Prince of Peace?

We still laugh when we think about it. Our first Christmas together came during my internship year at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church. It had been a busy week. In truth, it was crazy. There were parties and get-togethers, church activities, Sunday School Christmas program and some gift wrapping. On Christmas Eve we had two services, the latter one at the traditional 11:00 p.m. There was also a Christmas morning service, which seemed to come too early.

By the time we got home from church on Christmas Day, we were both exhausted. We looked at all the fixings and trimmings we had readied for our first Christmas dinner and could not muster the energy to cook. Instead, we went to bed and slept for a good part of the day.

When we awoke from our naps (slumber would be a better description), we each felt as if we had been run over by a herd of the shepherd’s sheep. For dinner, my wife pulled a box of fish sticks from the freezer and served them with spaghetti because that is what was pictured on the front of the box.

For a moment or two we wondered if that congregation had been misnamed. Perhaps it should have been called Prince of Chaos, Prince of Busy, Prince of Perpetual Motion, or Prince of Exhaustion. But, there really is no better name than Prince of Peace.

This Christmas, before you are too tired to appreciate the magnitude of God's incomprehensible gift, hear and celebrate the good news:

For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6, NRSV)

On behalf of Bishop Gary Wollersheim and the entire staff of the Northern Illinois Synod, I wish you a very Merry Christmas! --JC

Longest Night

As I write this, the sun is shining brightly down on a cold winter day. The cloudless sky is a bright blue. The snow is glistening. It is a beautiful morning.

The beauty of this day will pass all too quickly into the darkness of night. The sun will set this afternoon at 4:25 p.m. It is that time of year when so many people drive to work in the dark and return home again in the dark. The days are way too short for my liking.

It is no coincidence that the Advent wreath comes to its full blazing glory around the shortest day of the year. The light shines in the darkness and we celebrate the birth of our Savior.

For some people, the darkness of this time of year and the emotional burdens of Christmas are difficult to bear. I was thinking about this as we decorated our Christmas tree. Each and every ornament of our collection has a meaning. They mark milestones in our lives. Each one has a story connected to it. They recall happy times. I cannot imagine decorating our tree with these ornaments if my family had suffered a death or tragedy, major illness, or some other trauma. Recalling happy times in the midst of sad times can be terribly painful.

In recent years, I have noted an increasing number of congregations offering a “Blue Christmas” service. I think it is a wonderful idea that is sensitive to the needs of those who find celebrating Christmas burdensome. The worship service is planned for a day close to Christmas and includes a message that brings the love of God and the hope of Jesus Christ without the tinsel and the implied “Cheer up, it’s Christmas!”

Personally, I don’t like the “Blue Christmas” label. It simply brings Elvis to my mind too quickly. This year I have encountered a name that resonates with me. A congregation is having a “Longest Night” service. It is described as “a service of readings, prayers, Holy Communion, and hymns appropriate to the season, as we recognize the Christmas season is not a season of joy for all.” The congregation invites with “Come and remember the light of Christ that shines in the darkness.” It will be held on December 21, the shortest day and longest night of this year.

I would hope that more congregations would consider offering such a service. It could be opened to the community or done cooperatively with other congregations. I know that worship planners, pastors and musicians do not need any extra work at this time of year. A lot of effort spent on a worship service that might have limited appeal may not seem to make sense. But, it could be a real gift to that person who had a tough time decorating his or her tree.

Comments are always welcome. --JC

Stirring Hearts

Stir up our hearts, O Lord, to make ready the way of thine only-begotten Son, so that by his coming we may be enabled to serve thee with pure minds; through the same thy Son, Jesus Christ, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. Amen. (Collect for Second Sunday of Advent, Service Book and Hymnal)

I happened to run across this photograph on the blog of my former pastor. It instantly brought a smile to my face and a flood of memories to mind. It appears that the picture was taken on the Second Sunday of Advent. The year was 1970. You will note the humble beginnings of Lord of Life Lutheran Church in Fairfax, Virginia. We sat on those folding chairs for many years. The red paraments, rather than the standard purple of Advent of that era, simply indicate that we had no others.

“A Charlie Brown Christmas” had made its debut on TV just five years earlier, but it had already become a standard holiday special. It was still fresh and thought provoking. I have no idea of whose idea it was for Charlie Brown to appear in our church. I would guess that it was our pastor in conjunction with the artist who brought the scene to life for us. When we saw it for the first time, it was contemporary, exciting, fun and it covered that ugly dark green wall behind the altar.

Sometime during the 1990s, I declared to my wife that I would never again do two things in a sermon. First, I would never again bore a congregation explaining the true definition of some Greek word in the New Testament. I might find it interesting, but most people won’t. Second, I would never quote another Peanuts comic strip, even though I still read it. I figured that Charlie Brown and his friends might not be as universally appreciated as they once were. The Gospel According to Peanuts was talked about when I was in seminary, but The Gospel According to The Simpsons was being read when my son was there.

What my pastor did in 1970 was make the Gospel come alive in another new way. I am convinced that my brother and I are pastors today because of the experiences we had in a creative congregation environment. God stirred up our hearts in so many ways.

Running across this picture has made me wonder a bit. If I had a big blank wall to use as a canvas, what might I suggest to make Advent and Christmas come alive for my congregation today? Or, what might we sing? What might we view? What might we do? What message might we give our children that will last them a lifetime? How could I help God stir up the hearts of God’s people and help them prepare for Christmas?

