ELCA Youth Gathering--Practice Discipleship

I was walking alone down a street in the French Quarter.  I was wearing our synod’s youth t-shirt and my youth gathering wristband , both of which identified me as being part of the massive gathering that had invaded New Orleans.  A woman walking in the opposite direction stopped me to say, “Thank you for being here.”  That’s it.  It was just a simple word of thanks.

I had heard similar stories, but had not experienced it myself.  It took me by surprise.  My son was speaking with the concierge of his hotel.  He too expressed his thanks for what our ELCA youth were doing for his city.  He told my son that since Hurricane Katrina he had seen many groups come and go.  He was impressed with the ELCA because “you practice what you preach.”  He no doubt was referring to the 400 service and learning projects being done across the city.  They were done in the name of justice, but they were also a great example of discipleship.

Practice Discipleship.  One day of the recent youth gathering was devoted to learning more about and practicing discipleship.  In recent years, the ELCA has emphasized seven faith practices associated with discipleship.  They are pray, study, worship, invite, encourage, serve and give.  After a morning of worship and study, our youth were sent out into the city to explore discipleship in a fun way.  I was not part of a group as they discussed “invite.”  I wish I had been because the youth discussed how they could be more inviting personally and in their congregations.  They may have ideas to share with you in their home congregations.

Don’t be surprised if your youth’s idea of invitation is a bit broader than your own.  At the youth gathering, I believe that the message they heard regarding radical inclusivity was the most well received of any.  If you would like to hear the Rev. Nadia Bolz-Weber’s message click here: http://youtu.be/kM9Y5S3UYi8.

Are there ways your congregation could have some fun in discovering how to be better disciples of Jesus?

Comments?  Go to the blog site or comment on Facebook.  --JC

ELCA Youth Gathering--Practice Justice

"What does the Lord require of you, but to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with your God."

The magnitude of the disappointment surprised me.  A number of the youth of our synod were unable to participate in their planned Practice Justice service projects in New Orleans because of the torrential rain that we experienced on Friday.

Meghan, Minnette and Anna

I accompanied the youth and leader from Freedom (Oregon, IL).  Together, we participated in a Literacy Matters project, which meant we worked indoors.  We traveled with a bus load of others to a school in the city where a summer day camp was being held.  We read to the children, presented books to them as gifts, and helped them with art projects.  I also had the opportunity to speak to a teacher of the school, not involved with the day camp, who was setting up her classroom.  School there starts in just a couple of weeks.  She is the first Katrina with whom I have had an extended conversation.  It was a great day for us.

The day began with worship and some introductory information at the Superdome.  We got wet running through the pouring rain to the bus.  The weather was so bad and the streets so flooded that we were held on the bus for quite a while.  I think our bus was floating as we left downtown!  After we returned to the Superdome, we walked through ankle deep water to get back to the hotel.  We were lucky.  Some of the groups that were assigned to do outdoor projects never left the dome.

I knew that the service component of the youth gathering was important to the whole youth gathering experience, but I underestimated its importance to the youth.  On Saturday morning, I spoke to some who had missed the opportunity.  They were really sad because they had looked forward to being out in the community.  I was pleased to know that one disappointed group had already developed a plan for a service project at home.

Gathering volunteers wore distinctive orange shirts

Service to the community is a significant component of living out one’s faith and it is one that our youth expect.  Our Lutheran youth understand that loving like Jesus means service to our neighbor.  We serve in response to the Gospel.  We do not need to travel far to serve.  There are needs to be addressed next door, down the street and around the corner.

If we wish to make the church relevant to our youth, we must offer opportunities for service.  We need to work side by side with them.  Our youth can be an example to us and we can learn from them.

What opportunities already exist in your congregation?  What new opportunities might your congregation explore?  How will you allow youth to lead?

