“Ask Miss Grace” – A new addition to the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church weekly bulletin announcements, “Ask Miss Grace” is known for her wise and contemporary council to churches nationwide. She has recently come to our area and will be a feature article for the coming months.
“Generosity ~ Offering ~ Tithing”
Dear Miss Grace,
I don’t really understand why we always have to be talking about money at church! Egads, it seems that we just got done raising money to support our youth for the New Orleans trip and now we are getting hit again this early summer to support the Prepare the Way mini-campaign. Aren’t we just supposed to give what we can to the general fund and hope for the best? It always seems to work out, doesn’t it? And by the way, why are we encouraged to tithe? What does that mean? And speaking of the current mini-campaign, where is all this money going anyway?
-Doll & Lars Spent
Dear Mr. and Mrs. Spent,
Ah, this is a touchy subject. It seems at the first mention of “money” within a church and you have people running for the exit doors (or at least hiding under the pews!). Let’s take offering first.
Offering and annual stewardship could best be defined as a voluntary contribution of financial support for Good Shepherd. We give out of love and gratitude for all God gives each of us. Along with time and talent (think of the GS ministries including the Flock ministry), financial giving symbolizes and expresses our own personal or family commitment to Christ and the church. Through our giving, we offer ourselves in service and devotion to God. In this way, we become stronger in faith, more aware of other’s needs and experience the joy of sharing with others in Christ.
What is tithing? Tithing simply means giving a predetermined portion of your income as you receive it. The Old Testament contains references to tithing. For example, a tenth of your possessions such as animals or grains. The best tenth, or the “first fruits”, were to be set aside and offered to God in thanks for the blessings we are given by God (Genesis 28:22, Leviticus 27:30 and Exodus 23:19). In fact, scholars think that tithing may have started as long ago as the 8th century BC.
According to the New Testament, Jesus affirmed tithing as a form of stewardship. Stewardship means using everything God has given us – life, talents, possessions – to serve God with love and gratitude. Jesus encouraged giving in proportion to what we have received and praised the poor widow for her generous gift (Luke 21:2). The Apostle Paul directed his followers to plan their contributions saying, “On the first day of every week, each of you is to put aside and save whatever extra you earn …” (1 Corinthians 16:2).
So, the reasons to “give” and to “tithe” start with the understanding that everything we have comes as a gift from God. To show our faith and thanksgiving, we can return a part of God’s gifts to us to help the church carry out its work. Paul writes, “Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received.” (1 Peter 4:10)
Ultimately, reliable funding allows the church to plan expenses, to carry out programs and ministry functions (Sunday school, confirmation, musical groups, worship and various social outreach ministries), always looking to help those in need.
Now to address your questions about the current Prepare the Way mini–capital campaign. This past May, the Congregation Council received a proposal from the Stewardship Committee who was working with Pr. Dave on four projects that needed funding to complete and were not within the current budget created last fall. These four projects are: outdoor lighting along Iowa Avenue; renovation of the nursery; the purchase of a safe for the office; and registering the church with a stewardship consultant to guide us over the next few years regarding goals and generosity.
The total of these extra projects is $13,000. We are filled with joy to share with everyone that we have received, through June 9, over $10,000 from over 30 households since the campaign began three weeks ago. We have two weeks left to raise the balance.
Will you continue to hear more about money in the church? Absolutely. Is the money being spent in accordance with the churches’ goals and mission? Absolutely. Good Shepherd is a growing and dynamic congregation, and you should look forward to new possibilities and growth through the Holy Spirit’s work among us!
-Sincerely, Miss Grace
“What is a Synod?”
Dear Ms. Grace,
I’ve heard a lot these past months about the Northeastern Iowa Synod. For example, I’m aware that an Assistant to the Bishop has come and worked with our Call Committee this winter and that we are to share suggested pastoral candidate names to the synod office. What exactly is a Synod and what are these terms I’ve never heard before like “Deacon” and “rostered ministers”? What role does the Synod play in our life as a congregation? And how many synods are there in the ELCA?
Sincerely,
-Ura D. Sciple
Dear Ura,
I don’t think you are alone in your confusion! Even your pastor and lay voting members who attend the assemblies every other June (the last one was June 2023) can spend their time catching up with the new church jargon they are hearing and being used by church leaders.
The Northeastern Iowa Synod is one of 65 synods in the ELCA, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, and includes 142 congregations. Because Lutherans are so numerous in Iowa and the upper Midwest in general, there are more synods with more congregations in those synods in this part of the country (Garrison Keillor likes to joke that Lutherans are very “dense” in the Midwest!). For example, there is a synod called the Southeastern Synod that includes ELCA churches from the states of Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi. But in the Midwest, where Lutherans are a bit denser (in population not in mind!), the state of Iowa alone is divided into 3 different synods. (Wisconsin has 5 synods and Minnesota has 6 synods)
The word synod comes from the Greek word which literally means “a way together,” and synods throughout the ELCA strive to combine their various resources and gifts as a way of working together on behalf of God’s mission in the world. Each spring (or every other spring) synods gather for a synod assembly to uplift and celebrate the ministries occurring in that synod and to address the issues facing lay leaders and pastors, churches and agencies both within that synod and nationally.
