Current Issue

NATIONAL BISHOP'S TURN

Feeding the Multitude

It may look like there aren’t enough of us to go around. But our spiritual and structural renewal can equip us to sustain mission and ministry in our communities and in the world.

I’ve just come from the first face-to-face meeting of the National Implementation Team. These are the people who, along with synod implementation teams, have the responsibility of working on implementing the recommendations of the Structural Renewal Task Force. These recommendations were approved in principle by delegates from across the church at this year’s National Convention.

There is a lot of excitement about the renewal possibilities of this restructuring. There are people who have caught the vision: that the focal point of this work is to equip us to be a church In Mission for Others. I know there are others who are anxious about the restructuring, unsure of how the changes will affect their church experience.

The National Implementation Team meeting opened with devotions. One of the texts read was Mark 6:30–44, the feeding of the 5,000. The best sermon I ever heard on this text suggested that the miracle of the feeding of the 5,000 could have been as simple as the miracle of the potluck. Yes, indeed, it began with what looks like very short rations—five loaves and two fish, but Jesus’ faith and the generosity of those first donors perhaps inspired others to offer the food they had tucked away for themselves. In the end, there was enough and more besides.

There are the same competing realities within our church. Initially it looks like there is not enough to go around. Although congregational giving has gone up over the 25 years of our church, almost keeping up with inflation, we know that many congregations are struggling to meet their budgets. And the money shared with the wider church—synods, National Church, and international and ecumenical partnerships—has continued to diminish, leaving these expressions without the resources they need to carry out the ministry they are called to do. We need to acknowledge this and make some changes.

At the same time, our Lord may be using this time to call us to a new way of doing or being church. It takes vision and courage to try something new. I am convinced that the renewal we are being called to, both spiritual and structural, will equip us to sustain and increase our mission and ministry at the community level and around the world. The generosity of our Lord challenges us to live generously as well. In the end, there will be enough and more besides.

During this season of Advent, listen to how God is calling you, as individuals, congregations, and ministries, to be generous to your church and to a world in need. None of us is able to match the generosity of God who gave us Jesus, God in human flesh, who lived for and died for the world. But it is so satisfying to try! May God bless you in your renewed discipleship.

How is Jesus calling you to tell? Who is God calling you to share your faith with? What do you need to assist you in growing in your ability to share your faith? Share
your “tell” ideas on the ELCIC Facebook page at www.facebook.com/Canadian-Lutherans. God bless you as you continue to deepen your discipleship!

Canada Lutheran, Nov/Dec 2011

Rev. Susan C. Johnson, National Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada writes a regular column for each issue of Canada Lutheran.