Dear Synod,
Our Leaders, who care for you, need care too
From the Rite of Ordination:
"....(Name of the person to be ordained ), care for God's people, bear their burdens, and do not betray their confidence. So discipline yourself in life and teaching that you preserve the truth, giving no occasion for false security or illusory hope. Witness faithfully in word and deed to all people. Give and receive comfort as you serve within the church. And be of good courage, for God has called you, and your labor in the Lord is not in vain."
Because my call as Bishop includes the role of ordaining deacons and pastors, I not only hear, but have spoken these words as the Presider at Ordinations. I did just yesterday for the ordination of Sarah Larson, now pastor at Zion Lutheran, Milaca. To answer the call to ordained ministry, or ministry leadership of any kind in congregations is always sacred, hopeful and truthfully, both life-giving and taxing on the soul. Add Covid-19, institutional distrust, political snarkiness and obsessive polarization, changing culture values, disasters of hurricanes, fires, gun violence and the job gets more stressful.
You are all deeply respected by me. That includes the thousands of un-sung and rarely or never mentioned supportive members of congregations, youth and young adults, Sunday School and Confirmation teachers, smart tech folks, smart congregational Covid-19 Team members, Rostered Ministers, Youth Leaders, Synod Authorized Ministers, Council presidents and Councils. In the midst of this deadly covid-19 pandemic, the deep desire for "oneness" expressed by gathering gets stronger with each passing week. Most know it is not as simple as that, and that attention to infection rates that spike one week, and decrease another is vital to remaining mature leaders. These days are stressful. And our Rostered Ministers, charged with preaching and teaching, leading and encouraging in such a public way, will need those promises of support from the rest of us - promises that we made on behalf of our leaders. "Will you, assembled as the people of God and speaking for the whole church, receive (Name of pastor/deacon) as a messenger of Jesus Christ, sent to serve God's people with the gospel of hope and salvation". Will you regard her /him as a servant of Christ? ("We will, and we ask God to help us") Will you pray for her/him, help and honor her/him for their work's sake, and in all things strive to live together in the peace and unity of Christ? (We will and we ask God to help us." We sincerely make these promises as God's people, because God has granted us the gift of hope, which is more than "wishful" or "positive thinking." With that hope burning inside, Christians dare to live into the future, with all that it may entail.
Our Synod's Fall Theological Retreat is coming up. I am grateful for Deacon Tibbett's work in thinking through and securing Rev. Dr. Karoline Lewis who will bring us the kind of support, Biblical insights and encouragement that we all need and that we promised to our Rostered ( and other) Leaders for the sake of the Gospel.
The 2020 Northeastern Minnesota Synod's Fall Theological Conference has a focus on well-being for our rostered ministers and Synod Authorized Ministers who have been working extra hard during this time of COVID-19 and other stresses, to continue to proclaim the love, hope and grace of God in/with/under/through difficult circumstances.
The Rev. Dr. Karoline Lewis will be leading us through the Advent texts to find a word of hope, "Deeply Rooted: God in the Midst of Change." Dr. Lewis is one of the most respected teaching theologians I've encountered. I highly respect her preaching, and her teaching. Her time with us will bring refreshment and renewal. I urge each of our synod authorized Ministers, deacons and pastors to register and receive shared encouragement as we move forward into the future of our work together.
Peace in Christ,
+Bishop Thomas M. Aitken
Northeastern Minnesota Synod, ELCA
