As the Interns Pack their Bags

Traditionally, the third of four years of seminary is spent on internship. Our son has just completed his pastoral internship in a congregation in Nebraska. The congregation bid him and my daughter-in-law farewell yesterday in worship, during a cake and punch reception between the two worship services and with a potluck dinner at noon. There were hugs and tears, cards and well-wishes. It was all very nice.

Each year I have the opportunity to visit with an intern cluster here in Northern Illinois. Generally I speak to the pastoral interns about the call process so they will know more of what to expect as they prepare for their first call. I usually ask each one how their internship experience has been so far. I must say that we have had some extraordinarily gifted interns in the past few years. It is fun to see the energy and passion they bring to ministry.

I am not sure that all internship congregations fully appreciate just what an important service they render to the church at large. They serve as the training grounds, providing practical experience so critical to the success of a first call.

When I completed my internship year, I no doubt thanked the congregation from the pulpit and at the dinner they had in my honor. (It was actually a roast—I must have made quite the impression!) As part of their 50th anniversary this year, I was invited to return to my internship site to preach for the first time in 27 years. It was a joy for my wife and me to go back and say thanks again, this time fully comprehending what the internship experience has meant to my ministry.

I was also able to thank the pastor who had served as my supervisor. I have expressed my appreciation to him many times through the years, but there will never be a sufficient number of opportunities.

Today I wish to thank all of our Northern Illinois Synod congregations that serve as internship sites. Your patience and love provide a healthy environment for learning. I also thank the pastors who serve as supervisors. Your guidance and coaching is invaluable.

What is my message to the interns? Give thanks! Use what you have learned. Honor your congregation and supervisor by becoming faithful and tireless servants of the church of Jesus Christ.

Comments? Go to http://niselca.blogspot.com/. Click on comments at the end of the message. --JC

JJJ09

Is envy always a sin? I am feeling a bit envious today.

Today and tomorrow more than 700 youth and their adult leaders from Northern Illinois Synod congregations will begin their trek to the ELCA Youth Gathering. They will be joining others from throughout our ELCA, July 22 through 26, in New Orleans. Approximately 35,000 teenagers and leaders will come together under this year’s gathering theme, “Jesus Justice Jazz.”

During this gathering, each and every participant will have the opportunity to engage in service and recovery projects throughout New Orleans. Heidi Hagstrom, the director of the ELCA Youth Gathering has said, “We have done some research and have determined, to the best of our ability, that the ELCA’s service effort in New Orleans is likely to be the largest servant ministry ever attempted in a three-day period of time.”

I am not terribly envious of the lengthy bus ride to New Orleans. But I am envious of the experience that our young people will have. They will worship, learn, work and bond. They will experience the church in a new way. They will find that there are Lutheran youth from throughout this country with whom they share a common faith. I am also envious of the opportunities that the leaders will have to make a difference in the lives of our youth.

Please remember the gathering in your prayers. Pray for all as they travel to and from New Orleans. Pray for the youth that their faith may be strengthened in their service. Pray for stamina and good health for adult leaders.

More information may be found at: http://www.elca.org/Growing-In-Faith/Ministry/Youth-Ministry/Youth-Gathering.aspx. --JC

Why Is That?

Last Sunday on my way home from church, I was pondering the question I posed last week. “Why is that?” Why are we not more excited about worship? Why are we not excited enough to invite our family, friends and neighbors?

Back in January I received an email message in response to a blog entry. This former parishioner said, “I think a topic for discussion might be getting EXCITED over the many possibilities for the church.” I agree.

Growing up, ours was a three generation household. During my high school years, we were members of a mission congregation in the suburbs of Washington, D.C. We were in church every Sunday. Yes, that had been the pattern in our family for a long time. But, during these critical years, while my brother and I were teens, we were all really excited about being a part of this congregation.

There are at least two reasons for this excitement. My parents, my grandmother, my brother and I continued to worship each and every week because we knew that if we were not there we would miss something important. Thinking back, the worship we experienced was both innovative and traditional. Today we might call it blended worship. We sang old hymns and new songs. We experimented with some different liturgies. Visual arts were used. We were subjected to some guest preachers with differing viewpoints. We also had a terrific pastor. We did not want to miss a single week, especially knowing that worship in our congregation would be a topic of discussion, even at school on Monday morning.

The second reason we were excited about being members of this congregation was that each of us knew we were individually important to the ministry of the church. I am so fortunate. As a 16 year old, I knew that I mattered to the mission of the church of Jesus Christ. My parents, my grandmother, my brother and I each had an important role to play, along with every other member.

Are you excited about your congregation? If you miss worship, will you be missing something important? Is worship a topic of discussion at your dinner table or at school on Monday? Does your congregation value the role of every member? Do you have an important role to play? Why should a newcomer be excited about your congregation?

Comments? http://niselca.blogspot.com/. --JC

Sunday Morning Twitter?

Our bishop will often ask people to introduce themselves to a group by stating their name, their congregation and then something personal. I always cringe when he asks for us to tell about a hobby. I have never been very good at hobbies.

When I completed my original mobility forms, prior to my first call, I had a list of hobbies from which to choose. I remember choosing two, so that must have been the minimum. I chose nature hiking and photography. I do have a great appreciation of the outdoors and have always enjoyed hiking. I vowed to buy some hiking shoes. I also love photography. When I submitted that form I promised myself that I would someday get a decent camera.

After fumbling a few times in those group introductions, I made a list of my interests, which may or may not qualify as hobbies. I was not going to be caught unprepared the next time the bishop asked. Bishop Wollersheim knows I do not like the question, so he does not seem to ask it as much anymore.

Something even the bishop may not know about me is that I love trains. I love riding trains and I love watching trains. In fact, if I can possibly make it work, on a Sunday afternoon on my way back to Rockford after preaching somewhere in the synod, I will buy a sandwich at Subway and then eat my lunch and watch trains go by at the Rochelle Railroad Park. The only way I can have a better time is if the Cubs are on the radio at the same time!

Yesterday, the managing editor of the Williston [North Dakota] Herald began his story with these words: “Despite no formal advanced notice, the historic steam locomotive Engine #4449, otherwise known as “The Daylight” was greeted Tuesday afternoon by a throng of spectators at the Williston Amtrak Depot.”

How I wish I could have been there! I have spent countless hours on that station platform watching passenger and freight trains pass by. Williston, North Dakota is where my wife’s parents lived. Had I been in town, I would have dropped everything to go see that steam engine.
Today’s instant communications allowed a “throng of spectators” to gather in Williston as the train crossed into North Dakota from Montana. Excited people made cell phone calls and no doubt sent instant messages, text messages, and twitters to spread the news.

I must admit to you that as exciting as it is for me to watch trains, it is more exciting for me to be in worship each and every Sunday. Last Sunday I could feel the adrenaline pumping as we sang our hymns. My heart was filled with joy as I distributed the Holy Communion elements. But I seriously doubt that anyone had messaged, texted or tweeted a friend saying, “I’m on my way to church and something exciting is about to happen.”

Why is that?

By the way, I still do not have a great camera, but I did take the picture above. I also want you to know that this train was moving at the time!

Thoughts? Go to http://niselca.blogspot.com/ and click on comments. --JC