By the Numbers
If you’ve been to synod assembly in recent years and thought the turnout for this one was a bit sparse, you’re right. There had been speculation that such would be the case, because of both the economy and an anticipated boycott by congregations unaccepting of the 2009 Churchwide Assembly actions on sexuality issues. As of Sunday morning, 552 assembly participants had checked in, including 13 youth voting members and 453 other voting members. Those figures compare with 649 participants last year, including 18 youth and 534 other voting members.
Haiti: Land of Opportunity
According to a video shown at the final plenary, Lutheran World Relief has received more than $8 million for disaster response in Haiti. “And this work will continue for as long as it takes,” the closing frame of the video states. The offering at the Opening Eucharist on Friday evening, designated for Haitian disaster relief, totaled $7,845. The assembly closed just before noon on Sunday, but for Pastor Joseph Livenson Lauvanus of Haiti, the day was just beginning. From Orlando he drove to Venice to speak that evening at Emmanuel Lutheran Church, where he served an internship. Then he headed to Tampa for more meetings the next day. On Tuesday he was to return to Haiti.
Pastor Livenson had been visiting Florida congregations long before the tremor struck last Jan. 12, seeking monetary support for l’Eglise Lutherienne d’Haiti to build a permanent church structure that would also serve as a community education, health and social center. Synod conferences had embarked on projects to raise funds for this purpose. After the earthquake they put those projects on hold and channeled the money raised – plus a lot more – to disaster response instead. Mid-Gulf Conference congregations raised more than $25,000.
On Sunday evening, Livenson spoke to about 150 Emmanuel Lutheran members and friends about his hopes and concerns for Haiti’s future. The island nation has long been by far the poorest in the Western Hemisphere. As catastrophic as the earthquake was, he sees it as “an opportunity to change the lives of our brothers and sisters.” But the manner and management of aid has to change first.
Official estimates put the death toll at 220,000. “We can talk about a million people, maybe more,” Livenson says. “Just from Carrefour [the epicenter of the quake], more than 200,000 are gone.” The looming crisis is hurricane season, only weeks away. Because the hills have been denuded of trees, which Haitians cut down to make charcoal for cooking, storms each year trigger mudslides that destroy villages and leave hundreds dead. People who fled to the countryside after the earthquake have poured back into Port-au-Prince and are living in huge tent cities “because that’s where the food is being given out.” Livenson has no confidence in Haiti’s government and says “we have so many organizations trying to help that it is chaos.”
The key to being effective, he says, is to help the people help themselves. He wants money for materials and investment in infrastructure, not food and water and flimsy tents. He wants to go to the Haitian congregations (there are 12) with support for projects and call on them to provide volunteers to do the work. An immediate project is to install tents anchored in concrete and designed to withstand both hurricanes and earthquakes – not in “tent cities” but on the sites of the destroyed homes of residents. Down the road, he says, “we are going to invest in fish farms and agriculture farms, raise chickens and develop crafts to market in the Caribbean.” And expand the coffee and sugar production that already exists in Haiti. “You have to empower people, give people ownership, help them to help themselves,” he says.
If you can read this . . .
. . . you could almost certainly read the texts of the hymns and songs of praise that were projected onto the assembly hall mega-monitors on occasion when it was time to sing. Therefore, we don’t need to have them printed in a “Worship & Song Book” any more. Personally, this writer in principle prefers the tactile pleasure of the printed page over the digital screen, small or large. But this is about economic and environmental reality in tough times.
This year’s book was 72 pages; there were never enough copies when it came time to use them, so let’s assume they printed, say, 600 – at considerable cost. The book could have been reduced by a third by leaving out the sing-along songs. In recent years, countless congregations (to say nothing of our synod) have abandoned printed and snail-mailed newsletters in favor of electronic editions to save both dollars and trees. Granted, Lutherans are above average when it comes to singing, and a lot of us like to harmonize on our hymns. If you’re a tenor, alto or baritone, the projected text isn’t going to help. But you can always bring your own hymnal. Or improvise.
Cover Story
One assembly participant insists he has the answer to the financial crisis at Augsburg Fortress. Develop and market a carrying cover for the “Lutheran Study Bible.” The baby-blue tome, in both soft and hard cover, “is too fat to fit in regular zipper cases,” he says. “Everybody would want one.”
The Dearth of Youth
The voting-member parent of one of this year’s youth voting members said she’s not surprised only 13 congregations sent young people to the assembly. “The kids most interested in going are the ones already over-extended, and they’re the ones looking toward college and can’t afford to skip a day of classes,” she said. “If you’re in an advanced-placement course, you can’t miss even one class.” Would it help to have assembly a month later, after school lets out? “That would be even worse,” this mom says. “They already have commitments for all summer long.”
Mixed Messages
It’s ironic that the images of soup kitchen operations in an assembly video aired on Sunday showed the food being served in Styrofoam containers. Last year’s assembly passed a resolution from the floor calling on the synod and its congregations to aim at reducing energy use by 25 percent by 2020. This year the topic never came up. Maybe next year it will be the subject of a workshop.
The synod office does get kudos for keeping its word about cutting back on paper. Participants were advised in advance that printouts of materials would not be available at the assembly and that they should bring their own from home. And that’s the way it was. Except for the revised agenda and candidate bios for elections, there wasn’t a lot of paper to be seen. Even the daily Cross±Currents newsletter took down fewer trees, due to technical difficulties. It came out with four pages in full color on Friday, a front-and-back page black and white version on Saturday and a four-pages with color again on Sunday.
(BTW, the contents of the Saturday and Sunday newsletters consisted of five of the blogs by Zach Harris and Johan Berg that you see here, too -- plus a listing of congregational anniversaries on Saturday and a lot of color photos on Sunday.)
