“He makes peace in your borders, and fills you with the finest wheat.  He sends out His command to the earth; His word runs very swiftly.”  (Psalm 147:14-15)

The ones who follow the Lord are
blessed when they walk in His counsel. 
Apart from the Lord, the people are destructive.  In the Lord, there is goodness and
mercy.  Walk in the ways of the Lord and
be blessed by His presence and guidance. 
Know that in the Lord there is always hope, grace and goodness.  His Word will strengthen you now and always
in His ways.

Lord, guide Your Word into my heart that I may abide in the goodness of
Your mercy.  Lead me to learn Your ways
and be guided by Your goodness.  Grant me
hope and a future in You.  May I now and
always be found in You and the hope You give for all who trust in You.  Fill me with Your presence and purpose that I
may abound in You and the goodness You provide.

Holy Spirit, show me the
abundance which You have already given. 
Guide me according to the Father’s will to see that in You is the hope
of every generation.  Fill me with the
eternal bread of heaven.  Quench my
thirst with the living water.  Teach me
to run swiftly in the power of Your Word that I may now and always abide in the
truth You reveal for all people.  Lead me
in the way of Your salvation.  Amen.

“Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem!  Praise your God, O Zion!  For He has strengthened the bars of your gates; He has blessed your children within you.”  (Psalm 137:12-13)

The children of promise are
blessed.  The Lord sees all who come and
go.  Those who come to Him and seek Him
are blessed.  He will strengthen the ones
who trust in Him.  He will guard the ones
who look to Him.  The Lord knows those
who are His.  The Lord watches over our
going out and coming in.  Come unto the
Lord and walk in His blessing.  Praise
Him for His goodness.

Lord, bring my eyes to see through the mess of this world.  Guide me according to Your goodness to know
that in You is the hope for all people. 
You are the Maker and Redeemer of all. 
Teach my heart to know that in You and You alone is all that I can ever
hope for.  Lead me into Zion that I may
dwell in Your house forever.  Help me to
be a person of praise now and forever.

Lord Jesus, You said that there
are many rooms in the Father’s house. 
You promised that as many as believe would be redeemed.  Count me among Your followers that I may now
and always learn to praise and give thanks for all of the goodness in this
world.  Lead me, O Lord, in the way of
truth that I may abide with You as You abide with me.  Strengthen my self-control that I would
always remain with You.  Amen.

“He does not delight in the strength of the horse; He takes no pleasure in the legs of a man.  The Lord takes pleasure in those who fear Him, in those who hope in His mercy.”  (Psalm 147:10-11)

The Maker of all things is not impressed with the strength of what He has made.  All strength is a reflection, small in measure, of His own.  The Lord does not want you to impress Him.  Such a thing is not possible.  The Lord wants you to love Him; for that is what He has come to accomplish for as many as believe.  Our God takes pleasure in those who turn to Him and trust Him above all things.

Lord, turn my heart to trust You above all things.  Help me to not play games with Your
affections, nor seek anything other than what delights Your heart.  Guide me in love and teach me to love You
above all things.  Guide me in the way
You know I need to go that I may now and always abide in the fullness of Your
promise and purpose.  Keep me in Your
grace and mercy.

Lord Jesus, Love Incarnate, guide
me now and always in the way You would have me go.  Lead me according to Your goodness to know
that only in You is there hope and a future. 
Show me how, according to the Father’s will, to live life as You have
created it to be lived.  Keep me in Your
grace and always close to You.  Help me
this day to focus upon what is important and let other things go.  Amen.

“Who covers the heavens with clouds, who prepares rain for the earth,
who makes grass to grow on the mountains. 
He gives to the beast its food, and to the young ravens that cry.”  (Psalm 147:8-9)

Have you stopped to think of all
the living things that are provided for. 
They do not toil, nor are they concerned for their needs, yet they are
all provisioned.  If the Lord cares for
the creatures in the wild, will He not do the same for you?  Trust in the provision of the Lord and know
that His goodness is always present.  He
who knows your needs has provided for them in abundance.