As a synod and mainly as congregations, we are partners and catalysts for building the body of Christ for the sake of the world. As ELCA Presiding Bishop Eaton said once, “The synod is not an entity unto itself but is a web of connections and interdependent relationships that make up the church’s life in this place.” The Northeastern Iowa Synod is currently led by Bishop Kevin Jones and his three Assistants to the Bishop. In particular, Rev. Liz Bell is the Assistant to the Bishop that connects to Good Shepherd Lutheran Church (you may recall hearing these names mentioned during our prayers occasionally at worship).
Similarly, representatives from all 65 synods and the national church office leaders, led by ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton, gather every three years for a Churchwide Assembly. The next Churchwide Assembly will be in 2025 in Phoenix. The National Churchwide offices of the ELCA are in Chicago.
Sometimes at these assemblies the church ordains new rostered ministers who will lend their hands to doing God’s work in the world. What is a rostered leader? Rostered leaders are baptized people who have been called by the church to serve in specialized ministries. There are two types of rostered leaders in the ELCA: ordained pastors and deacons. Ordained pastors are like our own Pastor Dave, who have been called by the church (us) to the ministry of Word and Sacrament. Deacons have been called by the church to the Ministry of Word and Service. In addition to a graduate degree (M.DIV for pastors; M.DIV or MA for deacons), participants go through candidacy steps for approval to be ordained as pastors or deacons.
Thanks for asking …
-Miss Grace
“Compared with all the other religions of the world, isn’t Christianity the oldest faith? And what is the difference between an atheist and an agnostic?”
Dear Ms. Grace,
Over Memorial Day Weekend, I experienced a very large family reunion on my Dad’s side of the family in Decatur, Illinois. Heavens, that was an eye-opening experience! Being Lutheran and from Minnesota, I was amazed at the ethnic and religious diversity of my relatives and large extended family, most of whom I had never met before. Present at different times were: a Hindu, a Buddhist, a Muslim, a Christian Scientist, a Reformed Jew, a Presbyterian, a Baptist, a Unitarian, a Methodist, a Mormon, someone affiliated with the Salvation Army, an agnostic and an atheist. I’m a bit embarrassed to admit that I do not know where we Lutherans fit in, historically, compared with these other faiths. Compared with all the other religions of the world, isn’t Christianity the oldest faith? And what is the difference between an atheist and an agnostic?
-Bea Fuddled
Dear Bea,
What an interesting experience you had at your reunion. It almost sounds like the start to a humorous joke in your list of the various people you met that day. Let’s see if the following bullets of information help answer your questions:
- As a Christian, several of you can trace your faith beginnings of course to Jesus Christ in the approximate year 33 when he was put to death on the cross and resurrected into heaven.
- Your Jewish relative’s faith was founded by Abraham about 4,000 years ago. Christianity grew out of Judaism. Jesus Christ was born, raised and died a Jew.
- Your Hindu relative’s faith developed in India around 1,500 BC.
- Your Buddhist relative’s religion split from Hinduism and was founded by Buddha, Prince Siddhartha Gautama of India about 500 BC.
- Your Muslim relative’s faith was founded by Muhammad in what is now called Saudi Arabia around 600 AD.
- Your Methodist relative’s denomination was founded by John and Charles Wesley in Oxford, England in 1730.
- Your Unitarian relative’s faith developed in Europe in the 1500’s.
- Your Christian Scientist relative’s faith began in 1879 by Mary Baker Eddy.
- Your Presbyterian relative’s church was founded when John Knox brought the teachings of John Calvin to Scotland in 1560.
- Your Mormon relative’s church is also called the Church of Latter Day Saints and Joseph Smith started your church in Palmyra, NY in 1830.
- Your Baptist relative’s denomination was founded by John Smyth, in New Amsterdam, in the Netherlands in 1607.
- Your Salvation Army relative’s denomination (yes, it is a religious group, not just an organization that collects money in kettles on Christmas) began in 1865 in London and was founded by William Booth.
- Your new agnostic friend prophesies an uncertainty or a skepticism about the existence of God or a higher being.
- Your atheist relative does not believe in the existence of God or any other higher power. Madalyn Murray O’Hair, one of this country’s best-known atheists, has not been seen or heard from in more than a few years. According to her son, she disappeared without a trace.
-Miss Grace
“Where did the Bible Come From?”