Money Matters
When the assembly took up the resolution to adopt the proposed revised budget for the current fiscal year (which ends next Jan. 31) and the proposed budget for the year after that, there was no discussion from the floor. The measure passed 267-12. Given the angst about reductions in giving, staff and program cuts, and uncertainty about the duration of the Great Recession, that’s curious. But maybe not. The Synod Council had already approved the budgets. Continuing to reflect a commitment to “God’s work. Our hands,” the plans include keeping the synod’s covenant to increase its proportion of congregational giving each year that goes to the ELCA. It will be 51.25 percent for this fiscal year, and then 51.5 percent for the next.
A few congregations are withholding funds or enabling their members to do so in protest of changes occurring in the church. Others are increasing their giving with enthusiasm, celebrating the work of the Spirit within the ELCA as its members continue “Together in Mission.”
T.T.F.N.
Ask a “Winnie the Pooh” fan if you don’t know what that means. Come back next year, as a volunteer if not a voting member or staff. And think about volunteering for Churchwide Assembly next August, again in Orlando, too. The synod office can tell you how.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Saturday, May 1, 2010 - Blog 3
Kitchen Table Talk
In the second of his two half-hour keynote addresses, Pastor Stephen Bouman again looked to his early childhood for inspiration. After having focused in his Friday address on “love songs,” the old hymns sung to him as lullabies, he turned his attention to the kitchen table. And again he took the old image into new territory, looking to where the church is now and where it needs to be.
“The altar is the table that ties all the kitchen tables together,” he said. Mixing in some Spanish, he referenced “incarnation” as God con carne [God with flesh] and “compassion” as con pan [with bread]. Other thoughts: “How we treat the stranger today: We not only ignore them, we blame them.” And “Do not baptize [infants] if you’re not serious about following them into the world.” And that the church must not let “individual congregations sit shiva by themselves” (referring to the Jewish practice of spending time in seclusion mourning a family member who has just died). He hailed the ELCA’s emphasis on developing new ministries while noting the difficulty they face in “putting down deep roots.” But, he added, “any institution that can’t reproduce is a dead thing.”
As with Friday’s focus on “the old songs,” Saturday’s takeoff from the kitchen table of half a century ago must have left younger assembly participants perplexed. Today’s kitchens tend to be extensions of the living (family, great) room, with no place for a table unless there’s a breakfast nook. And the likelihood of families gathering there for anything but the occasional late-night pizza or game of cards is pretty slim. At this assembly, as at others, we have far too often been the older generation talking to ourselves.
Referenda Rejected
The only memorial (resolution directed to Churchwide Assembly for action) submitted from outside the Synod Council for consideration at this assembly was one calling for congregational referenda on future ELCA Social Statements. It called on the 2011 Churchwide Assembly “to examine and revise its governing documents and rules for the purpose of amending same to call for ratification of future social statements by its congregations.” The memorial was brought to the floor on Friday afternoon and was soundly defeated.
The five “whereas” portions of the proposal focus on the 2009 Churchwide Assembly votes on sexuality issues and the fact that voting members do not represent congregations. (Most churchwide voters are elected at synod assemblies, – a year in advance, as was the case this week. They, like those at synod assemblies, are directed to vote their conscience – hence the term “voting members,” as opposed to “delegates.”).
You might want to bone up on the church’s various social statements, all of which can be found on the ELCA Web site, www.elca.org. The one to be considered next August in Orlando is on genetics, and the first draft can be accessed on the Web site. Its working title is “Genetics and Faith: Power, Choice and Responsibility.” This will be the ELCA’s 11th such statement; those adopted previously address the death penalty (1991), church in society (1991), abortion (1991), the environment (1993), race, ethnicity and culture (1993), peace (1995), economic life (1999), health and health care (2003), education (2007) and human sexuality (2009).
Adoption of social statements is typically a six-year process. (The one on sexuality took eight because the task force charged with developing it asked for an extension.) A statement on Criminal Justice is in the pipeline; it’s to go before the 2013 Churchwide Assembly. A task force will be formed this year to begin study on a statement on Justice for Women to be considered in 2015. To quote from an ELCA document, social statements “assist Lutherans in their moral deliberation, govern the ELCA’s institutional policies and guide the church’s advocacy work.”
Workshopping
No matter which of the 17 workshops you chose to attend, you missed 15 of them, unless you went hopping around. Quick observations: The one on “Passing Our Faith and Values on to a New Generation” exceeded the expectations of many. It was led by a geezer (no offense intended, Pastor-emeritus Zimmer) who has a great grasp on reality. His presentation was a research-based report on not “a generation” but four – the builders (65 and older), boomers (‘60s Me Generation, 45-64), busters (Generation X, 26-44) and bridgers (Generation Y, 25 and under). Want to know why Gen X and Gen Y folks don’t attend worship at your church? Recruit a couple of them who aren’t members to sit in undercover for a few Sundays, and then listen to what they have to say.
The “Update on the Implementation of the Churchwide Assembly Decisions on Human Sexuality” session drew a full house, including some who were there not to hear the report but to express, repeatedly, their continuing opposition. The session on “Doing Justice” was not just sharing of success stories in community organizing and advocacy but a practical primer for congregations on how to get involved. In addition to being the “right” thing to do, Pastor Steve Winemiller, co-presenter, noted, “doing justice is fun.”
The Bishop’s Report
Applause broke out when Bishop Benoway said the synod “remains committed to First Fruits” – the passing on to the ELCA of what has grown to 51.2 percent of synod giving. He noted the economic realities of reductions in congregational offerings, synod programs and staff, and pension benefits, and of local decisions to drop missional support in favor of focus on local issues. But, he said, a cutback in funds is no excuse “for not doing God’s work.”