Thank you to Pastor Ron Christian, my pastor from 1969 to 1972 and 1977 to 1983, and to Norm Johnston, a fine artist and my guitar teacher. You helped God stir my heart. Comments are welcome. Go to http://niselca.blogspot.com/ or comment on Facebook. --JC

Thanksgiving Memories and Prayers

If you’re not in the mood to read, please skip to the fourth paragraph.

When I was a child, our family Thanksgiving Day routine was always the same. Early in the morning, my parents would bundle my brother and me up in our snow suits and we would head to downtown Detroit for the J. L. Hudson sponsored Thanksgiving Day parade. We would arrive early enough to claim our spots up front, right against the police barricades, so that we would be able to see all the action. Our early arrival also spared my father the task of juggling two little boys on his shoulders.

The parade included colorful Thanksgiving and Christmas themed floats rolling down Woodward Avenue. Numerous marching bands were interspersed, playing the first Christmas music of the season. The final band, as my childhood memory recollects, always played, “Santa Claus is Coming to Town.” Then came the moment we all awaited. Santa Claus! He was mounted on an incredible red and gold sleigh accompanied by his assistant, a young and beautiful, Christmas Carol. Yes, that is what she was called. Santa waved to each of us personally, shouting out a joyful, “Merry Christmas! Ho! Ho! Ho!”

After the parade, we would head over to my grandparents’ home. The four of us would join my grandpa, grandma, great-grandfather and my uncle. My Grandma Clements would be with us too if she did not have to work. The laundry room of the hospital never took a day off, so it was not a given that she would be with us. I now wonder if she volunteered to work holidays so that other families might be together.

At dinner, we all sat in the same appointed places at the table, with my grandfather at the head. Once we were all seated and the food was on the table, my grandfather would pray. He was not a religious man, but he always, and I do mean always, prayed before our family meals. He prayed using a small book of 366 mealtime graces. It was well used. In fact, I do not remember a time before his little book was held together with electrical tape. He would offer thanks to God, on our behalf, for all that we had been given.

I have found much value in prayers written by others. There are many reasons for this, but I wish to raise one for you here. Sometimes written prayers can express for us what our hearts cannot express on their own. This can be especially true on Thanksgiving. There are times in life when our hearts have a great deal of difficulty thanking God for much of anything. That’s just the way it is. It is close to impossible to say thanks on your own when you are experiencing the exhaustion of pain, fear in the midst of illness, the loneliness of death or the darkness of grief. While the rest of the world is laughing and eating Turkey and getting ready for a 4:00 a.m. trip to the mall, there are some who will be relying on the words of others to make it through the day.

You may be one of those for whom it will take great courage to say thanks on this Thanksgiving. You may be one for whom a prayer of thanksgiving won’t come easily. That’s OK. God knows you. God loves you. God understands the pain. And, it is perfectly acceptable to pray using someone else’s words.

Oh, may this bounteous God through all our life be near us,
With ever joyful hearts and blessed peace to cheer us,
And keep us all in grace, and guide us when perplexed,
And free us from all harm in this world and the next.

(Now Thank We All Our God, ELW 839)

Comments are welcome. --JC

A Good Reforween it Was

My mother rather enjoys synod events. You will find her at CRE in the spring, Synod Assembly in the summer and at the synod-wide Reformation/Ordination celebration in the autumn. A few weeks ago, I asked her if she would be coming to Dixon for this year’s ordination service. She asked for the details—date, time and place. I said, “It falls right on Reformation Day, October 31.” She said, “Well, that’s bad planning. I have to be home for Halloween.”

I told Mom that I was happy that October 31 fell on a Sunday and I tried to pass the blame onto Martin Luther for the bad planning. I am sure that my mother was not the only person in the synod to express this concern. In the end, Mom left her candy with her next door neighbor and came to the service.

We did not know exactly what to expect in terms of attendance. We always hope that there will be a good representation of the ordinands’ family and friends, folks from the congregations they will be serving, others from across the synod and, of course, rostered leaders. As it was, we were very pleased.

My personal belief is that pastors and other rostered leaders do much to show their support of new pastors and the church by showing up and participating. This belief is not new. I also believe that we (rostered leaders) should attend and participate in the funerals of pastors and other rostered leaders.

More than once I have attended the ordinations of individuals I do not know well. I have also attended the funerals of pastors I have never met. My intention is to honor them for their dedication and service. You will be able to tell from the pictures why my heart was glad on October 31.

Congratulations to Pastors Gwen Sefrhans and Krista Zimmerman on your ordinations! Congratulations also to Pastor Mark Luepke, who was installed as Secretary of the Northern Illinois Synod! And, sincere thanks to all of my colleagues who showed up and participated. It was a great day. Even Mom thought so.

Comments? Go to http://niselca.blogspot.com/. Comments posted on Facebook will also appear on the blog site. --JC

Thoughts for All Saints Day

It was my first funeral as an intern in southeastern Minnesota. My supervisor was co-officiating with a neighboring pastor in his church. I was simply there to observe and learn.

During the service, a somewhat elderly male soloist stood in the balcony and sang a song I had never heard. The stoic Norwegians of this congregation had shed no tears to this point. Suddenly, the handkerchiefs appeared from pockets and purses. The soloist’s voice was strong and clear. The tune was compelling, perhaps haunting. I couldn’t understand a word as he sang stanza upon stanza in Norwegian.

