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

Nothing New to Report

Do you read your church newsletter?

Don’t answer that question out loud.  Your pastor and church office staff will be terribly disappointed if your answer is no.  Newsletters take quite a bit of time and effort to produce.

We receive a great many church newsletters in the synod office.  Bishop Wollersheim reads a sampling of them.  I read all those of the North Conference congregations and any others that are addressed directly to me.  The conference assistants keep up on theirs too.  Most congregations still produce a print newsletter, but I read my own congregation’s online.

Newsletters are an important part of a congregation’s communication.  I think they should inform and inspire.  Here’s what I look for in a newsletter:  a message from the pastor, a calendar of events, a summary of congregation council actions, opportunities for service and thank-yous.  I also really like stories of how my offerings are making a difference in the lives of others.  I like stories of local, synod and churchwide ministries.  Here’s my disclaimer:  I am not an expert in parish communication, but I have been around the church for a few years.

With the exception of one, I read all of these newsletters as an outsider.  Newsletters often serve as an introduction to your congregation to newcomers.  Some potential visitors will check out your congregation’s newsletter if it is posted online.  Many congregations will stay in touch with prospective members by mailing a newsletter.

As one who is concerned about the health and mission of congregations, I sometimes find newsletters to be disconcerting.  Consider one January newsletter I received in recent days.  No need to guess—it is not a Northern Illinois Synod congregation.  The council minutes reported:

            Property Team – Nothing new to report.

            Worship Team – Nothing new to report.

            Youth Team – Went bowling.

            Christian Education Team – Preparing for Christmas program.

            Shepherding Team – Nothing new to report.

            Missions Team – Nothing new to report.

            Stewardship Team – Nothing new to report.

           

Nothing new to report?  To be fair, December council meeting agendas are often light, especially if the budget work is done.  But, these team reports suggest to me that this is a congregation that has lost its focus.  It may be unclear of its mission.  I wonder what a potential visitor would make of this newsletter.

Take a look at your congregation’s newsletter.  Take an objective look.  What do you see?  Does it tell the story of your congregation’s mission?  What other messages does it convey?

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

Best Christmas Gift Ever

As I think back, one Christmas morning was different.  Too large to fit under the tree, there was a single large gift standing in front of our family Christmas tree with a tag indicating that it was just for me.  That was remarkable in itself.  My brother and I almost always received identical gifts, but not this time.  There was only one massive gift in our small front room.

I knew what it was before I opened it.  From its size and shape it could only be one thing.  My very own bicycle.  My first two-wheeler.  It seemed just too good to be true.

I unwrapped the bike with unbridled glee.  It was the most beautiful bicycle I had ever seen.  It was shiny black and had flame decals on the front and back fenders.  The bike was just my size, smaller than an adult model.  The training wheels had already been installed.  It was ready to go.

It was not a snowy Christmas in Detroit that year, so I rode that bike for the first time dressed in a snow suit, knit cap and mittens.  At that tender age, I could imagine no better day in my life.  It was a wonderful Christmas.

There is actually a little more to the story.  What I didn’t know that day was that bicycle represented a great deal of effort and love.  My parents knew that I wanted a bicycle more than anything and even though they didn’t have enough money to buy one, they made it happen.  They bought that little bike used.  My dad sanded down the frame, repainted it in glossy black, applied the decals and greased the chain, all in a neighbor’s garage.  Christmas Eve, after Brant and I were safely asleep, Dad retrieved the bike from the neighbor’s house and he and Mom wrapped it up.

I don’t think that I was ever supposed to know the rest of the story.  I found out years later, when that bike, which had been so special to me, was long gone.  The memory of that little black bike became all the more important to me.

I cannot imagine celebrating Christmas today without knowing the rest of the story.  Oh, the story of the baby in the manger, the shepherds in the field and the wise men with their gifts still moves me.  Deeply.  Profoundly.  Advent prepares me to the point of being desperate to hear the Christmas Gospel proclaimed.  But, it’s the rest of the story that really gets me.  It turns out that the baby Jesus is a gift that seems just too good to be true.  Mary and Joseph may have thought that Jesus was theirs.  If they had looked closely, there was a gift tag addressed to me.  And you.  And the whole world.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life” (John 3:16).  What an incredible gift.  We dare not forget the rest of the story.  That precious baby born in Bethlehem so long ago, was born for us to die for us.

For me, every Christmas is wonderful.  I can imagine no better day.  I join Bishop Gary Wollersheim and the entire synod staff in wishing you a very Merry Christmas.  --JC

  

Rostered Leader Gatherings

In December, life in the synod office generally gets progressively quieter as we approach Christmas.  With parish life operating at a frenzied pace, the number of meetings and the volume of email and phone calls in our office goes down.  This allows synod staff members to catch a few last vacation days before the end of the year.  Perhaps I should say that is what I do.

