From bishop at gulfcoastsynod.org Sun Oct 4 18:36:40 2009 From: bishop at gulfcoastsynod.org (Michael Rinehart) Date: Sun, 4 Oct 2009 17:36:40 -0500 Subject: 10/11/09 is Pentecost 19B Message-ID: <004901ca4543$276ab370$76401a50$@org> Dear Gulf Coast Leaders, October 11 ? Pentecost 19B Job 23:1-9, 16-17 ? Job?s lament: If only I could vanish in darkness and thick darkness would cover my face. or Amos 5:6-7, 10-15 ? Seek good and not evil, that you may live; so the Lord will be with you, as you have said he is. Psalm 22:1-15 ? My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? or Psalm 90:12-17 - So teach us to number our days that we may apply our hearts to wisdom. (Ps. 90:12) Hebrews 4:12-16 - The Word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword. All are naked a laid bare before him. Mark 10:17-31 - Rich young ruler. Eye of the needle. For God all things are possible. In our Prayers ? Betty Hildebrandt, wife of Pastor Walt Hildebrandt, hospitalized ? Healing: Pastor Manuel Morales, home from the hospital Congrats Saints and Texans As I send this, the Saints lead the Jets 17 to 10 in the 4th. The Texans won earlier. Here?s hoping that both our synod?s teams have a win this weekend. Conference of Bishops I?m at the Fall meeting of the Conference of Bishops. Bishop Hanson preached this morning on the Mark text. ??What God has joined together let no one separate? is true of my marriage, but it?s also a word for the church.? When Paul talks about the church as a body, he?s using more than just a metaphor. We who follow Christ truly are a body. We are stuck with each other. Lots to chew on. There is, as you can imagine, among all the work we usually do, also a lot of conversation around the social statement and ministry policies. There are some changes to the Candidacy Manual, the Roster Manual, Visions and Expectations, et al on the table. There is also prayerful conversation about the listening we?ve been doing in our synods to folks that are upset with the decisions. Churchwide Assembly didn?t tell us exactly what to do or how to do it. These folks just said, ?Find a way.? So, we?re going slowly. Listening a lot. Considering things with care. I?ll be dealing with all of these things as options emerge. But for now, a few words about the process. First, one of the bishops said something that really impacted me: Bishops are used to the blast of conflict. There are lots of pastors that are not. Even after only two years, I have had to face angry congregations in the midst of pastoral misconduct, or conflict with the pastor that led to seemingly warlike conditions. Of course every congregation has conflict, but many pastors make it through their whole ministries without one of those tectonic upheaval conflicts that lead to people yelling at one another, or even congregational division. For some of you, the decisions at churchwide have had minimal impact. A few pastors have had deep conflict. Most pastors It?s not fun, and it can lead to heart attacks if you?re not careful. So a few words in general about being in a conflicted situation. ? Jesus? calming of the waves is our model. When going into a congregational fire zone, where there is a conflict about something, I pray through this gospel story. I am strengthened by Jesus? calm in the midst of the storm. In life and in death, our lives are in God?s hands. ? Remember, most congregational conflict was not your doing. Even if a conflict happens because of a mistake you made, the way a congregation handles it is part of the congregation?s culture, which was set long before you arrived on the scene. I mess up. My kids mess up. We don?t crucify them. We consider everything a learning experience, and operate in grace and love. ? Recovery language is helpful. I didn?t create it. I can?t control it. I can?t change it. ? Take time off. When things are dicey, be sure to take your day off. If anything, take two. Sometimes one day is not enough to completely disconnect, especially if you spend the day off doing housework. Conflict usually results in a blast of communications, and upheaval of relationships. We think, ?How could I possibly take time off with all this going on?? But Sabbath is more important than ever when things are hot. ? If necessary, take a week of vacation. In the midst of a crazy-busy ministry schedule, Jesus took the disciples to a quiet place. He took them up the mountain. He got away. When in congregational conflict, don?t let that conflict define you, or