Lord, help me to see through the unreality of feelings in order to see
the simple truth that You always provide. 
You are good and all that is needed has been provided for.  Lead me, O Lord, in the way of understanding
that I may simply see the truth of Your provision and mercy.  Guide me to be thankful that You are mindful
of all that You have created.  Lead me into
a life of praise.

Thank You, Lord Jesus, that You
have provided the way of salvation.  Lead
me in the way of truth that I may now and always abide in You as You abide in
me knowing that You are creating Your image in me.  Help me to be thankful in every circumstance,
trusting in all that has been provided. 
You have given all that I need. 
Guide me to be thankful for all that You have given.  Amen.

The past couple months I have had the privilege of representing Lutheran CORE at four most inspiring events – the NALC theology conference, missions festival, and convocation (August 6-9 in Indianapolis); Lutheran CORE’s annual Encuentro bi-lingual ministries festival (September 14 at an ELCA congregation in Chicago); the STS (Society of the Holy Trinity) general retreat (September 24-26 at a Roman Catholic retreat center north of Chicago); and the LCMC gathering (September 29-October 2 in Omaha).

Space
does not allow for a thorough report on all of them, so what I would like to do
is to share one or two highlights from each of them.

INDOOR VS. OUTDOOR CHRISTIANITY

On
behalf of Lutheran CORE I would like to extend our congratulations to Pastor
Dan Selbo on his election as the next bishop of the North American Lutheran
Church.  Our prayers and best wishes are
with him as he steps into this position of leadership, care, and
oversight.  The answers that he gave to
such questions as “What Should Be the NALC’S Most Important Ministry
Priorities?” and “What Challenges Do You See Facing the NALC?” make me
confident that he is going to give wise, powerful, and effective leadership for
the church.  I believe that the Holy
Spirit was present and guiding the process for the election of a new
bishop. 

The
address from Gemechis Buba, Assistant to the Bishop for Missions, at the close
of the missions festival was most inspiring. 
He based his presentation on the account in John 20 of what took place
on that first Easter Sunday evening. 
John tells us that as “the doors of the house where the disciples had
met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said,
‘Peace be with you. . . . As the Father has sent me, so I send you.’”  Then he breathed on them and said, “Receive
the Holy Spirit” (verses 19-22).

Dr.
Buba commented, “When the Holy Spirit is blown on us, there are no more closed
doors.”  Many are accustomed to indoors
Christianity.  They see everything as
diminishing and closing.  But the Holy
Spirit is moving us from indoor Christianity – where there are closed doors –
to outdoor Christianity – where there are open doors.  He spoke of several Oromo churches, who at
first were concerned because they were being kicked out of buildings.  They were wondering, “Where will we go
now?”  They are no longer renting
buildings.  Rather they are buying
buildings. 

Dr.
Buba also shared how the church of Jesus Christ is always under pressure.  The persecution and pressure may be different
in different parts of the world, but we are all under pressure.  Satan is seeking to destroy the church.  But when the Holy Spirit is leading the
church, the church becomes unstoppable. 
Receiving the Holy Spirit, the early disciples moved from being in one
room behind closed doors to being out in the world, speaking in many different
languages. 

Dr.
Buba reminded us that some say that there is no future for the church in
present-day America.  But we follow an
unstoppable Holy Spirit.  With the early
disciples we move from one room with closed doors in Jerusalem through open
doors to all over the world.

May
we follow our crucified and risen Lord Jesus, who has given us the Holy Spirit
and who now leads us to follow him from behind closed doors into the outside,
waiting world.   

* * * * * * *

NEIGHBORHOOD OUTREACH

I believe that our annual bi-lingual ministries Encuentro is our strongest connecting point with the ELCA.  The Encuentro is an annual gathering of inspiration, fellowship, support, and resources for pastors, lay leaders, and congregations who either are currently involved in or are considering becoming involved in Spanish and/or bilingual (Spanish-English) ministries.  It is held at an ELCA congregation in northwest Chicago (St. Timothy Lutheran Church).  It is co-sponsored by Lutheran CORE and the Bilingual Ministries Resource Center out of First and Santa Cruz Lutheran Church in Joliet, Illinois (another ELCA congregation).  The majority of those who attend are ELCA, and the majority of the presenters are ELCA – including pastors, theologians, and national church staff.  We were especially delighted this year to receive an email greeting from Bishop Jeffrey Clements of the ELCA’s Northern Illinois Synod, and we were deeply honored that Bishop-Elect Yehiel Curry of the ELCA’s Metro Chicago Synod stopped by.  Bishop-Elect Curry said during his greeting, “I represent the entire synod.”  How delighted we were that the bishop would include in his definition of “the entire synod” a congregation that would host an event planned and sponsored by Lutheran CORE.

