EF 3209 The history of Grace Lutheran Church, Milwaukee, WI: the most recent 20 yrs. 1983-2003

Abstract

Steve Bauer’s essay presents a reflective account of Grace Lutheran Church’s recent history, focusing on the two decades from 1983 to 2003 through an interview with Pastor Jim Huebner. Rather than chronicling architectural or pastoral milestones, Bauer explores the church’s response to challenges such as demographic shifts, aging membership, and neighborhood decline. Grace’s approach was marked by thoughtful evaluation and steadfast commitment to its downtown location and traditional worship, resisting trends like relocating or adopting contemporary praise bands. Pastor Huebner emphasizes that Grace’s growth and resilience were not formulaic but rooted in God’s grace and faithful proclamation of the Word. The essay highlights the congregation’s willingness to adapt without compromising doctrine, and credits God as the true builder of the church. Bauer’s work serves as a testimony to the enduring power of mission-minded ministry grounded in Scripture. Abstract generated by Microsoft Copilot (GPT-4)