When I got home, I hummed the tune as best I could for my wife. “Den store hvide flok,” she said. It’s not so much that she recognized my rendition as she simply knew that it was the only option. She went to the piano, opened her Lutheran Book of Worship, and played the hymn. Her Norwegian bones had not failed her.

“Behold the Host Arrayed in White” has become a favorite hymn of mine. I have taught it to the congregations I have served. I am not sure that it ever became a top 10 (or 100) hit, but we sang it every All Saints Sunday. There came a point, I cannot tell you when, that the hymn began to bring tears to my non-Norwegian eyes as well.

Today is All Saints Day. This is the day when we consider the communion of saints, which unites us with all who have come before us and all who will follow us in the faith. In the words of the hymn,

O saints, sing with that happy throng;

lift up one voice;

let heav’n rejoice in our redeemer’s song.

I am thankful for those who have gone before me and helped give me my faith. I am also thankful for you, for the faith that we share as we seek to serve our Savior.

Comments are always welcome. Go to http://niselca.blogspot.com/. Comments on Facebook are fine too. For the hymn, see LBW 314 or ELW 425. --JC

Green: The Quiet Color of a Blue Car

I was walking in the parking lot of our public library this afternoon. In fact, I was walking where cars must drive to exit the parking lot. As an excuse for not using the sidewalk, I will say that I was fascinated by a fairly new, bright red Mustang that was stuffed full of what must of us would call junk. Curiosity simply demanded that I get a little closer look.

As I was walking by this car, I sensed something behind me. It was a hybrid vehicle, coming up behind me, silently, with the driver waiting patiently for me to get out of his way. I quickly got out of the way and waved my apology to the driver.

My experience was an important reminder for me. The synod-owned car that I drive is a hybrid and will often run silently in parking lots and in city traffic, so I cannot expect that everyone will either hear or sense my car coming.

The 2008 Synod Assembly mandated that the Northern Illinois Synod become a “green synod.” Among the requirements of the resolution was “replacing synod owned vehicles with those that are the most environmentally friendly available (currently hybrid).” The synod achieved that goal earlier this year with the replacement of our third vehicle with a hybrid vehicle. Currently we own two Toyota hybrids and one Ford hybrid.

Along with efforts in our office, the synod staff is working to make this a green synod. The 2008 assembly also adopted a resolution that encouraged congregations to evaluate their buildings and grounds and take a minimum of two steps each year to help reduce the congregation's negative impact upon the environment and to educate and encourage members “on the ways in which they can help care for God's creation in their everyday lives by living simply and walking lightly on the earth.”

How are you doing in your congregation? How are you doing in your individual efforts? I know my congregation has made many changes. Personally, we have changed all of the lights in our home to CFLs. I am a bit frustrated that they don’t seem to last as long as they are advertized to last, but we have certainly gotten used to them. Our personal car has a small engine and gets pretty good mileage, but we could be doing better. The next time we purchase a vehicle, we will certainly explore what the best options are. My wife is also leading the charge to simplify our livestyle.

Greening was a big emphasis for our synod in 2008 and 2009. Just because we are not talking about it as much right now does not lessen the importance of care for God’s creation. Allow this blog entry be a simple reminder to us all.

Comments? Go to http://niselca.blogspot.com/ or comment on Facebook. All comments will appear on the blog site. --JC

Transparency

The Internet headline caught my attention. “Avoid These Office Buzzwords.” The article provided a list of clichés that are often overused and somewhat despised in the workplace. The author provided her own definitions, which although humorous, are pretty much on target.

I was surprised at how often we hear the words on her list. We even use some of them with great regularity in the synod office. One of the common words is “transparent.” The article’s author, Marlys Harris, defined transparent as “Open about the facts, but not to be confused with honest.”

My amusement disappeared as I began to wonder if folks in our congregations have this definition in mind while I am encouraging them to be transparent. Transparency in the church involves facts and honesty. We strongly encourage transparency in communications within congregations.

Congregation councils are sometimes unclear on how transparent they should be. Actually, all council meetings are open, the time and location should be easily accessed, and members of the congregation should be welcome to attend. Council minutes should be made available soon after the meeting. Highlights of the council meeting may be included in a newsletter or minutes may be posted after they have been approved at a subsequent meeting.

There are exceptions to transparency. Personnel issues are always dealt with in a closed session. If the entire council serves as a personnel committee, guests are excused from the meeting before personnel issues are discussed. Other sensitive issues may require the council to act in private.

Call committees operate in a semi-confidential environment. Call committees sometimes err on the side of keeping too much information confidential. It is helpful for a congregation to be kept informed as to where they are in the call process. The only information that is kept confidential is the names of the candidates who are being considered. With the exception of the name of the pastor whom the call committee recommends to the council, all other names are never disclosed.

A lack of transparent communications leaves congregation members wondering what is being hidden. I often remind councils that a vacuum of information is quickly filled with rumor and misinformation.

Transparent communication conveys facts honestly. That may seem rare today. However, it needs to be standard operating procedure in our congregations.

Comments? Go to http://niselca.blogspot.com/. Comments made on Facebook are also published on the blog site. --JC

Prayer Shawls

My pastor called the other day. He was “in the neighborhood” and wanted to know if he could stop by.

I was in my pajamas. I was unshaven. My hair was combed, but in its natural (not gelled or glued down) state, which is just plain scary. But, my teeth were brushed and I was out of bed, so I told Mike that it would be just fine if he came over. How could I refuse his offer when I have visited countless parishioners in their sick beds?

