On Wednesday of this week, as I prepared to lead worship, I took this cross out of its case. Inscribed on the back are the names of those who have served in the episcopal office of this Synod...J. Roger Anderson, Paul W. Egertson, Dean W. Nelson, and R. Guy Erwin. It was a humbling moment for me to think of following, for even a short interim time, in the footsteps of those gifted people of faith who answered the call and accepted the privilege of serving as your ELCA Synodical Bishops over the past 32 years.
As I headed toward the chapel to be recorded for the worship service, I walked by the four pictures in the hallway of Roger, Paul, Dean, and Guy and gave thanks for their leadership, their friendship, and their collegiality as neighboring Bishops. Over the years I worked with each of them in a variety of capacities. We shared synodical staff, we occasionally had joint assemblies, we gathered together for continuing education events and sometimes for professional leaders’ conferences, we attended and brought greetings at each other‘s Synod gatherings. We sat at the Conference of Bishops together as well as regional meetings. Across the nation and sometimes abroad we traveled side by side, and so much more.
The point I wish to make in this week’s communiqué is this: Now is a good time to begin to pray for your next elected and called Bishop. During my years with the Pacifica Synod, I met with the congregations shortly before their pastors left for a new call or retirement or for other reasons. I led them through a PowerPoint presentation that explained how the transition process would unfold over the months ahead…pastoral farewell, appointment of an Interim Pastor, raising up a Transition Team, conducting a congregational assessment, preparing a Ministry Site Profile, electing a Call Committee, candidate interviews, congregational votes, the new pastor’s arrival and installation.
Toward the end of that PowerPoint there was always a slide that said “Please begin praying for your next pastor now.” I reminded the congregation that their next pastor was somewhere “out there.” At that point, we had no idea who that person was or how long it would be before that person arrived. But God always knows. The people were encouraged to pray to the Spirit of God that the mind and heart of their next pastor would be prepared to answer the call to serve as their spiritual shepherd.
Now I am also asking that of you. If you are not doing so already, I ask that you, in your personal and in your congregational prayers, please begin praying often for your next Bishop, and for the process that will lead this Synod to the time when you elect that person to serve in the Office of the Bishop of the Southwest California Synod, wearing the cross of Christ pictured in this article, picking up the mantle left behind by four servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Let us pray together that the Holy Spirit will lead all of you together to choose carefully and wisely as you elect the next Child of God to serve you well as the Bishop of the Southwest California Synod. I also ask again that in your prayers you would continue to pray for all of us who serve as Synod staff at this transitional time. We trust God to hear our prayers and respond with compassion, care, and love.
God bless and keep you all day by day,
Bishop Murray D. Finck (Interim)
