Current Affairs

Twitter updates on ELCA Church wide assembly

/ The Pastor / 2 Comments

Maybe you have noticed, maybe you have not…on my top, left side bar there are some Twitter update about the ELCA Church wide assembly (CWA) that is going on in Minneapolis.  I have been keeping an eye on things and Tweeting updates and comments.  I am thinking I won’t blog a whole lot more about the CWA but if  something inspires me then I might.  For the time being check your Twitter account and follow me (SWMNRev) or check the top left side bar for updates.  I won’t be doing much tonight (Tuesday) with Twitter but will be back in full gear tomorrow while I try to get stuff down (I am a “master” at multitasking).

In any case, please the CWA in your prayers.  There is much to discuss and much to do but as I mentioned before my hope and prayer is that we, as a Church, will eventually move on and do something to advance the mission of  Christ.

-edh-

ELCA cwa09 and Twitter

/ The Pastor / 15 Comments

The ELCA Church wide assembly is underway.  Day one is in the books and Day 2 is up and going.  Yesterday was debate about parliamentary procedures.  One of the big items was the passage of the rule to only require a simple majority for passage of ministry recommendations concerning homosexuality.  I did not listen to this debate via live streaming through the ELCA website but entered the discussion afterward on Twitter.  It is really fun to see the number of people Tweeting the assembly via Twitter.  But if you are doing that make sure you are getting accurate information.  Go to the the ELCA website for updates or follow “pglutherans” on Twitter.  She is posting Tweets of news stories and other information about assembly action; a reliable source of information (pglutherans is reliable, maybe not so much the mainline media).  You can also follow the ELCA on Twitter for up-to-date information as well.

Last night, as I was following various people on Twitter about CWA news, I got into a discussion with a fellow Tweeter about what was going on.  Obviously we hold different views about homosexuality.  One of my Tweets indicated that I hope and pray that the delegates are not just following societal trends.  By the time we were finished with our discussion/debate I was accused of being “uncharitable towards those who disagree with me”.  At that Tweet I stopped the discussion…not because I didn’t have a response, but rather I wanted to process that discussion we were having and respond later.

Well…later is here…

“Uncharitable”?  Without giving you the full text of the conversation I want to respond.  And in all fairness to my colleague (who I follow on Twitter and on her blog…and whom I respect) I am not going to take shots or anything like that but rather respond in a general sort of way.  Our discussion/debate last night is between the two of us and anyone else following us on Twitter.

“Uncharitable” — I have heard similar terms such as that when connected to the debate about homosexuality.  The other terms I have heard are: “Unwelcoming”, “Intolerant”, “Unloving” and even “Homophobic”.  I am not suggesting that my colleague was eluding to any of those terms, but rather I have heard all of them in the same debate.  Am I “uncharitable”…NO.  Am I passionate about what I believe…YES.  For the record:  I believe in the traditional view of marriage between ONE man and ONE woman. But…if a gay couple walks through the doors of the church I am serving will I welcome them…ABSOLUTELY…and I hope and (frankly) expect everyone else to as well.  Will that gay couple be welcomed as members of the congregation…YES.  I will preach the Gospel to them; pray for them and serve with them…just like everyone else.  I just can’t support their lifestyle.  If a gay pastor comes to serve a congregation in Jackson what will my response be…I will work with my colleague and that congregation in an ecumenical way as I always have.

I may sound “uncharitable” to those who disagree with me but maybe that is because our view of scripture is so different.  Maybe it is because we are at a point where debate about homosexuality is not going to change the view of people who are already entrenched in their view.  Maybe I sound “uncharitable” because saying that you disagree with the homosexual life style proponents generally hear that you have “closed your doors”.

I am not “uncharitable”…I am just passionate about my beliefs and I hope the delegates remain faithful to their convictions and beliefs as well.  I hope and pray they do not get swayed by societal trends or media/societal pressure.  I hope and pray that the delegates remain and continue in prayer…and remember to listen.  I hope and pray that people are respectful.  And…no matter the out come of the vote this week…I hope and pray that the ELCA can get back on track and proclaim the Gospel, continue in mission and be evangelically focused.

There’s much work to be done, but nothing will happen through our own strength and understanding.  May God be praised and glorified in all we do.  And remember…be charitable to all people…regardless of beliefs.

