Bishop Rindy on Prayer and the Christian Life
Writing by admin on Tuesday, 8 of December , 2009 at 4:06 pm
This is from the Bishop’s letter in the Eastern ND ELCA Newsletter for November/December 2009.
As we walk the Christian life, we seek to live in God-pleasing ways. In my prayer life, I have made it a point NOT to tell the Creator of the universe how to run it. However, as I have been observing and conversing with those who till the soil, I have been reflecting on a core theological conviction I live by: God would never call us to do something without equipping us to do it. This goes for farmers as well as pastors (not to mention EVERY child of God). So I have been praying for daily bread, mindful of Martin Luther’s inclusion of “favorable weather” as part of the daily bread which God provides. As I write this, I am thanking God for the favorable weather of the past two weeks, allowing God’s children to do that which they are called to do: feed the world. May you sense God’s providence of daily bread in this season of Thanksgiving, that our hearts and lives may be filled with gratitude for all of God’s goodness. May we also be moved to share with those who find themselves in need.
On a related note, I want to extend my most sincere and heartfelt thanks for your continued support of all those ministries we do together. It is my hope and prayer that we can continue doing the good work God is calling us to do together.
The 2010 Synod Assembly is scheduled for April 17-18 at the Jamestown Civic Center. God’s Work. Our Hands: Together in Mission will be our theme. As we prepare to gather in Jamestown, I am so excited. Instead of just talking about doing mission/ministry, we’re going to follow the example of our youth who made such an impact on the city of New Orleans at the national youth gathering this past summer. Instead of the usual work-shops that are part of the afternoon, I have challenged the Jamestown and Carrington conferences to come up with enough service opportunities in the area to engage all of the voting members in service of neighbor to the extent they are able. Imagine the impact we could have in that area. Christians living out their faith in loving service of the neighbor in need!
It has been satisfying to hear faithful conversations, even those around difficult topics, at our fall conference assemblies. The church in which we live as ELCA Lutherans in eastern North Dakota is an amazing, interconnected web of ministry. I have learned much in this call as I have the privilege to see the church at work from a new perspective. Everything we do together matters. The funds that you offer back to God through your local congregation make a difference, quite literally, all over the world. Decisions we make personally and as congregations greatly impact ministries all across our synod, country, and world. Some decisions have consequences which are easy to measure. Others are more like the first domino falling in a row of dominoes, one small movement can have a major effect. If you find yourself in a position where you feel compelled to modify your support of our church, please visit with your pastor. She or he may be able to help you think through the far-reaching consequences so that you can support ministries you feel good about without hurting ministries you care about. The same would hold true for congregations/councils. We are more than willing to walk with you as you ponder potential actions, so that when you make your decisions, you will feel good about the end results. Regarding the newspaper headlines you may have been reading about Fargo congregations and the ELCA, I would encourage you to speak with the congregational presidents… you may find that not all newspaper headlines are what they seem to be. My overwhelming sense is that all the people with whom I’ve had conversations are seeking to be faithful in their responses. This is a good thing.
“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13 NASB
Bishop Bill Rindy
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Category: Bishop's Letter
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