When
so much of our work is a critical review of much of what is done and valued by
the ELCA, it is refreshing to have this annual event, which is a source of
support and encouragement for many in the ELCA. 
Lutheran CORE and the ELCA disagree on many, very basic things, but we do
agree on the importance of reaching out to and receiving the gifts of Spanish-speaking
people.

I
would also want to mention the intentional inter-Lutheran outreach of this
annual event.  We were very happy to
welcome several LCMS pastors and lay people. 
   

Main
presenter was Dr. Maxwell Johnson, ELCA theologian and professor at Notre Dame
University in South Bend, Indiana.  Dr.
Johnson is incredibly knowledgeable, dynamic, energetic, and even funny.  He really engages with his audience and is
very clear in his teaching of the orthodox Christian faith.  Much of his second presentation was on the
Virgin of Guadalupe and her appearance to a native Mexican peasant farmer by
the name of Juan Diego.  Much of what he
said reminded me of the Magnificat in Luke 1, where Mary praised God for
lifting up the lowly (verse 52).  Dr.
Maxwell shared how her appearance gave the hope of the Gospel to people who had
no Good News from what was coming from Spain. 
Juan Diego was one of the low and despised indigenous persons who became
a messenger of God to the powerful, both in government as well as in the
church.  Dr. Maxwell sees her appearing
as an example of God’s care for and identification with the poor.  He said, “For people who have been told that
they are inferior – for the Juan Diegos of this world – there is
vindication.”  He added, “The Virgin of
Guadalupe is not necessary for salvation, but she is an expression of God’s
love.”

It was exciting to see the extent to which St. Timothy is reaching out to its neighborhood.  There were several from the community present during part of the event, and both the beginning of a mariachi-led Misa Panamericana as well as a prayer vigil for peace in the city of Chicago were held outside – as a witness to the community.  One woman who came with her family to the Encuentro invited everyone to her home on the evening of Wednesday, December 11, the day before the annual commemoration of the Virgin of Guadalupe on December 12.  This will be one of several Wednesday evening Advent prayer gatherings for the St. Timothy congregation.  The text for these evening home Bible studies and Vespers will be Mary’s Magnificat from Luke’s Gospel.

Part of the festival was a re-dedication of a more-than-a-century-old baptismal font, which had not been used in worship for several years.  That rededication seemed like a recommitment on the part of the congregation to reach out to its community.

                                                       
* * * * * * *

NOT ASHAMED OR AFRAID TO CALL GOD FATHER

The
second time I had the opportunity to hear from Dr. Maxwell Johnson was at the
Society of the Holy Trinity (STS) general retreat.  At that event he spoke on “Ecclesia Semper
Reformanda” (the church must always be reformed) as it relates to baptism and
the eucharist.  I deeply appreciated the
powerful case he built against the radical hospitality movement, which would
invite all people to receive the Lord’s Supper whether or not they have been
baptized.  Here are some of the
statements Dr. Johnson made which I thought were particularly helpful and
insightful.  “In baptism the eucharist
begins; in the eucharist baptism is sustained.” 
“No one deserves baptism; the eucharist is the birthright of the
baptized.”  “The exclusion of the
unbaptized from the eucharist is not to protect the eucharist, but out of
pastoral care and concern for the unbaptized.” 
They might not be ready to make a confession of faith in Christ and to
commit to the costly discipleship of the life of following Christ.  I also appreciated his comment, “The purpose
of liturgy is not to permeate our lives with ritual, but to permeate our lives
with Christ.”