The light schedule of this past week allowed me to attend three conference meetings.  The Northern Illinois Synod is divided into eight geographical conferences.  The rostered leaders of each conference get together once a month.  The meetings are all similar in nature.  The dean, a rostered leader elected by the conference, chairs the meeting.   There are coffee and goodies to eat.  The Eucharist is celebrated and a sermon is preached.  Announcements are made.  Some conferences have a program with a guest speaker.  Other conferences use their time for mutual sharing.  Lunch may follow at the church or at a local restaurant.

I am a big believer in collegiality.  Attending conference meetings is one way rostered leaders can be good colleagues to each other.  During the course of a year, I try to attend at least one meeting in each conference.  It helps me keep in touch with what is going on all across the synod.  It also gives me the opportunity to see some folks I do not see often.

I am the synod staff liaison to the North Conference, so I regularly attend its meetings.  Each December the rostered leaders of the North Conference gather at P.A. Peterson Center for Health, an LSSI facility in Rockford.   This past week, we were the guests of Pastor Chuck Olson, P.A. Peterson’s chaplain.  Pastor Denver Bitner, president of Lutheran Social Services of Illinois, gave us an update on LSSI.  Following our meeting, we divided into two groups and did a little Christmas caroling for the residents.  I am always surprised at how little effort it takes to bring joy to so many faces.  Our singing was, well, let’s say, not of professional quality.  But, residents took a break from their meal to sing along.  Afterwards, we enjoyed dinner together, as you can see.

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

NIS Youth Ministry

Mary Lasits recently resigned her part-time position as youth coordinator for the Northern Illinois Synod.  Her leadership over the past four years has been well appreciated across the synod.  Mary felt God calling her to do something else in the church, so she is now working with Lutheran Social Services of Central Ohio as the director of congregational relations.  While we miss Mary, we know that she is serving the church in a significant way.

With Mary’s departure, the synod had an opportunity to reexamine how we do youth ministry.  As we began that process, the leadership team of Lutheran Outdoor Ministries Center approached me with an intriguing proposal.  LOMC offered to assume the responsibilities of the youth coordinator, maintaining current programs and expanding the possibilities.

I am very pleased to officially announce that we accepted LOMC’s proposal.  From LOMC’s existing staff, Audrey Adams will serve as youth event coordinator and Amy Hoening will be leadership mentor.   George Davis will also be directly involved in providing leadership.

Our LYO board will continue to function as it has been.  Rosemary Sibley (First, Prophetstown), lead LYO adult advisor will continue to serve in that capacity.

For several years, Bishop Gary Wollersheim has sought to strengthen our relationships with our agencies and institutions.  Our youth ministry has already experienced a beneficial relationship with Lutheran Campus Ministry at Northern Illinois University (now Grace Place @ NIU).   This arrangement with LOMC is another great step.

Youth ministry questions may be directed to Audrey and Amy at LOMC, (815) 732-2220.  LYO Board and ELCA Youth Gathering questions may be directed to Rosemary, (815) 537-2758.  Questions or concerns regarding this arrangement may be directed to me, (815) 964-9934.  –JC

www.nisynod.org

www.lomc.org

www.graceplaceniu.com

Sunday, December 25, 2011

I have been amused and somewhat bemused recently by the discussion that has been taking place in many congregations.  Since Christmas falls on Sunday this year, pastors and worship committees are wondering what to do about worship services on Sunday, December 25.

I don’t have any proof of this, but it seems to me that over the past generation there has been a movement away from Christmas morning services in favor of Christmas Eve exclusively.  Christmas Eve services are plentiful and offered at a variety of hours.  Christmas Day services are harder to find.  Thus, the question of what to do this year is more significant than it has been in the past.

I served a congregation where the emphasis was on Christmas Eve.  In fact, I used to write two sermons for Christmas Eve because we had an early Eucharistic service (more oriented toward families) and a late candlelight service.  Two unique sermons were necessary because so many of the same faithful folks attended both services.  I would get home well after midnight.  Selfishly, I was glad that I did not have to get up early on Christmas morning to get back to church.

However, in those years when Christmas fell on Sunday, it was simply a short night.  We worshiped as we did every Sunday.  Although it was always a smaller group than a normal Sunday morning, I found that those who came for worship on Christmas morning made for a highly motivated group.  We had the opportunity to sing Christmas morning hymns that don’t make as much sense after dark.  We stepped out of the romantic glow of the manger into the light of a new day in Christ.

Certainly, multiple Christmas services are exhausting for pastors, musicians, choirs and sextons.  They are also taxing on worship committees and altar guilds.  There is a certain price that is paid by the families of those who are in leadership positions.  It is a bit tricky to schedule family activities in between trips to the church.  Christmas morning worship does add to the burden.

Congregations that do not normally have Christmas morning worship are considering whether it is worth the effort to have worship services on Sunday, December 25.  They are wondering if anyone will show up.  Congregations that normally do worship on Christmas are deciding whether to go ahead with their normal schedule for a Christmas morning or to maintain their normal Sunday morning schedule.

