Bishop's article from the November/December 2009 Making Christ Known

Looking Forward to Looking Forward

During the last couple of months, I have met with over 25 gatherings of rostered leaders and congregation members of our Synod regarding the decisions made at the ELCA Churchwide Assembly. We discussed the social statement “Human Sexuality: Gift and Trust” and the four Implementation Resolutions. We looked at the different points of view held by members of the church and how they arrived at their perspectives from the Scriptures and Lutheran theology. Then we refl ected on how these decisions will affect congregations and the mission which God has called us to be about.

I found much diversity in each group I met. Some felt the decisions were long overdue. Others thought that the ELCA had made a mistake. Most felt that there was enough fl exibility in applying the policies that they could support them or at least live with them. For me, I now look forward to looking forward and concentrating on the mission which God has graciously called us into: to proclaim the Lordship of Christ in words and actions, to plant the church, to call new disciples, to renew congregations, to stand for justice, to feed the hungry, to support and raise up leaders, and to be the Body of Christ in the world. This is our calling. This is our mission. This is our life together.

It will take some time for our church to fi gure out this life together and fl ourish in it. The conversation will continue, but I would love to hear what your congregation is doing in youth ministry, evangelism, and how the Book of Faith initiative is going. If you ask me, I even have some great pictures to share from my daughter Rachel’s wedding in September. Thank you for your faithfulness in God’s mission.

In Christ,

Bishop Gary Wollersheim

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