Dear Miss Grace,
I’m really embarrassed to ask such a thing. When I was having coffee with a couple of my friends recently, we started talking about the Bible and their comments and beliefs sounded so different from mine. They believe that the Bible was literally written down by the hand of God and written in two segments of time, one right before Jesus was born (the Old Testament) and one soon after Jesus was crucified and raised (the New Testament)
As I listened to their responses, they both looked at me and asked me what I thought, and I got all flustered and confused. I haven’t thought about this since I was confirmed as a young person so many years ago. As a Lutheran, I wonder, where did the Bible come from, who wrote the Bible, and how did the Bible grow to what we have today?
-Bea Wildered
Dear Ms. Wildered,
Let’s take the last question first and then take the others. How did the Bible grow? The word Bible itself comes from the Greek word that means “books”. One helpful way to describe the Bible is to say it is a collection of books. These books were written by many different authors over the course of more than 1,000 years. But the Bible is also more than just a collection of books. The word Bible also designates those books that are authoritative for the faith and life of the Christian community.
How were all these books gathered together to form the Bible? It’s a complicated story and we don’t know all the details. We do know that these books were not recognized as part of the Bible when they were first written. Authors did not set out to write books to be included in the Bible. Indeed, these authors would no doubt be surprised to see what has happened to their books! We also know that the Bible did not come together all at once but was a gradual process. Two things to say about this…
First, individual books were used throughout the years in teaching and in worship. This happened both in the Jewish community (for those books that became the Hebrew Bible, what Christians call the Old Testament) and in the Christian community (for those books that became the New Testament). As these books were used over and over again, they became more authoritative. Second, at various times and places these books were officially recognized as “canon” (having authority) and thus, were placed into the Bible but we do not know exactly when.
In the Old Testament, for example, the books of Genesis through Deuteronomy (The Law) was recognized as Holy Scripture probably by 400 BC. The Prophets (Joshua through 2 Kings, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel and the 12 minor prophets), were probably recognized by 200 BC. The other Old Testament books remained undefined until 90-100 AD, more than 60 years after the death of Jesus.
The New Testament, on the other hand, was written over the course of 50 years (50-100 AD) and were written to preserve the memory of Jesus’ life and teachings and, eventually, to provide instruction regarding the essentials of the Christian faith. How and when these books became canonical for Christians is uncertain, but we know that the New Testament, as we now know it as today, was probably not firmly in place until about 350 AD.
Who wrote the various books of the Bible? Actually, this question is not as easy to answer as you might think. In many cases authors are unknown (for example, Judges, Kings, Hebrews) In some cases, names may be associated with books but for other reasons other than authorship.
And what do we mean by the word author? We can use author in several different ways. For example, we know that presidential addresses often are composed by speech writers and celebrity biographies often are written by “ghost writers.” People in biblical times also had a broad understanding of authorship. For example, the writers of biblical books often used other sources. The book of Chronicles uses I and II Samuel and Kings as major sources. The books of Matthew and Luke use Mark.
Another example: books are sometimes associated with people famous for a certain type of literature, though they may not be the authors of everything within them. David is associated with many of the psalms, but we cannot know for certain whether the phrase “of David” refers to authorship or to literary influence or to a collection of psalms associated with his name.
This more complicated way of speaking about authorship in no way means that the books are any less inspired by the Holy Spirit. To use the language of Hebrews 1:1, “Long ago God spoke to our ancestors in many and various ways.” We say, thanks be to God for this miracle!
I hope these short explanations prove helpful for your mind, your heart and your journey of faith.
-Miss Grace
“Catholics vs. Protestants: Clergy and Gender”
Dear Miss Grace,
I recently attended one of the local Catholic churches for a baptism of one of my wife’s cousins. As I watched the priest baptize the child, I realized that as Lutherans we are very similar in our worship practices, at least regarding baptism. But then it got me thinking of all the differences between the Catholics and Lutherans. Why can only men be priests in the Catholic Church and not women, like in the Lutheran and other Protestant churches? What gives? And why can’t priests get married and have children like our pastor can?
-Noah Fence
Dear Mr. Fence,
I’ve had other people ask me these same questions over the years and I’ll try to do my best to explain the Catholic perspective, knowing that I can only answer as a Lutheran.
The Catholic Church would explain that Jesus instituted an all-male priesthood because each priest is to act In Persona Christi – in the person of Jesus Christ. Christ is the high priest, and a man is ordained into HIs priesthood. Like us, they would say that as God, Jesus is pure spirit without gender, but in his humanity, Jesus is a man. But they would take that a step further and say that the Priest who acts in the person of Christ needs to be male in order to represent the Godman, Jesus.
