When the Story Blesses the Kingdom Number 5 #becauseofconcordia

There is no way that I could put into words the full extent of the effect Concordia Ann Arbor has had on my life, but I’d like to attempt to share some.

First of all, it’s known to many that my father, Charles Winterstein, gave everything to see that university thrive and succeed. Even after he was asked to step away from his position as a part of the merger with Concordia Wisconsin, he was a relentless advocate for Ann Arbor, for the Concordia University System, and for Lutheran Education in general. I would go so far as to say that, other than his family, there was nothing he was more passionate about.

To see this place, a place that I’ve known intimately since I was 11 years old, a place my dad poured everything he had into,

a place where I spent more of my childhood than I can reckon,

a place where I met my best friends in the world,

a place where I met my wife,

a place where I discerned God’s call for me into full-time ministry,

a place where I took ownership and responsibility for my faith,

a place where I experienced what it means for God to truly love me...

To see this place discarded so easily breaks my heart.

Concordia Ann Arbor is more than a piece of land. It is more than a cluster of buildings. It is more than a bottom line. Concordia is the sum of innumerable lives transformed by the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The work of raising up generations to follow the way of Jesus is not something that can be reckoned or quantified by the measures of this world. This is something built on faith, not fear; a mindset of plenty, not scarcity. This is Kingdom work. As soon as we begin to measure ourselves and our efforts by the standards of corporate success, we have lost sight of our calling.

I’m sure the realities of this situation are farther reaching than any of us realize and this may be an awakening of sorts for many. Regardless of the outcome, though, I have faith. I have faith that the Kingdom of God cannot be stopped. I have faith that the Spirit will continue to move where it will. I have faith that no matter what the Concordia University System, or the Board of Regents or the LCMS decide to do, the Gospel will continue to change lives and lead all of creation ever onward toward that day when all is made new again.

The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; 

His mercies never come to an end;

They are new every morning;

Great is your faithfulness.

“The LORD is my portion,” says my soul,

“Therefore I will hope in him.”

Lamentations 3:22-24

And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.

Colossians 1:18

     

Thomas Winterstein serves as 

Director of Worship Arts at

St. Lorenz Lutheran Church in

Frankenmuth, Michigan.