Whatever decision your congregation makes, it must be made soon and then well publicized in multiple ways. Finding a locked church door on Christmas morning, Sunday, December 25, would not make a very good gift. 

In case you’re wondering, Christmas has fallen on Sunday most recently in 1994 and 2005.  Comments?  Go to http://niselca.blogspot.com or comment on Facebook. --JC

Funeral Liturgy

I attended a memorial service this week at a United Methodist congregation. As an outsider I felt pretty comfortable. The guest book was in a prominent location. A representative of the funeral home told me where to sit. In the service itself, the only thing that was not printed in either the bulletin or the hymnal was the Lord’s Prayer. The pastor began, “Our Father, who art….” I quickly thought to myself, Methodists don’t say the emphatic “and ever” before the “Amen.” It was a beautiful service followed by a bountiful lunch.

My personal expectations for a good funeral or memorial service were met. Hymns were sung, the Scriptures were read, the Gospel was preached and Holy Communion was celebrated. Hospitality at lunch was gracious.

My own expectations have been formed by a lifetime in the church and years of experience as a pastor. I have officiated, been part of, or attended countless funerals. I know what seems right and fitting to me.

 

I am sure that everyone carries his or her own expectations into funeral worship. Those expectations may have been formed from their own church traditions or they may have been influenced by other sources. Once in a while the funeral of a celebrity or a dignitary may be televised. I watched Ron Santo’s funeral. From it one might surmise that all Roman Catholic funerals include eulogies and assigned seating.

People are also influenced by fictitious portrayals of funerals on TV and in movies. It is fairly easy to picture a grim-faced preacher in a flowing gown standing next to an open grave solemnly intoning the King James Version of the Twenty-third Psalm. In sitcoms the casket is always open and is surrounded by mountains of flowers and candles enough to resemble a forest fire. Think about the TV funerals that you can recall. Do any of them resemble what you have witnessed in the church?

We need to remember that many folks who attend funerals in our congregations come from other churches or have no experience with the church at all. They come out of respect for the deceased not knowing exactly what to expect, though they may have some preconceived notions. We need to be explicit in our instructions during worship and maybe even offer some commentary as we move through the liturgy.

Most people, including active church members, are not familiar with the funeral liturgy that we use. I think that is unfortunate. The funeral liturgy can and should be a source of comfort for those who mourn. But, it is hard for the liturgy to accomplish that goal if we are not familiar with it. As useful as funeral planning classes are, they never attract many people. I am wondering if it might be possible to incorporate portions of the funeral liturgy into what we do on an occasional Sunday. I might even be tempted to adapt the whole funeral liturgy for use on a Sunday. I think a congregation would hear the prayers and the Scripture readings much differently on a Sunday morning than it would at a funeral. The Good News can be hard to hear through the grief associated with a loved one’s death. However, I think we would all be better prepared if we went in knowing what to really expect.

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

Faith Stories

Pastor Chuck Steinke was the synod’s stewardship director prior to me.  At the time, I was glad that I didn’t have to do all that stewardship preaching.  Besides the occasional pastor’s installation, it seemed like preaching and teaching sound stewardship practices was all that he did.  I liked the greater variety that my portfolio afforded me.

When Pastor Steinke left the synod staff, Bishop Wollersheim tapped me to take over as stewardship director.  Soon I was preaching and teaching stewardship most of the time.  It’s not that stewardship wasn’t a passion of mine.  I was just afraid that serving as stewardship director would be somehow limiting.

After I had been preaching and teaching stewardship for four years, the ELCA created the position of Director of Evangelical Mission, with a job description that included stewardship.  Pastor Kurt Nordby joined our staff as our DEM and I passed the stewardship baton to him.  My job description once again included a lot of variety.  To my surprise, I missed the stewardship work!  I had found it to be much more fulfilling than I had anticipated.  I told Kurt that he could count on me to help in any way I could.

Fortunately, I am still called upon throughout the year and especially each fall to do some stewardship preaching.   In my preaching, I often tell the story of how I learned to be a good steward.  It began humbly in Sunday school and has continued to the present day.  I am still learning how to be generous.  In fact, I think a lot about what it takes to actually be generous.  For me, generosity is marked by unselfish, sacrificial giving.

I have learned to tell my stewardship story by listening to the stories of others.  We need to hear those stories in worship on Sundays.  As a pastor, I have had the privilege of hearing faith stories around kitchen tables, in circle meetings, in small groups, and in my office; but I have heard precious few in worship.  Whether we call them temple talks, testimonies, faith stories, or something else, we need to hear each other’s stories.  We would benefit from hearing how God is at work in the lives of others.  I think we would all become much more comfortable in talking about our faith if we just practiced a little.  What better place than in the midst of your own congregation?

