Current Issue

Discerning Together

We’ve been inspired and energized by this issue to remind those among our readers who are leading or participating in confirmation classes or ministry discernment processes that Canada Lutheran can help.

In fact, confirmation and discernment may be linked: one study of pastors found that a significant portion first heard a call to ministry during their confirmation or membership classes as young teenagers.

In such periods of spiritual transition, it can be useful to have companions on your journey, and the writers, photographers, and readers-who-write who bring their perspectives to us in each issue may have special encouragement for you. Just drawing from the 2013 issues, I have some recommendations to make.

If you are wondering whether you have a personal call to ordained ministry, and what that call might look like down the road, read (or reread) the following:

• News about mission service options in “Our Church In Mission: Our Continuing Commitment to Global Mission” (January/February, p. 7)

• Profiles of chaplains in hospitals and care homes in “Caring Lutherans in Saskatchewan Synod” (March, pp. 23–24)

• A description of what a pastor’s study leave might look like in “A Study Leave With Transformative Power” (March, p. 18)

• A meditation on the role of pastors in contemporary church in “Practising Our Faith: Pastor, Prophet, and Priest” (March, p. 16)

• One person’s experience of authentic Christian living in “Living the Reign of God”—this issue’s cover story (pp. 10–13)

And if you’re wondering whether your congregation has a special ministry identifying and encouraging potential clergy, diaconal, and lay ministers, take a close look at these:

• A coach’s advice for inspiring church leaders in “Practising Our Faith: Growing Church Leaders” (January/February, p. 16)

• A profile of two congregations who support students in “Anglican-Lutheran Women’s Bursary” (January/February, p. 27)

• A first-hand account from a church who hosted a seminarian in “Intern Brings Enthusiasm to Victoria Congregation” (March, p. 18)

• A persuasive view of how congregations help build future rostered leaders in this issue’s “Q&A: The Greying of Our Leadership” (p. 8)

At Canada Lutheran, we have a commitment to keeping you informed and inspired as you live out your Lutheran life in Christ. God is at work among and within our congregations, developing our next generation of leaders, even as you’re reading this. We hope these resources help.

Susan McIlveen, Editor