Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. Matthew 11:28-30

Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, while he dismissed the crowds.  And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray.  Matthew 14:23

The first text is one of the Scripture lessons read at Ordination Services as the stole is placed over the pastor.  Previous lessons and questions asked accent the awesome responsibility of the pastoral office.  Just when one might be overwhelmed by it all, Jesus’ words bring refreshment.  We are not alone in this responsibility of leadership.  The One who bore the cross for us is He to whom we are forever yoked.  He is carrying us.  To know that truth is to be given space for laughter, for faith, for trusting in him who promises to be with us forever.  If the burden of leadership gets to be too heavy, perhaps it is because we are choosing to bear it alone.

Yet is not that the temptation to which we yield?  Our work is so important!  How can the congregation get by without me for even a few days?  I really need to answer those e-mails, return those telephone calls, do the “right” thing so that a particular committee will stay off my back.  The demands really are endless.  The “off day” gets skipped, vacation shortened, and time alone is non-existent.  And no one will stay “Stop it!”  Until, that is, the body rebels, the spirit is quenched, the relationship with spouse and those dear to us goes silent, and the burden becomes unbearable.

Jesus had compassion on those who were helpless and harassed and gave his all as he was present for them to forgive, to heal, to comfort, to challenge, to feed, and to embrace.  He spent endless hours mentoring the future leaders in the Way.  But then he dismissed the crowds and sent his disciples away.  He went up the mountain alone to pray.

In my days in the parish I cherished being alone in my office several hours before worship.  Having prepared the sermon, it was time for prayer and to bathe myself in the text, and to do that in the quiet of the early morning.  These days this often happens as I drive across northwestern Ohio on Sunday mornings.  During the week few moments are more treasured than those which include mediation on the daily readings, drinking a cup of coffee, watching the birds feed and sing, and praying for the matters of the day.  Time alone, time in prayer is the means by which the Holy Spirit “yokes” me to the One who has called me and the One who carries me.  When I neglect the time alone in prayer, I and the ministry entrusted to me are “at risk.”

If our Lord Jesus needed time alone in prayer and by word and example commends us to such prayer, who are we to despise that word?  Why would we choose to do so and thereby reject the very gifts by which he would sustain us?

Prayer:  Gracious Lord Jesus who prayed while alone in the wilderness, on the mountain, in the garden, and on the cross.  Forgive me my neglect of such prayer.
By your Holy Spirit move me to an awareness of those times when I need to dismiss the crowd and the friends and be alone, in prayer, with you.  Amen

 

WELCOME THE STRANGER

Recently I had the privilege of ordaining Robert Noble, a son of Messiah, Toledo, who has been called to serve as pastor of Calvary, Northwood.  God-willing, during the next weeks and months Holli Burkhard, Kirk Langset, D.J Dent, and Andy Wilson will receive calls, be ordained, and installed.  Other pastors will be installed into new contexts.  If it is important to be alone in prayer, it is also important to be together with the Body of Christ in worship, particularly for such precious occasions.

Not an ordination service goes by without someone saying to me, “I found this service deeply moving.  I have never been at an ordination service before.”  All I can say is, “Amen!  I am so pleased that you are here.  Spread the word!”

Because you are a pastor and lay leader of this synod, please make every effort to attend at least one ordination a year.  Consider bringing members of your congregation to the service.  Invite your upcoming catechism class and use the service as an opportunity to talk about vocation including the possibility of service as a diaconal minister, an associate in ministry, or as a pastor.

The synod office will do its best to provide timely announcements ordination and installation services.  Keep the candidates and the pastors in transition in your private and public prayers.  And, after a few weeks, call the newly arrived and invite her/him to lunch, to the next conference meeting, or to travel with you to Sawmill.  We best embody Christ when we work together.

HAVE YOU SHARED THIS NEWSLETTER?

During one of the Bishop’s Conference Meetings, I asked those present concerning how they learned about activities and the ministry of the Northwestern Ohio Synod and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.  Most responded that they had seen and read Partners in Mission, our newsletter that goes to congregations in bulk.  Some said that they had read church newsletter and bulletin announcements.  Few had ever visited the www.nwos-elca.org web site and only a handful reported ever seeing this newsletter.

We need your help in telling the story about the mission and ministry Christ has entrusted to us in the Northwestern Ohio Synod and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.  Please copy this newsletter and distribute it to your congregational leadership.  You have my permission to copy my devotional articles and include them in your congregation’s newsletter if you are so inclined.  Periodically, verbally or in bulletin announcements, encourage congregational leadership to check out the synod or ELCA web site: www.elca.org .  The ELCA web site is worth checking out for the simple reason that a “ton” of  excellent resources are available to you and the ministry for which you are providing leadership.

We also can learn from the good things that God is doing in your context.  If you have a good story to tell related to your congregation’s life and ministry, please contact Kathy Lemmerbrock so that we may consider sharing it throughout the synod. 

Thanks for what you do in support of the ministry we do together!

 

AN UPDATE ON THE ANNUAL APPEAL

Following the direction of the Synod Assembly, I have appointed a Task Force to begin shaping the plan related to next Spring’s Annual Appeal.  The Task Force includes Synodical Vice-President Craig Klopfleisch, Secretary Louann Kornowa, Treasurer, Dan Perry, Fred Heintz, Pastor Jim Lehman, Synod Administrator Kathy Lemmerbrock.  Already the Task Force is consulting with potential resources and consultants related to this Appeal. 

I invite your prayers for the work of this Task Force that its work will serve to strengthen the important ministries related to this synod and so glorify Christ.  We will keep you posted!

BOOK OF FAITH INITIATIVE

It is not too early to accent the manner in which we might strengthen the reading and study of Scripture in our personal lives, in our congregations, and in our community.
Is it too much to expect that every congregation of this synod will declare itself to be
a “Book of Faith Congregation” and so re-commit itself to allowing the Word of God in Christ to shape our lives and congregations in a deeper way?  Is it too much to ask that every meeting include some reading of Scripture and prayer as a way of giving direction and imploring the guidance of the Holy Spirit?

Please watch for and make use of the many resources that will be available to you and your congregation.

AND FINALLY…

The summer months provide most of us with some opportunity for a change of pace and/or even a vacation.  Regardless, may this be a summer in which you find time alone for prayer and know again this Lord Jesus who promises, “My burden is easy and my yoke is light.”  Perhaps your first time alone after reading this would be a good time to make those words the center of your prayer and reflection.

Your brother in Christ,
Bishop Marcus C. Lohrmann