Share comments on the blog site or comment on Facebook.  --JC

2012 ELCA Youth Gathering

The organizers of the 2012 ELCA Youth Gathering placed upon synodical bishops the expectation that they would attend this year’s gathering and take an active part in the life of this church’s young people.  It took little more than an invitation because most if not all bishops highly value youth ministry and faith formation.  In the end, a very impressive 63 of 65 bishops were in attendance to engage and participate.  Bishop Wollersheim’s sabbatical this summer conflicted with the Gathering, a fact which caused him some considerable distress.  He debated about what to do, but he was finally persuaded by his staff and family that his sabbatical had to be the higher priority.  It was several months ago that he asked if I would attend in his place.

The Northern Illinois Synod had approximately 51 congregations represented at the gathering.  I don’t know the exact number because some youth may have registered with another congregation.  In all, we had over 600 from our synod in New Orleans.  They traveled there by bus, train, van and air.  The largest group had 41 and the smallest was a group of two.

The bishops were specifically asked to assist in a Practice Peacemaking activity, to accompany a congregation in a Practice Justice service project, and to preach for their respective synod’s Practice Discipleship worship.  As the bishop’s stand-in, I was assigned to be a prayer partner, to accompany Freedom SAWC (Oregon, IL) for their day of service and to preach and preside for the Northern Illinois Synod’s worship.

It was great fun for me to share God’s Word and share Communion with our young people and their adult leaders.  A flooded ballroom at the Marriott forced us to move to a less ideal space one floor below, but we did just fine in the slightly cramped quarters.  The day before our synod worship, I was informed that a young woman had asked if it would be possible to be baptized.  Hakilah was baptized from water held in plastic ice cream cups I hastily purchased from the Walgreen’s across the street.  What incredible joy filled the room as I poured the water over her head! 

There are photos, videos, summaries, blogs and Facebook entries that tell the story of the Gathering.  I hope you will take a look at what’s out there.  Pay closest attention to materials provided by the youth.  If you had youth from your congregation attend the Gathering, ask them about the experience.  They will want to tell you.  Listen carefully and you will hear how the Holy Spirit moved them.  Allow these young people to teach you something about how to practice your faith.  They have spent the better part of a week practicing their faith in new and exciting ways.

If you, as a congregation member, participated in any fundraiser or helped youth from your congregation in any way to get to New Orleans, please receive the thanks of your youth and your synod.  An experience such as this is expensive in dollars but priceless in what it can do in a young life.

I am both physically and emotionally tired from this past week’s gathering in New Orleans.  My tiredness is nothing compared to that of the pastors and adult leaders who traveled with youth from their congregations.  Be sure to thank those who traveled from your congregation with your youth.  They are special folks.

Selfishly, I am so very glad that I was able to attend in Bishop Wollersheim’s place.  I am filled with gratitude for the experiences of the time we had together in New Orleans.

Comments?  Go to the blog site or comment on Facebook.  Find more Gathering info here.  --JC

citizens with the saints

The ELCA Youth Gathering will take place this week, Wednesday through Sunday.  In excess of 33,000 folks from across the ELCA will be in New Orleans for this event.  The vast majority, of course, are youth from our congregations.  Adding to their numbers are their adult leaders/chaperones, volunteers, and institutional representatives.  The theme for this year’s gathering is, “citizens with the saints.”  It is based upon this paraphrased passage from Ephesians:

Jesus is our peace. In his life and death on the cross, Jesus broke down the dividing walls so that we are no longer strangers and outsiders, but we are citizens with the saints and also members of the household of God. The foundation of God’s house was built of apostles and prophets, and Jesus, the cornerstone, holds it all together.

The gathering website states that the “theme also blends the rich faith history, diverse cultures and arts of New Orleans with the communion of saints that is present whenever and wherever God’s people gather!”

I first accompanied a group to a national event in 1979 when The American Lutheran Church’s youth event was held in Kansas City.  I watched as our youth participated in the mass gatherings and were challenged by such speakers as the Rev. Jesse Jackson.   I shared the awe of our youth, who had never previously realized that there were thousands upon thousands of young Lutherans from across the country, some just like them and some very different from them. I witnessed lives being changed by Christ.

Youth ministry is a lot different today than it was 33 years.  But, in all these intervening years, I have believed and still believe that there is nothing better or more important that a congregation can do than to encourage its youth to attend the ELCA Youth Gathering.  Lives are changed.