I have been in a lot of pain lately. An MRI and X-rays confirmed that I have a herniated disc in my back. The most common question I have had is, “What did you do?” I wish I could blame it on something that I did, but I didn’t do anything. The pain specialist said something about “wear and tear” associated with age. Ouch. As if I didn’t hurt enough already!

I have been assured of the prayers of many. I am blessed with wonderful family, friends, colleagues and people throughout this synod who are willing to pray. I deeply appreciate each and every prayer offered on my behalf. Even so, I have found that I have had a difficult time sensing those prayers in the midst of the physical pain. My recovery promises to be slow and the Lord has never chosen to bestow upon me the gift of patience or, for that matter, an especially high tolerance for pain.

Pastor Mike came over and did exactly what I would expect. He listened. He empathized. He prayed with us. He did not look upon my pajamas with horror or my hair with pity. He also placed a prayer shawl around my shoulders, representing the prayers of Zion Lutheran Church.

I am well acquainted with prayer shawl ministries. I think they are a great idea. My wife has been knitting prayer shawls for a number of years. In fact, she currently knits for two congregations and Pastor Mike had to make sure that he wasn’t bringing me one that my wife had made. Sometimes prayer shawls are presented with a prayer pinned to it. Some congregations will pray over the shawls in Sunday morning worship before they are distributed.

I don’t suppose it is very masculine to be sitting around with a shawl around the shoulders. Too bad. When I need to feel all those prayers, the prayer shawl is a tangible sign of that support.

So, to the anonymous person who knit my prayer shawl, thank you. It meant a lot to me that our pastor could wrap me in the prayers of our church. If you are part of a knitting group in your congregation, keep knitting! If you are a knitter and your congregation does not have a prayer shawl ministry, consider starting one.

There are prayer shawl knitting patterns readily available on a number of Web sites. I try to never volunteer my wife for anything, but I am sure she would be willing to share her pattern and the resources that she has used. You may contact her through my email or by commenting on this blog post. I would appreciate hearing your stories of prayer shawl ministries. Comment on the blog site at http://niselca.blogspot.com/ or on Facebook. --JC

Practicing the Faith

I have been thinking about a number of things in the past couple of weeks. Believe me, there is little else one can do with a herniated disc. So, I have had some time to consider all of those things that I am missing or wishing I could do.

In the autumn of each year our synod has Mission Gatherings. They were originally conceived to be an opportunity to speak with congregation councils about mission support. Many years ago, the scope was expanded and the Mission Gathering would focus on a single theme each year. All interested members were encouraged to attend. In evaluating the events, we wondered in recent years if the usefulness of the Mission Gatherings had diminished.

The feedback we received regarding this year’s Synod Assembly Bible studies, which focused on discipleship and the faith practices of the church, was overwhelmingly positive. In light of this, Bishop Wollersheim proposed having Discipleship Gatherings this year to provide further opportunities for the people of the Northern Illinois Synod to learn about and discuss these faith practices.

There are many faith practices. We have chosen to emphasize seven identified as central by our church: pray, study, worship, invite, encourage, serve and give. In the Discipleship Gathering, Bishop Wollersheim gives an introductory talk on discipleship before the participants are dismissed to attend any two of seven breakout groups which focus on the practices, led by synod staff members and local leaders.

We have already had, and I have sadly missed, two of the eight scheduled Discipleship Gatherings. Attendance has been strong and participation has been good. It does not take too much reflection to see that we are hungry for more. Most folks I speak with are seeking to deepen their faith, but sense that opportunities to do so are limited.

Let me suggest a couple of things. Attend any one of the remaining Discipleship Gatherings. You are invited and welcome. You can find more information at http://nisynod.org/gatherings/index.html. If you are seeking a deeper educational experience, consider diakoniaTM. Take a look at http://www.thediakoniaprogram.org/ and http://www.nisynod.org/diakonia/.

To get even more folks involved, suggest that your congregation take a look at faith practices during Lent. It would be a great theme for a round-robin exchange. Congregations could work together to explore the faith practices. How about a conference series of men’s breakfasts focusing on discipleship? An adult class or small group could work on faith practices. People are hungry. They want to be disciples. What better place is there than the local congregation to learn how?

The synod has tried to build on what was introduced at the Synod Assembly. Perhaps your congregation can build on what we doing at the Discipleship Gatherings. Let us know how we can be helpful to you! Comments? Go to http://niselca.blogspot.com/. Pictured are two Discipleship Gathering breakout sessions in the North Conference. Pastor Troy Hedrick led a discussion of prayer as Pastor Brent Dahlseng facilitated the group on invitation/witness. --JC

Is This What Jesus Told You Guys to Do?

The issues I raised in “First Impressions” (both parts), are important hospitality issues, though they are relatively minor when compared to the issues raised in the book Jim & Casper Go to Church. The authors, Jim Henderson and Matt Casper, visited a number of very different Christian congregations, from traditional to emerging, small house church to megachurch. Their experiences and impressions made me stop and think a number of times. In fact, this book would be a good one for small group study. A free discussion guide is available online.

In the book, Jim Henderson writes, “As a Christian, I’ve often wondered how churches can use the same words, claim the same beliefs, and declare themselves to be totally committed to Christ and yet be so different in the values they present and the practices they undertake.” I think many of us have wondered exactly the same thing.