Can your congregation make room in its worship for faith stories?  Are you willing to tell your own story?  Are you willing to hear the stories of others?

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

Farewell to Summer

Count me among the unwilling.  Autumn is arriving without my full endorsement.

I may be among the last to give up on summer.  After all, school is back in session and congregations are well into their fall routines. The first of the trees are changing color, we are experiencing cooler days and artificial Christmas trees have appeared in the big box stores.

It is hard to deny the change of seasons.  Even in the synod office we have shifted into the busier days of autumn.  We have had the first of this year’s Discipleship Gatherings and the normal schedule of meetings has resumed.  Only the calendar is on my side, but summer will officially give way to autumn on September 23.

I think that I am autumn resistant for a couple of reasons.  In spite of the incredible beauty of the season, I know what’s coming next.  I much prefer being warm to being cold.  But, that’s minor.  I know I would appreciate the other three seasons less if we didn’t have winter.  I think my real problem is that I really enjoyed this past summer.

There was much to enjoy.  Our Synod Assembly was fun.  The Churchwide Assembly was another great experience.  It is always reassuring to see the way the church takes care of its business.  It was a joy to make a personal commitment to the ELCA Malaria Campaign.  Our Synod Council has gotten back to work with its new members.  We’re in good hands.

Mackinaw City Lighthouse

I also enjoyed some vacation time.  I spent a few of my days off at Wrigley Field.  My wife and I spent a great week in North Dakota with my son and daughter-in-law.  Another few days were spent in Michigan exploring my childhood memories.  These were relaxing and joyful times for me and my wife.

As a parish pastor, I always thanked the congregation for the vacation time that I was granted as a part of my call.  The recommendation to congregations is that pastors receive four weeks with four Sundays of vacation each year.  This sometimes seems generous to a call committee or council, but the four weeks is given in recognition that pastors are on call 24/7 and often a missed day off is difficult to reschedule even in the smallest of parishes.  Pastors really never lack for something to do.

If you are a member of a mutual ministry committee or of your congregation council, I hope that you encourage your pastor to use his/her vacation time and to use all of it.  I have not always been good at that myself.  Make sure that your pastor is taking days off too.  At least one day per week is required to keep some sense of balance and two is preferable, though I do not know of many pastors who are able to take two.

This past week I saw a survey that reported that clergy have the highest job satisfaction of any profession.  That’s not surprising since most of us are doing what we believe God has called us to do.  What could be better than that?  But clergy also suffer burnout and stress at alarming rates.  It’s tough work.  At times, it is physically tiring and emotionally exhausting. Time off, which today means time without cell phone or email, helps combat those symptoms.

So, as my congregation, I thank you, the synod, for my vacation time.  This summer’s vacation was wonderful.  I’m just sad to see summer go.

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

Churchwide Assembly, August 19



Nicole Bilips addresses the assembly

 A short report to conclude my experiences at this assembly.

The Churchwide Assembly ended today with Bishop Hanson thanking the assembly for its good work. The assembly reciprocated by thanking Bishop Hanson for his leadership with a standing ovation. Secretary David Swartling announced that the 2013 Churchwide Assembly will be held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, which will be the first assembly held in Region 8 of the ELCA.

In case you’re wondering, as of this morning, 180 pledges had been received for the ELCA Malaria Campaign representing gifts of $165,100. While this is a very good start, I had really hoped to see at least 750 pledges. I know the economy is still bad. In fact, yesterday’s drop in the stock market was probably scary for many. But, we cannot let fear stand in the way of generosity. This is true in our giving to our congregations, in our Mission Support and in the special gifts we give.

The singing in today’s worship was robust even though some participants were looking a bit tired. The assembly was well engaged. I sang and clapped along as we sang one of my least favorite hymns. Pastor Janet Hunt suggested that judging by how people were singing, I must be the only one who doesn’t like it. Rather than risk offending you, I’ll just keep the hymn title to myself. By coincidence, I sat in the section of the worship space where our own bishop was distributing bread for Communion.

This was an easy assembly for me. I go along mostly to help the bishop and our voting members in any way that I am able. Our voting members had very few needs, which gave me more time to network and enjoy the company of some colleagues from across the church whom I see infrequently. I also go to be as well informed of the work of the ELCA as I can possibly be, so that I might serve the congregations of our synod better.

As I write this, I am at Orlando International Airport with about two hours to sit at the gate. I am reflecting on the positive end to the proceedings. I am fortunate to be a pastor of a church that is committed to making an impact in the world. I am privileged to serve a synod that is committed to outreach. God’s work. Our hands. It’s more than just a catchy slogan. It describes what we do as members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. We are claimed by Christ and given a mission. I am happy to be walking with you as we journey together.

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

Churchwide Assembly, August 18

At the end of business today, Bishop Wollersheim had a few words with our voting members. He said, “Today was an historic day for the church.” With all of today’s long business sessions and hours of sitting, it would have been easy to miss that fact. Here’s a recap.