These days, not only are the lives of our youth being changed, but the lives of those whom they serve are changed.  Can you imagine the impact on New Orleans as our youth are sent out for a day of service in the community?

A common concern regarding the youth gathering is the expense to participants and congregations.  I know it takes a lot, and I do mean a lot, of fundraising, congregational gifts and sacrifice on the part of families.  But, for what the youth receive in terms of transportation, accommodations, resources, facilities in the host city, not to mention the opportunities for which we cannot place a value such as faith building and service to the community, the experience is, in my opinion, worth every penny.

There are 600 youth and adults attending from the Northern Illinois Synod.  I will be among them.  Would you please remember all of us in your prayers this week?  If you have youth attending from your congregation, please pray for them by name.  They will be encountering Christ in new ways and they will come home to you changed.

Comments?  Please go to the blog website or comment on Facebook.  --JC

A Story from my Youth

During Christmas break at the end 1971, our church high school youth group attended a Lutheran Youth Congress at a hotel located just outside of Washington, D.C.  The weather was unusually warm that winter.  One of the enticements to attend was the promise of a rink for ice skating, but all we got was a slushy mess.  The temperature during those two days topped 70 degrees.

My brother and I were both in high school at the time.  He was a 14 year old freshman and I was a 16 year old junior.  We did our best to avoid each other, so he went his way and I went mine, but we both remember the event, or parts of it, very well.

First, I remember trying very hard to catch the attention of a certain girl in our group.  We were already friends and saw each other at church multiple times during the course of a week.  The problem was that it was always in the context of worship or youth group.  This event provided the opportunity for me to make my move.  What would it be?  How might I impress her?  I didn’t have a plan.

I also remember that the keynote speaker for the event was Nicky Cruz, who had been the subject of David Wilkerson’s 1962 book, The Cross and the Switchblade.  The story had been released as a movie with the same title in 1970, so it was fresh in our minds.  Pat Boone played the role of evangelist Wilkerson and Erik Estrada played Cruz.

Nicky Cruz told us his compelling story.  He had been a gang member in New York City.  His life was on a violent path.  He met up with Wilkerson, whose preaching of an unconditionally loving Jesus transformed Cruz’s life.

He told his story to a ballroom full of Lutheran teens who sat in silence with rapt attention.  His words were meant to tug at every emotional string of a hormonal teenager’s fabric.  Girls were in tears.  Boys appeared stoic while sniffing their noses.  I was sitting right next to the girl I hoped would be my first real girlfriend.  I passed her a Kleenex.  That was surely worth a point in my favor.

Then, before I could even see it coming, there was an awkward moment that presented a golden opportunity.  The altar call.

I couldn’t believe it.  An altar call for hundreds of us Lutheran kids.  I looked down the row of seats for my brother.  His horrified look matched my own.   Where was our pastor?  What were we supposed to do?  We had been well schooled in our Lutheran upbringing to know that no decision on our part was necessary.  The decision had been made by Christ when we were claimed as children of God in baptism.

I had a non-Lutheran high school friend who was fond of reminding me, as often as he could as a part of his Christian calling, that I would spend eternity in hell because I had never been saved.  I had never accepted Jesus.  He just didn’t buy that Jesus had already accepted me.

A few years later, the author of some devotional material provided a response that would have come in handy.  She said when someone asked her if she had accepted Jesus as her personal Lord and Savior, she would respond by asking that person if she had accepted her mother.  Her point was that you cannot accept your mother.  She is simply your mother.  The same is true of Jesus.  Jesus is Lord and Savior.  Accept it or not.

Nicky Cruz called upon all of us who wanted to give our lives to Jesus to stand.  We were to take our time so we made a good decision.  Emotionally wrought young people across the room began to stand.  I didn’t.  Jesus and I were already in a good relationship.  But then, she stood.  She, whose affection and attention I sought, stood up.  What was I to do?  If I didn’t stand, she would think less of me no matter how I tried to explain.  If I did stand, well, in the end, what difference would it really make?  In a sense, I had recommitted myself to Christ at my confirmation.  I knew we renewed our relationship with Jesus every morning.  What would it hurt?  It was my golden opportunity to impress her and impress her mightily.  I stood.  We were asked to repeat a prayer that I don’t remember.  A great mumbling murmur swept the room.