In the aftermath of the Churchwide Assembly decisions on sexuality issues, the bishop said, nine of the more than 200 congregations and worshiping communities in the synod have taken first votes to separate from the ELCA. Six were “successful” (a curious word choice), two are pursuing procedural requirements, and one did not get the two-thirds vote of its membership required to proceed. A congregation in Jacksonville and another in Miami have left the ELCA. One in Fort Pierce sought to do so but the Synod Council denied its request, saying the congregation provides a ministry presence that is needed in the community.
Just a Thought
There is copious conversation about being “Together in Mission” at this assembly, but not much about God’s mandate to do justice. Scripture makes clear that the two cannot be separated. Otherwise, the church risks writing a 21st century history reminiscent of that recorded two centuries ago: Christianizing the enslaved without ending the institution of slavery, merely encouraging its victims to look to the afterlife as a source of hope.
The Vice President’s Report
To the vice president often falls the assignment of being the “bad cop” (see this week’s Newsweek with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton depicted on the cover in that role), and Cheryl Stuart took her turn. There has been a tendency on the part of synod leaders to avoid criticism of those unable to accept the Churchwide Assembly changes on sexuality issues. But, Stuart said, addressing herself to rostered leaders, “Those of you who have sought to ‘protect’ your congregations from information . . . you do them no service.” To those arguing that “it’s not time” for such change, she said, “It’s kairos time.”
Quick Greek tutorial: Chronos time refers to sequential, quantitative time. Kairos time is a time between, the opportune, qualitative carpe diem moment. (Nope, no Latin lesson here.) And, Stuart added, there’s nothing to be gained by ignoring “the burning bush that’s right in front of you.”
Common Knowledge
The greetings brought to the assembly by Gregory Walton, president of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod’s Florida-Georgia District, were warm and welcomed. “We hope to build on the things we hold in common despite the areas in which we disagree,” he said, citing Lutheran Services Florida and Thrivent Financial for Lutherans as examples of ongoing cooperative effort. His words contrasted with those proffered by his boss, LCMS President Gregory Walton, last summer at Churchwide Assembly. Walton, whose church body does not ordain women, was openly critical of the ELCA for its actions opening the door for gays in committed relationships to serve as clergy.
In the second of his two half-hour keynote addresses, Pastor Stephen Bouman again looked to his early childhood for inspiration. After having focused in his Friday address on “love songs,” the old hymns sung to him as lullabies, he turned his attention to the kitchen table. And again he took the old image into new territory, looking to where the church is now and where it needs to be.
“The altar is the table that ties all the kitchen tables together,” he said. Mixing in some Spanish, he referenced “incarnation” as God con carne [God with flesh] and “compassion” as con pan [with bread]. Other thoughts: “How we treat the stranger today: We not only ignore them, we blame them.” And “Do not baptize [infants] if you’re not serious about following them into the world.” And that the church must not let “individual congregations sit shiva by themselves” (referring to the Jewish practice of spending time in seclusion mourning a family member who has just died). He hailed the ELCA’s emphasis on developing new ministries while noting the difficulty they face in “putting down deep roots.” But, he added, “any institution that can’t reproduce is a dead thing.”
As with Friday’s focus on “the old songs,” Saturday’s takeoff from the kitchen table of half a century ago must have left younger assembly participants perplexed. Today’s kitchens tend to be extensions of the living (family, great) room, with no place for a table unless there’s a breakfast nook. And the likelihood of families gathering there for anything but the occasional late-night pizza or game of cards is pretty slim. At this assembly, as at others, we have far too often been the older generation talking to ourselves.
Referenda Rejected
The only memorial (resolution directed to Churchwide Assembly for action) submitted from outside the Synod Council for consideration at this assembly was one calling for congregational referenda on future ELCA Social Statements. It called on the 2011 Churchwide Assembly “to examine and revise its governing documents and rules for the purpose of amending same to call for ratification of future social statements by its congregations.” The memorial was brought to the floor on Friday afternoon and was soundly defeated.
The five “whereas” portions of the proposal focus on the 2009 Churchwide Assembly votes on sexuality issues and the fact that voting members do not represent congregations. (Most churchwide voters are elected at synod assemblies, – a year in advance, as was the case this week. They, like those at synod assemblies, are directed to vote their conscience – hence the term “voting members,” as opposed to “delegates.”).
You might want to bone up on the church’s various social statements, all of which can be found on the ELCA Web site, www.elca.org. The one to be considered next August in Orlando is on genetics, and the first draft can be accessed on the Web site. Its working title is “Genetics and Faith: Power, Choice and Responsibility.” This will be the ELCA’s 11th such statement; those adopted previously address the death penalty (1991), church in society (1991), abortion (1991), the environment (1993), race, ethnicity and culture (1993), peace (1995), economic life (1999), health and health care (2003), education (2007) and human sexuality (2009).
Adoption of social statements is typically a six-year process. (The one on sexuality took eight because the task force charged with developing it asked for an extension.) A statement on Criminal Justice is in the pipeline; it’s to go before the 2013 Churchwide Assembly. A task force will be formed this year to begin study on a statement on Justice for Women to be considered in 2015. To quote from an ELCA document, social statements “assist Lutherans in their moral deliberation, govern the ELCA’s institutional policies and guide the church’s advocacy work.”
Workshopping
No matter which of the 17 workshops you chose to attend, you missed 15 of them, unless you went hopping around. Quick observations: The one on “Passing Our Faith and Values on to a New Generation” exceeded the expectations of many. It was led by a geezer (no offense intended, Pastor-emeritus Zimmer) who has a great grasp on reality. His presentation was a research-based report on not “a generation” but four – the builders (65 and older), boomers (‘60s Me Generation, 45-64), busters (Generation X, 26-44) and bridgers (Generation Y, 25 and under). Want to know why Gen X and Gen Y folks don’t attend worship at your church? Recruit a couple of them who aren’t members to sit in undercover for a few Sundays, and then listen to what they have to say.
