What is Jesus First?
By Rev. Jon Coyne Jesus First is a diverse group of loving people, with a common goal confessing Christ! Before the group ever had a name, the people who met to form Jesus First were focused on their common goal. The leadership of The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod (LCMS) was becoming increasingly legalistic and no longer reflected the rich heritage of Gospel freedom in the LCMS. Being confessional had changed from its original meaning and now meant being rigidly bound to things that are not commanded in the Bible or in the confessions. Walking together (the translation of the word Synod) had changed from its original meaning to a concept of walking in lock step, with matching uniforms, and no outward signs of any difference. Something needed to change. As the first group met, the problem was defined: If the LCMS continued to become more rigid in practice, more legalistic and authoritarian in governance, and more controlling of pastors, in two or three generations, our grandchildren wo
