Brother and sister in Christ..........

There are many reasons why individuals stand for election as Bishop of their synod.  You can guess most of them.  Officially we elect a bishop, but if we are listening closely to the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we call a bishop into service.

It is a difficult call.  There is enormous responsibility and a wide range of skills needed.  There is a steep learning curve as a pastor moves from the local congregation onto a state and national stage.  It seems to me that no one should take the call lightly.

This past week, the Upstate NY Synod met in assembly and elected a bishop.  There were 6 pastors asked to stand for election at the beginning and at the final vote there were only two:  two pastors who have served faithfully and with skill for 30+ years.  Two pastors who have worked together and supported one another's work.  Two pastors who were both friends and colleagues.  Two pastors who could have considered retirement rather than taking up a demanding call.  One had been bishop for 12 years; one could only guess what it would mean.

They prayed together before the final vote.  They prayed for one another and for the synod.  They prayed for the Church and its work within the world.  They prayed for the assembly.  How do I know?  Because that is who they are: servants of the Gospel whose hearts are set on the work and call of Jesus Christ in their lives.

The assembly elected the Rev. John S. Macholz bishop for the next 6 years, and therefore will be saying good-bye to Bishop Marie Jerge as she finishes her term in September. When the results were announced, the two of them shared a genuine hug of support and mutual respect.  We, the people of Upstate NY have been faithfully served by Rev. Marie Jerge for 12 years and she would have given us 6 more.  We will be served to the best of his ability by Rev. Macholz.  They will continue to pray for one another and for Christ's church.

This is what it looks like to be brother and sister in Christ.  This is what it looks like to be the Church.  May God continue to bless our leaders in their servanthood in Christ's name.

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!