Here are some of my dreams, though, for my beloved Synod:
A more merciful Church - greater involvement in alleviating human suffering and bringing the love of Christ to bear in tangible ways in our local communities and throughout the world.
A more evangelical Church - no, not in THAT sense; in the true sense. A Church where the Gospel rings out with its unquenchable joy and shapes all we say and do, and where the Gospel (not the Law!) moves our mission work.
A more liturgical Church - learning to live responsibly within our liturgical heritage in the way Krauth: "possessing liturgical life without liturgical bondage." A Church where the full and rich heritage of Lutheran hymnody rings out full-throated from our congregations.
A more prayerful Church - where the Daily Office, the Litany and such come into their own and shape our parishes as places of prayer. If "my Father's house shall be called a house of prayer for all people" let us return our parishes from being fund-raising organizations to being prayer-raising communities.
A more giving Church - where we recover a lively sense of sacrifice, of sharing earthly goods from the charity that the Gospel has planted in our hearts.
A more gentle Church - where the 8th commandment is truly honored in our practice, above all in learning to explain our neighbor's actions in the kindest way and where we remember the wise words of the Apology that harmony in the Church cannot last unless pastors and churches mutually overlook many things.
A more peaceful Church - where the hope of the future that will surely be ours at our Lord's Appearing removes all hastiness and fear and gives us a calm and measured ability to evaluate the challenges before us.
A more educated Church - where a deep and abiding love for the Word of God leads to full Bible classes and devout reading of the Word in our homes.
It is said that over time, a parish takes on the characteristics of her pastor. The above I find to be characteristics of our new President. I hope that in time, the Synod will become like him in that way.
It is said that over time, a parish takes on the characteristics of her pastor. The above I find to be characteristics of our new President. I hope that in time, the Synod will become like him in that way.
It is good to dream. I think. However, it is very difficult and takes a long time to make changes in an institutional bureaucracy. I pray the LCMS is patient with President Harrison.
ReplyDeleteWise words. And I also pray that we are patient with President Harrison. But the institutional bureaucracy has been largely dismantled by the last convention. Not a lot of survived. Which makes it all even more interesting and in need of prayer.
ReplyDeleteI was just as optimistic when President Obama was elected. Unfortunately, it's been a much more difficult road than I imagined. I hope President Harrison has an easier time.
ReplyDelete"Life like an ever rolling stream
ReplyDeleteBears all her sons away.
They fly forgotten as the dream
Dies at the op'ning day.
"Our God, Our Help in Ages Past"
Isaac Watts
"Put not your trust in princes or in sons of men, in whom there is no salvation..." we sing at liturgy, and it is true.
ReplyDeleteIf your church under President Harrison's leadership becomes a more faithful institution, it will be God's doing and God's blessing, no?
You seem to be expecting a great deal out of one mortal human.
Oh, we sing the same thing: "Trust not in princes, they are but mortal, earthbound they are and soon decay." My trust isn't in Pr. Harrison, though. It's just a hope and dream for where, as you say, God might lead our church under his leadership, given what I know of the man. But we'll see! As in all things, God's will be done!
ReplyDeletePlease continue to pray for Matt and his team that, in time, God may use us by His grace in His Word that we might grow toward these things. Only God in His Word can do it - because all these things begin with repentance. And repentance and faith are God's work in us. Peace be with you, in Christ! + Herb Mueller
ReplyDeleteAMEN! Prayers arise. Might be what I had in mind by posting praying for the Church with the Church... :)
ReplyDeleteThank you for posting this. I reposted it on my blog, giving full credit to you.
ReplyDeleteThank you, brother, for these words. Your thoughts mirror my own and I offer an "Amen" along with you in your prayers for Matt and our Synod. I also linked your post in a post on my blog. Blessings on your work for the Lord.
ReplyDelete