I awoke this morning to the sound of something falling onto the floor of my hotel room. I thought it was odd but didn’t bother to look to see what it was. As my head cleared, I did get curious. It was my cell phone. I had set the alarm on my phone to wake me but I had left it in the “vibrate” mode. My phone had finally buzzed itself right off the table next to the bed. I guess it’s good that it hit the floor.

The first historic moment came when Sayyid Sayeed, the secretary general of the Islamic Society of America greeted the assembly. This is the first time a Muslim has addressed an ELCA assembly. He was gracious in his remarks and spoke of the importance of the work we can do together as a witness around the globe.

Another greeting came from Bishop George Walker Sr., Senior Bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, one of the historic African American denominations. This was also a first.

History was also made when the Social Statement on Genetics was adopted by a vote of 942 to 34. Before getting here I was not sure if the assembly would be in a mood to adopt this social statement. As I listened, it became evident that the voting members of this assembly felt this was important work. Geneticists and other scientists, farmers and pastors, all voting members from their synods, spoke in favor of the statement. Pictured above is Pastor Vicki Sauter as she spoke to the assembly.

Today’s worship concluded with an anointing for service. The sign of the cross was made with oil on the palms of our hands with the words, “May you be blessed, and may you be a blessing.” I’ve seen this done in congregations and I think it is a great idea. The presiding minister for the service was the Rev. Susan Johnson, national bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada. Bishop Johnson has been a friend of the Northern Illinois Synod for quite some time, so it was nice to see her again.

A budget was adopted for 2012 and 2013. Constitutional amendments were approved, one of which requires a congregation that has taken an unsuccessful first vote to leave the ELCA to wait six months before taking another vote. From our experience in Northern Illinois, this will be a healthy change that will benefit a congregation no matter what its final decision is.

The Churchwide Assembly will close tomorrow with a final business session followed by worship and then the exodus from Orlando will begin. Now, I need to pack my suitcase and see if I can squeeze everything I brought back in!

Be sure to check http://www.elca.org/ for a summary of all assembly actions. Comments? Go to the blog site: http://niselca.blogspot.com/ or comment on Facebook. --JC

Churchwide Assembly, August 17

The day began on time at 8:15 a.m. and then it wasn't long before we were behind schedule. I must say that Bishop Mark Hanson is a master at running a meeting. He is very fair and helps people say and do what they want to when they’re at a microphone. For anyone unfamiliar with parliamentary procedure, today’s proceedings might have seemed cumbersome. In reality, we witnessed the importance of rules of order to deal with memorials, amendments, amendments to amendments, etc.

The time of each session was lengthened to accommodate as much as possible. Highlights of the day include a change from a two year cycle for Churchwide Assemblies to a three year cycle beginning after 2013. The secretary, treasurer and vice-president of our ELCA each gave their reports. Christina Jackson-Skelton was honored for her service as treasurer as she leaves that post to become executive director of the Mission Advancement unit. Secretary David Swartling gave, what I believe to be, a terrific report. In it he had the assembly repeat after him, “My congregation’s constitution is a missional document.” Have you ever thought of your congregation’s constitution that way? If not, I invite you to do so!

I enjoyed the greeting from the general secretary of the Lutheran World Federation. The Rev. Martin Junge (Evangelical Lutheran Church of Chile) reminded us of the important work we do together with Lutherans throughout the world. We also heard from Lutheran Disaster Response and our ministry partners, Lutheran World Relief, Lutheran Services in America, and Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service.

The preacher at today’s worship was Pastor Livenson Lauvanus, president of the Lutheran Church in Haiti. He proclaimed, “There is no gospel without transformation.” The message of the gospel changes everything. One hymn in worship was unfamiliar to me. I believe it is French in origin. One stanza begins, “Lord, Jesus, I’ll praise you as long as I journey.” My heart was wholly engaged in worship today.

Just prior to worship, Bishop Wollersheim gathered our voting members for a group picture. I’ll post the one I took, although it isn’t very good. Karin Graddy will have a better one for us.

Each day I am posting some quotes from our voting members on the synod’s Facebook page. I do want to share what voting member Bob McVinnie said here. Bob said, “The assembly is just exhilarating. I have been emotionally moved to tears a few times.” Me too, Bob.

As the assembly gathered for lunch, the assistants to the bishop who are present from a number of synods joined together at the invitation of the churchwide organization. It was good to have conversation with old friends and get caught up on what we need to know. I don’t know what everyone else had to eat, but the salmon we had was delicious.

I told you yesterday that I had made my pledge for the ELCA Malaria Campaign. So far at this assembly, there have been 111 pledges made which represent a total commitment of $106,785. That’s great, but there are about 1,200 people here. I’m hoping the total goes much higher. I can’t wait for you to have an opportunity to make a commitment too.

