The Pastor’s Piece for November 2024

“For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is also dead.”
James 2:26

It wasn’t too long ago that I had my eyes checked, with the result being a new pair of glasses for me. At the time I thought I was seeing just fine through my old lenses, but now I must admit that these new ones do provide better detail and a much clearer picture of what I am looking at.  As he notes in writing the above verse, James-who was also the brother of Jesus, gained a new sense of clarity in his life as he witnessed the resurrected Christ. It wasn’t too long before that time that James simply stood on the sidelines and watched as Jesus seemed to be making a nuisance of himself. The resurrection changed things for James. He not only became a believer; he became an active participant in growing and defining the early Church. And as one of the “pillars” (see Galatians 2:9) of the developing Church, James helped a lot of other people gain a sense of clarity in their relationship with God and grow in their lives of faith.

This is basically the goal that we are striving towards together during this transition period for the congregations of Bethany, Negaunee and Emanuel, Skandia.  In our time together, through the work that we engage in, it is my hope that the folks of these two longtime communities of faith will gain a clearer vision and sense of purpose, clarity if you will, on where God is leading you in your ministries these days and into the discernable future. Now then is the time to re-hear your congregations’ story; to celebrate and acknowledge it’s past and present and to prepare for a new future. During this past month as your transition pastor, I have had the opportunity to worship with both congregations several times, I’ve been able to learn your names and hear some of your personal stories, I’ve met with each of your Councils, and am starting to gain a preliminary understanding of each of your unique communities and the mission’s that you are engaged in. As we begin this month of November I will continue to join your communities of faith, however soon our work together, in addition to our ongoing ministries, will begin to focus on these five areas of transition ministry: Heritage, Mission, Leadership, Connections and the Future! These areas do not so much represent boxes for us to complete and check, as they provide opportunities in our time together to engage in activities that will hopefully lead us to answer the larger question of “who do we say that we are,” and how will that information inform our mission and leadership needs for the future at each congregation?

Engaging the “heritage” piece will allow us to consider and celebrate your congregation’s history and the significant events in your lives of faith and how they may inform the future that is unfolding in both congregations. The “mission” piece will assist us in understanding who each congregation is in this present time and context and give each community some clarity on their mission statement and maybe update some of your governing documents as necessary.   The “leadership” part will assist us in reflecting on the changes that come about with new leadership, as well as the patterns and procedures which may occur to welcome new participation and improved membership in each congregation.  The “connections” piece will encourage each congregation to renew their relationship to the wider church and community, and to appreciate in new ways our heritage as Lutheran Christians in our communities and greater world. And finally, the “future” part will help you to prepare and to become committed to new pastoral leadership for your future ministry.  In addition to our ongoing regular worship, prayer, fellowship and missions, there will be three primary ways that we will seek to reflect on your ministries, with the final goal being to complete a Ministry Site Profile (MSP) which will aid your congregations and the Synod office in calling a settled pastor for you! So to accomplish this I am suggesting to each congregation Council that we develop and use a “histogram,” some “question boards,” and possibly some low-key “town hall” type conversations. All these and maybe some other ideas as well, will allow for everyone’s input  and participation at your own comfort levels. The main thing is that we are intentional and have fun with this work of transition ministry together! And that God’s mission for each of these two congregations is clarified and made ready for some new “glasses of faith” to allow everyone to see the new things God is doing in your midst!  Please feel free to ask me any questions you may have or to offer any suggestions that will help our work together to be more meaningful and productive. With that in mind I will conclude this piece and look forward to seeing you in church! May God’s grace, mercy, and peace be with you all!
+LLL