The “Update on the Implementation of the Churchwide Assembly Decisions on Human Sexuality” session drew a full house, including some who were there not to hear the report but to express, repeatedly, their continuing opposition. The session on “Doing Justice” was not just sharing of success stories in community organizing and advocacy but a practical primer for congregations on how to get involved. In addition to being the “right” thing to do, Pastor Steve Winemiller, co-presenter, noted, “doing justice is fun.”
The Bishop’s Report
Applause broke out when Bishop Benoway said the synod “remains committed to First Fruits” – the passing on to the ELCA of what has grown to 51.2 percent of synod giving. He noted the economic realities of reductions in congregational offerings, synod programs and staff, and pension benefits, and of local decisions to drop missional support in favor of focus on local issues. But, he said, a cutback in funds is no excuse “for not doing God’s work.”
In the aftermath of the Churchwide Assembly decisions on sexuality issues, the bishop said, nine of the more than 200 congregations and worshiping communities in the synod have taken first votes to separate from the ELCA. Six were “successful” (a curious word choice), two are pursuing procedural requirements, and one did not get the two-thirds vote of its membership required to proceed. A congregation in Jacksonville and another in Miami have left the ELCA. One in Fort Pierce sought to do so but the Synod Council denied its request, saying the congregation provides a ministry presence that is needed in the community.
Just a Thought
There is copious conversation about being “Together in Mission” at this assembly, but not much about God’s mandate to do justice. Scripture makes clear that the two cannot be separated. Otherwise, the church risks writing a 21st century history reminiscent of that recorded two centuries ago: Christianizing the enslaved without ending the institution of slavery, merely encouraging its victims to look to the afterlife as a source of hope.
The Vice President’s Report
To the vice president often falls the assignment of being the “bad cop” (see this week’s Newsweek with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton depicted on the cover in that role), and Cheryl Stuart took her turn. There has been a tendency on the part of synod leaders to avoid criticism of those unable to accept the Churchwide Assembly changes on sexuality issues. But, Stuart said, addressing herself to rostered leaders, “Those of you who have sought to ‘protect’ your congregations from information . . . you do them no service.” To those arguing that “it’s not time” for such change, she said, “It’s kairos time.”
Quick Greek tutorial: Chronos time refers to sequential, quantitative time. Kairos time is a time between, the opportune, qualitative carpe diem moment. (Nope, no Latin lesson here.) And, Stuart added, there’s nothing to be gained by ignoring “the burning bush that’s right in front of you.”
Common Knowledge
The greetings brought to the assembly by Gregory Walton, president of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod’s Florida-Georgia District, were warm and welcomed. “We hope to build on the things we hold in common despite the areas in which we disagree,” he said, citing Lutheran Services Florida and Thrivent Financial for Lutherans as examples of ongoing cooperative effort. His words contrasted with those proffered by his boss, LCMS President Gregory Walton, last summer at Churchwide Assembly. Walton, whose church body does not ordain women, was openly critical of the ELCA for its actions opening the door for gays in committed relationships to serve as clergy.
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Who We Are and How We Do Mission Beyond Words
We are not loved because we are lovely. We are lovely because we are loved. Luther said this. Actually he said, “therefore sinners are attractive because they are loved; they are not loved because they are attractive.” In his proof of Thesis 28 in the Heidelberg Disputation of 1518, a document we as Lutherans today need to comb and mine for all it is worth to find our way in the 21st century because in it is included the explosion of the reformation (not to say the Bondage of the Will in 1525 isn’t the tour de force!)….. the naming of a so-called “theology of the cross “ (not about the cross!) that has us as baptized Christians called “theologians of the cross” who “say what a thing is.”!!!
We are not loved because we are lovely. We are lovely because we are loved.
Now then. If that is the case, and it is, what is the core and driving force, the essence of our mission? It certainly is not to create communities that look like we know and cherish from our past, no matter how nurturing and forming and memorable and full of comfort and consolation. It is to create communities that look like God’s future in our present cultural context (how about churches that don’t have buildings, liturgies that don’t have history, pastors that don’t have authority based on position but rather upon the power of God displayed and delivered not to say also conferred, laity that name and claim workplace, family and community their ministry…not serving on the worship committee of the congregation….not that there’s anything wrong with that!). It is to create communities out of the core of God’s unconditional love in Christ Jesus.
As we look to do our mission of making disciples and we start churches and go beyond words the thing that will make that sing (be successful as well as fun!) will be to pay attention to the core of us (we are not loved because we are lovely, we are lovely because we are loved) as we pay attention to those with whom we are in mission….and not pay so much attention to how it is we are familiar with looking and feeling like church.
He is Risen!
And we are speechless….beyond words….in the wonder of it!
And we take that love boldly into a new way of being church!
It’s Sunday! It’s the last day of our Assembly! We are beyond words!
We are not loved because we are lovely. We are lovely because we are loved.
Now then. If that is the case, and it is, what is the core and driving force, the essence of our mission? It certainly is not to create communities that look like we know and cherish from our past, no matter how nurturing and forming and memorable and full of comfort and consolation. It is to create communities that look like God’s future in our present cultural context (how about churches that don’t have buildings, liturgies that don’t have history, pastors that don’t have authority based on position but rather upon the power of God displayed and delivered not to say also conferred, laity that name and claim workplace, family and community their ministry…not serving on the worship committee of the congregation….not that there’s anything wrong with that!). It is to create communities out of the core of God’s unconditional love in Christ Jesus.
