And (Jesus) said to them, “O foolish men, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken!  Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?”  And beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.  Luke 24:25-27

 

They said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the scriptures?”  Luke 24: 32

 

Then (Jesus) said to them, “These are my words which I spoke to you, while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the law of Moses and the prophets and the psalms must be fulfilled.”  Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer, and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be preached in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.  You are witnesses of these things.”

Luke 24:44-48

 

How often do the baptized people of God in the Northwestern Ohio Synod study scripture, either privately or with others, in order that “hearts might burn” as people see Christ in the scriptures?  At a number of the Bishop’s Winter Conference Meetings, I asked, “How many of you feel good about what is being offered with respect to Christian education for the children of your congregation?  Probably one fourth or less raised their hands.  “How many of you feel good about what your congregation is offering with respect to Christian education for adults.”  A similar number of people, perhaps fewer, raised their hands.

 

That response affirms my experience as I visit with the congregations of this synod.  In far too many places little is happening with respect to vibrant, cradle to grave, Bible Study.  Sometimes a pastor will respond, “I try to encourage Bible Study.  But few are willing to attend.” 

 

Is it an overstatement to suggest that this response signals a profound spiritual problem in the Lutheran community of the Northwestern Ohio Synod?  And if we fail to have “(our) minds opened to understand the scriptures”, is it then a surprise if we fail with respect to Jesus directive, “You shall be witnesses of these things.”  Instead we wither in apathy, congregational conflict, or make choices that betray our baptismal calling and shame the name of Christ.

 

I need daily Scripture reading.  I need to hear from “church fathers and mothers” to hear how they heard the Scriptures.  I need to be in the company of others to hear, converse, and pray over those words.  You do too.  Failure to do so may indicate that we are missing out on the “repentance and forgiveness” to which we are invited to both receive and to offer in Christ’s name.  In contrast, as we immerse ourselves in Scripture we just might discover the manner in which the Holy Spirit uses that experience to cause our hearts to “burn within us” and enables us again to be “witnesses of these things.”

 

The ELCA is initiating a multi-year accent called:  Bible: Book of Faith.  The goal of the initiative is really quite simple.  It is that Lutheran Christians rediscover the gift that God has given us in scriptures as a key resource for Christian faith and life.  Within the context of the reading from Luke, it is the goal that our hearts might “burn within us” as we see how God is for us in the crucified and risen Christ, how God empowers us with the Holy Spirit that we might be “witnesses of these things.”

 

During the next several years our publishing house, Augsburg Fortress, will be making a variety of resources available to individuals and congregations to assist in the study of Scriptures.   In addition to making use of these resources, as a congregational leader I encourage you to be creative with respect to developing approaches and resources that fit your context.  It would bring me great joy and be a resource for others if you would share those things that you are doing to prioritize the study of scriptures among the baptized people of God in your congregation.  I would love to hear what you are doing!

 

I encourage each congregation to become a Bible: Book of Faith Congregation.  That is one way of indicating that the study of scripture is and will be a priority in your life and congregation.  Regardless, may the matter of the study of scripture no longer be an option in your personal life, in your ministry, and in your congregation.

A Prayer:  Blessed Lord God, you have caused the holy scriptures to be written for the nourishment of your people.  Grant that we may hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that comforted by your promises, we may embrace and forever hold fast to the hope of eternal life, which you have given us in Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.  Amen

PUTTING IN A PLUG FOR….

 

A.  SYNOD ASSEMBLY, MAY 16

 

Our first ever significantly abbreviated Synod Assembly, will be on Friday, May 16.  It will be very helpful if those who are attending the Assembly will have reviewed thoroughly the pre-Assembly materials which will be mailed out  May 2nd.  In addition to Opening Worship, significant items will include the presentation of Kristi Bangert, Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson’s representative; the Bishop’s Report; the adoption of a 2009 Synodical Budget, the consideration of a Synod Council Proposal for an Annual Northwestern Ohio Synod Appeal, the consideration of a synodcial Book of Faith initiative in this synod, the election of individuals for various synod responsibilities, including treasurer, and the election of 2009 Churchwide Assembly Voting Members.

