The Torch. To receive and share Christ s embrace

Transcription

1 The Torch May -June 2018 Dear Friends in Christ: To receive and share Christ s embrace New Assistants Ministry Happy Spring! I know such a greeting is about six weeks late, according to the calendar, but I think we re finally past the threat of winter-like weather and can begin to enjoy being outdoors. Of course, I know the ski-buffs would disagree with me. As would the ice-fishermen. As I ve told them many times, I already know the recipe for ice and I don t need to go fishing for it! Speaking of the calendar, we have an important date coming up. We will be electing new congregational officers and ministry leaders in our congregational meeting on Sunday, June 17. The following positions are up for election: Congregational President, Treasurer and Recorder, as well as the directors of the Elders, Properties, and Stewardship ministries. A subject that has been swirling around the congregation in various side conversations that is, discussions that haven t involved me, but haven t escaped my attention is the topic of women serving in various offices. So, well in advance of our elections, it seems to be a good idea to address this issue. In the following I quote largely from our Synod s report by the Commission on Theology and Church Relations (CTCR), The Service of Women in Congregational and Synodical Offices (1994). In their various callings, Christian men and women alike have received from their Lord the high privilege and responsibility of serving each other and their neighbor, as He has served them (Mark 10:45; John 13:15). In their relationship to one another as followers of Jesus and members of His family, all questions of rank or authority and the insistence on individual rights must be set aside (Mark10:35-45; John 13:16-17). Rather, in their common life together, they are to give themselves to each other in humble and loving service (Phil. 2:1-4), seeking ways in which they might encourage each other to good works (Heb. 10:24). UPCOMING EVENTS Board of Elders Meeting: Sun. May 13, 11:30am Sun, June 3, 11:30am Congregational Meeting: Sun. June 17, 11:30am Election of Officers Men s : Thursdays, 8:00 am, Hospital Packing for the Troops: Tues, May 22, 9:00 am Tues, June 26, 9:00 am Torch Articles Due: Tues. June 19, 9:00 am Adult& Bell Choirs: See Calendars Comforters: Weds 9:00 am Summer Break starts May 23 Kids First Literacy Club: Fridays 8:30 am End of school party May 18 Summer Break starts May 25 According to the Scriptures and the Lutheran Confessions, our Lord has mandated and instituted the office of the public ministry the only divinely established office in the church (Matt. 28:18-20; John 20:22-23; Acts 20:28; 1 Cor. 12:28-29; Eph. 4:11; 1 Pet. 5:1; Tit. 1:5; AC 1 V; AC XIV; Ap 2 XIII; Treatise ) The Scriptures speak of the office uniquely as one to which God appoints men with the responsibility of oversight and care for His flock (Acts 20:28). To this office belongs the shepherding (serving as pastor ) of that portion of God's flock assigned to him (1 Pet. 5:2-3). This charge to serve as pastor of God's flock is conferred by God through the call of the church, which places a man under a special obligation for which he is accountable 1 Augsburg Confession 2 The Apology to the Augsburg Confession 3 The Treatise on the Power and Primacy of the Pope

