A Letter From Bishop Bill Rindy
Writing by admin on Wednesday, 14 of October , 2009 at 1:01 pm
[From the September/October 2009 Eastern North Dakota Synod Newsletter]
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
Fall is upon us. Sometimes I feel like a victim of fall; it comes upon me, it does not respect my sense of timing, and it does not follow my schedule. Perhaps it points to a deeper problem: I want to be in control. I find comfort in a world that I can control. Having a family quickly cured me of my illusion of control. At times the world beyond my control is a bit scary, because if there is anyone else in control, it isn’t me. Into this seemingly chaotic world a bumper sticker, of all things, gives me some comfort. It reads, “Remember two things: There is a God; It is not you.”
In a world where so much seems beyond our control, we can find great comfort in knowing “This is My Father’s World.” There is a story regarding the Pope and his bedtime ritual. As he prepares to go to sleep for the night, he removes his hat, then entrusts the Roman Catholic church and the rest of the world to God’s care and keeping for the night. I would take the story one step further—I wouldn’t put the hat back on,
tempted to think that I would be in control for the daylight hours!
Today there are many feeling that the Church is beyond their control… and they are right. However, individuals and congregations are still able to be people of conviction, to have “bound consciences.” Some simple truths remain: congregations still choose their pastors, choose their Sunday school curriculum, and experience bound consciences. The more conversations overheard around the synod the more one realizes that the human sexuality task force was probably right when they said there was no consensus on this issue and that there would not be consensus anytime soon. While talking with a group around this issue on a beautiful Sunday afternoon, I realized that some farmers were thanking God for the gift of a beautiful day that would allow them to complete their harvest before the coming rain… an answer to prayer. Other farmers would not consider farming that day, because it was the Lord ’s Day. Yet both found a way of respecting each other as brothers and sisters in Christ, without being in agreement as to how they would fulfill the third commandment on that Sunday. All analogies eventually break down, yet this may give some insight as to how people of faith might continue to walk the road together, in spite of disagreements.
While we figure this journey out together, I want to encourage you to study the scriptures. Be in conversation with others, especially seeking to understand one another (not trying to change each other). Explain your neighbors’ actions in the kindest possible ways. As you are in conversation, find your voice, so that you can stand for what you believe in, while at the same time speaking the truth in love.
Stay focused on mission as it may be the very thing that draws us together. Remember Jesus, the Christ, who gives us our identity and holds us together… now and forever.
There’s so much I want to say and hear from you… that means we’ll need to stay in conversation. I’m beginning to understand why the Apostle Paul ended his letters the way he did… he really loved and cared for the church. As I’ve been serving you this past year, I continue to grow deeper in both love and care for you. On behalf of your synod staff, I pledge that we will walk this journey with you… as long as God can be in control.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all!
Bill
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