As we look to do our mission of making disciples and we start churches and go beyond words the thing that will make that sing (be successful as well as fun!) will be to pay attention to the core of us (we are not loved because we are lovely, we are lovely because we are loved) as we pay attention to those with whom we are in mission….and not pay so much attention to how it is we are familiar with looking and feeling like church.
He is Risen!
And we are speechless….beyond words….in the wonder of it!
And we take that love boldly into a new way of being church!
It’s Sunday! It’s the last day of our Assembly! We are beyond words!
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Pebbles on the Water: The Charlie Brown Assembly
During the conversation on day two of the Florida-Bahamas Assembly, the image was used of a stone thrown into water and the ripples that come from it. One might be quick to jump on the Baptismal image of the water itself. One might be just as prone to see the ripples as the waves of change that emanate from the center. But me, I was much more interested in the stone that started the whole thing.
Now I’m a little prejudiced as my nickname in my family is Rocky, my mission congregation in Wildwood is Rock of Ages, and like Joan Jett, I love Rock and Roll. I thought it was really cool that large stones carved with “Together in Mission” were given to special people and congregations (I was also a little jealous. I mean Rock of Ages . . .). And in the midst of all the Mission emphasis, with myself and the other Mission Developers representing the newest congregations under development in the Synod standing on stage, I was struck with a feeling of being a part of something much bigger and grander than my day to day would indicate.
Steve Bouman again emphasized the need for the whole church to take care of individual mission posts that we call congregations. He especially lifted up the need for the whole of the Synod to sustain the new starts because ownership is really from the whole of the people of God. As I stood on stage with my Mission Developer colleagues, I was overwhelmed as I looked out on 500 people listening to our stories and rooting for our ministries. It was quite obvious that my congregation is not alone and neither are any of us. The feeling and the actions of the Assembly were truly Beyond Words in expressing that we are all one in Christ!
Now I know that next week I will fall into some of that day to day that can quickly turn the tide of feeling like a team player to feeling like the Lone Ranger. I can even look at my calendar and tell you a couple of days and times when that is almost certain to occur. But I had a thought to help me out.
Many years ago, at Halloween, my neighbors decided to give me a treat. Each house I visited for trick or treating gave me a rock (remember my nickname is Rocky). The gag was a reenactment of the scene from “It’s the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown” where Charlie Brown ends each house visit with the pronouncement, “All I got was a rock.”
Now at Rock of Ages, whenever we hear Rock it has all kinds of spiritual meanings. It is Christ the Solid Rock on which we stand. It is the shortened name for our worshipping community. And it is truly the foundation upon which we are built. But for this week it will also be a simple symbol which we found at our seats this morning.
At every seat was a smooth black rock with the word “Together” written on it. I’m thinking of just putting that in my pocket as a reminder for the day to day. When I’m feeling so alone that Tonto has left the building perhaps I can read that word “Together” and remember when 500 folks from all over the state prayed for me, my congregation, and our ministry in our community. Maybe I can feel the solid strength and remember the foundation that supports what each of our congregations does is founded in that togetherness.
I see baptisms in your future!
We like to talk about the importance, the critical vital place of table, of weekly bread and wine. Are you like me...growing up with occasional communion...I suppose it was 2 times a month, maybe 5th Sunday too? And now, after all these years of the regular hospitality of the Host served weekly I can't imagine not gathering around Word without that Visible Word....communion.
But what about this!? Weekly baptism. Now there's a concept. We don't just expect weekly Communion ("Pastor, we don't have anybody to do Altar Guild this Sunday" When this happens...somebody steps in and makes sure the table is set!)....but now...how about expecting Baptism next Sunday? And the next Sunday. And the next Sunday. And the next Sunday. And....
We need the same sense of urgency to pour the water as we do to set the table. Weekly. Because this is where the Spirit does the death and resurrection thing. Paul knew this (Romans 6!) And so do we. And yet.....
Yes, as we heard today....we dare not baptize into this freedom of Christ without walking along side in mentoring, discipling, teaching, partnering with those baptized after the water has dried. But this: we dare not hesitate to baptize because we don't think others are not ready. When the Spirit calls...pour! dunk!
Because I believe we cannot speak the name of Jesus when connected to the elements and not have the Spirit show up to bring new life, we need to set the goal of weekly baptisms. In every congregation. And if that is not going on, then the mission is not being accomplished. Wow.
Take your "Together" stone and pray with it...and let God turn it into Water and Word next Sunday!
Johan Bergh
But what about this!? Weekly baptism. Now there's a concept. We don't just expect weekly Communion ("Pastor, we don't have anybody to do Altar Guild this Sunday" When this happens...somebody steps in and makes sure the table is set!)....but now...how about expecting Baptism next Sunday? And the next Sunday. And the next Sunday. And the next Sunday. And....
We need the same sense of urgency to pour the water as we do to set the table. Weekly. Because this is where the Spirit does the death and resurrection thing. Paul knew this (Romans 6!) And so do we. And yet.....
Yes, as we heard today....we dare not baptize into this freedom of Christ without walking along side in mentoring, discipling, teaching, partnering with those baptized after the water has dried. But this: we dare not hesitate to baptize because we don't think others are not ready. When the Spirit calls...pour! dunk!
Because I believe we cannot speak the name of Jesus when connected to the elements and not have the Spirit show up to bring new life, we need to set the goal of weekly baptisms. In every congregation. And if that is not going on, then the mission is not being accomplished. Wow.
Take your "Together" stone and pray with it...and let God turn it into Water and Word next Sunday!