2 to God and to those who have called him (1 Cor. 4:1-15; Heb. 13:17; 1 Tim. 3:1-7, 14-15; Tit. 1:5-9). In addition to the moral and vocational qualifications required of those divinely placed into this high office (1 Tim. 3:1-7; Titus 3:5-9), the Scriptures teach that the incumbent of the pastoral office must be a man. On the basis of Old Testament Scripture, St. Paul taught that the women should keep silence in the churches. For they are not permitted to speak, but should be subordinate, as even the law says (1 Cor. 14:34). Understood within its context, this passage means that women ought not lead the public worship service, specifically carry out the teaching-preaching aspects of the service. No problems here thus far. I haven t heard of or from any women in our congregation with a desire to be the pastor of First Lutheran Church or any other congregation, for that matter. I shared all the forgoing strictly as background and a foundation for the material that follows. The CTCR report continues: Throughout its history the church in Christian freedom has established other offices distinct from the one divinely instituted office of pastor in order to meet various needs in different times and places. Since the church is under no divine command to create such offices, they and their functions exist only by human right. Already in apostolic times, and under apostolic direction, the church selected individuals to assist the apostles in carrying out their work (cf. Acts 6:1-7; 1 Tim. 3:8-13). Similarly, the contemporary church has continued to establish offices which have their origin not in a divine command but in the decision of the Christian congregation and groups of congregations (e.g., Synod) to facilitate the mission given to them by God. When a congregation assigns official functions to a particular office established by the congregation,...this too, is done not by divine mandate, but by human arrangement. That is to say, the assignment of duties to all offices in the church belongs in the sphere of Christian freedom exercised in love. Congregations are free to assign functions to various offices in their midst as they deem appropriate and necessary, for the edification of the church and in keeping with the principle of good order (1 Cor. 14:40). In determining the eligibility of women for service in these humanly established offices, it will be helpful to bear in mind that many of these offices are created for the purpose of assisting pastors, to a lesser or greater extent, in carrying out the duties of their office. There is a long tradition in the church of proceeding in this way and such a practice, which engages the service of both men and women, ought to be encouraged, especially in circumstances where burdens of time and increased organizational commitments severely limit pastors' ability adequately to care for those in their charge. At the same time, such assisting in pastoral work should be distinguished in practice as in theory, from the public exercise of those functions that belong to the pastor's supervision of the flock through the public proclamation of the Word and the administration of the sacraments. In keeping with what the Scriptures teach about the service of women with respect to the pastoral office, women may not assume responsibility for or carry out in behalf of the congregation (that is "publicly"), and in the stead of Christ, those functions in the local congregation that would involve them in the exercise of authority inherent in this authoritative public teaching office in the church. These considerations imply, and even require, that in determining the eligibility of women for services in all congregational, district and synodical offices, attention be given to the functions attached to a given office. For other offices [other than the office of public ministry

3 of Word and sacraments] we have no express thus saith the Lord, 4 and everything depends on the functions assigned to these offices. With this in mind, women cannot serve as elders of the congregation. Again, referring to the CTCR report: From the early years of the history of The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod to the present, congregations have established an office called elder to assist the pastor in carrying out the functions of the office of the public ministry. The duties of this office in synodical congregations generally indicate that elders work closely with the pastor in his divinely assigned responsibility to feed the whole congregation with the Word of God and to watch over it for the sake of its spiritual welfare. Elders serve primarily to assist the pastor in shepherding and overseeing the entire flock of God at their place. They frequently assist in certain aspects of the conduct of the public worship service, such as in the distribution of Holy. In certain emergency situations elders may be asked by the congregation to perform, on a temporary basis, certain distinctive functions of the pastoral office (e.g., lead public worship, deliver a sermon). Based on the above, our constitution is correct in asserting that only men may serve as elders of the congregation. It says, The nature of the duties of this Ministry requires that only men noted for their Christian knowledge, zeal, and experience in the spiritual work of the Kingdom of Christ shall be elected to membership. 5 But what about other offices, specifically those of President and Vice President of the Congregation? Can women serve in these functions? The short answer is yes. The CTCR report states, If the duties prescribed for the offices of (president) and vice (president) in the congregation do not allow for the assumption of the distinctive functions of the pastoral office, women are free to hold this office without any Scriptural restriction a principle that applies to the chairmanship of all other congregational committees as well. Since the responsibilities of these offices usually do not involve the exercise of the functions of pastoral oversight through the ministry of Word and sacrament in congregations today, women gifted for such areas of responsibility should be encouraged toward such service. In other words, so long as the duties of the president or vice president of the congregation do not include the supervision of the pastoral office, any eligible member of the congregation, male or female, may hold the office of president or vice president, which our constitution and bylaws support. 6 But (ah, there s always a but isn t there?), is it a good idea? Men have been abrogating their God-given responsibilities to be the head of their households for generations. One need only look to the current welfare state to see evidence of the negative effects of absentee fathers and husbands. Where Dad isn t in the picture, chaos reigns supreme. I believe the same principle applies to the church, God s ultimate family. When men refuse to accept their God-given responsibilities in the church, the church suffers. I love and cherish the service of women in the church. Where would the church be without godly women who serve as teachers in our parochial schools? Where would the church be without women who serve as medical and educational missionaries in distant corners of the globe? To bring it into a local perspective, where would First Lutheran Church be without our faithful Comforters, who 4 Women in the Church, CTRC, Constitution and Bylaws of First Lutheran Church, Bylaws, Article VI, Section D, 6 ibid, Article VI, states: This document is gender neutral except for the Ministry of Elders and the Office of the Pastor.

