MNO Synod Bishop's Message

Daring to change the way we view God’s mission in the world

Each of our synods holds a professional leaders conference in some form or
another. It is a gathering of leadership for study, support, networking and
rest. It is a time for reflection and challenge that takes us away from the
ordinary and the everyday so that spiritual and professional refreshment is
provided.

The 2007 MNO Synod conference invited Kelly Fryer to be guest presenter.
Kelly is known for her books “Reclaiming the L Word” and “Reclaiming the C
Word”. These short, concise and comprehensive books have lit a fire under
many folks in the Lutheran Church. She has challenged the church to look
at mission through new eyes and focus on how as called and baptized
Christians we can ask the question in regards to God’s mission to bless the
whole world- “How can we help?”

In asking the question we have essentially redirected our focus of mission. Instead of saying to God “How will you help me?” we are saying to God, “How can we help you?” Do you see the difference? It now becomes about God and not about us.

This is a hard for us to do. We have always relied on God to feed us, nurture us and take care of the church, meaning our congregations and their needs. Now we are saying we will set aside our own needs and focus our energy and resources on God’s needs to meet the mission of the world.

Attitudes are hard to change. When we allow ourselves to be open to conversation and challenging discussion about our stand, we open ourselves to new possibilities.

Kelly asked the leaders what was the most daring thing they had ever done. Some responses were unbelievable, some expected. I wonder what our local congregations would say as the most daring thing they have ever done.

When I ponder the term dare, my thoughts follow through to consequences. If I dare do something, I know there will be consequences, whether they be positive, negative, failure or success. The person who dares takes a risk knowing there will be consequences for the action.

Each year, the professional leaders who attend the leadership conference take a risk. They take a risk that a presenter, their colleagues or their bishop will dare them to think or act differently. The consequences may be a changed lifestyle, a changed practice of ministry, a changed work ethic, or even maybe a changed congregation.

Leaders need to gather together to reflect on ministry and practice. They need to enter into dialogue with their colleagues so that ministry does not become stagnant.

This year I think Kelly Fryer pushed us even more. There was no exhortation to spice up ministry. It was actually a wake up call- change how you view God’s mission in the world. Otherwise, we will continue to live with the apathetic and dying areas of the church and we will continue to miss opportunities for mission with all God’s people in the world.

The question is can we live with the pain of how we are living now or are we ready to risk a new take on doing God’s mission in the world? Can the leadership of the church help us do it and do we trust them to lead us through the difficult path that we may have to take to find out what that mission is? Centuries ago a mere priest and theologian. Martin Luther, studied God’s Word and found God leading him in paths that were painful and challenging.

Who will risk this kind of leadership today? Only God knows, but we’ve been invited to offer our help in God’s mission. I hope it is more than the professional leaders who feel the challenge. I hope it is across the church.

Tell me about a dare you have for the church today. Let’s have the conversation together.

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