Pandemics: What we DID teach in Seminary

On an Oct. 2nd in seminary we didn’t give directions on how to deal with a pandemic. Nor on an October 17 did we give a detailed lecture on how many sandbags to use when flood waters rise. My friend and I talked recently about what we did do in seminary. We emphasized ecclesial leadership in context. This pandemic is our context in this time and in this place: locally and globally.

I recall year after year, in Church and Ministry/Church Administration class, students writing case studies on their ministry experiences. The hundreds I read and each one we discussed followed a pattern that might serve us as pastors, deacons and congregational leaders now: (I’ll supply some examples)

1. What is happening here? What are the Issues? Global pandemic. Unknown virus. Directives from various levels of government. How and when to “open up.” More. . .

2. Who are the many people involved? What are their various perspectives? The most vulnerable (They are not objects. How do we listen to their voices?) Small business owners. Homeless people. Essential workers. Church members longing to be together. Inmates and refugees. The people of New Zealand and Rwanda. More. . .

3. What are the deeper theological issues? Human uncertainty. The nature of God, e.g. Protector? “Fear,” “Love,” and “Trust” (catechetical questions). What other gods do people follow? What is church (ecclesiology)? Where is the Church as Body of Christ? Did God create disposable people? More. . .

4. What ministry options do we have? Protect my family, and all people. Do nothing and see what happens. Be the church beyond walls. Be creative with technology. Care for the care-givers. Provide leadership in the community. Explore who else needs ministry. More. .

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I invite you to engage in discussion. too. What ecclesial leadership are you experiencing? What ministry opportunities?

God's Care is Communal

God’s Care is Communal

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (Eph l:2)

Peace be to the whole community, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with all who have an undying love for our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. (Ephesians 6:23)

I recently heard someone say, “I’m not afraid to go out during this COVID-19 scare. I trust God will take care of me.” Fear. Trust. Care. I admired her faith. God does care for every single one of us during times of fear. We can trust that. However, God’s care is communal. God’s care in Christ is not just for every “single” one of us, but for the whole community. God’s grace extends beyond my own personal “undying love” for Jesus to the whole world.

Living in Christ, I may not be afraid to die, but neither am I to neglect concern for the lives of everyone else, particularly the most vulnerable.

The Epistle greetings and blessings are always plural. (“You” is a plural “you.”) I have seen it. Haven’t you? People really caring for each other. We will need to continue to take precautions, to really care, today, tomorrow, for all time to come.

Prayer:

Now to the one who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, to God be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen (Ephesians 3:20)

Norma Cook Everist, DeacPost Devotion

Palm Sunday Procession from Coast to Coast

Palm Sunday. This year when we could not physically participate in a procession at church, I was privileged to walk with Jesus on a journey that began with an online service in Northwood Iowa, where husband Burton shares an interim call, to hearing the church bells ring at a Canadian Lutheran Church in Nova Scotia, back to Iowa, to the on-line service at our congregation here in Mason City. Then on to Wisconsin, hearing more about Jesus’ life from the preaching of a pastor/friend, a Wartburg graduate.  My journey-procession concluded at the end of this day with a Zoom conversation, where I talked on the road in San Francisco with a Jewish woman.  I am thankful for these profound events as I, with Christ, enter Holy Week.