Do We Love to Tell the Story?

by the Rev. Darrel Peterson, Assistant to the Bishop

ELCA-Southeastern Synod

Recently, a pastoral candidate reported to me that in his interview with a call committee, the committee members were totally unaware that our ELCA was about to have a Churchwide Assembly. Last Sunday where I worshipped, the prayers were well done, using our denominational resource. But there was no mention of the folks in the Northeastern states who were at that moment, being impacted by tropical storm, Irene. The worship “tagline”, “Go in peace, serve the Lord” was traditional. Some Sundays, it would be great to hear, “Go in peace, remember the poor”. We need to remember the poor! We need to be engaged with the issues of our Church and our world!

An important part of the ministry in our Church is to “weave in” the matters of the Lord’s work and the world’s realities into our worship and communications. We know or have access to the mission stories of our Church. We need to be aware of what is happening in our world and our church, and I believe we are. With a little intentionality, with another 15 minutes of preparation, we can enhance the messages of ministry. We can interpret the mission. We can tell the stories. We can connect the dots between life in the pew and Christ’s mission in the world.

I know we try to keep announcements in church to a minimum. But announcement time is an opportunity to briefly mention what is going on in the wider Church, or perhaps to reference an emphasis that people ought to know about. Sermons that are theologically astute, could with a bit of effort, be illustrated with a mission story of the Church. Bulletins and newsletters can be vehicles for teaching about what our church does, both locally and churchwide. Several churches have communications on screens, as well as on traditional bulletin boards. These avenues are opportunities to tell the stories.

Two years ago, I was scheduled to preach in one of our congregations the Sunday following the Churchwide Assembly, where we made controversial decisions on sexuality. Our Church’s actions had made the newspapers. I was a little apprehensive. After the service, I asked one of the members, “Are you or any of your folks upset over our ELCA actions related to the sexuality statement?” He replied, “Our pastor has been talking about the issues. We went through the recommended sessions. We don’t all agree with the actions, but we’ve already dealt with that. We’re ok”.

Congregation Councils always get an update on finances. Do they also hear about what is going on in our Synod and Churchwide? Do they get updates on our agencies and institutions? Do they know of the mission opportunities coming down the pike? Tell and “weave in” the stories. Enjoy the fullness of ministry.