This evening there was a reception for everyone hosted by seminaries and colleges. I spoke with one seminary president and a representative from one of our collges in California. It is hard to not be impressed with what our colleges and seminaries are doing.

Now a long day has come to an end. Since we’re a bit behind schedule, the assembly will begin 15 minutes early tomorrow. There’s a lot of work left to do. We thank God for a good day.

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

Churchwide Assembly, August 16

Today’s business at the Churchwide Assembly was taken care of this morning. The assembly worked on the LIFT (Living into the Future Together) implementing resolutions and constitutional issues related to LIFT and program committees. While the assembly tended to their business, I filled out my Leadership Circle commitment to the ELCA Malaria Campaign. Everyone at the assembly has been invited to consider a four year pledge to help eradicate malaria. I am hoping that many here will make significant commitments. Can you imagine the impact of 1,000 to 1,200 people leaving this place and going home to tell the story having already made their pledge? I later placed my commitment into a basket with many others. Fair warning…we’ll be talking about this in Northern Illinois!

The day took on an international flair as soon as we entered worship. The gathering song was a stunning solo sung in Japanese. The first hymn, sung in English, was of Japanese origin. We heard a compelling sermon delivered by the Rev. Marysol Diaz Feliciano, an ELCA pastor serving a congregation in Puerto Rico. Her sermon was based on Luke 24:13-25, which she had read in Spanish. Today’s offering was designated for the ELCA Malaria Campaign. We celebrate Holy Communion each day.

This afternoon was devoted to a Bible study followed by a Mission Encounter, which is something new to this assembly. In two sessions, participants learned of how ELCA ministries are impacting immigrant populations in the U.S and churches throughout the world. I was particularly interested in learning of the work we Lutherans are doing as we accompany the church in China. I think a few people must have skipped out on the second session in the tired hours of the late afternoon. I saw some empty chairs.

This evening’s dinner would have enlivened even the sleepiest soul. The musicians, perhaps the most ethnically diverse group I have had the privilege to hear, provided a great variety of international music. I was unable to sit still in my seat as they sang, and that’s saying something. I wish my wife could have heard them; she would have loved every note and every word. They sang from a number of traditions and in differing styles.

Our dinner was also made up of international flavors. While I loved the hummus, I just took a polite serving of the herring. I can honestly say that I have never had sushi for dessert before. Mango sushi is OK if you don’t mind the seaweed.

So, it was not an overly taxing day for our voting members, but it was tiring nonetheless. It’s back to business tomorrow morning at 8:15 a.m. Don’t forget to check the ELCA website (www.elca.org/assembly) for news releases, legislative action, and live streaming of plenary sessions and worship services. Be sure to check out http://livinglutheran.com/contest to see the videos that have been submitted from across our church. Some are simply terrific.

Thank you for your prayers. Continue to pray for this assembly and the voting members from our Northern Illinois Synod. Pictured above is the assembly at work this morning. The cross is the backdrop for our worship. Comments? Go to http://niselca.blogspot.com/. --JC

Shots from Churchwide Assembly, August 15

Polly Wollersheim is pictured with Pastor Janet Hunt who is a voting member.


Leona Peterson Spear is attending as a congregational observer and George Sanchez is a voting member.

Pastor Robert Franek is seated in the section for congregational observers.

Pastor Ralph (voting member) and Gayle (visitor) Kuespert enjoy conversation with a new friend.

Three voting members from three congregations in Rockford, Pastor Michael Thomas, Pastor Jay Quinn and Lori Mueller.

Churchwide Assembly--The Work Begins

The first day of the Churchwide Assembly has come to an end. All of our Northern Illinois folks are doing just fine. By now everyone is oriented and can find their way from their room down to the assembly hall, worship space and dining room.

Host Bishop Ed Benoway of the Florida-Bahamas Synod greeted the assembly. Referring to both hurricanes and controversy, he said that his synod has had to withstand some heavy storms in the past few years. “But,” he said, “the church is designed to withstand strong forces. We are a resilient church and a resilient people of God.” These were good words to hear as the assembly began its work.

Bishop Mark Hanson preached and presided at this afternoon’s Holy Communion. Using the texts for Mary, Mother of our Lord, he asked, “Are we as the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America ready to be moved by the Spirit as Mary was moved?” He said that by the time the assembly closes on Friday that question will have been answered. It was a powerful sermon.

This evening the assembly adopted a resolution that approved the ELCA Malaria Campaign. This will be a churchwide effort to support the elimination of malaria. The goal is to raise $15 million in the next four years. It would seem to be a highly achievable goal.

Read more about assembly actions at http://www.elca.org/.

Tomorrow’s first plenary begins at 8:00 a.m., so it will be a short night!