Johan Bergh
Another wonderful message from Pr. Bouman
What a great way to start the morning!! Around the kitchen table...renewing a commitment to hospitality. He spoke of the need to strengthen local relationships, follow the faith example of the disciples, put the shovel in the ground somewhere, and finally to listen to God! He equated the altar to collection of all our kitchen tables...and the need to reconnect these tables - our homes - our lives with Christ. Thank You Pr. Bouman
First Love, Love Songs and Kids: Together in Mission
Reflections on Day One of the 2010 Florida-Bahamas Synod Assembly are rather contemplative in nature. No major votes that bring divisive thoughts were taken. In fact voting was not really a part of day one except in the most mundane of tasks to get things rolling. The day rather was colored with the feeling of quiet after a storm. The presentations were to a people who were ready to move forward with where God wants to take them despite whatever cultural and internal struggles might have pulled at unity even in the recent past.
Being a Mission Developer, I have been struck in years past how much the people of God in Florida have lifted up Mission and mission-mindedness. This Assembly in many ways is the culmination of discussions that have been going on over the past several years about the direction of the Synod. Some of those discussions I have been a part of and so to witness the fruition is very exciting.
Pastor Steve Bouman presented some ideas in his first keynote address that seemed to color the rest of the day and perhaps frame some of the direction for the future. He used the images of love songs representing the culture’s view of Love through the past several decades. Then hearkening back to simpler times he asserted that the old hymns that tell the old, old story are really the first love songs for Christians and how those songs really draw us back to our first love, our love for God. He then started to talk about passing those songs on to children in the very pragmatic lullabies that parents sing. And then he made a comment that stayed with me the rest of the day. He lifted up my congregation and other new starts in the Synod calling us the children of the Church. It was not by the age of the members of the congregation, but the congregation itself which is an offspring of the Church. To which he then said about these new congregations, “They are our children. We can’t let them not thrive.”
The times in which we live make stepping out in faith even more tenuous than years past. But Pastor Bouman was trying to say that supporting new congregations is not an option, it is the same responsibility that a parent has for a child. Soon thereafter, the Assembly received the presentation of the “Together in Mission” appeal. Within that presentation was again the responsibility of congregations to look out for the communities and people in their mission field. The same kind of ownership of God’s ministry to the world in that area where the people of God are called. The appeal very much is a hands-on effort to share our first love with those around us by sharing the love songs that are dear to us.
I have been developing Rock of Ages Lutheran Church in Wildwood for over four years now. We began worship in March of 2006, and I was to be introduced to the Synod Assembly just a few months later. However, on May 1st of that year, four years ago to the day, I was not here to be introduced. I was at my father’s bedside as we said our last good-byes and he went to be with his own heavenly Father. The Synod Assembly and the passing of my dad will always be intertwined for me. Since he has been gone, the words in the prayer “Our Father who art in heaven,” have a double meaning for me. I hear my dad’s words of wisdom more clearly in some ways today. Lessons and stories that he tried to tell over the roar of teenage exuberance, now settle in as sacred direction.
Friday, April 30, 2010 - Blog 2
Keynote Key Notes
Many hearers of the words of Pr. Stephen Bouman in his keynote address Friday afternoon commended his call for refocus on the “love songs” of the forebears who shaped our lives from an early age, and the need to get our “evangelical muscle” back. But in the end his emphasis was on the imperative of looking forward, not back.
He described the “first love” within the ELCA as the joy of planting and renewing congregations, “that evangelical joy when the Gospel of grace first shows up.”
One listener, also a member of the clergy, said later in the day that he wished Bouman “had focused on the need for new songs.”
In a way, he did: “We need a better paradigm than we’re living right now; we’ll never be on the same page on all things,” Bouman said. “Any organization that can’t renew itself is a dead thing.”
That’s the fundamental premise of “Together in Mission,” the current ELCA initiative that’s all about “planting” and “growing” new congregations to serve new communities across America. Yes, you can say it’s the embodiment of the Great Commission. It’s also the only way there will be an Evangelical Lutheran Church in America in another generation or so.
How is it going? This year already 41 new congregations have been started in the ELCA, 25 of them intended to serve immigrant communities, Bouman said.
Note-ably Absent
A Synod Assembly music insider said on Friday that the decision was made to do without the traditional pick-up choir at this year’s gathering because of “uncertainty about available resources.” As in not enough folks indicated in their online registrations that they would like to take part. If you miss the choir music, keep that in mind when it’s time to register for next year’s assembly.
Notable Return
Even in an era of unprecedented belt tightening, time is money. Or vice versa.
Last year the decision was made to do without personal electronic voting devices because reverting to the use of hand-held green (yea) and red (nay) cards saved the synod thousands of dollars. The upshot was that every time somebody called for “division of the house” (which in the heat of debate over sexuality issues occurred repeatedly), a time-consuming and patience-testing count of the cards ensued.
This year there are far fewer resolutions (absent a flurry from the floor), but the mini-voting machines are back. The explanation given: the large number of elections – for 2011 Churchwide Assembly voting members as well as for synod positions. Office support staff have plenty to do just running off bio sheets for nominees from the floor without having to run off ballots at the last minute, too. And then there’s the time it would take to count the votes in all the contests.
Just Desserts
This year the bishop is hosting a Saturday evening social event that’s billed not as an “Ice Cream Reception” but as a “Dessert Reception.” In addition to the traditional chocolate, vanilla, maraschino cherries and sprinkles, might there be other sweet treats? Perhaps even fruits and some of that granola and yogurt stuff? You’ll find out soon enough, of course.
Praise the Lord
It’s not exactly a case of prayer without ceasing, but you do get three different opportunities for worship on Saturday – none of which appeared on the tentative assembly agenda or the updates posted online.
On the official (revised) assembly agenda are the 8:15 a.m. Morning Service of the Word in the plenary hall and a 9 p.m. Taizé Contemplative Service in the Lemon Ballroom.