 

B.  CROSS TRAINING, MAY 16-17

 

Is 5-10% of your average Sunday Morning Worship attendance “signed up” for this promising event?  Pastor Steven Marsh, Assistant to the Bishop, for the Southeast Michigan Synod, will serve as preacher for the Opening Eucharist which will begin at 4:30pm on Friday.  In addition to Pastor Marsh, keynote presentations will be offered by internationally known speaker, Tony Campolo.  Musical offerings and concerts will be presented by Ken Medema and Lost and Found.  In addition a host of workshops on a wide variety of topics will be offered.  This should be a great intergenerational event.

It’s better to ask now, “Whom shall I invite?” then, after the event, to say to yourself, “I wish I would have invited….”  Registration details are available at nwos-elca.org.

 

WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO WITH THAT “REBATE”?

 

Sometimes we conclude our worship with the words, “Go in peace.  Serve the Lord.  Remember the poor.”  What if Lutheran Christians in Northwestern Ohio would do just with their rebate?  Most of us really do have enough.  Others really do not.  Should Heidi and I actually receive this government check, we commit ourselves to giving at least 20% of it to various ministries that are committed to care for those who are poor, sick, or hungry.  Would you be willing to do that as well?

 

Pick the cause of your choice.  I suspect that Heidi and I will consider the ELCA World Hunger Appeal, Lutheran World Relief, Bread for the World, and a number of local hunger and poverty ministries.  Take your pick!  But having tasted of the sweetness of our Lord Jesus who made himself poor that we might in him be rich, isn’t this one great way of being a witness to this one who for our sake went the way of the cross and empty tomb.  I invite you to share this idea with your congregation and let me know what happens.

 

“ONE ON ONES” WITH “YOURS TRULY”

 

One of the greatest joys of recent years has been the privilege of meeting with over 60  pastors and associates in ministry “one on one” during the past several months.  The “one on ones” last about 50 minutes.  The key question for the conversation is, “How are you?”  Within the context of that question the rostered leader is invited to reflect on how he/she is doing at keep life “centered in Christ” and giving attention with respect to keeping life whole. Rostered leaders are also asked concerning how a sense of stewardship shapes their life and financial decisions.  Conversation concludes with a period of prayer.  Having offered that description, each conversation takes on its own distinctive shape. 

 

My modest goal is to meet with each of the rostered leaders of this synod by the end of this year.  It would be really, really helpful if you would contact executive secretary Carol Groman (419-423-3664) to schedule your appointment thereby freeing her from the necessity of contacting you.

 

On a first come, first served basis, times and locations that are available include:

 

Tuesday, April 22, at Trinity, Bryan, 9am-5pm

Thursday, April 24, at my Wolf Creek Office (LHS Corporate Office), 1-5pm

Wednesday, April 30, at St. John, Stony Ridge, 9am-5pm

Wednesday, May 28, at the Synod Office, 9am-5pm

Thursday, May 29, St. John, Oak Harbor

 

If a given day is not fully scheduled one week prior to the event, Carol will simply begin calling to make appointments.  Please receive the call most hospitably.

 

After these times are filled, additional days will be set aside and announced.  But, again, I will be grateful to have you take the initiative and to claim one of these times.

  

AND FINALLY….

 

I write this within sight of the dawn of Easter.  One hears shouts, “He is risen!”  Others respond, “He is risen, indeed!  Allelujah!” Water is splashed. Scriptures are opened.  Bread is broken.  Wine is poured.  Hearts burn with hope and joy.  We are again made “witnesses of these things.”  God grant it all-for Jesus’s sake.

 

Your brother in Christ,

 

Bishop Marcus Lohrmann