Further, they would point out that at the Last Supper, our Lord ordained twelve of His apostles in the fullness of the priesthood. They would say that if it was our Lord’s intention to ordain women, he certainly would have ordained one of the countless women who followed him when he preached all over Palestine. They point out that his mother, Mary, was his most faithful and obedient disciple, yet she was not chosen to be an apostle. Likewise, Mary and Martha were close to Christ and were loyal followers, but neither of them became disciples, either. (For women to be allowed to be instructed and even be in conversation with Jesus, this was a radical concept for the first-century Jewish religion.)
The Catholic Church would theologically point out that in creation, God created man and woman as equals but with distinct roles. Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict (who were the previous Popes before the current Pope Francis) both wrote that woman have a rightful calling that should not be overshadowed by the concept of women clergy. Instead, they said that it is important to develop their role as generative and maternal. Naturally, women possess qualities of nurturing, so they have distinct roles. (To be fair, all three popes covering the past 40 years, including Pope Francis also note that women do equal work and should receive equal pay for that work, and should have equal opportunities for employment and education… neither man nor woman are better than the other but complement each other.)
Celibacy, remaining single, is a discipline that the Catholic Church connects with priesthood. When a priest is ordained, he is also called to be celibate. Celibacy is the formal oath to never get married in order to dedicate oneself totally to God and Church. The virtue of chastity (refraining from sexual intercourse) is of course implied in celibacy since sex is reserved for marriage. The discipline of celibacy implies that the priest, who acts In Persona Christi, is married to the Church. In celibacy, the priest freely gives up a wife and children in order to serve God and his parishioners, which becomes his family.
Interestingly enough, in the very early church, many centuries ago, there were married clergy. Indeed, many of the apostles, including St. Peter, were known to be married. Celibacy became mandatory in the Roman Catholic Church (the Western Catholic Church) in 1075 under Pope Gregory VII. In the Eastern Church, the Orthodox Church, celibacy is optional for priests. Priests can marry but only once before ordination. Even married Lutheran pastors who convert to Catholicism may be ordained and thus become married priests but only if they are married before their ordination in the Catholic Church.
Interestingly, not all Protestant denominations allow woman to be pastors/ministers. Woman may be ordained in our kind of Lutheranism, the ELCA, (and have done so for over 50 years!), but not in other Lutheran denominations like the Missouri-Synod and Wisconsin Synod. The Presbyterians, Methodists, Episcopalians, Congregationalists, MCC, UCC and Disciples of Christ all allow for the ordination of women. But most of the various Baptist churches do not ordain women, especially the larger denominations such as the General Conference, American and Southern Baptists families. And most non-denominational churches do not allow for their most senior ministry leaders to be women.
-Miss Grace
Will I be ‘Left Behind?’
Dear Miss Grace,
Land sakes, I just finished reading the seventh book in the Left Behind series that I found on the book sale table at church. I am starting to really wonder if I should worry about being ‘left behind” when the world ends, and when Jesus comes again. Help me out with this, with the season of Easter now here, when is Jesus coming again and what do we believe about the end of the world? Do I need to worry about being “left behind?”
-Ima Worrier
Dear Ima,
Less than a century ago, people would not have had such a worry as yours because they never heard the language about being “left behind.” Thanks to the mass production of all-time best-selling books, high grossing movies and certain televangelists and social media outlets, who all feed on people’s fear of the end of the world and their personal salvation, it appears it is all about the almighty dollar and their financial payoff.
Such imagery is the modern version of what medieval artists liked to portray in their art: God judging, with half the people being cast into the devil’s jaws and eternal flames and the other half being planted in paradise. Now, I must point out that the people who invented the “left behind” concept have some scripture to support them. For example, in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, scenes of people are described being left behind because they had not readied themselves for Jesus coming.
Overall, however, the biblical portrayal of God shows God to be the Creator of beginnings and the one who controls the ends of our earthly lives and receives us eternally. That is, actual time belongs to God. Only God alone knows the future. In some passages, God is revealed as the power of the future, the Holy Spirit calls believers into the future and Jesus is depicted as one who assures followers that they are not to worry about the next day because God is in command of the ages.
Jesus would on occasion tell parables about the divine judgment that awaited all and sometimes he made it sound almost like a desperate game; God would come stealthily and suddenly, like “a thief in the night.” But he told this to motivate people to settle affairs, to be on their toes, to repent from their sins and to be eager for Christ to return one day!
Finally, we are told in scripture that there will be an end someday. In the meantime, in the time in-between, we are privileged to hear in this mystery that whatever is to happen, God is in control of it and that nothing, no matter how sinful, will occur beyond the scope of the Creator. Add to this that this end involves Jesus Christ. As we say in this season of Easter and when celebrating Holy Communion: Christ has died! Christ has risen! Christ will come again!
