The apostle Paul wrote, "…we proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles" (I Corinthians 1:23). That offends people who have placed their faith in another way. Jesus' way means that we have to change our ways. Many people don't like to hear that kind of talk; unless their way isn't working out, and they are searching for a better way.

Some of us witness to our faith by making it a part of our conversations with others. I do not mean walking up to everyone we meet, looking them in the eye, and asking, "Are you saved?" However, faith is an important part of our lives. As one of the things that is important to us, our faith naturally becomes part of all the other things that we talk about with people.

Witness takes place when a family eats a meal together, when we have coffee with a friend, when we are at work or at play, doing our shopping, or visiting a sick friend. As people talk about themselves with others, they begin to learn to know each other. Bonds of trust build. In such conversations, God begins to be talked about as a natural part of the rest of the story.

What we do is also a very important part of our witness. Many Lutherans feel that actions speak louder than words. They hope that people learn about our faith and what it means to be a Christian from the way we live.