Welcome to the electronic issue of Connections. Included in this
e-newsletter are highlights of what is available in the PDF file, which
can be download below or at the synod's Web site.
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The AUGUST issue of Connections is now available to download [PDF]
Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and
I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I
am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. Matthew 11:28-30
Jesus
made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side
of the Sea of Galilee, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had
dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray.
Matthew 14:23
The first text is one of the Scripture lessons
read at Ordination Services as the stole is placed over the pastor.
Previous lessons and questions asked accent the awesome responsibility
of the pastoral office. Just when one might be overwhelmed by it all,
Jesus’ words bring refreshment. We are not alone in this responsibility
of leadership. The One who bore the cross for us is He to whom we are
forever yoked. He is carrying us. To know that truth is to be given
space for laughter, for faith, for trusting in him who promises to be
with us forever. If the burden of leadership gets to be too heavy,
perhaps it is because we are choosing to bear it alone.
Yet is
not that the temptation to which we yield? Our work is so important!
How can the congregation get by without me for even a few days? I
really need to answer those e-mails, return those telephone calls, do
the “right” thing so that a particular committee will stay off my back.
The demands really are endless. The “off day” gets skipped, vacation
shortened, and time alone is non-existent. And no one will stay “Stop
it!” Until, that is, the body rebels, the spirit is quenched, the
relationship with spouse and those dear to us goes silent, and the
burden becomes unbearable.
Jesus had compassion on those who
were helpless and harassed and gave his all as he was present for them
to forgive, to heal, to comfort, to challenge, to feed, and to embrace.
He spent endless hours mentoring the future leaders in the Way. But
then he dismissed the crowds and sent his disciples away. He went up
the mountain alone to pray.
In my days in the parish I cherished
being alone in my office several hours before worship. Having prepared
the sermon, it was time for prayer and to bathe myself in the text, and
to do that in the quiet of the early morning. These days this often
happens as I drive across northwestern Ohio on Sunday mornings. During
the week few moments are more treasured than those which include
mediation on the daily readings, drinking a cup of coffee, watching the
birds feed and sing, and praying for the matters of the day. Time
alone, time in prayer is the means by which the Holy Spirit “yokes” me
to the One who has called me and the One who carries me. When I neglect
the time alone in prayer, I and the ministry entrusted to me are “at
risk.”
If our Lord Jesus needed time alone in prayer and by word
and example commends us to such prayer, who are we to despise that
word? Why would we choose to do so and thereby reject the very gifts by
which he would sustain us?
Prayer: Gracious Lord Jesus who
prayed while alone in the wilderness, on the mountain, in the garden,
and on the cross. Forgive me my neglect of such prayer.
By your Holy
Spirit move me to an awareness of those times when I need to dismiss
the crowd and the friends and be alone, in prayer, with you. Amen
WELCOME THE STRANGER
Recently
I had the privilege of ordaining Robert Noble, a son of Messiah,
Toledo, who has been called to serve as pastor of Calvary, Northwood.
God-willing, during the next weeks and months Holli Burkhard, Kirk
Langset, D.J Dent, and Andy Wilson will receive calls, be ordained, and
installed. Other pastors will be installed into new contexts. If it is
important to be alone in prayer, it is also important to be together
with the Body of Christ in worship, particularly for such precious
occasions.
Not an ordination service goes by without someone
saying to me, “I found this service deeply moving. I have never been at
an ordination service before.” All I can say is, “Amen! I am so pleased
that you are here. Spread the word!”
Because you are a pastor
and lay leader of this synod, please make every effort to attend at
least one ordination a year. Consider bringing members of your
congregation to the service. Invite your upcoming catechism class and
use the service as an opportunity to talk about vocation including the
possibility of service as a diaconal minister, an associate in
ministry, or as a pastor.
The synod office will do its best to
provide timely announcements ordination and installation services. Keep
the candidates and the pastors in transition in your private and public
prayers. And, after a few weeks, call the newly arrived and invite
her/him to lunch, to the next conference meeting, or to travel with you
to Sawmill. We best embody Christ when we work together.
HAVE YOU SHARED THIS NEWSLETTER?
During
one of the Bishop’s Conference Meetings, I asked those present
concerning how they learned about activities and the ministry of the
Northwestern Ohio Synod and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
Most responded that they had seen and read Partners in Mission, our
newsletter that goes to congregations in bulk. Some said that they had
read church newsletter and bulletin announcements. Few had ever visited
the www.nwos-elca.org web site and only a handful reported ever seeing this newsletter.
We
need your help in telling the story about the mission and ministry
Christ has entrusted to us in the Northwestern Ohio Synod and the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Please copy this newsletter and
distribute it to your congregational leadership. You have my permission
to copy my devotional articles and include them in your congregation’s
newsletter if you are so inclined. Periodically, verbally or in
bulletin announcements, encourage congregational leadership to check
out the synod or ELCA web site: www.elca.org
. The ELCA web site is worth checking out for the simple reason that a
“ton” of excellent resources are available to you and the ministry for
which you are providing leadership.
We also can learn from the
good things that God is doing in your context. If you have a good story
to tell related to your congregation’s life and ministry, please
contact Kathy Lemmerbrock so that we may consider sharing it throughout
the synod.
Thanks for what you do in support of the ministry we do together!
AN UPDATE ON THE ANNUAL APPEAL
Following
the direction of the Synod Assembly, I have appointed a Task Force to
begin shaping the plan related to next Spring’s Annual Appeal. The Task
Force includes Synodical Vice-President Craig Klopfleisch, Secretary
Louann Kornowa, Treasurer, Dan Perry, Fred Heintz, Pastor Jim Lehman,
Synod Administrator Kathy Lemmerbrock. Already the Task Force is
consulting with potential resources and consultants related to this
Appeal.
I invite your prayers for the work of this Task Force
that its work will serve to strengthen the important ministries related
to this synod and so glorify Christ. We will keep you posted!
BOOK OF FAITH INITIATIVE
It
is not too early to accent the manner in which we might strengthen the
reading and study of Scripture in our personal lives, in our
congregations, and in our community.
Is it too much to expect that every congregation of this synod will declare itself to be a
“Book of Faith Congregation” and so re-commit itself to allowing the
Word of God in Christ to shape our lives and congregations in a deeper
way? Is it too much to ask that every meeting include some reading of
Scripture and prayer as a way of giving direction and imploring the
guidance of the Holy Spirit?
Please watch for and make use of the many resources that will be available to you and your congregation.
AND FINALLY…
The
summer months provide most of us with some opportunity for a change of
pace and/or even a vacation. Regardless, may this be a summer in which
you find time alone for prayer and know again this Lord Jesus who
promises, “My burden is easy and my yoke is light.” Perhaps your first
time alone after reading this would be a good time to make those words
the center of your prayer and reflection.
Your brother in Christ,
Bishop Marcus C. Lohrmann |
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