For example, leading up to September 11, one pastor in Florida captured the world’s attention, preaching a form of “Christianity” unlike our own. Our cable TV company provides us with four Christian networks. I never watch any of them because their teachings are those I cannot accept. In fact, I would consider some of the TV preachers to be dangerous in their stances toward the rest of the world and for the cause of world peace.

In the conclusion of the book, Matt Casper (the atheist) asks an incredibly important question of Jim (the Christian). “Jim, is this what Jesus told you guys to do?” Their exploration of the worship practices of these congregations had left him wondering.

I believe that everything we do in our congregations must be geared toward fulfilling the mission that Jesus gave us. For me, worship is the time for us to gather together, to hear, sing, praise and pray—to be strengthened, recommissioned and sent. On Sunday morning, the church (you and I) need to be challenged and presented with opportunities to give and serve. We need to be reminded that our mission lies outside of the building, focusing on others. You will recall what a wide definition Jesus had for “neighbor.”

What did Jesus tell us to do? Love one another. Go and make disciples. Seek justice. Being church is about what we do together. This is true of congregation, synod and ELCA. We have a God-given mission.

By the way, to the pastoral colleague who loaned me the book, thank you! I will see that the book gets back to you very soon.

Comments? Go to http://niselca.blogspot.com/. Facebook works too! --JC

First Impressions, Part 2

Once in a while, though not often, I have an opportunity to be an anonymous visitor. That means worshiping in a non-ELCA congregation in northern Illinois or in an ELCA congregation in another synod. I am easily reminded of how intimidating it can be to walk into a church with which you are not familiar. Here are some of my thoughts.

Many congregations seem to have trouble keeping their websites up-to-date. It is really important for worship times and calendars to be current. When I drive to an unfamiliar location, I always look for a sign that is visible from the street. Even with a GPS unit, I have to find the right driveway. Information on that sign needs to be correct too. Road marker signs are great, but they do need to be replaced once in a while. An old, faded or damaged sign doesn’t project a good image.

I have visited congregations with traffic-flow issues. It helped me a lot at one very large congregation to have someone in the parking lot, wearing one of those neon-green vests, directing me to a parking place. I have often wondered if our congregations should offer valet parking. It seems that it would be much easier for some elderly members to enter the building if they were able to drop their car at the door. As a guest preacher, I always arrive early for worship and am sometimes the first person to park in the parking lot. If there are no lines on the lot, I really do not know how or where to park. Don’t forget the need for special places for those with physical handicaps.

I like greeters. I think they should be stationed right at the outside door. In fact, they should be stationed at every door that one might use to enter the building. Church buildings are sometimes like mazes. I could use a friendly welcome and directions as soon as I get in the door. Signage inside the building is important too. After I’ve traveled a distance, my first question is always regarding the location of the men’s room. Signs eliminate my need to ask a lot of questions. How do I find restrooms, nursery, worship space, offices, Sunday coffee, Sunday school rooms? I have been impressed by congregations that use bilingual signs.

In leading worship, I have always welcomed “newcomers and guests.” I think that sounds better than “visitors.” Have you ever noticed that you are always a “guest” at Target and never a “customer”? As a newcomer, I like to be welcomed but hate to be publicly embarrassed. The congregation I referred to last week did a great job. The first-time attendees were given a small gift and information about the congregation. They were not forced to stand up, introduce themselves, or wear a button. I was free to remain anonymous if I wished. My wife and I once attended a worship service in Michigan where a woman welcomed us and then offered to sit with us to guide us through the service. We appreciated the gesture, refused her offer since we could navigate an LBW liturgy, but realized it would have helped when it came time for Holy Communion.

Some worship services are more visitor friendly than others. I appreciate announcements with page numbers, pauses to allow people to find their places, and bulletins that don’t have six inserts. I like senior citizens serving as acolytes and children serving as communion assistants. I like lectors who have practiced reading the lessons. I don’t mind being taught a new song or practicing a part of the liturgy. I like communion instructions to be clearly stated in the bulletin. I like seeing the mission statement of the congregation either displayed or in the bulletin. I like bulletins that use as little paper as possible. I like announcements rolling on a projection screen, if there is one. After worship, I like decaf coffee to be offered with the regular and someone who is willing to talk with me. I think these elements make for a better Sunday morning experience.

Comments? Go to the blog site, http://niselca.blogspot.com/ or comment on Facebook. There is a nice hospitality assessment tool on the ELCA website at http://archive.elca.org/evangelizingchurch/assessments/hospitality.html. --JC

First Impressions

I have a stack of books, actually a couple of stacks, waiting to be read. Some books, especially those in the leisure category, need to be dusted occasionally as they wait for my attention. A few days ago, my wife ran across a book that she did not recognize, so she added it to my pile of books.

The red cover caught my attention. So did the title. Jim & Casper Go to Church. I checked inside the front cover where I found the name of a pastoral colleague written. I am embarrassed to say that I do not remember when or where she loaned the book to me or the conversation that precipitated it. Just how long had this book been buried in my stuff?

The full title of the book is Jim & Casper Go to Church: Frank conversation about faith, churches, and well-meaning Christians, written by Jim Henderson and Matt Casper. Jim Henderson is a Christian with a Pentecostal background and Matt Casper is an atheist. Together they visit a number of Christian congregations and share their first impressions. It is a fun book to read and it helps to view the Sunday morning experience through the eyes of others.

