We are happy for you to meet
Pastor Ron Baerbock
God is good. One way that the members of Bethel Lutheran in Arcadia and Galesville measure God's goodness is by considering the way the Lord has sent pastors to serve with us. We are especially grateful for the arrival of our newest pastor, Ron Baerbock.
Pastor Baerbock and his wife Karen (pictured here) have been married since 1970 and have served in congregations and mission fields from 1973 to 2015. The Lord directed them from the suburbs of Milwaukee to the Pacific coast of Washington, from islands in the Caribean to villages in both Northern and Southern Mexico. From serving to Coordinate mission field work to helping to produce multi-language outreach material, Pastor Baerbock has enjoyed a wide range of ministry experiences. One great blessing that the Baerbocks bring to us is that they are both fluent in Spanish as well as English.
There is no doubt that Pastor and his wife count their four children and 18 grandchildren among the greatest blessings that the Lord has given to them. Though their children live at some distance from mom and dad - West coast, Milwaukee, and two in Minnesota - the Baerbocks praise God for the faith in Jesus Christ that binds them all together.
Pastor Baerbock, as a previously retired minister, has been called to serve with Bethel in a part-time role for the next two years. This provides Bethel with extra manpower and the Baerbocks with the opportunity to still enjoy some well-earned retirement. Though their time with us is limited, the Lord will not put limits on the message of Christ to bring spiritual blessings to those whom we serve with God's Word.
We are happy for you to meet Pastor and Mrs. Baerbock. We would be happier still for you to know Jesus through our ministry of the Word at Bethel Lutheran.
From Sunday to Sunday, in Arcadia and Galesville, you will find Pastors Cox and Baerbock opening up the Scriptures to all who attend. Come and hear what good news God's Word has for you to know!
Contact Pastor Baerbock by email - rbaerbock2@gmail.com - or phone (715) 299-0786
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"Peace to you!" from
Pastor Jon Cox
Grace and peace to you from Jesus Christ!
Thank you for visiting the Bethel Lutheran website! We would be especially glad if what you saw here would lead you to visit and worship with us in Galesville or Arcadia.
My wife, Doreen, and I have been married since 1990. We've been at home on the west side of Galesville since 2011. While our five children are growing up and heading out on their own, its nice to live where the neighbors are friendly.
The family at Bethel Lutheran is certainly a friendly group. We love it there and believe that you would too. Our members come from a range of backgrounds and span an age range from little ones on up, but there is a harmony among us that makes being at church there a peaceful experience.
Over the last 27 years of ministry, I've been blessed to serve in a wide variety of settings and situations. From a small mission congregation in central Texas, to a large congregation in central Wisconsin, to Bethel - Galesville and Arcadia. No matter the setting or size, the most valuable feature of life in these congregations is the blessing of being able to share Gods' Word with people who are eager to hear it.
It is so true that people of differing places and cultures face many of the same troubles. We all need the Word of God to counsel and direct our lives. The message of Jesus Christ is the one constant power that both motivates us to reach for success and comforts us when faced with plans that fail. We can always trust the goodness of God to bless and sustain us.
It is always a blessing to meet new people at church. I would be so happy to help you know Jesus Christ. Take a little time, read about what we believe, then come and see for yourself all the good things that God is doing at Bethel!
Contact Pastor Cox by email - jon.nathan.cox@gmail.com - or phone (608) 582-9998
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Faith Related Q and A
| What does respect for leaders mean when some of them act like King Herod and Pontius Pilate? I think it means more to be afraid of them. God put them there, but they became corrupt all on their own.
Respect for leaders means that we render obedience to the laws of the government, unless governmental laws command us to go against God’s word (Acts 5:29).
It is interesting to note the historical context when the apostle Paul wrote Romans 13:1-2 (“Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.”) and the apostle Peter wrote 1 Peter 2:13-14, 17 (“Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, or to governors… honor the emperor”).
When those apostles wrote, Nero reigned as Roman emperor. He was definitely no friend of Christians; his atrocities against them are well documented. Yet, the directives of “be subject” and “honor” applied even to him—not because his life or actions generated respect, but because he filled a seat of authority God had established.
Today, as always, there is a need to do what the apostle Paul wrote in another inspired letter: “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness” (1 Timothy 2:1-2).
| I'm having a difficult time with a potential issue regarding those leading a worship service, including the pastoral office. Hypothetically, if a worship leader (layperson - singing or playing) is actively playing a role in a congregation, but a member/multiple members know that the leader is involved in a continual sin (examples: living with someone outside of marriage, addiction issues) unbeknownst to other church leadership, how does one act? If I'm helping to lead the service as well, do I use Matthew 18 and talk to them first, then with others? Do I move swiftly to church leadership to address the issue?
I've had conflicting advice given on this (yes - leaders in worship are held to the same standard as pastors, and no - we are all sinners, so let it go). I don't like feeling like a tattle-tale, but I also don't like feeling smug like a Pharisee either. It has given me anxiety for a long time, and I'd like some clarification on this from a WELS leader.
Thanks.
Matthew 18:15-20 provides direction for addressing sin in the lives of fellow Christians. That direction includes speaking to a fellow Christian individually and then widening the number of people involved if there is continued impenitence.
With your hypothetical situation, you would want to speak to the worship leader first—individually and privately. You would bring in others to assist you if there were continued impenitence.
We do not help fellow Christians if we fail to offer rebuke in Christian love when they sin. In fact, we help them greatly when we do speak to them—in humility and with gentleness—about their sins. The book of James ends on this note: “Remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins” (James 5:20).
As you and I would want a fellow Christian to rebuke us about our sins, so we want to have a similar attitude toward a fellow Christian who is “involved in a continual sin,” as you described the situation. God grant you wisdom, love and strength.
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| | » | WELS Connection - June 2019
WELCOME HOME The God-given mission of the church is to seek the lost. Knowing that, we rightly dedicate much effort and resources to reaching the unchurched and those who have never known their Savior. But that same zeal for missions should lead us also to recognize that we have a ripe mission field right in our own congregations, among family, friends, and neighbors who once worshiped with us but have now strayed. Cast: WELS
| | » | WELS Connection - May 2019
Christian Aid and Relief Volunteers with Christian Aid and Relief provide help through labor and love when natural disasters strike. Cast: WELS
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Forward in Christ
| What’s the best parenting advice you have received?
 Years before I became a mother, I wrote a news article for Forward in Christ in which I interviewed a dad who described his nightly ritual of blessing his young daughter before she went to sleep. He noted, “Blessing your child is not hocus pocus. When I bless Kayla, I am asking the Lord to […]
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