-Miss Grace
“Reverence in Worship”
Dear Miss Grace,
Among all the other things missing in our culture, where did silence go? And where did a sense of reverence and respect in worship go? Even at worship, the one place we might expect to escape the endless, noise of electronica, along with all the jabber and chatter that we are accustomed to, we seem to get interrupted by cell phones that have not been turned off, as well as people talking during the sermons or prayers, Egad! I so very much need to meditate and prepare my heart and mind for worship and while I worship! What am I to do? And by the way, when does the worship actually begin? Is it during the prelude music, when I enter the Sanctuary?
-Cy Lentz
Dear Mr. Lentz,
You are not alone! I think you are right in that we all need times of quiet introspection and meditation to get in touch with God in the deep places of our mind and soul as we prepare to worship and while we worship. I’m reminded that worship calls us to be both reflective and quietly introspective at times, but is also communal and filled with joyous noise!
One of the few times of sacred silence occurs during the Confession when we are asked to reflect on our sins and ask our Lord for forgiveness. Other times of silence are during Holy Communion and during the Prayers of the Church. We also experienced this silence at certain times on Wednesdays during Lenten worship in the Holden Evening Prayer service. True, the music and words are beautiful, but the service also provides at least a few times of extended silence that helps us to find peace for our weary souls.
While we may not be able to control the feedback from microphones or a loud motorcycle driving by outside, the children near us or even the coughing by someone near us, we do need to realize that some of our loud whispering and our cell phones can be controlled and certainly can be interrupting others. In fact, at Good Shepherd we welcome the joyful playfulness of our children with us in the Sanctuary!
When does the worship service start? At Good Shepherd, when the bell is rung, just before the Prelude begins, and before the pastor comes forward to welcome everyone, the private conversations should cease for a time of prayer and listening. Sometimes at the end of the welcome, the pastor invites the gathered community to intentionally stand up and meet others around them, greeting each other warmly. Our visitors, who often become new members, share time and again how helpful and warm this time is for them at GSLC. They feel received by others! After this welcome, the worship service moves forward in a combination of joy and reverence.
More often than not, either texting or whispering too loudly to a neighbor is done so innocently and without an awareness that we are bothering those around us. I think what I have suggested here is fair to all, and we simply need to become aware of our actions and the response of those around us, while also being patient with others.
-Miss Grace
“What to do in these Politically Polarized Times?”
Dear Miss Grace,
For many months, especially as family gatherings such as a recent Easter dinner, there is not unity within my own family on the political candidates. I feel like my sister and her spouse are from a different planet! As a person of faith, how do I navigate my life, finding myself caught in the middle of these relationships where some are happy, and others are not happy with the two parties and their candidates? How do I keep from getting sucked into the vortex of dehumanizing people. What do I do?
-Bea Fuddled
Dear Ms. Fuddled,
I understand! My family seems to present a similar challenge to me! I wonder if there is a unique invitation for us, as followers of Jesus Christ, to model a different way of being. Instead of ending relationships with those who disagree with us, what if we stay connected to them even while we hold to our own values, principles, and beliefs (i.e. faith)?
I know that what I am proposing is challenging. In these polarizing times, it is normal for us to get close to those who are like-minded and put extra distance between ourselves and those who disagree with us. Yet, removing ourselves from relationships with those who see the world differently than we do can be damaging. It exacerbates our loneliness and causes our souls to diminish. Ideas and perspectives are not exchanged, and our worldview shrinks.
How can we stay connected when emotions and negativity run rampant? Here are a few suggestions:
- Know your values, principles, and beliefs. When we know these inner core pieces of our lives, we can make decisions based on them instead of allowing our emotions to derail our actions.
- Lead with your curiosity. Ask people what leads them to their position on an issue. You might learn something about them that deepens your relationship.
- Remind yourself that those who have differing views are human beings with experiences, fears, and needs. And especially remember that God created them equal to you and others. They are beautiful children of God… just like you!
- Remind yourself that you are loved apart from the approval of others or endorsement of your ideas and perspectives. You…Are…Loved.
- Be proactive in your wellness and strive to be healthy. All of life is more challenging when we are dealing with pain or illness or not sleeping well. It is difficult to move to the thinking part of our psyche if we are hungry, angry, lonely, or tired. God has created us as wholistic beings, and our bodies influence our emotions, and our emotions influence our bodies.
- Be gentle with yourself. Be gentle with others.
- Invite God into your frustration and discouragement through prayer. Ask God to help you find peace in hard situations and difficult relationships.
As a society, our mood these days is one of fear due to uncertainty, grief due to loss, and fatigue due to increased anxiety. Bottom line, stay connected as best you can to those who disagree with you, knowing this will require intentionality and hard work.