4 provide warmth and comfort to so many recipients of their sewing talents? Where would First Lutheran Church be without the women (and men) who serve as tutors to the children of our Kids First Literacy Club? I ll tell you exactly where we d be. We d be up a creek without a paddle. Our stated mission, to receive and share Christ s embrace, would be nothing but hollow, empty words. But, does that mean men should surrender their responsibilities to man up and be in charge? I hope I hear a resounding NO! in response to that question. I will, of course, accept and abide by the will of the congregation. The gender of our next president and vice president will not affect my dedication to the cause of Christ and His church. But, I hope and pray that the order of creation (Gen. 2:20-23) will continue to guide your hearts and minds. On another, but related subject (What? You thought I was finished?), I would like to announce another opportunity for women in service to our congregation. The Ministry of Elders has established a Assistant ministry. assistants will help with the distribution of communion during our regular worship services. Any communicant member can be part of this ministry, freeing the elders to focus on the spiritual well-being of the congregation and its pastor. For more information about becoming a Assistant, please see me at your convenience. Sorry about length of this letter now it s time to wish you a Happy Summer! Saved to Share, Cinco de Mayo Ladies Luncheon May 5 th Church RSVP to Sharon You don t want to miss this celebration! NEW MYSTERY SISTERS will be selected for the next six months. What s Happening in KFLC? We are counting down the days until Summer Break! We are having our end of the year party May 18. We will have breakfast, crafts, and games. The children are already planning their menu; cinnamon rolls and bacon are at the top of the list. There will be a sign up-up sheet in the narthex. This year has flown by and we have been touched by the response not only from our church, but tutors from six different churches have volunteered this year. Our prayers have been answered in so many ways. Please consider joining us in our second year. THANK YOU

5 OPERATION SPIRIT FROM THE HEART OF THE ROCKIES Homemade Cookies Needed Please! Chocolate is OK Thank you very much for your generous donations. No more magazines until further notice. Any cards and letters you would like to send would be GREATLY appreciated!! Monetary Donations are also needed to cover the costs of shipping and purchasing other supplies and items for the troops. Please make checks payable to First Lutheran Church and write Operation Spirit on the memo line. PLEASE PRAY FOR: Mark Cunningham, CH(CPT) James Brown, Anah Kotila and Tim Wilson. PACK TROOP BOXES 9 A.M. TUESDAY May 22 nd & June 26 th MAY BIRTHDAYS: 3rd Jim McConaghy 7th Lois Hansen 8th Katie Belmar 9th Luke Stinnett 10th Sarah Dreher & Betty Hibbard 11th Phil Homann 15th Janene Shuey 22nd Vivian Osborne & Lester Longbrake 26th Gary Martin 31st Jonnie McConaghy MAY ANNIVERSARIES: 29th Rev. Eric & Johanna Stinnett JUNE BIRTHDAYS: 3rd Dale Kettering 10th Jayne Olsen 11th Shirley Hachmann 13th Brandi Steven 17th Willis Shuey 19th Jane Carstens 25th Jacob Varhus 26th Pastor Bill Cate 28th Larry Soukup JUNE ANNIVERSARIES: 3rd Robert & Judy Kratky 10th Gene & Joan Hapl

6 MAY 2018 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat :00a Comforters 1:00p -Bell Choir 2:00p-Adult Choir 8:30a Kids First Literacy Club :00a Comforters 2:00p-Adult Choir 8:30a Kids First Literacy Club 11:30 Elder Meeting :00a Comforters 2:00p-Adult Choir 8:30a Kids First Literacy Club End of School Party :00a Packing for Troops

7 JUNE 2018 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat :30 Elder Meeting :30a Congregational meeting :00a Torch Articles Due :00a Packing for Troops

8 First Lutheran Church Pastor Bill Cate Sunday 9:15 Worship Phone: bresnan.net Website: First Lutheran Church 1237 F Street Salida, CO