Additionally, a Holden Evening Prayer service will be held at 5:30 p.m. in the Siesta Room, presented by the Central Florida Chapter of Lutherans Concerned/North America and Florida Reconciling in Christ congregations. The homily for this service will be delivered by Pastor Bill Knott of Abiding Savior Lutheran in Fort Lauderdale.
Abiding Savior was placed under censure in 2002 for having called and installed Knott, who was not on the ELCA clergy roster, as pastor. He had voluntarily removed himself from the roster earlier because of being in a committed, same-gender relationship. On March 30, Bishop Benoway announced the lifting of the censure and said he hoped “in the very near future” to begin the process for Knott to be reinstated to the ELCA clergy roster.
By the Numbers
This year’s Synod Assembly has13 Youth Voting Members taking part – down by five from last year. With more than 200 congregations in the synod, why such small numbers? It’s hard to figure. Congregations can pick up an additional vote just by sending an individual between 15 and 22 years of age to assembly along with their other allocated voting members. And yet the vast majority don’t.
Disaster Pastor
Haiti’s Pastor Livenson Lauvanus received two standing ovations during his presentation Friday. Describing the unwavering faith of his people even in the face of the massive devastation caused by January’s earthquake, he said: “The Gospel is about transformation.” He also commented: “It is not society who is going to tell us what to do, because we know better than that.”
Members of the synod’s Haiti Task Force spoke of relationships forged between the peoples of Florida and Haiti. The assembly marks the kickoff of a commitment to provide support for l’Eglise Lutherienne d’Haiti over the next three years.
In Praise of Change
Selected quotes from participants in Friday’s panel discussion on positive results of the 2009 Churchwide Assembly actions:
Pastor Walter Fohs, Lamb of God Lutheran-Episcopal Church, Fort Myers: “I believe that the theology of the church is changing, that change is empowering people, freeing the church to do some things that the church needs to do – positive and affirming aspects of the Gospel.”
Bill Horne, former synod vice president and current member of the ELCA Church Council, on the change he perceived from 2005 to 2009: “Clearly the church was becoming less patient with the resistance” [to welcoming gays into the full life of the church].
Having visited six congregations that were considering leaving the ELCA as a result of the changes, he said he found those adamantly opposed were “badly informed about what the church has been doing for a long time” in other justice areas as well.
Steve Rosebrock, who voluntarily left the ELCA ministry in 2002 because of the church’s stance toward gays: “A big part of being the church is to remember who you are. . . You are a child of God. We are all children of God.”
Sue Williams, council president, St. Stephen Lutheran, Tallahassee: “Church is about the relationship we have with each other, the relationship we have with God, the relationship we have with the community. We can disagree on so many things, but the church is big enough to focus on the things we agree on.”
Pastor Jon Culp, St. Paul’s Lutheran, Clearwater: “Scripture, tradition, reason and experience all need to coalesce. We need to look at scripture in the context in which it was written.”
Panelists as well as several individuals in the audience said becoming a welcoming congregation led to a small number of people leaving – but to an infusion of new members, straight as well as gay.
Beyond Words
If you pose the 2010 Synod Assembly theme as a question, what is the answer? If it’s the answer, articulate the question. Either way, what do you get? Ideas . . . beliefs . . . actions.
Bishop Edward Benoway put it succinctly in his homily at the Opening Eucharist service: The church must witness to the “people living in the shadows of our church buildings.”
Many hearers of the words of Pr. Stephen Bouman in his keynote address Friday afternoon commended his call for refocus on the “love songs” of the forebears who shaped our lives from an early age, and the need to get our “evangelical muscle” back. But in the end his emphasis was on the imperative of looking forward, not back.
He described the “first love” within the ELCA as the joy of planting and renewing congregations, “that evangelical joy when the Gospel of grace first shows up.”
One listener, also a member of the clergy, said later in the day that he wished Bouman “had focused on the need for new songs.”
In a way, he did: “We need a better paradigm than we’re living right now; we’ll never be on the same page on all things,” Bouman said. “Any organization that can’t renew itself is a dead thing.”
That’s the fundamental premise of “Together in Mission,” the current ELCA initiative that’s all about “planting” and “growing” new congregations to serve new communities across America. Yes, you can say it’s the embodiment of the Great Commission. It’s also the only way there will be an Evangelical Lutheran Church in America in another generation or so.
How is it going? This year already 41 new congregations have been started in the ELCA, 25 of them intended to serve immigrant communities, Bouman said.
Note-ably Absent
A Synod Assembly music insider said on Friday that the decision was made to do without the traditional pick-up choir at this year’s gathering because of “uncertainty about available resources.” As in not enough folks indicated in their online registrations that they would like to take part. If you miss the choir music, keep that in mind when it’s time to register for next year’s assembly.
Notable Return
Even in an era of unprecedented belt tightening, time is money. Or vice versa.
Last year the decision was made to do without personal electronic voting devices because reverting to the use of hand-held green (yea) and red (nay) cards saved the synod thousands of dollars. The upshot was that every time somebody called for “division of the house” (which in the heat of debate over sexuality issues occurred repeatedly), a time-consuming and patience-testing count of the cards ensued.
This year there are far fewer resolutions (absent a flurry from the floor), but the mini-voting machines are back. The explanation given: the large number of elections – for 2011 Churchwide Assembly voting members as well as for synod positions. Office support staff have plenty to do just running off bio sheets for nominees from the floor without having to run off ballots at the last minute, too. And then there’s the time it would take to count the votes in all the contests.
Just Desserts
This year the bishop is hosting a Saturday evening social event that’s billed not as an “Ice Cream Reception” but as a “Dessert Reception.” In addition to the traditional chocolate, vanilla, maraschino cherries and sprinkles, might there be other sweet treats? Perhaps even fruits and some of that granola and yogurt stuff? You’ll find out soon enough, of course.