Praise be to God!

-edh-

Swinging on Monday, Aug. 17

/ The Pastor / 4 Comments

O.K…it is time to get back into the swing of things once again.

Today is Monday, Aug. 17 and the ELCA (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America) is convening in Minneapolis for its Church wide assembly.  And this year promises to be one of heated (and hopefully) civil debate over the issue of homosexuality.  Tops on the agenda is the social statement on Human Sexuality.  Closely behind that is the ministry recommendations that would allow ordaining gay/lesbian pastors who are in life-long, committed relationships and for the blessing of same sex unions.  No matter where one stands; no matter what happens, there will be some polarization in the ELCA.  I hate to say it, but its going to happen.  My prayer is that the mission of Christ still continues marching forward and that we don’t let issues derail us.  Satan would love nothing more than for the Church to lose its focus.

Today is Monday, Aug. 17 and I am deep into getting ready for confirmation.  I mentioned in an earlier post that I am revamping my confirmation program here.  It is not a complete overhaul, but rather some important (and intriguing) additions to the schedule and requirements.  One of the key things I am doing is putting a greater emphasis on parental involvement.  I will talk more later on what I am doing with this.  I have a couple more piece I am finalizing yet, but I am really looking forward to this year.  It’s going to be a fun one.

Today is Monday, Aug. 17 and I am starting to feel a little anxiety.  In less than a month, Salem Lutheran Church will be celebrating its 125th anniversary and I don’t feel ready to go yet.  The big weekend is Sept. 12 and 13 and it keeps creeping closer and closer every day (duh…i guess).  It’s just that there is so much to do here at church and in the parsonage…and I just want everything to go smoothly.  But on the other hand I am looking forward to the celebration.  We have former pastors coming back and other special guests returning for the weekend.  You can go to our church website for a complete schedule of events at http://www.salemjackson.org

Today is Monday, Aug. 17 and I feel like I am back into the swing of things…again.  But with everything that is coming up I am hoping and praying that I do not “strike out”.

God bless your day!

-edh-

Missed opportunity?

/ The Pastor / 3 Comments

I can’t help but think that there was a missed opportunity yesterday.

Millions of people across this vast globe watched the Michael Jackson memorial service on TV and a few select people were able to be there in person.  I for one did not watch, but saw and heard a number of sound bites no matter the station I was watching (even ESPN had a couple sound bites).  Now…I don’t want to generalize this memorial service but I can’t help but think that it was probably no different than any other celebrity’s memorial service.

What was the missed opportunity?

Ephesians 1:7 says, “In him we have redemption through his (Jesus) blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.”

Imagine if that verse were read at the memorial service (or one like it).  Imagine if the Gospel were preached in all it’s purity.  Imagine if people across the globe got a chance to hear celebrities witness to their faith (if there is indeed faith there to be witnessed to).  Like I said…I wasn’t there, didn’t watch and I don’t know the people in attendance.  But the sound bites I heard never once mentioned Jesus, God, faith or anything of the sort.  Missed opportunity.

With memorial services like this the tendency is to focus on the person who has died.  There are stories told to highlight what a great person they were.  There are facts shared that illustrate what a difference the person made in the lives of others.  There are tears shed and emotions laid out for all to see.  No doubt that Michael Jackson had an influence on many people, loved many people and helped many people.  No doubt that he will be missed and mourned for a long time.  But as with any person on this vast planet…Michael Jackson was a sinner.

Don’t get me wrong…he was no worse than anyone else, but he was a sinner.  I am a sinner.  You are a sinner.  But despite those facts Ephesians 1:7 is true for you and me and Michael Jackson.  I wish this was shared with the millions of people that were watching…and mourning.  Missed opportunity.

Funerals are an excellent opportunity to preach the Gospel to people that normally would not put themselves in a situation to hear the Gospel preached (i.e. they don’t come to worship unless it is Easter, Christmas or a funeral).  We can’t miss these opportunities.  People are searching for answers and reassurance.  What a missed opportunity to share with people that because of what Jesus has done and through faith we will all be together again.

Death doesn’t have to be good bye, but rather see you later.