This summer I had the opportunity to visit a Lutheran congregation in Chicago, to which I have no connections. I arrived early, having allowed ample time for my combination car, “L” train and bus trip. In the reception area, I asked for directions to the closest men’s room (it had been a long trip, efficient as it was). I was given the directions along with an invitation and further instructions on how to find the coffee fellowship.

I went to the fellowship area and found five people sitting at a round table. There was an empty chair so I asked the group if I could sit there, not having any particular desire to sit at one of the many empty tables. No one seemed to care much, one way or the other, so I sat. I listened. I remained silent through a few awkward periods of silence. I initiated conversation with open ended questions that all quickly died. Three people left, one fell asleep, and one joined the group. I was thankful when it was time for worship.

In worship, the congregation was friendly. When invited to share a greeting, those around me all offered a handshake and their first name. Later, the passing of the peace felt authentic. I did not identify myself as a visitor during the announcements because I did not know how to graciously refuse the coffee mug visitors were being given. (I was on my way to a baseball game and would never get the mug home safely).

I was surprised by two things in worship. The traditional worship service was done well, but it was not visitor friendly. This is a congregation that receives a fair number of newcomers and guests, so I would have expected more. This pastor, well-schooled in traditional worship, should not have had a tough time finding his place and keeping up when page numbers were not announced and instructions were not given.

I was also surprised by the temperature of the nave. It was a hot day and it was sticky hot inside the church. Literally. My shirt was stuck to the pew when I stood to go for communion. The church is not air conditioned and there are no windows to open. The heat made for a very uncomfortable worship experience. I hate to say that I believe air conditioning has become a necessity in many places.

What are the first impressions that your congregation make on newcomers?

To be continued…

Looking Forward

I am one who thinks that every birthday and anniversary should be celebrated. Perhaps that is why I do not turn down the opportunity to preach for a congregation’s anniversary, even if it is an odd year. Once in a while I will preach for a 100th or 150th anniversary (usually if our bishop is not available), but I more commonly am invited for an 85th or 117th.

To prepare for such a visit, I generally try to read some of the congregation’s history so I can better understand the context. A congregation’s past is important to know because it has shaped who and what it is today. My sermon message, however, is always forward-looking. It is the future mission of the congregation that concerns me most.

Earlier this summer our family joined in the 100th anniversary festivities of my wife’s hometown in North Dakota. The celebration spanned two days. On the third day, the congregation that had nurtured my wife as a child also celebrated its 100th anniversary. We were there for that celebration too.

This very small town in North Dakota has seen more prosperous days. It must have taken an extraordinary effort to stage the celebration with two catered picnics, a parade, games, and an auction. Everyone who still lives in town must have had a part to play in welcoming all of the guests who came back.

The same was true of the church. The small congregation put its very best foot forward in preparing for the day. The pews were packed full. The church basement was too small to accommodate everyone for the catered dinner, so extra tables and chairs were set outside.

I know some of the history of this congregation. I was, after all, present for its 75th anniversary program some 25 years ago! This congregation reflects the demographics of the town and is also not what it once was. There are about 40 people there on a normal Sunday morning.

As we worshiped that anniversary morning, I could identify who some of those 40 regulars are. They were ushering and greeting and reading and singing and setting tables and making sure that even people like me who never had a real connection to them were welcomed and comfortable and had a bulletin and worship book.

If I were one of those 40, I am sure that I would have been pleased to see the church full of happy people. But, I wonder what the feeling was like the next Sunday, when all the guests had gone home and the 40 regulars were there but exhausted. I hope, as they gathered for worship, they were focused on the mission of the church and their future. It would be easy to dwell on the past. It is imperative that the church always look forward.

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

SAWC

Back when I was in junior high school, it was every boy’s hope to receive a note from a girl with SWAK written across the back of the envelope. Do you remember what that means?

In this world of abbreviations and acronyms, we have a new one that is the source of a lot of curiosity in the life of the synod right now. SAWC stands for Synodically Authorized Worshiping Community. Our Synod Council has established five of them over the past year, four of which are still meeting.

An SAWC is generally formed to “test the field.” It is a way to determine if there is a need and the critical mass for establishing a new congregation in a certain area. In the Northern Illinois Synod, four SAWCs have been formed to provide a place of healing and worship for members of congregations engaged in the process of leaving the ELCA. The process of disassociating from the ELCA is a long and painful one for everyone involved. Some members in these congregations, who wish to remain loyal to the ELCA, have found themselves feeling disenfranchised in their own church homes with no place else to go. These members have been invited by Bishop Wollersheim to consider their options and an SAWC has been the result in five locations.

One SAWC, Saving Faith in Moline has completed its work and its people have gone to other local ELCA congregations in the Quad-cities. Open Arms, Rockton and Freedom, Oregon are meeting for worship and mutual support and providing an ELCA presence in these communities. Together in Christ, Johnsburg may merge back into Joyful Harvest Church as it reconsiders its future with the ELCA.

Lord of Love, our SAWC in Galena, began with former members of St. Matthew Lutheran Church. Even though St. Matthew has not voted to leave the ELCA, the people who formed it were seeking a church home away from their former congregation. It is hoped that the community can support two ELCA congregations.

Our SWACs are testing the field. Some are showing signs of growth from among non-Lutherans and the unchurched. Some may grow into new congregations.