Praise the Lord
It’s not exactly a case of prayer without ceasing, but you do get three different opportunities for worship on Saturday – none of which appeared on the tentative assembly agenda or the updates posted online.
On the official (revised) assembly agenda are the 8:15 a.m. Morning Service of the Word in the plenary hall and a 9 p.m. Taizé Contemplative Service in the Lemon Ballroom.
Additionally, a Holden Evening Prayer service will be held at 5:30 p.m. in the Siesta Room, presented by the Central Florida Chapter of Lutherans Concerned/North America and Florida Reconciling in Christ congregations. The homily for this service will be delivered by Pastor Bill Knott of Abiding Savior Lutheran in Fort Lauderdale.
Abiding Savior was placed under censure in 2002 for having called and installed Knott, who was not on the ELCA clergy roster, as pastor. He had voluntarily removed himself from the roster earlier because of being in a committed, same-gender relationship. On March 30, Bishop Benoway announced the lifting of the censure and said he hoped “in the very near future” to begin the process for Knott to be reinstated to the ELCA clergy roster.
By the Numbers
This year’s Synod Assembly has13 Youth Voting Members taking part – down by five from last year. With more than 200 congregations in the synod, why such small numbers? It’s hard to figure. Congregations can pick up an additional vote just by sending an individual between 15 and 22 years of age to assembly along with their other allocated voting members. And yet the vast majority don’t.
Disaster Pastor
Haiti’s Pastor Livenson Lauvanus received two standing ovations during his presentation Friday. Describing the unwavering faith of his people even in the face of the massive devastation caused by January’s earthquake, he said: “The Gospel is about transformation.” He also commented: “It is not society who is going to tell us what to do, because we know better than that.”
Members of the synod’s Haiti Task Force spoke of relationships forged between the peoples of Florida and Haiti. The assembly marks the kickoff of a commitment to provide support for l’Eglise Lutherienne d’Haiti over the next three years.
In Praise of Change
Selected quotes from participants in Friday’s panel discussion on positive results of the 2009 Churchwide Assembly actions:
Pastor Walter Fohs, Lamb of God Lutheran-Episcopal Church, Fort Myers: “I believe that the theology of the church is changing, that change is empowering people, freeing the church to do some things that the church needs to do – positive and affirming aspects of the Gospel.”
Bill Horne, former synod vice president and current member of the ELCA Church Council, on the change he perceived from 2005 to 2009: “Clearly the church was becoming less patient with the resistance” [to welcoming gays into the full life of the church].
Having visited six congregations that were considering leaving the ELCA as a result of the changes, he said he found those adamantly opposed were “badly informed about what the church has been doing for a long time” in other justice areas as well.
Steve Rosebrock, who voluntarily left the ELCA ministry in 2002 because of the church’s stance toward gays: “A big part of being the church is to remember who you are. . . You are a child of God. We are all children of God.”
Sue Williams, council president, St. Stephen Lutheran, Tallahassee: “Church is about the relationship we have with each other, the relationship we have with God, the relationship we have with the community. We can disagree on so many things, but the church is big enough to focus on the things we agree on.”
Pastor Jon Culp, St. Paul’s Lutheran, Clearwater: “Scripture, tradition, reason and experience all need to coalesce. We need to look at scripture in the context in which it was written.”
Panelists as well as several individuals in the audience said becoming a welcoming congregation led to a small number of people leaving – but to an infusion of new members, straight as well as gay.
Beyond Words
If you pose the 2010 Synod Assembly theme as a question, what is the answer? If it’s the answer, articulate the question. Either way, what do you get? Ideas . . . beliefs . . . actions.
Bishop Edward Benoway put it succinctly in his homily at the Opening Eucharist service: The church must witness to the “people living in the shadows of our church buildings.”
Catching Glimpses of our Risen Lord
We are witnesses to the resurrection in some very every day ways that are profoundly real and true. As we walk the halls outside the Assembly, or the rows or aisles inside the hall, we see friends and acquaintances and stop and chat and look in each other's eyes and ask how it's going and hope we get a straight answer. Because we want to hear it and they really want to deliver it. Simple but holy moments of conversations that revive friendships, make new friends, give new insights,clear cobwebs. We share stories. We share hopes and dreams and fears and nightmares.
The Holy Spirit fuels these conversations so they are salutary and healing.
Bishop Ed preached tonight about how we are in fact living out Jesus promise that we will be "witnesses to these things."
I see it in many ways. I see it in these conversations.
Our prayers tonight at worship spoke well of living beyond words.
I was glad to hear a petition about the Gulf oil spill. That's all I'm going to say about that.
When I was a child my mother would sing hymns as she sat on my bedside. "Now the Day is Over..." Yes, I did hear the receive the faith in song. I used to sing to my girls. They are grown now. I am going to ask them what songs they carry that they will sing.
Tomorrow we will all gather again, have holy conversations and learn to sing healing and blessing into the world so that when we go home from this Assembly we will be evangelical and not just carry it as a church label.
Johan Bergh
The Holy Spirit fuels these conversations so they are salutary and healing.
Bishop Ed preached tonight about how we are in fact living out Jesus promise that we will be "witnesses to these things."
I see it in many ways. I see it in these conversations.
Our prayers tonight at worship spoke well of living beyond words.
I was glad to hear a petition about the Gulf oil spill. That's all I'm going to say about that.
When I was a child my mother would sing hymns as she sat on my bedside. "Now the Day is Over..." Yes, I did hear the receive the faith in song. I used to sing to my girls. They are grown now. I am going to ask them what songs they carry that they will sing.
Tomorrow we will all gather again, have holy conversations and learn to sing healing and blessing into the world so that when we go home from this Assembly we will be evangelical and not just carry it as a church label.
Johan Bergh
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