It
was refreshing being with people who are not hesitant to affirm the Trinity and
the Trinitarian nature of our faith.  It
was also refreshing being with people who are not afraid and ashamed to call
God Father.  The Society of the Holy
Trinity is an inter-Lutheran ministerium which regularly gathers pastors for
mutual encouragement, prayer, and study, fortifying continued faithfulness to
ordination vows.

The
campus of the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary, where the
retreat was held, is beautiful, and the singing at the worship services was
awesome.  Very often I did not join in
the singing because I just wanted to be surrounded by the beauty of voices
lifted up in praise to God.

The
Rev. Dr. Ryan Mills, STS, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in New Haven,
Connecticut, and dean of the New England Chapter of the Society, gave the
message at the closing worship service. 
The Scripture passages were the account of the Last Supper in Mark 14
and Luke’s description of the shipwreck on the way to Rome in Acts 27.  As I listened to those passages being read, I
was wondering how they were going to be related to each other.  The way Pastor Mills did it was brilliant.

In
Mark 14 Jesus sends a couple of his disciples into Jerusalem, where they are to
follow a man carrying a jar of water. 
Men usually did not carry water in those days, so this man was sure to
catch their attention.  They were to
follow him to a house where a large upstairs room would be furnished and ready
for them to eat the Passover.  Mark tells
us, “So the disciples set out and went to the city and found everything as he
had told them” (verse 16).  All that we
need for our faith to be nourished and sustained Jesus has furnished.  It is ready in the Lord’s Supper.  The grace that he has promised and that we
need is available there – just as he has told us.

In
his description of the storm in Acts 27 Luke uses phrases like these.  “We were being pounded by the storm so
violently” (verse 18).  “All hope of our
being saved was at last abandoned” (verse 20). 
“We were drifting across the sea” (verse 27).  “Fearing that we might run on the rocks, they
. . . prayed for day to come” (verse 29). 
What did Paul do in a situation like that?  He urged them all to take some food – to help
them survive.  Verses 35 and 36 – “He
took bread; and giving thanks to God in the presence of all, he broke it and
began to eat.  Then all of them were
encouraged and took food for themselves.”

Often
we feel like we have been caught in a powerful storm of unfavorable
circumstances.  We feel pounded
violently.  We can lose all hope of being
saved.  We feel like we are
drifting.  Fearful, we pray that day will
come.  In circumstances such as these
what do we need?  The body and blood of
our Lord Jesus Christ, to give us courage, strength, and spiritual
sustenance.  Having heard that message,
and having attended that retreat, I felt ready to return to the challenges of
life – knowing that Jesus has already prepared all I will need, and that with
his presence and grace I can weather the storms.   

* * * * * * *

INTENTIONAL INTERIM MINISTRY

Attending
the LCMC annual gathering, I was blessed and encouraged by the resources that
that association provides for congregations that are between pastors, in the
call process, and/or in transition.  I
attended breakout sessions for Call Committee Coaches, on Intentional Interim
Ministry (with a focus on the interim pastor), and on Pastoral Succession.  I had a hard time choosing between a second
breakout session on Intentional Interim Ministry (with a focus on the
congregation) and the session on Pastoral Succession.  I found myself wishing they were not being
offered at the same time. 

The
session for Call Committee Coaches was led by Perry Fruhling, LCMC Coordinator
for Pastoral Ministry.  I commend Perry
for all the resources he has for congregations that are in the call
process.  I also deeply appreciate the strong
endorsement he has given to Lutheran CORE’s Congregations in Transition
ministry initiative.

I
was very interested in attending the breakout sessions on Intentional Interim
Ministry and Pastoral Succession because I have seen the tragedies that can
happen when pastoral succession does not go well.  I have seen a strong, orthodox ELCA
congregation where orthodoxy did not survive a change in pastors.  I have seen the massive disruption and great
damage that can happen when the largest congregation in a synod trusts the
synod to supply them with their next pastor. 
I have seen a congregation “settle” for a pastor in order to relieve
their own anxiety rather than doing the hard work of continuing in the search
process.  This congregation is now paying
a high price.  I have seen what can
happen when one person manipulates and controls the call process rather than
allows it to be a unique opportunity for the congregation to learn from its
past, identify its strengths, and prepare itself for a new future.  Having seen what can happen, I was very
grateful to learn about the Intentional Interim Ministry that the LCMC has to
offer its congregations.