The memorial service yesterday was an opportunity that was missed and will never come again.  Take advantage of situations in your life to preach the Gospel, share the Good News of forgiveness and proclaim the gift of life we have from God through Jesus Christ.

Let’s not miss opportunities.

-edh-

Greatness

/ The Pastor / 1 Comment

[This was submitted as a letter to the editor of the Jackson County Pilot.  Along with me 4 other pastors and one lay person signed onto this letter.]

What makes a person great?

In a world where many people wear blinders this question is answered in very narrow terms.  For many, greatness is limited to job performance or on the field/court performance (athletic success).  If a person brings in a lot of business, makes a lot of money, wins a lot of games, sells a lot of tickets, puts a lot of butts in the stands, etc, then greatness is measured using those factors.  But I would argue that greatness can not be limited to those narrow confines; rather character HAS to play into the equation.  I say that because character is something that goes with you where ever you go and carries over into everything you do.  Character is what people will remember in the long run.

Recently, here in Jackson, a great volleyball coach died.  Carolyn coached for many years and was respected by many people:  student athletes, parents, fans, and other coaches and players.  She is remembered and respected not just because of the results she brought to the teams she coached (a couple state titles and numerous conference and  sub-section titles) but what she taught her players.  In a recent story in the newspaper it (of course) talked about her statistics a little bit, but the majority of the story was about what she left behind for her girls.  Carolyn was a tough coach and very demanding, but she was respectful and kind.  In the newspaper story many of her former players talked about what she taught them and even called Carolyn their second mom.  What a compliment and testimony to her character.  A “great” coach does not need to swear and berate their players.  A “great” coach sets an example for their players and holds them accountable for their actions on AND off the field/court.  Carolyn did that and that is why she will be remembered as a “great” coach.

I watch stories on ESPN talk about “great” players but then in the next breath it is mentioned that they got arrested for drunk driving or domestic abuse or drug use.  To me that player may be very talented athletically, but they are not a “great” player.  Character has to be taken into consideration because character carries over to EVERY aspect of ones life.  The professional athletes that I most respect are the ones who stay out of trouble, give back to their communities, are not overly cocky, don’t break the rules (i.e. steroids) and are just plain respectful of the sport and other people.  That is a testament to their character.  Whether they produce on the field/court or not I cheer for those athletes and wish them the best.

As a society we need to demand better.  We need to expect “greatness” in EVERY aspect of ones life.  We need to demand more from our coaches and athletes.  And…as a society…we need to expect more from ourselves.  We need to be mindful of our character.  Job performance or athletic success is temporary, but character is forever.  If we don’t teach our kids today that character is important; if we don’t teach our kids to be respectful of authority, I worry about the future.

Take a stand and expect “greatness”…in the FULL sense of the word.

-edh-

Here we go again

/ The Pastor / 1 Comment

The communities of Fargo, Moorhead, Grand Forks and others in the Red River Valley of Minnesota and North Dakota, are once again preparing for a major flood.  Experts are saying that this year could be as bad or worse than 1997.

That scares me.

Even though I am not in harms way down here in SW MN, I still feel for my brothers and sisters in Christ in the Red River Valley.  They need our prayers (and if possible our physical help).  It is all too easy to distant ourselves from those who are suffering, but we are called to carry each others burdens.  So I ask you to include the Red River Valley and all those dealing with floods in your prayers and to place them on your church’s’ prayer list.  Take a special offering and send it to Lutheran Disaster Relief, The Red Cross or some other relief organization of your choice that is helping flood victims.  Keep all flood victims close to your heart.  I personally don’t know what it is like to lose everything to a flood…I can only imagine how painful it is.

But whatever happens…whatever the outcome…I know everything is in God’s hands.  For God, through Jesus Christ, has over come the powers of this world.  Through the waters rage and foam nothing can over come and drown out the power of God’s love for His children.

Please remember our brothers and sisters and pray for them.

Gracious and loving God, please remember your children in the Red River Valley and all those dealing with flood waters this spring.  Please bless their efforts to fight the rising rivers.  Grant them strength when they feel tired.  Grant them persistence when they want to give up.  Grant them hope in hopelessness.  But over all, please strengthen their faith that they may see and know your love in the face of adversity.  Please make your presence felt so they know they don’t fight this alone and that they won’t experience this flood on their own.  God…you are good and faithful.  We praise you through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.  Amen!