Your questions regarding SAWCs are welcome. If you care to comment or ask a question, please go to http://niselca.blogspot.com/. --JC

Joyful. Inspiring. Hopeful.

These are the three words that Bishop Wollersheim has used to describe this year’s Synod Assembly. Joyful. Inspiring. Hopeful.

I think a joyful, inspiring and hopeful synod assembly is just what we needed. The past year has been very challenging for the synod. As a staff, we have ventured into uncharted territory as we have sought to help congregations in whatever circumstances they found themselves.

It has been a stressful year for congregations. Some faced conflict and division over the 2010 Churchwide Assembly decisions regarding sexuality and the rostering of gay and lesbian persons in committed relationships. Two of our congregations have suffered major losses of membership following unsuccessful votes to leave the ELCA. A small number of congregations have either already voted to leave or plan to vote. It is a painful process in every case. As a synod, we grieve every loss.

There have been other congregations in the synod who have been patiently waiting to celebrate the Churchwide Assembly decisions. Out of respect for those who disagree, those celebrations have either been muted or postponed.

The general state of the economy has been a cause of stress in virtually every congregation.

Such grief and concern, at times, has overshadowed the good news, yet there is much of it throughout the synod.

So we came to the assembly ready to be together to experience joy, to be inspired, and to be filled with hope for the future. I cannot describe the electricity in Centennial Hall as we received GPS (God’s People Serving) as a new congregation. It feels like a long time since we have celebrated an event like this. We were inspired in strong preaching in worship and in the various Bible studies led by the executives of our agencies and institutions.

The first ballot re-election of Bishop Wollersheim was also a positive sign. A spirit of unity pervaded the entire assembly. It was a great to hear the Rev. Sherman Hicks present our ELCA report with joy for who we are as the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

I always ask new voting members for their impressions of the assembly. I think it is easy for those of us who have experienced lots of them to become somewhat blasé. What I hear from these new folks are stories of how much they have learned about the synod and the ELCA. I hear about the joy of experiencing an ordination service. I hear about our bishop’s graciousness in leading discussions. I hear about the importance of the resolutions. I hear about how they wish everyone back home could experience the assembly.

I agree with our bishop. The Northern Illinois Synod has a bright future. I am anxious to see what God has in mind for us to do next. Whatever it is, we will be walking together.

Read Bishop Wollersheim’s thoughts and see Synod Assembly highlights at: http://www.nisynod.org/.

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

You Were There

The one hundred and forty-first commencement of Luther Seminary was held this past Sunday afternoon at Central Lutheran Church in Minneapolis. It was a great event. There were 152 graduates who received degrees. Dr. Diane Jacobson, retiring professor of Old Testament, preached the sermon. Yes, there was a sermon, because seminary graduation is set within the context of worship. The student responder, Andy Behrendt, was terrific. Central Lutheran Church provided a magnificent setting and offered wonderful hospitality.

This event, as grand as it was, would probably not be considered a momentous one by most in the Northern Illinois Synod. After all, Luther Seminary is but one of the ELCA’s eight seminaries and most of our new pastors come from either Wartburg Seminary in Dubuque, Iowa or Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago. However, among Luther’s graduates were one who has been assigned by the church to serve in our synod and another who is my son.

As I waited in the pew for the service to begin, I paged through the program and I found my son’s name. Listed beneath his name were three congregations: First Lutheran Church, Prophetstown, Illinois; Salem Lutheran Church, Sycamore, Illinois; and, Trinity Lutheran Church, Mt. Morris, Illinois. At the bottom of the page, in small print, it read, “Names of churches are the candidate’s home and/or supporting congregations.”

In that moment, I was reminded that our pew was very crowded. I was surrounded by my family, my daughter-in-law’s family and the closest of friends. But, you were there too. The congregation that has nurtured my son since he was six years old was there. Two other congregations (one is my daughter-in law’s home congregation) that have also financially supported him in his seminary education were there. Other congregations that have prayed for my son and others in our candidacy process were there. Finally, every congregation of our synod that gives Mission Support for the work of the wider church was there. Our pew was quite crowded indeed!

Holy Trinity Sunday may have passed quietly for you. Perhaps it was lost altogether in the Memorial Day weekend. It was a joy-filled day for our family. Dare I suggest that it was a momentous day for our synod?

Comments? Go to http://niselca.blogspot.com/. Thanks for reading! --JC

Your Synod Staff

I am feeling a little bit guilty. Our last two staff meetings have had to be rescheduled due to commitments I had. Of all of the synod staff, Bishop Wollersheim has the most complex schedule, but our synod staff’s meeting dates are cleared with his calendar before they are ever scheduled. Changing a date isn’t all that easy because it impacts lots of people. Do you know the synod staff?

Bishop Wollersheim, Sandy Musch and I all work full-time from our office in Rockford. Bishop is the synod’s pastor and CEO. Sandy serves as assistant to the bishop and handles the complex administrative matters. She has worked for the synod from the very beginning of the ELCA, so she carries a lot of history. I coordinate call process for the synod, work with the North Conference and cannot begin to describe everything else I do. I am sure this is true for any “generalist.” Pastor Kurt Nordby, our Director of Evangelical Mission and Assistant to the Bishop, works full-time out of our Rock Island office. He is the staff liaison to the East Conference. As DEM, he also works in the areas of mission development, stewardship and mission strategy.