-Miss Grace
“God Is Worthy of Being Worshipped”
Dear Miss Grace,
First of all, let me admit right up front that you probably don’t know me. I’m still on the rolls at Good Shepherd Lutheran but I am rarely there on a Sunday morning or any other time, for that matter. It’s not that I am not a “spiritual” person; in fact, I consider myself most definitely a person of deep faith.
I know what you are thinking…no, I don’t work on Sundays, and no, my children are not playing soccer or basketball. It’s more of a case that I just don’t seem to get much out of coming to worship anymore. I mean, that would be the height of hypocrisy, would it not, to keep coming week after week and going through the motions when it’s not fulfilling any of my needs, right? It’s pretty much the same stuff every week. I’m not trying to be disrespectful, but I just have better things to do with my time!
-Dee Linquent
Dear Ms. Linquent,
Thank you for your letter. You went out on a limb with your honesty and please do me the same courtesy and do not be offended with my directness in return.
I must tell you that there is a deep confusion in our church culture as to why Christians worship God in the first place. I say this because of dozens of encounters with people much like you, who either, once upon a time, used to worship regularly and then gradually fell away from the routine of Sunday morning because, as you said, they “weren’t getting anything out of it.” Sometimes looking at our original reasoning can help us to understand our misguided conclusions.
Recently, I was reading Mark Allen Powell’s book, Loving Jesus who takes up this question of why should I go if I am not getting anything out of it? … excuse with regards to not attending worship.
Powell answers, and I think he is right in wondering, “Where do we get the idea that what happens in church is about us? Is it not the Lord’s Day? We go to worship the Lord!” He goes on to ask, “Do we measure the quality of a worship service by how much it blesses us? Think again! Is it too much to ask that for one day, even one hour of one day, we set ourselves aside to say, Thank you?”
Powell concludes, and despite my making the same mistakes in my own self-centeredness, I have learned over time to agree with him, that the reason we worship God is because God is worthy of worship, not because we have gotten something out of it! Now of course we want to make worship relevant, fulfilling and inspiring but that is not the bottom line. You could say that worship is a transitive verb, the object of which is always God.
Bottom line? Worship is what we give back to God because God is great and mighty and because God is worthy of being worshiped. But I will also admit that when I used to come to church asking these same questions earlier in life, it was at that point that I slowly and finally stumbled across the something of an answer. That something was God in a whole new relationship with me than before (not being ‘entertained’ in worship)! God’s gift to us is his steadfastness and his perseverance, which allowed me to grow more deeply with God over time!
– Miss Grace
“Immigration and our Faith”
Dear Miss Grace,
Not long ago, I listened to lawmakers in Washington and national religious leaders trading scripture passages at a congressional hearing on whether there is an ethical imperative to overhaul the nation’s immigration laws. On the one hand, I heard and kind of agree that we need to strongly support upholding America’s current laws and strictly enforce our borders (“Let every person be subject to governing authorities” Romans 13:1-7), but don’t we also need to recognize a biblical mandate to “care for the least of these among us in the world” (Mt. 25:34-40) and care for the “strangers who reside in our land” (Hebrews 13:2)? Where do we stand in the ELCA? Can you help clarify the issues for me?
-Howie N. Swer
Dear Mr. Swer,
You have indeed asked some helpful questions within the growing national debate on immigration reform. While politicians and legislators have known for the better part of 30 years that U.S. immigration policy is inadequate, calls for any kind of major reform have gone unheeded. Nearly everyone agrees that the system is broken but different critics focus on different elements of the problem.
Some people fall on opposite sides of how to address the issue of border security, while others want to feel differently about worker’s rights, focusing on the situation of undocumented workers already in the U.S., as well as the practice of detaining undocumented workers. Nearly every policy maker agrees that these particular residents need to be given a path to citizenship and that mass deportation is impractical. Most would even agree that the practice of raiding workplaces or accosting people because they are suspected of being “illegal” is inhumane and creates more problems than it solves.
Where do we as a church of the ELCA stand? Well, like other issues, all of us may not agree on certain aspects of the debate mentioned above. However, I did some checking and found that the ELCA very much wants to encourage discussion in our congregations in order to better understand these complex issues and to realize they are difficult to solve! In fact, ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton stated (and echoing previous presiding bishops before her), “that it would be tragic if we withdrew as people of faith and our voices fell silent… this is our opportunity to “welcome one another, as Christ as welcomed you for the glory of God.” (Romans 15:7)
She goes on to describe the clarity of the biblical witness that “by grace through faith, on account of Christ, we are joined together in a radically inclusive community. And that we have a clear calling that we hear in God’s command to the people of Israel, “You should love the stranger, for you were strangers in Egypt” (Deuteronomy 10:19, 26:11) and in Jesus’ words in Matthew 25 “to love the Lord you God and love your neighbor.”
