10/22/2026
"For many, evangelicalism seemed to have it all. But all I felt was empty," writes the Rev. Matt Doebler, who was an American evangelical as a young man and is now an LCMS pastor.
"There are many evangelicals who feel the same way. Many of them are young. And many of them seem to be showing up with increasing frequency in LCMS congregations. In fact, anecdotal evidence suggests that the more traditional your congregation, the more likely these discontented evangelicals will one day show up in your church’s narthex. I know, because many of them have lately been showing up in my church’s narthex.
"Upon greeting them, you may be tempted to apologize that the coffee is not Starbucks caliber, or that the restrooms haven’t been remodeled since the 1950s, or that the fellowship hall looks a little like a swap meet. Don’t. They probably suspected all those things were true before they pulled into the parking lot.
"They are showing up at your congregation because they want something more. They want certainty and clarity about what the Scriptures teach. They want a clean conscience that isn’t grounded upon internal feelings or personal obedience. They want rest from the pressure of trying to find God’s big plan and purpose."
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