-edh-

Christmas Eve

/ The Pastor / 1 Comment

The hustle and bustle of another busy Christmas season is coming to an end shortly.  And I know I probably say this every year but it seems this Christmas season was busier than others.  For pastors this is indeed a busy time, especially for those who have mid-week Advent worship service (I don’t have those).  And as I look back on the past month I get more and more tired.  But no need to worry…as it happens during Holy Week…on Christmas Eve I get a boost of adrenaline that takes me through Christmas Day worship.  But can you say “Eric will be napping on the way to Iowa tomorrow”.

Today is Christmas Eve and I am preparing for a 5pm worship service at Salem and a 9am Christmas Day service at Belmont.  My sermon is written…I just need to review, practice and tweak it some.  The worship service is set…I just need to run through things and make sure all my “props” are there and ready.  The music will be coming (Connie’s family is providing the brass accompaniment tonight).  And all the worship participants are set to go.  My biggest task I have left to do today is to make some bread in the bread maker for supper tonight (Italian Herb bread is on the menu).  All in all…not too bad of a day coming up (maybe that is the adrenaline).

But before I go and continue my preparations I want to leave you with a couple things:

(1) MERRY CHRISTMAS to you all and thanks for a great year.  I will be posting a year-in-review later on but I just want to say now that I am thankful for the many friends I met through this blog.  I am also thankful for the many commenters and others who stop by.  This blog is for you and that is my motivation for writing this; knowing that God is using me to preach his Word to people all over the world.  What a blessing this has been.  May you experience the love of God through your many gatherings and may you have safe travels and joyous homecomings.

(2) I want to share a story with you I heard on the news this morning.  Check out this Star Tribune link for the complete story.  Basically…there was an apartment fire in Burnsville, MN recently where nearly 200 residents lost everything.  Yesterday a person donated about 1 million dollars to the victims (nearly $17,500 per person…today the people can pick up their checks).  Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Burnsville is serving as a collection site to provide for the basic needs of these families.  This story touched my heart as it is an example of the Spirit of Christmas at work.  Praise be to God.

Once again…have a very blessed Christmas and be safe…all the while praising God, always and forever.  Amen!

-edh-

Seriously???

/ The Pastor / 5 Comments

Check out this news story from the Minneapolis/St. Paul Star Tribune: Click here

Selling alcohol at a youth hockey game seems to be going too far.  Hockey isn’t too big out here in SW MN so maybe I am just “out of it”, but does anyone else see something wrong here?  Do people really need to consume alcohol while watching a bunch of teens play hockey?  What message is being sent to the kids?  What’s next…a beer garden at little league baseball games?

Just me ranting a little.  Have a great day 🙂

-edh-

The downward spiral of communication

/ The Pastor / 4 Comments

I am becoming more and more convinced that, as a society, we are in a downward spiral when it comes to communication.  Don’t get me wrong…we have more ways to communicate with one another than we did 5, 10, 15 years ago.  Communication has sped up and has allowed us to get more immediate feedback.  And communication has become more efficient.  But I believe one-on-one; interpersonal communication is changing rapidly…and in a lot of cases for the worse.  Allow me to give you a couple examples from my own life:
(1) I was checking my Facebook account one day when I received a message from a parishioner here in town.  She had a question for me.  So naturally I wrote back, answering her question.  A minute or so later she responded to my response and then I did so likewise.  This went on for a couple messages before I realized something.  This person was just across town…either go over there or call her, I thought…so I called her.  And you know something, we were able to take care of what we needed much faster and more efficiently than writing impersonal messages back and forth.

(2) Two weeks ago I was getting ready to head back to Sioux Falls to attend the LifeLight Music Festival.  Connie was already over there.  As I pulled out of my driveway, Connie sent me a text message asking me a question.  I stopped the car and replied to her.  She sent me another one and I replied again.  After my second message I realized (once again) “why don’t I just call her?”…so I did.  We were able to take care of what we needed much faster and more efficiently than writing impersonal text messages back and forth.