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

Churchwide Assembly--Travel Day

Today, Sunday, has been a day of travel for most of the 1,025 voting members and approximately 500 others coming to the Churchwide Assembly in Orlando. We are gathering under the theme “Freed in Christ to Serve.” The official business of the gathering will begin tomorrow afternoon, preceded by hearings and a voting member orientation tomorrow morning.

Lori Mueller, a voting member from Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd in Rockford, and I took the bus from Rockford down to O’Hare. Due to the bus departure time, neither one of us made it to church for worship, so it has hardly felt like Sunday. I had calculated which bus I needed be on, allowing some extra time for the construction on I-90. I must admit that I was a tad bit nervous when the driver announced that there was a semi rollover that was slowing traffic down. When traffic came to a stop before we even got to Belvidere, I resigned myself to the fact that this was a situation beyond my control and immersed myself in the Sunday newspaper I had brought along.

As it was, the bus was only 15 minutes late getting to the airport. The lines were long through security, but I got through just fine. Last February I had the joy of experiencing a full body scan. I now know that this would be far preferable to the search Lori experienced. One pat down apparently wasn’t enough and she was escorted off to a private room. I was relieved to find out that she was deemed to be safe for travel. After all, we were on the same flight!

We ran into Pastor Vicki Sauter, a voting member from Immanuel, Amboy. I still can’t figure out how Vicki made it to the airport about the same time we did, after leading worship in Amboy before driving to O’Hare. Her story made me felt a bit guilty, but I recalculated and again concluded that there was no way I could have made it to church this morning.

My suitcase made it to Orlando, but I didn’t recognize it without the neon red luggage tag it had on it when I checked it at O’Hare. The American Airlines employee, who apparently had had a very bad day, assured me that my case had indeed made it to Orlando. A quick search (on my part) of unclaimed luggage yielded a happy result.

Typical of Florida in the summer, there was a late afternoon thunderstorm, but it occurred while we were on the bus between the Orlando airport and the Orlando World Center Marriott. (This hotel and convention complex is big enough to live up to its name.) It was quite a downpour, but it was sunny, hot and humid when we arrived at the hotel. The check-in line moved rapidly. Lori, Vicki and I decided to run up to our rooms then meet in the lobby to check in for the assembly and have dinner. I very much surprised a couple when I entered the room that had been assigned to me! To be fair, they surprised me too! “Can I help you?” she said. “Uh, no,” I said as I backed out. They never saw my face, so there will be no embarrassing situations while we’re here. At least not with them. I went back to the front desk and was assigned a different room.

I asked both Lori and Vicki what they are looking forward to in this assembly. Both are anxious to experience the worship and to be a part of the business of the church. I have seen or spoken to a number of our other voting members and some from Northern Illinois who are attending as visitors or congregational observers. This hotel is alive with conversation between Lutherans from across the country.

Statistically speaking, it is a small number of ELCA members who are able to experience a Churchwide Assembly in person. Thanks to current technology and the Internet, you will be able to experience the assembly with those of us who are here. Just go to www.elca.org/assembly. All of the plenary sessions and worship will be streamed live.

It’s time for me to call it a day. Please remember to pray for this assembly and all of its voting members. Oh, by the way, has anybody seen Bishop Wollersheim? I know he’s here somewhere.

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

Conversation Starters

You are probably familiar with all of the stereotypes of Lutherans. Garrison Keillor has made them famous. They are, for the most part, amusing. We can certainly poke fun at ourselves. If you have seen a stage production of “Church Basement Ladies,” the stereotypes are emphasized in hilarious fashion. In fact, I could attach a name from my past to each and every character in the play. I have met them all.

The humor is probably lost on Lutherans who are native to other parts of the country. Truth be told, a lot of Midwestern and Upper Midwestern Lutherans do resemble the folks in Lake Wobegon. However, I get a bit worried when I hear Lutherans described as “shy” because I think we can use that as an excuse. I don’t think Lutherans are so much shy as we are poorly equipped to tell the story of God’s love for us.

One basic issue seems to be the matter of how to enter into the conversation. I believe there are many people who have a deep faith and a desire to talk about what they have come to know about God. They just don’t know how to share the good news of Christ. How does one enter a conversation without sounding like a religious zealot?

My main form of exercise is walking. When I take a walk I always wear a baseball cap. Most of the time it’s a Cubs cap, but I also have a Minnesota Twins cap. I have found those two caps to be great conversation starters. With the Cubs cap, I immediately find people with whom to share my misery. I have had countless short conversations about Cubs players, management, and the joy of spending time at Wrigley Field.

Once I put on a cap, I’m committed to wearing it for the rest of the day. I have no choice. My hair doesn’t recover from the experience. So it was that I was recently wearing the Twins cap at the gas station. The minivan at the pump just ahead of me had Minnesota plates. The woman pumping gas into the van saw the cap and immediately asked, “Are you from Minnesota?” The conversation was off and running. Later that day I stopped at Papa John’s to pick up a pizza. A young guy in the kitchen interrupted the person helping me at the cash register to ask if Denard Span had been traded. I quickly realized that it was my cap that prompted the question. I also realized that wearing the Twins cap had implied that this Cubs fan actually knows something about the Twins.