My relationship with Jesus has continued now for a long time.  It began the day I was baptized and it continues to grow.  It is a personal faith lived out in the community of believers.  As for that youth event now so long ago, I sum it up this way.  I gave my life to Jesus, but I didn’t get the girl.

25th Anniversary

We are now just a couple of days away from the 25^th annual assembly of the Northern Illinois Synod!  In the past, I have likened the assembly to a family reunion.  This year it has felt like we have been planning a party.

Augustana College is our host.

I am looking forward to hearing from Lowell Almen, former secretary of the churchwide organization. He carries an unbelievable knowledge of the ELCA and its predecessor bodies.  We will be honored by the presence and preaching of our former presiding bishop, Herb Chilstrom.  We will be greeting and thanking former synod officers and former synod staff members.  I have a great appreciation for all of them.

In his report, Bishop Wollersheim will be sharing a video that will review the history of the synod.  We will be reminded of how far we’ve come and get a sense of where we’re headed.  We have an amazing story to tell.  It will be fun to see the story in images chosen from over 4,000 in the synod’s collection.  Each congregation will receive its own copy of the video and it will be available later online.

We will have two wonderful worship opportunities.  On Friday evening, four new pastors will be ordained.  On Saturday afternoon (at 1:30 p.m.) we will celebrate our anniversary.  Though we will not have a full memorial service, we will be remembering one synod pastor who died in the past year and members of our congregations who have died in prayer.

Members of Trinity, Moline helped pack bags

Of course, we will also be taking care of business such as adopting a budget and holding elections.  The agenda is very full!  A certain highlight will be the reception of a new congregation, Lord of Love, Galena.  If you’ve never been at an assembly when a new congregation is introduced, you are in for an inspiring moment.

When we leave Rock Island on Saturday afternoon, we will have taken a look back over 25 years.   But, more importantly, we will be sent into the future recommitted to the mission of Christ and the work of the church.  Looking back once in a while is a good exercise.   It tells us something about who we are.  Looking forward is exciting.  What is God calling us to do and be in the next 25 years?

Comments?  Go to the blog website or comment on Facebook.  --JC

Photography Club

My grandfather was an avid amateur photographer.  Slide shows were a regular post-dinner pastime for our family when we were at my grandparents’ home.  Grandpa would set up the screen and projector in their small living room and we would listen to the stories he attached to each photo.  He took thousands of photos through his life and he kept every single one.  He had pictures from every trip he and my grandma took.   He chronicled the lives of my brother and me.  He loved the technology as it improved.  I remember metal framed slides that were loaded one at a time into the projector.  The frames eventually changed to cardboard and he had an early carousel projector made by Kodak.

I come by my interest honestly.  I do not remember a time when I did not have a camera of my own.  As a kid, I enjoyed taking the pictures, saving my money to have the film developed at our Rexall Drug Store, and making albums that told my own stories.  I thought drop-in film cartridges and flash cubes were amazing advances! 

The last time I was a member of a photography club was during my junior year of high school.  Back then we learned the basics of dark room use and photo developing—skills which are not in heavy demand today!  By now, I’ve had three digital cameras, none of high quality, but good enough to have some fun.

A few weeks ago Pastor Jeff Schlesinger (St. Matthew, Princeton) has a passion for connecting faith and photography.  He convened a group of five of us from our synod to consider forming a new photography club.  This past Sunday evening, the first official meeting of the Northern Illinois Synod Photography Club met at Lutheran Outdoor Ministries Center.  About a dozen of us from as far away as Lockport and Galva gathered.

At the meeting we adopted a purpose statement.  “The Northern Illinois Synod Photography Club is a group of the baptized who love photography and gather to make their photography a part of their faith journey through mutual sharing, learning, and photographing.”

How many club meetings begin with devotions?  How often are you invited to see God through the lens of a camera?  I had a great time at the meeting.  I am in awe of the talents of some and their willingness to help those who are less skilled, like me.  I met some new folks and we are all anxious to welcome more.

