The Spirit at work. Acts 2 again?

"When the day of Pentecost had come,
they were all together in one place.  Suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting.  Divided tongues as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of the.  All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability."  Acts 2.1-4

Yesterday the members of the ELCA when gathered in assembly called the Rev. Elizabeth Eaton to lead us for the next 6 years as Presiding Bishop.  Many are calling it the work of the Spirit....much like the first Pentecost.

Oh, Lord, we pray that it is so....even though we have no idea what it would look like if the Spirit poured out upon this church.  Let's be clear, I don't mean the administration, nor the organization, but on the people, gathered in worship and working together in the world.  I can guess: we would feel the fire of the Spirit in our bones, moving us in our lives to share Jesus' story with others, invite them into a relationship with the source of all life, and caring for others as we see the need.

But I'd also guess that we'll be called to walk in directions and along paths that will create anxiety and often feel like dead ends.  We will be asked to leave behind stuff we consider absolutely essential and to trust that the Lord will provide.  Like that first day of Pentecostal Spirit we will need to radically embrace diversity - encouraging and supporting a wide variety of worship styles, leadership models, music and language.  We might need to give up our dependence on Pastors!

We as the ELCA have traveled along some perilous paths in these last 10 years.....and I pray that Bishop Elizabeth Eaton is open to the Spirit's leading, for that is where we truly want to go: where the Living Lord is leading us....even if we will be 100% uncomfortable with the outcomes.

Welcome Bishop Eaton.  Come, Holy Spirit, come!