From the Pastor - September 2011

I’m very excited about all the plans that are in the works for this fall, most of which you’ll be able to read about in this edition of Family Doings. Creative thinking around Children and Youth Ministries; 85th Anniversary celebrations; worship innovations, and so on. People are getting enthused, ideas are flowing, community is being created. 

Something that always comes with innovation and change is risk. It’s easier and safer to do things the way we’ve always done them. It’s risky taking a new path. People might not follow. Matthew’s Gos-pel suggests that Jesus experienced some of that. First there was the execution of John the Baptist that must have hit Jesus like a huge Caution Turn Back!! sign. Then the religious leaders of the community kept hounding him: Why are you doing things like this? What’s wrong with the old tried and true? Finally, Jesus had enough. He went for vacation beyond the borders of Galilee to get a way from it all and recharge when he met a “Canaanite” woman – a Gentile, an outsider – who showed him that he had only been tinkering with real change up to now. “I’ve not come for you, but only for the lost sheep of the house of Israel,” he says to her. “It’s not right to take the children’s food and give it to the dogs.” 

“But even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from the master’s table,” she responds. 

“Great is your faith, woman.” Jesus says, realizing just how revolutionary was this life that he was be-ing called by God to live. Even she, a descendent of the ancient enemies of Israel, a pagan, and a woman, was to be included in the family. “Let it be done for you as you wish.” 

As you will read in my report on the ELCIC National Convention that was held in July, delegates took a chance and set our national church on a direction of radical change, change that is likely to prove to be too much for some. I’m talking about the adoption of motions approving same-gender marriage and declaring that homosexuality is not to be a barrier to ordination. Agree or disagree with this decision, it was clear that one direction or other had to finally be chosen. Too much pain was being caused, and too many lives, relationships, and communities were being torn apart under the old “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy. The delegates at the national convention made a choice essentially saying to each congre-gation of the ELCIC, “now you choose. This option of radical ministry is now available to you, if you wish. But one way or the other, you must choose.” (And as the Canadian power rock trio, Rush, re-minds us: Even if you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice!) 

The council of St. Ansgar has set the congregation on a path toward making a choice, taking Bishop Pryse’s advice to not wait until a same-gender couple comes seeking marriage at our church before we begin this process; that just wouldn’t be fair to them. So, we are starting now before another request comes. Council has asked me to use the Wednesday Evening Adult Education classes to this end. I’ve observed that those most sincere in their opposition to these motions are simply striving to be faithful to Scripture. Therefore, the authority and interpretation of Scripture will be the focus of these classes. 

I am proposing the following schedule of Wednesday Evening Adult Education Classes: 

• September 14: The Authority of Scripture Part I 
• September 21: The Authority of Scripture Part II 
• September 28: What Does the Bible Say about All This? Part I – The Seven Most Sited Texts 
• October 4: What Does the Bible Say about All This? Part II -was Christum treibt: What Conveys Christ 
• October 12: Do We Have To Celebrate All Expressions of Sexuality? By No Means! or, Sexual Sin: It’s Not Actually About the Sex 

The classes will take the form of lecture (30 to 45 minutes) followed by dis-cussion (also 30 to 45 minutes). Dissenting points of view are welcomed but the conversation will remain respectful and everyone must be given a chance to speak. Classes will begin at 7:00 PM and conclude by 8:30, sharp. 

Realizing that not everyone will be able to participate on Wednesday eve-nings, I will provide a written outline for each class. It is hoped, however, that everyone who feels strongly about this will make an effort to participate in the classes. If you require child-care please call the office and we will ar-range it. 

Finally, then, based on the interest shown in the classes and the conversation that takes place there, council will formulate a motion to bring before the con-gregation for a vote giving the congregation the opportunity to choose the di-rection and just how radical we want our ministry to be. Yes, there is risk - some will not be happy about this. However, I think we can all agree that these times call for clarity in our proclamation of the Gospel and boldness in living it out. Ultimately, the choice will be yours. I look forward to going through this process with you. 

Peace,
Pastor Brian