How it Happened, Ten Years Ago

There was a message to call the bishop waiting on my desk when we returned from vacation.  I called the synod office and Julie told me that Bishop Wollersheim wanted to see me as soon as possible. I told her I could come in the next day.

I did not even ask why he needed to see me. At the time, I was serving as secretary of the synod and I figured that the bishop needed my signature on a letter or some official form. As I got ready to leave for Rockford, my son asked me where I was going and why.  When I told him, he said, “The bishop wants you to be his assistant.” To this day I do not know what prompted him to say this.

Little time was spent on pleasantries in the bishop’s office. He got right to the point. “I want you to join the staff.”  I was flattered, surprised and unconvinced that this is what God had in mind. I asked for time to pray. The bishop agreed.

My sense of call to serve the church as a parish pastor was firm and by this time longstanding.  I could not imagine doing anything else. The bishop’s plan was a challenge to my vocational self-understanding.

I entrusted my mutual ministry committee with my dilemma. It was not a kind thing to do to these folks, but I needed their prayerful support.  Three days later, a phone call from the bishop for my decision was proof that the Holy Spirit answers him more quickly than me. I needed just a little more time.

Ten years have now passed since I began my call to the synod. In February of 2002, I was warmly welcomed as a colleague by old friends, Sandy Musch, Pastor Chuck Steinke, Pastor Janet Hunt and Pastor Barb Rapp. I hit the ground running and it feels like I have been running ever since, which is exactly how I like it.

I have been privileged to interact with almost every pastor and every congregation in the synod. I have worked in areas that reflect my passions in ministry—youth, worship and stewardship to name just three. I have learned call process and finances. I have been stretched by working with congregations in conflict. I have learned how to be a “non-anxious presence” in some very anxious situations. I have celebrated and mourned, preached and listened, led and followed, studied and acted.  I have driven hundreds of thousands of miles and listened to countless books in the car.  I have bid farewell to some staff members and welcomed new ones.  More than anything else, I have prayed.

In my years of ordained ministry, God has called me to serve the church in unanticipated ways in unanticipated places.  I have been blessed in it all. Working for you in the synod continues to be an incredible privilege.  I need your prayers and appreciate your support.

Comments?  Go to http://niselca.blogspot.com or comment on Facebook.  --JC

Health & Wellness

The synod’s Health and Wellness Task Force is currently encouraging those of us with Portico health coverage to take a health assessment as a first step toward earning money back and becoming healthier. My wife and I both worked through the assessment in early January and have begun earning our points for 2012.

Pastor Sarah Schaffner, a member of our task force, has written the following and asked if I might share it with you. I do so gladly.

When I told my sister I was the newest member of the synod’s Health and Wellness Committee, she laughed.  Seriously, the “you’ve got to be kidding me,” “they’ve hit the bottom of the barrel” kind of laugh.  And, although I acted offended, I know she’s right; because health and wellness have not been at the top of my priority list.  I try really hard:  like I lose 50 pounds (but then gain back 40); I fill out my health assessment online like I’m supposed to (but Steve logs in for me, so I’ll get the points I need); I’m really, really, really awesome at starting exercise programs (and even better at ending them).  But, you know what I’m tired of the yo-yo; I’m tired of feeling like a failure; of having resources and not using them; of gaining and losing and still feeling not good enough no matter where I am.  So, here is my goal (and thank you to my Coach Natasha for helping me!):  Next year, I will be the Health and Wellness Committee’s poster child.  And it’s not going to be because I’m a size 8 (or 10, or heck even 12).  It’s not going to be because I can run a 5K or because I eat 9 servings of fruits and vegetables a day.


It IS going to be because today is the first day of a long string of days, when I look into the mirror and see a precious child of God (not those other horrible things I tell myself).  It IS going to be because I’m taking small steps (even if it’s cliché) to move more and eat less.  It IS going to be because my struggles might encourage you to take a step of your own.


What do you think about instead of just phoning (or logging) it in this year, you actually take those small steps to love yourself, to care for yourself, to be the self God created you to be.  It might be fun if next year we had to get a bigger poster; a poster that shone with all our faces—faces that sure might be a little thinner, a little healthier but a whole lot happier.  


So, here I go…


Step One Taken.


Why don’t you take the next one with me?   (Go to www.elcaforwellness.org to get paid for it!)


Your Future Co-Poster Child,
Sarah Schaffner


Comments? Go to http://niselca.blogspot.com or comment on Facebook. Thanks for joining the conversation.  For more information: Click here.  --JC

Coming Attractions

While it may seem a bit early to some of you to be thinking about the Synod Assembly, we (your synod staff) have been working on the assembly for months.  In fact, it will be just a few short weeks until congregations receive registration materials.

This year will be our twenty-fifth annual assembly.  In the summer of 1987, congregations of The American Lutheran Church and the Lutheran Church in America, located in the twenty-two counties of what would become the Northern Illinois Synod, gathered together in a constituting convention at Augustana College in Rock Island.  The Association of Evangelical Lutheran Churches was also a part of our merger, but I do not recall any AELC congregations in our area.

That first gathering was a bit awkward.  There were lots of new faces, many of us had never been on the Augustana campus, and with an ecclesiastical ballot we had no idea of who would be elected as our first bishop.  That meeting was masterfully presided over by Dr. Robert Marshall, former president of the Illinois Synod (LCA) and later president of the Lutheran Church in America. We all left excited about the possibilities for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and our life together in northern Illinois.

Twenty-five years have passed with remarkable speed. We who were young pastors then are now the seasoned veterans.  We have watched ministry and congregational life change.  Conventions became assemblies, delegates became voting members and our language became inclusive.  All the while, the mission of the church has remained the same, to make Christ known, to make disciples.

This year’s assembly will help us look back, but it will also propel us forward.  Anniversary celebrations can be a lot of fun.  We remember the way we were.  But, I think it is of even greater importance to also consider who we will be.  This assembly will help us do both.

Former ELCA Presiding Bishop Herb Chilstrom will be at our assembly to preach at our anniversary worship.  This special service, to which the whole synod is invited, is scheduled for early afternoon on Saturday, June 16.  Your congregation’s choir will be invited to participate as well.  Former ELCA Secretary Lowell Almen will be this year’s Bible study/keynote leader.  The Rev. Wyvetta Bullock, executive for administration, will be our ELCA representative.  Of course, we will also be taking care of business, welcoming additional youth and young adult voting members, and celebrating the rite of ordination.

It’s shaping up to be a great assembly.  If you won’t be attending as a voting member, please consider attending the assembly as a visitor or, at the very least, participating in the anniversary worship.  I know that you will be glad that you did.

Comments?  Go to http://niselca.blogspot.com or comment on Facebook.  --JC