Synod Lutheran Farmers Gather

The Small Town and Rural Task Force has been wrestling with how the church could better minister to the farmers of our synod in light of the many economic and political challenges facing them. Such matters as factory farms with environmental concerns and the national farm bill in congress have important consequences for our family farms and our rural congregations.

Members of the task forced decided to go back and talk with the farmers in their congregations. Pastor Bob Hamilton, who serves Martin Luther, Bucyrus and Nevada, called together all of his farm families for a meal. The food served at the meal was all grown in Ohio.

Pastor Hamilton reported that the farmers were deeply appreciate of being asked by their congregation about the issues facing them and how the church might minister to them. One farmer said that this was the first time that the farmers in these two congregations had come together in a noncompetitive way. Farmers are very competitive always comparing who gets their crops in first, whose crops look the best, who harvests them first and who has the best yield. Another farmer noted that this was the first time the church had ever talked to them about their work, their problems and their lives. The meal was such a success that the group decided to make this an annual event.

The Small Town and Rural Task Force functions under the Board of Outreach. This Task Force will gather reports for the conversations held with our farmers. They will study how best the resources of the ELCA and its Rural Desk and the work of the STAR (Small Town and Rural) team in our synod might minister to our farmers and their struggles.