Even the most introverted or shy among us would soon be engaged in conversation wearing the right cap! I might have been poorly equipped to discuss the Twins latest trades, but the conversation took place. (In case you’re wondering, the Twins did not make any trades before the deadline.)
I have a small variety of t-shirts, polos and sweat shirts from different congregations in our synod, two or three of them from the congregation of which I am a member. Wearing one might help start a conversation, but I have found them to be far less effective than the baseball caps!

One way to be better equipped to talk about your faith is to practice. About three or four years ago, the ELCA stewardship staff produced a resource called “Stories to Tell. Gifts to Share.” It included a set of bookmarks with 50 conversation starter questions that were to be used with other members of your congregation. It was a great idea. What better way to practice talking about your faith than with someone who shares your faith and probably wants to be better equipped too? Your congregation should provide a safe place to practice.

In a meeting in which we were planning this year’s Discipleship Gatherings, I challenged myself to express my faith in a tweet. A tweet has a maximum of 140 characters. I wonder if this might just be the conversation starter for which I’ve been searching. It won’t fit on a cap, but it might fit on a t-shirt. What do you think?

God made me, loves me, saved me, forgives me, and sent me to you. I have a great story to tell. May I tell it to you?

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

Jesus and the Musical Saw

I love worship. I always have.

My first memory of worship is sitting with my father in the first pew on the pulpit side of Victory Evangelical Lutheran Church in Detroit. I must have been about six years old at that time because my brother was still in the pre-Kindergarten class that met during the worship hour. That’s where Mom was too, helping out. I remember being wedged between my dad and the pew end. It was such a secure feeling with his arm around my back.

My dad figured that if we sat in the front pew I would be able to see everything that was going on and the chances of my misbehaving would decrease. The sights and sounds intrigued me. Organ, stained glass images, brass appointments, colorful paraments—I took it all in. The liturgy never changed much, so I knew it all by heart. In those early years, I didn’t know what the words meant, but I knew them. Right in front of us, carved into the front of the pulpit, were some of the first words I learned to read, “Sir, we would see Jesus.”

There are certain things I believe about worship. I believe worship is the most important thing that a congregation does. I believe worship demands our very best effort, every week. I believe worship should always provide an encounter with the living God. In word and sacrament, song and assembly, we should be able to see Jesus. I also believe worship should be fun. (Perhaps I will define what I consider to be “fun” sometime in the future.)

I believe a congregation’s worship should be so inviting, so sacred, and so important to one’s life that it becomes the highest priority in one’s week. Yes, I think this is possible even in today’s world, though it may take some creative scheduling in some communities.

I love worship. That’s why I have a couple of concerns.

Bishop Wollersheim, Pastor Kurt Nordby and I have the opportunity to worship all around the synod. It is a joyful part of our ministry. But, I have been led to wonder on more than just a few occasions, if the necessary amount of planning is going into our weekend worship experiences. I do not normally do any supply preaching. I am usually a guest preacher when the resident pastor is present. However, when I do lead a service, I always ask to see the bulletin ahead of time and I ask that someone walk me through the service(s). I practice the liturgy and whatever reading I will be doing.

I have found that worship becomes very uncomfortable when it appears that the worship leaders (pastor, assisting minister, lector, musicians) are unprepared. I have high expectations of every sermon. I also quickly discern if a service has been slapped together or if it has been thought through and well-planned.

If worship is the most important thing that we do, then we must give it the attention that it deserves.

My second concern is that I think we may just be stifling creativity with our labels. As congregations have expanded their worship offerings, we see more and more schedules with, for the lack of any better terms, a traditional service and a contemporary service. Two worship styles require twice the amount of planning and preparation. If a congregation offers more than one style, each service should strive for excellence. In some places, I see one style worship service being emphasized at the expense of the other.

Personally, I am a fan of a blended worship style. The introduction of Evangelical Lutheran Worship reminded us that our Lutheran liturgy is very flexible. I love singing some of the great hymns of faith that I recall from my childhood. I also love some of the newer music we have available to us. Too often folks think that 300 year old hymns accompanied by an organ are the only acceptable music for a traditional service. Others feel that contemporary services should only embrace songs that were written in the past five years and are accompanied by keyboard, guitar and drums. Congregations can get locked into certain patterns with those traditional and contemporary labels.

In the past month, I have experienced some creativity in worship that has brought smiles to the faces in the pew. Worship in one place was led by four accordions. In another congregation, the prelude was played on a musical saw. Contemporary? Traditional? I haven’t a clue. But, it sure was fun.

The people of your congregation want to see Jesus. Does your worship help them do so? Comments? Go to http://niselca.blogspot.com/ or comment on Facebook. --JC