your relationship with God. Don?t let the work of God destroy God?s work in you. ? Spend more time listening than talking. Gifted leaders listen. They don?t discount anyone. It doesn?t mean you need to agree, or even do what they say. But listen. Try to understand. And remember, people don?t always need to get their way, they just need to have their say. ? Remember that a congregation (and a denomination) is a democratic entity. We talk together as the baptized people of God. We study Scripture. We pray. Then we vote. ? As leader, people will direct anger at you; don?t take it personally. Two groups in your congregation may be upset with one another. They may both be upset with you, as if you created the problem. Let it go. Don?t take it personally. Understand that people will misdirect their anger. ? Remember, angry nay-sayers always sound louder and bigger than they are. When someone?s yelling at you, it sounds huge. Prayers will help you put things in perspective. ? If you have screwed up, admit it. Nobody?s perfect. We all make mistakes all the time. You lose no power by admitting it. You only gain respect. Even if you feel you did the right thing, it?s often good to confess. When someone who never told me they were in the hospital is mad at me for not visiting them I can say, ?I?m sorry that I wasn?t there in the way I would like to have been. I wish I had known.? This doesn?t blame the sick person, but it acknowledges the loss. ? As a leader, sometimes it?s your job to apologize for the whole organization. ?We didn?t handle this as well as we should have,? is almost always true. Use it freely. All of these are applicable for those who are dealing with members who are angry about churchwide assembly decisions. Second, I?d like to give you some thoughts to respond to the myth I?ve heard a few times, that the church has been ?hijacked.? A hijack is when a small group (4-6 people?) take a plane where the passengers don?t wish to go. If we look back at last Spring?s synod assemblies, we?ll see that 33 synods approved both the social statement and the ministry policies. 11 rejected them. That?s a 3:1 ratio. While I was surprised by this, it didn?t then surprise me that a group of people from our 65 synods would approve the social statement by 66% and the ministry policies by 55% margin in Minneapolis. We should have seen this coming. Our own assembly passed both. Rice University?s (ala Stephen Klineberg) studies show a shifting of opinions on this issue. Houston has shifted. Texas has shifted. America has shifted. Whatever people may think of the question, the truth is this passed by a majority. There has been no hijack. In fact the very reason we?re having this conversation is because of the grass roots. There have been grass roots calls for a sexuality study and a reconsideration of the ban for decades. Ironically, this round was requested by South Dakota synod, who originally set out to take a stronger stand against gays and lesbians in ministry, and after a long argument at their synod assembly, settled for a memorial to churchwide asking for a study. Finally, in the churchwide assembly evaluations, voting members were asked: 15. Did you feel adequately informed about a. the procedures for debate b. the subject of each vote? 97% responded ?Yes.? Third, another myth you may have heard is that congregations were not consulted. This one surprised me. I got a thoughtful letter from one gentleman who opposed the decision, who asked why congregations were not consulted. In, fact for nearly a decade this study has been going on. There have been three parts. You can find them here. Responses from individuals and congregations (which were requested constantly) were received by the thousands from around the country. If people hit you up about this, and you chose not to do these studies, I?d just tell them. Tell them you chose not to do it because you didn?t want to pick a fight. It?s not too late to do the studies. Indeed there has been renewed interest in them. I?ve been asked for material to help discuss the seven Bible prohibitions of on homosexual acts. It is true that there isn?t much discussion of biblical or theological issues in the statement itself. But Part Two of the study that congregations were asked to do covered it well. You can find it here. Finally, another myth I?ve heard is that congregations will be forced to take same-sex oriented pastors. This, I think, is based on both fear, and also on some confusion on the part of