I have a list of issues that seem to be important to me. I have more than one list, but this one lists dangers I sense for the church. We are never free of problems within the visible church of Christ. The Reformation addressed problems within the visible church and so did many others through the ages.

Simply, the church on earth is filled with sinful creatures who retain the sinful nature even after faith in Christ. By the power of the Holy Spirit in Word and sacrament, the sinful nature no longer reigns in our hearts. Yet it exerts considerable power. Daily we struggle. The world and Satan challenge us with false ideas, selfish concerns, and apathy. In addition, we confront the temptations of power, prestige, and the illusion of our own importance. Yes, these things infect the life of the church on earth as surely as they infect us personally.

My list may not be important to anyone else. Others might disagree, while still others may have more significant perspectives and observations. The list begs for more discussion than the six hundred words I have here. But if it prompts you to think, pray, or discuss it, then I think that God may have used it for the good of his church.