, or you can choose to have it shipped

MN North District | 7264 Fairview Rd, Baxter, MN 56425 | 218-829-1781 | mnndist@mnnlcms.org | www.mnnlcms.org

Office Hours: Monday - Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm | Closed for Lunch Noon - 1:00pm