Our Presiding Bishop then reminds us that almost all of us are descendants of immigrants and that our personal histories and faith stories are of an immigrant people moving to America in search of freedom, opportunity and safety, similar to the stories of today’s refugees.
Finally, she reminds us that we cannot welcome people into the ELCA without caring about their lives and addressing their concerns as newcomers in this country. She points to the Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS) identifying four foundational values for immigration reform. Perhaps these four values will help shape our own personal prayers as well as our discussions among friends and as a church in the future.
- Keeping families together
- Maintaining basic human and workers’ rights
- Helping our new neighbors come out of the shadows of fear
- Seeking a path of permanence for our new neighbors
As people of faith in Jesus Christ, we most certainly would reject any of the rhetoric we have been hearing for many months from one of the candidates who states that refugees/ immigrants are “not people” and dehumanizes them for political reasons. This is in stark contrast to the opening verses of Genesis which speaks of the value of all humans as children of God.
-Miss Grace
“The Future Church”
Dear Miss Grace,
Some of us members who are ‘older than the hills’ were having coffee recently and asking in rather depressed tones about, “the future of the church.” We were talking about Good Shepherd Lutheran, but the conversations seemed to also stray to describe churches in America in general. So, I’m asking, do you think we will ever get back to what we used to be? You know, when Sunday School was full on Sundays! Don’t get me wrong, we see things better now than 5 years ago and before that, but compared to the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s, it’s much less. Help us find hope!
-Karen Wondering
Dear Miss Wondering,
While none of us knows what the future will bring, I think many people do know that we cannot return to the past. The desire to recreate what has brought joy and fulfillment, can tempt many congregations, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church included, to chase former experiences and cling to what worked “before.” When the pews don’t fill, anxiety rises, and we often hear a couple of the following themes.
We need families and children! Aging congregations often believe they need families and children in the pews on Sunday mornings in order to bolster membership, improve finances, and increase the pool of volunteers who do the work of the church. This is certainly a truth, however, while churches like GSLC believe that families and children benefit by connecting with Jesus through a church, churches likewise can run the risk of being based more on concern for the survival of the church than it is for meeting the needs of those families.
We just need the “right” pastor! Often, churches surmise that calling the “right” pastor will result in increased membership (especially young families), revitalize mission and ministry, and provide solutions to their challenges. A similar comment expressed by those who have a pastor is: “We just need our pastor to do (fill in the blank).” These remarks arise because the congregation expects the pastor to do the ministry of the church. While pastoral leadership can be incredibly helpful, these expectations alleviate the congregation’s anxiety by placing the burden on the pastor. The comments reflect the belief that ministry is what the pastor does … not what the people do.
Society has certainly shifted. Priorities differ from those of former generations. Possibilities that didn’t exist only a few years ago abound. Expectations change. As humans, we morph; we adjust; we change. This is true of individuals, but also organizations, which means the church must shift its focus too. Regardless of the beneficial nature of the organization, God never instructed us to perpetuate an institution (a church); rather, we are called to do the following: love God and neighbor; bear one another’s burdens; be good stewards as we care for creation; walk humbly and act justly . . . the list goes on.
Yes, uncertainty about the future abounds; grief for what is past seems more than we can contain. Nevertheless, where we see death, Jesus, the giver of life, is already at work to bring about new life for God’s people and God’s church. This isn’t the first time God has brought about newness of life (Isaiah 55:8-12; Luke 1:46-55). The Creator is constantly creating and re-creating (Genesis 1 – 2; John 1:1-5). In the midst of these ever-changing times, we can trust that the divine love of Jesus Christ is inviting us into a “new thing” (Isaiah 43:19), that “new wine [is being] poured into new wineskins” (Luke 5:36-38), and we are not alone (Matthew 1:23, 28:20b).
I find myself wondering, what if we stop fixating on the future of the church, and instead, commit ourselves within our faith communities to care for the needs of creation, our communities, our country, and our world? Could it be possible that new life is waiting for the church to respond? What would it look like to radically love our neighbor?
-Miss Grace
“Why Is Lent So Dark and Morbid?”
Dear Miss Grace,
I’m aware that Lent began last week on with Ash Wednesday and being new to the Lutheran tradition, I must confess that I find the whole season, in general, and the day of Ash Wednesday in particular, disturbing, depressing, and downright morbid… too much about death! If it were up to me, we would just skip it and jump right to Easter where everything is colorful, happy and joyful!
Also, I don’t understand the tradition of not using the term, “Alleluia” during the whole Lenten season. Isn’t every Sunday a celebration of the resurrection? And ‘giving up something for Lent,’ what is that supposed to accomplish? I’m not trying to be harsh, but as a newcomer, I have to say that it’s all rather confusing. We are finished with the “season of light,” Epiphany, right? So, what does that make Lent, “the season of darkness?”