John the Baptist at LOMC

For part of the meeting we went outside and took some pictures.  Here’s my effort.

Do you love photography?  Would you enjoy spending time with brothers and sisters from our synod?  You’re invited!  No skill level is required.  Our next meeting will be at 5:00 p.m. Sunday, July 15 at LOMC.  I volunteered to bring treats!

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

Remembering

It was a Saturday early last month.   It occurred to me that it was my grandmother’s birthday.  Although her memorial service was held the day before my ordination (29 years ago), I have always recalled her birthday.  I called my brother and I asked him if he knew what day it was.  After a couple of incorrect guesses, I told him the significance of the day.  “Grandma was born 110 years ago today.”  “I had forgotten,” he said.

It was not surprising that he didn’t remember.  It seems that every family has one member that knows the family history and has memorized all of the important dates.  My brother is not the keeper of dates in our family.

Grandma’s birthday did make me stop and think a bit.  In truth, it made me think a lot.  Could it be that I was the only one who had remembered her birthday?  Who else would know?  There are precious few people who would remember her at all.  Of course, my brother and I still have lots of stories to make us laugh and many loving memories.

We were especially close to Grandma because she lived with us throughout our childhood until we were grown and gone from home.  She was just about the only babysitter we ever had.  Even so, we cannot tell you many stories of her life in “the old country.”  We cannot tell you of her life with our grandfather.  We just don’t know those stories.

The number of stories diminishes with each succeeding generation.  I shared this picture with my son and he recognized it as a picture of me taken on my baptismal day, but he didn’t know which of my grandmothers was holding me.  Part of this story may already be lost.

Last Sunday in worship, I preached on the story of the Ethiopian eunuch, which is found in Acts.  Following the service, a visitor complimented me on my sermon and said, “I’ve never heard that story before.”  Fortunately, we as a Christian family have a written history, so we are not in danger of losing the stories, no matter how many generations pass.  But, the stories of our own lives of faith are not recorded.  We need to tell those stories ourselves.

As a Christian community, we have family stories to tell.  We tell them so that our children and our children’s children will know the love of God and how that love compels us to live.

We are called to remember each time we are invited to the Lord’s table.  “Do this for the remembrance of me.”  Lord, let us never forget.

Comments?  Go to the blog website or comment on Facebook.  --JC

SAWC Update

The other day I was asked about how our Synodically Authorized Worshiping Communities (SAWCs) are doing.  I am happy to report that they are doing well!  Pastor Kurt Nordby, our Director of Evangelical Mission, has been working closely with each SAWC and believes their potential for continued growth and community impact is great.

When I first wrote about our SAWCs (July 2010), we had four active worshiping communities.  Much has happened in their lives since then.

Together in Christ, Johnsburg had a short life and merged back into Joyful Harvest when it returned to the ELCA.  Its servant leader, Doug Liston, has served Joyful Harvest during his internship and while completing his seminary studies at Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago.  We anticipate celebrating his ordination at this year’s synod assembly.

Lord of Love, Galena outgrew its original space and now meets at the Ramada Inn.  Dennis Hill serves as its servant leader.  Hill, a former Baptist pastor, will also likely be ordained at this year’s synod assembly.  He is quick to remind everyone, “At Lord of Love, when we say, ‘All are welcome,’ we mean it.”  Lord of Love will be received as a congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America at the synod assembly in June.  This will no doubt be a highlight of this 25^th anniversary assembly.

Open Arms' young musicians lead worship

Freedom, Oregon continues to meet at Lutheran Outdoors Ministries Center.  Worship has moved from Freedom Tree Village to the dining hall for the additional space that is needed.  Pastor Frank Lay continues to serve Freedom.

Servant Leader Elizabeth Martin

Open Arms, Rockton has a new space to call home.  It is a storefront in the business district, providing worship, fellowship, meeting and office space.  This replaces a school for Sunday worship and private homes for everything else.  Open Arms’ servant leader is Elizabeth Martin.  Elizabeth is an associate in ministry and is currently studying in the M.Div. program at Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago.

