June 1 marked my three year anniversary of my ministry here at Salem Lutheran Church.  This is still my first call and one I see myself in for quite some time yet (unless, of course, they run me out sooner).  Coming out of seminary they warned us about getting too feisty and making too many changes too soon.  One month after I arrived here I moved the baptismal font from the back of the sanctuary to the front (bold move, I know).  This got the attention of a couple people and one in particular — so much so that she stuck her foot so far into her month that she needed a team of <something> to pull it out.

At my installation service in August of 2004 this person, N, was talking to my dad (she did not know he was my dad).  They got to talking about the "new pastor".  At this N started complaining about how I moved the baptismal font and complained about a couple other "trivial" things.  During this little rant S came over and said to N, "Hey, have you met pastor’s dad?".  N froze up and quickly ended the conversation — probably to find some help to remove her foot from her mouth.  Today N and I have a great working relationship.  She is a valuable member of this ministry.  I don’t know what I would do without her.

Tomorrow (June 24) is our congregational meeting and more things are changing.  We are electing new council members.  One such council member has been the financial secretary (keeping track of offerings and deposits) for a couple decades and as of July 1 she is done.  We are also talking about the new ELWs (new hymnals for the ELCA).  We aren’t making any decisions yet but hopefully moving in that direction (I wonder how people are going to respond).  We will also be discussing how we are going to spend a large monetary gift we received from a parishioner (they want the money spent on the property while they are still alive).  Lots of things changing and hopefully for the better.

I know God is going to do something amazing here at Salem and these changes are signs of those (new) amazing things.  My prayer is that people are open to God’s calling and see that we need to move in a new direction if we are to be more relevant in our community.  Tradition is great but context is also important.

I am looking forward to tomorrow.  I am looking forward to how the Holy Spirit is going to lead Salem Lutheran Church through these new changes.  I am looking forward to how God is going to use us to share the Good News of Jesus Christ.  I am looking forward to how God is going to use me here at Salem as I continue to lead these people into the future.  God is awesome and God is faithful.  And I hold onto that with all my strength.

As always…praise God always and forever, Amen!
-edh-