many people about what bishops do in the Lutheran Church, and who chooses pastors. In Catholic and Methodist circles, bishops choose pastors for congregations. A number of letters I?ve received seem to assume Lutheran bishops function the same way. They don?t. In our congregational polity, congregations choose pastors. If you need help in managing this conversation in your congregation, or any other matter let us know. We on the synod staff are here to serve you. Sometimes it?s helpful to have someone outside the system help navigate a fair process. Even if you just need to chat about how to respond to groups in your congregation upset about things, give me a call. Oh to be Young and Rich The story of the rich young ruler drives it home. Hear ye, all who would use Bible as a club: It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God. Who are you in this story? The rich man? Jesus? The disciples? We don?t typically think of ourselves as rich. Bill Gates and Warren Buffet are rich. I?m just an average Joe. But a quick look at the world says otherwise. There are 6.7 billion people in the world and 570 million cars. That?s 8.5%. The vast majority of the world can?t afford a car. If you can afford a car, you?re rich. In the U.S. we have more cars than we have licensed drivers. We are rich by global standards. Half the world lives on $2/day. ? of the world lives on $1/day. 500 million people have malaria. Every 30 seconds a child dies of malaria. And we?re arguing about sex. It makes me ill when I think about it. If we can live the good life, and not feel this disparity, we have not glimpsed the kingdom of God. Take a away from me the noisy of your idiotic songs and the stink of your incense and let justice roll down instead. Offer your self as a living sacrifice. That is true spiritual worship (Romans 12:1). If a rich person, really rich, like really, really rich, came to my church, I?d push for a tithe, not 100%. And if I asked for a tithe and s/he got mad and started to walk away, I?d negotiate. Heck with giving at a pitiful 2%, I?d settle for 5%. What strikes me in this story is that Jesus doesn?t go running after him. He doesn?t chase him down: ?Okay, okay, not 100%, how ?bout 50%? Zaccheus gave away 50%. No? 40%? 35%?? Jesus knows faith is an all-or-nothing proposition. Too often even those who tithe say 10% is God?s and 90% is Gods. As if. Psalm 24: The earth is the Lord?s and the fullness thereof. It all belongs to God, who owns the cattle on a thousand hills. Grace may be free but it ain?t cheap. When it grabs us, this sacrificial love of Jesus, it calls us to come and do the same, come and die. Give yourself away for the life of the world. Throw out your old ideas, misconceptions, barriers, concept of success. See the world through God?s eyes. Live the world through God?s eyes. As long as you?re focused on you, you?ll never see it. This is not an agenda for the social ministry committee. Mainline Protestantism has focused on the conversion of the individual so they can go to heaven: Pie in the sky when you die. But the concept of the Kingdom of God is much more rich than this. The Magnificat shows God?s priorities, not just the conversion of the individual, but of the social order of this world (kingdom) so that things are turned upside down. Hear Matthew 25 to get a whiff of Jesus? priorities. Or Isaiah?s (and subsequently Jesus? call) to proclaim good news to the poor, loose the bonds of oppression. Mary?s song is not so much a call to action as a celebration of God?s action. A peasant, a woman becomes the Queen of Heaven. But Mary is called (as are we) to be part of God?s action. And if we miss out it, we miss out on the kingdom, which we can?t fathom unless we have the faith of a child, the openness of Mary (?let it be done to me according to your will), and the willingness to give it all away. So who can make it? Who can live up to God?s standard of righteousness? Nobody. Paul made this perfectly clear: all have fallen short of the glory of God. None is righteous. Not one. So how can anyone enter the kingdom of God then? It?s impossible. But for God all things are possible. We can?t. God can. There?s nothing left for us but to throw ourselves on the mercy of the court. Then offer the lavish mercy we?ve received to others. That?s the message of the gospel. ???? ???? Peace, Mike Rinehart Michael Rinehart, bishop The Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast Synod Evangelical Lutheran Church in America 12707 I-45 North Frwy, Suite 580 Houston, TX 77060-1239 281-873-5665 www.GulfCoastSynod.org cid:image011.jpg at 01C9E257.E2D08BC0 Time after Pentecost 2009 October 18 ? Pentecost 20B Job 38:1-7, (34-41) ? Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind: Gird your loins and I will question you. or Isaiah 53:4-12 ? Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows, yet we esteemed him stricken by God and afflicted. Psalm 104:1-9, 24, 35c ? You stretch out the heavens like a tent. or Psalm 91:9-16 - You have made the LORD your refuge, and the Most High your habitation. (Ps. 91:9) Hebrews 5:1-10 - More great high priest stuff Mark 10:35-45 - Make us to sit at your right and left in the kingdom of heaven. Or October 18 ? St. Luke Isaiah 35:5-8 - Then shall the eyes of the blind be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped? Psalm 124 ? If it had not been the Lord on our side, the flood would have swept us away. 2 Timothy 4:5-11 ? Luke is the only one who stays with Paul in his distress. Luke 1:1-4 ; 24:44-53 ? Luke?s reason for writing for Theophilus. Jesus? resurrection address to the disciples. October 25 ? REFORMATION SUNDAY Jeremiah 31:31-34 ? The days are coming when I will make a new covenant with Israel and Judah: law on their hearts. Psalm 46 - The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our stronghold. (Ps. 46:4) Romans 3:19-28 ? No one will be justified by the law. Now, apart from the law, the righteousness of God has been revealed. John 8:31-36 ? You shall know the truth and the truth will set you free. November 1 ? ALL SAINTS Wisdom of Solomon 3:1-9 - The souls of the righteous are in the hand of God or Isaiah 25:6-9 - On this mt God will swallow up death. No more tears. Psalm 24 - The earth is the Lord?s and all that is in it. They shall receive a blessing from the God of their salvation. (Ps. 24:5) Revelation 21:1-6a - Holy city coming down. No more tears. John 11:32-44 - The raising of Lazarus November 8 ? Pentecost 23B Ruth 3:1-5; 4:13-17 ? Ruth and Boaz have a child together. or 1 Kings 17:8-16 - The widow of Zarephath Psalm 127 ? Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. or Psalm 146 - The LORD lifts up those who are bowed down. (Ps. 146:7) Hebrews 9:24-28 - More high priest stuff Mark 12:38-44 - Widow?s mite November 15 ? Pentecost 24B 1 Samuel 1:4-20 - Barren Hannah goes to Eli the priest, then returns and conceives Samuel with her husband Elkanah. or Daniel 12:1-3 ? Michael, the great protector of the people is coming. Everyone whose name is written in the book shall be delivered. 1 Samuel 2:1-10 - Hannah?s song, source material for the Magnificat. or Psalm 16 - My heart is glad and my spirit rejoices; my body shall rest in hope. (Ps. 16:9) Hebrews 10:11-14 (15-18), 19-25 ? We have confidence to enter God?s sanctuary through the blood of Jesus. Mark 13:1-8 - The end is coming. Not one stone will be left upon another. November 22 - CHRIST THE KING? 2 Samuel 23:1-7 ? David?s last words: He has made with me an everlasting covenant. or Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14? Daniel?s apocalypse: the son of man comes in the clouds to the Ancient One and is given dominion and glory and kingship. Psalm 132:1-12, (13-18) ? O Lord, remember David?s hardships and his faithfulness. or Psalm 93 - Ever since the world began, your throne has been established. (Ps. 93:3) Revelation 1:4b-8 ? He is coming on the clouds, and every eye will see him. I am the Alpha and the Omega, says the Lord. John 18:33-37 ? Jesus: My kingdom is not of this world. I testify to the truth. Pilate: What is truth? Wednesday or Thursday November 25/26 ? THANKSGIVING Joel 2:21-27 - Don?t fear O SOIL. Your threshing floors will be full. Your vats will be full with wine and oil. Psalm 126 - The LORD has done great things for us, and we are glad indeed. (Ps. 126:4) 1 Timothy 2:1-7 - Pray for public leaders. Matthew 6:25-33 - Don?t worry about your life? God will provide. ADVENT ? Year C November 29 ? ADVENT 1 Jeremiah 33:14-16 Psalm 25:1-10 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13 Luke 21:25-36 December 6 ? ADVENT 2 Baruch 5:1-9 or Malachi 3:1-4 Luke 1:68-79 Philippians 1:3-11 Luke 3:1-6 December 13 ? Advent 3 Zephaniah 3:14-20 Isaiah 12:2-6 Philippians 4:4-7 Luke 3:7-18 December 20 ? Advent 4 Micah 5:2-5a Luke 1:47-55 or Psalm 80:1-7 Hebrews 10:5-10 Luke 1:39-45, (46-55) -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... 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