Nebraska Synod ELCA

While your synod staff puts in a lot of miles on the road on a regular basis, the past few weeks have had some of them putting in far more air miles for either Churchwide or Region 4 events.

This space could be filled with notes from each of those events.  However, what was learned was only valuable when placed alongside what was relearned:  this journey of ministry can be long, challenging, and joyful and you need companions on the way.

Whether our companions are seen on Zoom or in-person, are across country or on the next block, are contacted daily or annually, there are undoubtedly benefits of being connected to other ministers:

We speak the same language.  Like other vocations, ministry has its own insider language.  With other ministers we can use acronyms or vocabulary and share jokes or stories that we do not have to feel obligated to explain to include someone else.  Even when the terms might be somewhat different between synods or denominations, there are enough similarities that we find common ground quickly and easily.  For example, five synods might have different names for their certified lay leaders, but the conversation does not have to be about why we call ours PMAs and another synod calls them something else.  The conversation can go straight to the required education and how to best provide that.

We do not have to reinvent the wheel.  The more we get together with other ministers, the more we discover that we have had some of the same wonderings.  And, from those who have wondered and worked ahead of where we are, we can collect ideas and resources as well as lessons learned.  Even when these are starting points for our own developments, we are further in the process than still wondering.  Southwestern Texas Synod has developed a booklet for ministers and congregations about the expectations for both in part-time ministry.  Nebraska Synod does not have such a booklet yet.  We can adopt and adapt what is in one synod’s booklet for our context instead of hoping to find time and talent to write another document from scratch and still be afraid of missing some considerations.

We wonder and imagine together. The more we gather together with other leaders in similar roles across the church, the more we are able to collectively imagine and listen for what God might be up to and inviting. The Region 4 DEMs (Directors for Evangelical Mission) gathered to share glimpses of where God might be doing a new thing, and what we are learning together. Likewise, all of the DEMs of the ELCA gathered this past week in Chicago to imagine the possibilities of “Fresh Expressions.” In what ways might we create the environment to share stories and questions, hopes and joys, and as such, create the space beyond the traditional walls of the church to talk about and really live into the love of Jesus? Deacon Timothy is coming back from these conversations with ideas galore, and perhaps some new experiments to try too. Reach out to him if you would like to be a part of this.

We share each other’s joys and sorrows.  When we get to know other ministers well, both as professionals and people, we can pray with them, celebrate with them, and mourn with them.  This year there are 22 bishop elections across the ELCA, not counting the election of a new Presiding Bishop.  As Bishop Johnson met with the Conference of Bishops, there was time to honor those who are retiring and know therefore that their terms are coming to an end.  Likewise, the Region 4 A2B (Assistants to the Bishop) Retreat included laying on of hands, prayers, and photos of those who were moving on.  The recent Chrism Masses saw ministers not only renewing vows, but also visiting around lunch.

We put a lot of emphasis on where we are going, but not as much on who is with us.  Jesus sent the disciples out in pairs; we are not meant to be in ministry alone.  Whether your traveling companions are nearby or far away, find occasions to check in with them, share with them, pray with them, and to let them do the same for you.