If you have called the synod office, you have no doubt spoken to Judi Fields, Julie Lewis, June Cain or Nancy Corey. They provide the support that the full-time staffers need to do their jobs. I want to be as responsive as possible to people’s needs, so I often tell them that if they call and I am not available to be sure to speak with June. She makes sure that I get my messages and responds in a timely fashion. June is also the synod’s bookkeeper. Judi is our receptionist and assistant to Sandy. Julie is the office manager and is executive secretary to the bishop. Nancy is the Rock Island office manager and assists Kurt.

We also have six part-time assistants for the remaining conferences. Pastor Tom Larsen relates to the Southwest Conference, Pastor Mike Clark to the West Conference, Pastor Kurt Hansen to the Northwest Conference, Deaconess Cheryl Erdmann to the Northeast Conference, Pastor Chris Stienstra to the Central Conference, and Pastor Tim Kenyon to the South Conference. They provide much needed assistance in the call process and pastoral care in a cost effective way.

The synod staff is rounded out by a part-time assistant for candidacy, Pastor Barb Rapp, a part-time communication director, Associate in Ministry Karin Graddy, and a part-time youth coordinator, Mary Lasits.

I have the privilege of working with all of these folks on a daily basis. That is a gift to my life and work. A tremendous amount of work is done by our support staff and part-time assistants without much recognition. They are a gift to the synod.

Comments? Go to http://niselca.blogspot.com/. Need help from the staff? Just call! We look forward to working with you. Pictured is the staff at worship just prior to our last meeting. --JC

"The Lutheran"

In terms of media use, I suppose I reflect my generation. I was born right in the middle of the baby boom. As such, there are times when I reflect the generation ahead of me and at other times I act a bit like the generation that has followed.

I still watch the evening news on TV and I read two daily newspapers. If I miss watching the news, I do not worry about it. If a paper sits for a day or two before I read it, there is still enough current content to warrant my picking it up. I subscribe to two weekly news magazines, but only because I get a really good deal. Actually, I do not read the one as much as I used to and the other has been doing a yearlong series on my hometown. I also subscribe to one religious magazine and to one baseball publication. I read these more carefully than anything else.

I must admit, however, that I do get a lot of news from the Internet. I use high speed Internet both at the office and at home. I depend on the Internet to do my job and it provides news and recreation at home. I also have two email accounts and I am on Facebook. But, I do not tweet.

Unlike most who are younger than I, I use my cell phone mostly just for phone calls. I cannot access the Internet with it, cannot transfer photos I take with it, and do not text with it because my plan charges me extra for text messaging. I still have a landline phone on the wall at home, but lately we have been questioning why we pay for something that we use so little.

When my copy of The Lutheran arrived in the mail this week, I was sad to see the editor note that subscriptions had fallen 13% in 2009. The prediction for 2010 is the same or worse. I am sure this reflects what is going on in our culture with regard to the delivery of news and information. No doubt these tough economic times have also taken a toll.

I have always enjoyed reading The Lutheran and still depend on it to provide church news that I do not receive elsewhere. As a parish pastor, I always encouraged my congregations to continue their every member subscriptions. I felt the expense was justified by keeping everyone informed. I believe it helped keep our members connected to the work of the wider church.

Is reading the print version of The Lutheran just another “old-fashioned” thing to do? I think it still serves an important purpose for many of us. Is the electronic version of The Lutheran attractive enough to get people to pay for subscriptions? I do not know. If you are not currently reading The Lutheran, how do you keep up with ELCA news? I think this church would be well-served by an informed membership.

Comments? If you are not already there, go to the blog site: http://niselca.blogspot.com/. --JC

Katie's Cup

Katie’s Cup is one of my favorite spots in Rockford. It is a full-service coffee shop with everything you would expect: great coffee, coffee drinks, muffins and pastries, a lunch menu and free Wi-Fi. I have escaped from the telephone to work on a sermon or two there. My success rate at getting much work done at Katie’s Cup is not particularly good. I always run into people I know and there is nothing better than a little face-to-face conversation. Katie’s Cup is also part bookstore and part gathering spot.

In the past few weeks, I have taken part in two Katie’s Cup Conversations. These are occasional events to which the public is invited. The Rev. John M. Buchanan, editor of The Christian Century was the guest speaker at the first. A group of 65 of us joined for lunch, Pastor Buchanan’s presentation, followed by questions and answers. This past week, I heard Louis Dorvilier, director for international development and disaster response, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. A native Haitian, he gave an overview of Haiti’s history and the church’s response to the crisis caused by this year’s earthquake.

Katie’s Cup opened in early 2009 with the vision of becoming a place for the community to discuss important issues. I will be going back next week to hear a photographer from a local (non-Lutheran) congregation speak about his recent experiences in Haiti.

Katie’s Cup is a business jointly run by Zion Development and Rockford Area Lutheran Ministries. Its name honors Katharina von Bora. I do not know if she drank coffee. I do know that she helped make the beer and enjoyed deep conversation! If you get to Rockford, stop in Katie’s Cup and enjoy the coffee and atmosphere. Try a Mocha—my personal favorite! It is located at the corner of 7th Street and 4th Avenue. If you do not find someone to talk to, the synod office is only a few blocks away. I can be there in five minutes.

Comments? Go to the blog site (http://niselca.blogspot.com/). Pictured is Mariel Heinke, director of Rockford Area Lutheran Ministries. --JC

http://www.ziondevelopment.com/
http://www.rockfordlutheranministries.com/
http://www.katiescup.com/