Each of our SAWCs is serving as the ELCA presence in their respective communities and bringing the good news of our resurrected Lord.  Other synods have looked to the Northern Illinois Synod for advice on how to utilize the SAWC concept since we have used it in a way for which it was not originally conceived.  Our SAWCs were first places of healing and solace and are now communities of faith, outreach and service.

Comments?  Go to the blog website or comment on Facebook.   –JC

Links:  Joyful Harvest Lutheran Church; Lord of Love, Open Arms.

Love One Another

The synod’s finance committee recently met to work on the 2013 budget, which must be presented to the Synod Assembly in June.  Bishop Wollersheim led devotions to open the meeting and included a prayer of Bishop Oscar Romero.  At the time of his death, Romero was the Roman Catholic Archbishop of San Salvador.  We were meeting on the 32^nd anniversary of Romero’s death, March 24, which made Bishop Wollersheim’s thoughts and Romero’s prayer all the more significant.

Romero was murdered at the altar while celebrating the Eucharist in 1980.  He had been fighting for the freedom of the Church in El Salvador and the rights of the poor.  I was in seminary at the time and recall him becoming the topic of conversation.  Liberation theology was a hot topic too.

In my early years of parish ministry, Oscar Romero was quoted often in sermons.  But, until our recent finance committee meeting, it had been quite a while since I had given him much serious thought.  I came home and did a little reading and added “Romero” to our DVD queue.

It was so interesting to watch “Romero” during this Holy Week.  This week we hear Jesus command us to love one another.  We participate in foot washing that symbolizes servanthood.  We hear Jesus’ dying words. We pray for the church throughout the world, Christians in other churches, the Jewish people, those who don’t share our faith, and those who do not believe in God.  We reverence the cross.  The film depicted the life of a servant of God, an imperfect human being, who was assassinated for loving others.

Consider Romero’s words:  We have never preached violence, except the violence of love, which left Christ nailed to a cross, the violence that we must each do to ourselves to overcome our selfishness and such cruel inequalities among us. The violence we preach is not the violence of the sword, the violence of hatred. It is the violence of love, of brotherhood, the violence that wills to beat weapons into sickles for peaceful work.  (From The Violence of Love by Oscar Romero, which I found as a free download.)

In this week, when we focus our attention on Jesus and the incomprehensible sacrifice he made for us, it is good to be reminded of the sacrifice others, such as Oscar Romero, have made in Jesus’ name.  May God use us to change the world in the name of our Savior.

On behalf of Bishop Gary Wollersheim and your synod staff, I wish you a blessed Easter.

Comments are always welcome either on the blog website (http://niselca.blogspot.com) or on Facebook.  --JC

A Missed Opportunity?

A robocall from the police department was meant to inform us of something we already knew.  There had been an increased number of home burglaries in our neighborhood.  Just a few days prior to the call, my wife had been awakened early in the morning by a police officer at our door.  She was asked if we had seen or heard anything suspicious since the last evening.  Our next door neighbor’s house had been broken into and some items of value had been taken.

Everyone in our general area was subsequently invited to a neighborhood watch meeting.  The meeting was conducted by three police officers. They laid out the facts and encouraged neighbors to watch out for each other.  They also distributed information on how to organize a neighborhood watch group.

I noted with some interest that most of those who attended were older than I.  There are a lot of condos in the area which appear to be owned by seniors.  In the pre-meeting chit-chat, I overheard some words of fear but there were more expressions of anger and disgust.

There were two occasions during the meeting which drew applause.  The second was at the conclusion of the meeting when the assembled group offered their gratitude with polite applause.  The first occurred in response to the answer to a question by an older gentleman.  “Is it OK to shoot someone if he breaks into my house?”  The officer said, “You have the right to protect yourself.”  The audience response was rousing and animated.

I have struggled to find a word to describe my personal reaction.  More than anything I think I was just instantly and overwhelmingly sad.  Cheering the opportunity to shoot someone just does not seem right to me.  My sadness was compounded by the fact that it had already been several days since Trayvon Martin and George Zimmerman had become household names.