I
was intrigued with the comparison that was given between repairing a parking
lot and interim ministry.  One option is just
to fill the potholes.  That would be like
simply having pulpit supply.  A second
option would be to apply a thin coat of sealant that would get you through
another winter.  That would be like
having an interim pastor who has not been trained to be an intentional
interim.  The third option would be to
take the time and put forth the effort to take off a few layers and get down to
the foundation.  That would be like
having an intentional interim.

Three
kinds of situations were described where having an intentional interim would be
particularly recommended – after a long-term pastor, where there have been
several different pastors in a short period of time, and when a pastor leaves
suddenly or unexpectedly.  The comment
was made that a congregation should have an intentional interim for one month
for every year of the former pastor’s call – but no less than a year. 

We
learned that intentional interims can and need to be “truth speakers.”  Using all the capital and credits that they
have, they can deal with issues that the next called pastor will then not have
to deal with.  A big difference between
an intentional interim and the next called pastor is that the intentional interim
will be leaving.  That factor alone might
enable the intentional interim to do what needs to be done. 

People
attending the breakout session were encouraged to consider whether they might
have the gifts and calling to be an intentional interim.  We were told that intentional interims have
got to be able to love all people – even very difficult people – as they draw
from the well of God’s great love for us. 
They have got to be able to remain calm and be a non-anxious
presence.  And they have got to be engaged
in doing self-care. 

I
am very grateful to Dawn Spies, Steve Abend, and Steve Lien (former LCMC
coordinator of pastoral ministry) for leading the workshop.  The next day I was talking with a friend who
is serving his second term as an intentional interim.  I thanked him for what he is doing, and I
committed myself to pray and ask God to bless those who serve in this way and
to raise up more intentional interims.

*
* * * * * *

Thank
you to the organizers of and the presenters at these four events.  I am very grateful for the opportunity to
attend, I value the ministry partnerships, and I enjoy the relational
connections. 

Blessings in Christ,
Dennis D. Nelson
Executive Director of Lutheran CORE
dennisdnelsonaz@yahoo.com

“The Lord lifts up the humble; He casts the wicked down to the
ground.  Sing to the Lord with
thanksgiving; sing praises on the harp to our God,” (Psalm 147:6-7)

Do not be proud or
boastful.  You are whom the Lord made you
to be.  Come as you are and know that He
will transform you and make of you what He has always intended.  The proud and wicked will be cast down, but
the humble will be lifted up to be with Him always.  Know that in the Lord is true life
found.  In Him alone is there hope and
meaning.  Come, rejoice and be glad.

Lord, lift up my spirit to walk with You now and always.  Guide me according to Your goodness to see
that in You is the hope for all people. 
Lead me away from the arrogance of the proud that I may walk humbly with
You at all times.  Teach me the
everlasting way of life that I may live according to Your purposes. Help me
learn to praise and always to give thanks for Your goodness and mercy.

Lord Jesus, You have come to lead
the way into everlasting life.  Guide me
according to Your goodness that I would walk in Your footsteps.  Help me now and always to see that in You is
the hope for every person.  You have
given the words of everlasting life. 
Lead me through the truth You have revealed to learn how to live the
godly life You offer in grace.  May I now
and always praise You for Your goodness and mercy.  Amen.

“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.  He counts the number of the stars; He calls
them all by name.  Great is our Lord, and
mighty in power; His understanding is infinite.”  (Psalm 147:3-5)

The Lord knows you better than
you know yourself.  He knows where you
have been and all that has happened in your life.  Turn to Him and allow Him to put the healing
of His gentle Spirit within you.  He will
guide you in all of your ways.  Lean upon
the Lord and trust that the One who created you knows all that is needed.  Come into the grace of His understanding and
be comforted.