(3) I recently heard a news report on TV that said that more and more teachers are discovering the negative impact that text messaging is having on written communication in class.  They are seeing papers using text message shorthand…because that’s how more and more teenagers are communicating…and it’s carrying over into the real world.  Are we in a catch-22 situation?  Do we need teach young people text message shorthand (like we actually need to teach this) so they can get by in the world?  Do we allow them to use this shorthand in class?  Does stopping this put teens at a disadvantage out in the world?  These seem like strange questions to ask, but I can’t help but to wonder.  What does this say about our future?

Now…I do believe that Facebook and text messaging and email and the like do serve a good purpose.  If I am in a class or a meeting, sending a quick text message to my wife is an easier way to communicate without disrupting anything.  But if all possible…I want to make the phone call.

What would Jesus do today?  Would he have a Blackberry or some kind of smartphone so he could communicate with teens today?  Would Jesus have an email account?  It seems to me that Jesus would value face-to-face; voice-to-voice communication.  There is just something more personal about it.

With all the advances in technology, relationship building through communication is taking a huge hit and spiraling downward.  But who am I to talk…I am sitting behind a computer writing this.  I just returned a Facebook message from a friend 4 blocks away and my smartphone is lying 6 inches from me just waiting to be used.  I guess I, too, have a long ways to go.

-edh-

Where’s the forgiveness

/ The Pastor / 2 Comments

I might stir up a hornet’s nets with this post (those who think people should take more of a stand on social issues), but those of you who know me, know that that is not going to bother me.  So here it goes…

A couple weeks ago, Kelly Tilghman from the Golf Channel, made a racially incentive remark concerning Tiger Woods (by the way, Kelly and Tiger are friends — Follow this link for the story).  In talking about Tiger’s dominance on the PGA tour, a reference was made that the only way to stop Tiger was to have the rest of the golfers taker him (Tiger) out back and "lynch him".  Obviously this remark is extremely inappropriate.  No harm or disrespect was meant toward Tiger — it was just a moment of bad judgment.  Kelly later apologized on air and to Tiger personally (an apology that Tiger accepted).  Kelly was then suspended from the air for two weeks and is schedule to return shortly.

But this issue is not over…

Many people (including former football great, Jim Brown) are upset that Tiger has not spoken out more about this racially insensitive comment.  They feel that Tiger needs to take more of a stand on social issues – to which Tiger says he does everyday and that this is a "non-issue" now. 

So here’s my beef:  Kelly said something inappropriate (I don’t condone that) – she apologized to the public (admitting her guilt) – apologized to Tiger personally (an apology that was accepted) – and was punished for her comment – Now people want Tiger to continue to drag this out and make an example of Kelly.  Why?  It’s not like she meant to cause Tiger harm.  It was a very bad mistake – inappropriate and wrong.  And she confessed her guilt (sin).  My question is this:  WHERE IS THE FORGIVENESS?

Like I said, I am not condoning what Kelly said, but is there any need to make this any more an issue than it has already become.  The thing is, society does not like forgiveness when other people are involved.  we have such an over-developed sense of justice that forgiveness gets forgotten – it becomes a "non-issue". Tiger is setting an amazing example for people.  He does not condone Kelly’s comments either, but neither is he carrying a grudge.  Case closed…let’s move on.

I know racism runs wild in our society today.  And I know we need to take a stand against it.  And if Kelly had not apologized or waited a long time then I would be in favor of Tiger speaking out about this.  But let’s not condemn someone for showing forgiveness.

When apartheid ended in South Africa and Nelson Mandela was elected the first black president, he didn’t start preaching that blacks should go and "get justice" by condemning their white oppressors, but rather Mandela preached forgiveness.  He never said that apartheid was O.K., but he did say that if there is going to be any hope for healing, forgiveness needs to be in the picture someplace.  Maybe you can’t snap your fingers and forgive, but at least work your way to the road to forgiveness.

So my message to Jim Brown and others is this:  Through Jesus Christ, God offers forgiveness to all people (even to you and even to Kelly).  Without forgiveness there is not hope of a peaceful society.  Justice must be sought, but hasn’t this issue run it’s course yet?  Please…move towards the road to forgiveness and let’s move on towards being a peaceful and love-filled society.  Tiger is moving in that direction…let’s follow suit.

-edh-