-Penny Tinz
Dear Ms. Tinz,
All points you raise are well taken! If you’re not used to the historic practices of Lent, the season’s themes and observances and rituals can be strange indeed. On the other hand, for us Lutherans who are steeped in liturgical tradition, some of our practices at Good Shepherd Lutheran and other congregations like it can seem at best awkward and at worst offensive. It all boils down to what you are used to and Lutherans are used to observing the liturgical year with its rich seasons, rituals and themes.
Lent is intended to not be morbid but as a dose of reality in the church year. The core of the Christian message is the gospel (“good news”), which presupposes the ultimately bad news of sin and death and the power of the devil. Ash Wednesday reminds us of our mortality and that “we are dust and to dust we shall return.”
We become reflective and we commit to a renewal of spiritual disciplines such as prayer, fasting, works of mercy, scripture reading, giving alms, and even giving something up that is pleasurable or meaningful to us, in order to renew or relationship with God. We also reflect and remember Christ’s suffering on our behalf.
Lent, with its theme of repentance (literally in Greek, “turning around”), is a re-grounding in the core issues of our faith. Lent is a return to our deepest identity which comes in our baptism. Even in this solemn season, we remember above all else that we are God’s precious children, deeply loved beyond anything we deserve. And that these gifts came at a price: Christ’s blood.
You are correct that every Sunday is a celebration of resurrection. But during this season, we show more restraint and build anticipation by omitting the singing of or saying the word, “Alleluia” to help us remember that before the resurrection, there is always Good Friday.
Never, ever do we forget that Easter is always around the corner as we are baptized into Christ’s death AND resurrection. What does it all accomplish? Nothing as far as God counting merits on our behalf, but a whole lot in terms of our discipline, our discipleship, and our spiritual growth. Let us grow closer to Christ and focus!
-Miss Grace
“Are there things Jesus said that we commonly use today?”
Dear Miss Grace,
Recently my neighbor surprised me and mowed my lawn for me while I was away and left a card in my door which read, Jesus said, ‘Do unto others as you would have them do unto you,’ presumably thanking me for helping her out last summer as she recovered from surgery. And then just today, my 19-year-old adult son told me over the phone that “Jesus said, ‘The Spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak,’” when I asked him about finding a new job. Did Jesus really say these things, or do we just say that he said them? Where are they at in the Bible? Finally, are there other things Jesus said that we commonly use today?
-Miss N. Turprit
Dear Miss Turprit,
Bless your heart for the wonderful way you served your neighbor last summer in her time of need and how you received some grace back recently from her. Her quoting of scripture is true and is also referred to as the “Golden Rule” and was a part of Jesus teaching as recorded in the Book of Matthew (7:12) and Luke (6:31). Jesus’ teachings in Matthew’s Gospel (chapters 5-7) and in Luke’s Gospel (Luke 6:17-49) are often referred to as the “Sermon on the Mount” and the “Sermon on the Plain” respectively.
As far as your son’s quoting of scripture and Jesus’ words specifically, there is a bit more to say about the context of Jesus words when he said, “The spirit is willing, but the flesh is so weak.” Let me explain. In Mathew 26:40-41 (and also Mark 14:37-38), Jesus made this statement to his disciples in the garden on the night before his death when they fell asleep instead of praying as he had asked them to do.
Here are some other modern expressions that find their source in the teachings of Jesus:
- “Don’t let the right hand know what the left hand is doing.” In Matthew 6:3, Jesus recommended that people should give in secret to the poor rather than advertise their charity.
- “Be wise as serpents, harmless as doves.” This is advice Jesus gave the twelve disciples in Matthew 10:16 before he sent them out on their own mission of sharing the Good News.
- “Turn the other cheek…” The instruction urges us to shun vengeance on others is from the Sermon on the Mount. (Mt. 5:39, Luke 6:29)
- “Judge not, lest ye be judged.” This warning, included in the Sermon on the Mount, reminded Jesus’ listeners that they would be judged by the same standard with which they judged others. (Mt. 7:1)
- “An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.” Jesus also quotes this ancient standard of Jewish law and justice (Exodus 21:24; Leviticus 24:20; Deuteronomy 19:21) in his Sermon on the Mount (Mt. 5:38-39). His message of loving forgiveness introduces nonviolent resistance as a means for opposing evil.
- “Oh, ye of little faith!” Jesus said these words while he was walking on water in the midst of a storm! The disciple Peter, in a moment of great faith, had come out to meet Jesus – also walking on the water – but along the way he became afraid. (Mt. 14:22-33)
So, your neighbor and your son are correct in their quoting scripture and attributing their words to Jesus but the rule to always remember is to understand the historical and literary context of the time when Jesus spoke these words (or anybody in scripture for that matter) to apply them correctly to our time.
-Miss Grace
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