Lord, You know all that is needed. 
Guide me according to Your purposes to come into Your presence and dwell
with You forever.  Lead me in the way You
know I need to go that I may now and always abide in Your presence.  Lift me up and bring me to understanding that
I may know the fullness of the promises You have given for those who
believe.  May I now and always dwell in
Your presence.

Come, Holy Spirit, and minister
to my heart.  Lead me in the way of truth
that I may now and always listen as You speak and obey as You command.  Help me through every time of trouble to see
that in You alone is the hope for us all. 
May I humbly submit to Your leading as You guide me through all that my
life has encountered and find the healing which You alone provide.  Amen.

“Praise the Lord!  For it is good
to sing praises to our God; for it is pleasant, and praise is beautiful.  The Lord builds up Jerusalem; He gathers
together the outcasts of Israel.”  (Psalm
147:1-2)

Look around you.  There is much beauty in this world.  The Lord is good and has provided at all
times for all people.  Do not focus upon
the calamities, but upon the abundance that cares for so many.  See the goodness of what the Lord has done
and learn to praise Him for all things and in all situations.  The world focuses upon evil.  Learn to focus upon what is right and good.

Lord, teach me to have a heart that praises You in every season.  Guide me according to Your purpose to see
that in You is the hope of every generation. 
Lead me to see what is right and good and to put these things into
practice.  Guide me O Lord according to
Your purpose that I may now and always praise You and give You thanks for all
the good things You provide for Your creation.

Lord Jesus, You have come that
all who believe would have life and have it abundantly.  Guide me in the way of truth that I would
rejoice in the blessings You give.  Lead
me in Your provision to see through the wiles of this world and know Your grace
and goodness afresh each day.  Help me to
live with a grateful heart, giving thanks for the abundant mercies You
provide.  Amen.

“The Lord shall reign forever – your God, O Zion, to all
generations.  Praise the Lord!”  (Psalm 146:10)

The Lord is the Creator of all
things.  Everything that exists is in His
hands.  There are many who believe all
kinds of things about reality, but reality is in the hands of the One who made
it.  Praise the One through whom all
things have their being.  Come to the One
in Whom is purpose and meaning.  He is
the God of all generations and leads those who come to Him in purpose and
promise.

Lord, there are so many conflicting ideas that it is easy to get caught
up in the unreality offered by this age. 
Guide me, O Lord, in the way of truth. 
You have spoken and Your Word is true. 
Guide me through the faith You have given that I may abide in the truth
of Your Word.  Lead me to see that in You
alone is the hope of every age.  Lead me
to learn to praise You for all things.

Lord Jesus, You have come to
reveal life that we may live now and forever in Your presence.  Guide me in the way of truth that You have
established that I may now and always walk according to the Word You have
given.  Lead me to live a life of praise
of You through whom all things have their being.  Guide me along with all the faithful of every
time and place to praise You.  Amen.

“The Lord gives freedom to the prisoners.  The Lord opens the eyes of the blind; the
Lord raises those who are bowed down; the Lord loves the righteous.  The Lord watches over the strangers; He
relieves the fatherless and widow; but the way of the wicked He turns upside
down.”  (Psalm 146:7b-9)

In this life, there are many
injustices.  Each in their own way have
been crippled by the ways of this world steeped in rebellion against the
Lord.   Yet, one by one, He lifts up
those who turn to Him and removes their infirmity.  Mind you, in the Lord, one can still remain
physically or mentally impaired and yet freed by grace.  He frees the captives though they remain in
an earthly dungeon.  Come into the
freedom of the Lord.

Lord, help me see that in Your faithfulness You do all of these things
and more.  Teach me by Your good news to
know that in You alone is the hope for all people.  Though this world be passing away, yet in You
there is eternity.  Guide me, O Lord, in
the way of everlasting life that I would walk now and forever with You by my
side.  Lead me according to Your goodness
and mercy.

Lord Jesus, You have come to lead
the way into everlasting life.  Guide me
now and always in the way of life that I would walk humbly with You as You lead
me.  Lift me up to see that in You is the
hope for every age.  May I now and always
be found following You wherever You lead knowing that You have given the words
of everlasting life.  Lead me, O Savior,
in the way of Your salvation.  Amen.