The following Sunday I went to church.  I bristle when people accuse the church of being irrelevant.  But, on this Sunday morning, for the first time, I, as one who has been a church “insider” for most of his life, left worship feeling that the church, or more specifically this particular congregation, was irrelevant to the mission given to us by Jesus Christ.

Please try to understand me.  Yes, I had the opportunity to worship and offer praise.  Yes, I had received the body and blood of Christ.  What I missed was a sermon that somehow touched the realities of my life.  What I missed were prayers of the people that went beyond the congregation.  We prayed for the sick of the congregation, but we did not pray for our neighbors.  We did not pray for those whose lives have been ruined by violence.  We did not pray for those who live in fear.  We did not pray for those who have no way out of poverty.  We did not pray for communities that suffer the divisions of racial strife and injustice.  We did not pray for my neighbors who cheer the thought of creating their own justice with a gun.

Perhaps it was just a missed opportunity.  My fear is that my experience reflects a congregation without a mission.  Not once was the assembly asked or challenged to go out and do something.  There was no invitation to engage in meaningful ministry.

I will admit that my reactions were predictable.  I abhor violence.  I grew up in a city that was nearly destroyed by its racial division.  I live in a city plagued by poverty and lack of opportunity.  I love the church and think that we would actually have to work at making it irrelevant.  (How could our proclamation of Christ ever be irrelevant?)  However, we need to do better.  We need to be better.  I believe that we are to be about the business of peace and unity.  I believe that congregations are called to make a positive impact in their neighborhoods and in the world.  I believe that to ignore the issues that confront us and our neighbor is to ignore what it means to be a disciple of Christ.

I am sad, but I am not hopeless.

“For [Christ] is our peace; in his flesh he has made both groups into one and has broken down the dividing wall, that is, the hostility between us.” Ephesians 2:14.

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

Street Preachers

If there are any street preachers in downtown Rockford, I haven’t seen or heard them.  On a recent vacation trip to San Antonio, Texas, however, street preachers were in good supply.

I heard some yelling from the street below our hotel window.  Across the street, six floors below, there was a preacher shouting his message to the crowd gathered at the bus stop.  He was well dressed, matching the afternoon business crowd.  Interestingly enough, he returned late that night dressed in sweats.  He would get right up into a person’s face, but only reduced the decibel level if the person in front of him engaged in conversation.

A second preacher was stationed on a bridge over the San Antonio River, but he seemed a bit less committed to the task.  He would stop shouting, sit down and take in the scenery when no one else was around.

I found a third street preacher to be the most intriguing.  He was in the same place day after day on the plaza in front of the Alamo.  Using a short wall for his pulpit, he preached to the crowds that neither stopped nor listened.  In front of him he had an assortment of tracts.  I saw no one either take one or engage him in conversation.  Occasionally he would stop long enough to take a swig of water from a plastic bottle.

I do not doubt the sincerity of this man.  He preached as one who believed what he was saying.  Jesus had rescued him from a misguided past.  His passion was for others to know the fear of God, be rescued from the devil and the fires of hell, and know the joy of salvation.

I am guessing that this man is motivated to go out to that plaza every day because he believes that God has called him to do so.  I don’t think he will ever be discouraged by the fact that no one is listening to him because he is doing what God has asked him to do.

If only his energy and passion could be directed into a more effective means of communication.  I found him to be annoying.  My moments of rest along that wall would have been more restful had he not been shouting in my ears.  The Word of God drove me away from that spot.  I cannot imagine that his message is doing much good for the kingdom of God.

It does make me wonder if I have ever preached a sermon that someone would have walked away from if it were more socially acceptable.  Have I preached any sermons that did not in some small way build up the body of Christ?  Has my mode or style of communication ever been totally ineffective?

Effective preaching has never been more difficult in the life of the church.  I cannot think of any other time in our daily routine when we are expected to passively sit and listen to what one person has to say.  Life is interactive everywhere.  Preaching styles may be changing. I am not sure of how we will be communicating the Gospel in another generation.  But, for now, I am encouraging pastors to take great care in their preaching.  Give the task enough time and effort to do it just as well as you can on a consistent basis.  I am also encouraging parishioners to give pastors constructive feedback on sermons.  The body of Christ will be stronger for it.

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

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