MNO Synod - Bishop's Message


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Bishop's Message	Follow the Bishop
Are We Still Loyal radicals? In a recent blog I read of five predictions for the future church. The writer claims the following: 1. The places where we gather will become smaller. We will experience more intimate gatherings, places which create less threatening venues for exploring issues of faith. 2. The church will be launched into real mission. The mission of the New Testament will create a hunger within people to give their lives to something that requires sacrifice and results in biblical justice. People will want to get their hands in the dirt of humanity and see real change in the communities where they live. 3. The church will return to its ancient roots People will gather often, read the Scriptures, worship intently, pray fervently, be led by servants, live authentically and honour the sacraments. For sure, we will continue to be creative and inventive, but not at the expense of the ancient structure which has transcended all generations for more than 2,000 years. 4. The church will talk more about really important issues Jesus talked more about money and possessions than prayer or heaven, because it was an issue that was wrecking the people he loved. We should too. Church leaders will also begin to talk more openly about healthy biblical sexuality because our culture is desperate to know the truth. It will not be popular with some, but our love for people will far outweigh the criticism that is sure to be heaped upon us. 5. The church will return to wonder and awe The churches that embrace the miraculous nature of God will see the most growth and have the most influence in the coming decade. Good preaching, trendy stage sets and clever videos will not be enough in the next 10 years because people want to see God intervene more and more in the affairs of the earth with miracles and healings. Sound theology must prevail and we must not return to our sloppy charismatic tendencies, but we must also embrace the mysterious and risky nature of God and not be afraid of wonder and awe. While the Holy Spirit may be unpredictable, the results are always predictable -- people will find God, people will be healed and people will discover real freedom. Carol Howard Merritt, in her book, *“Reframing Hope”,* calls this movement “Loyal Radicals”. People hope to move into a vibrant future while retaining the wisdom of past, and balancing wild freedom with the rooting and grounding of tradition. I think the five predictions for the future church speaks to loyal radicalism and in essence speaks to our Lutheran history and traditions, and the movement within our own denomination to release oneself from the structures and practises that diminish our capacity to be involved fully in biblical justice as Jesus’ disciples. In a video clip produced during the 2011 ELCIC convention, I was asked the question “What dream do I have for the ELCIC?” I dream of a church that will be as passionate about addressing poverty and a right relationship with Indigenous people of Canada as we have been about sexuality, forms of worship or structure. If we are truly to move into a vibrant faith community that serves as God intended, then we need to look to putting into practise the means for missional work in Canada and in the world. With the ancient practices of discipleship- read, pray, study, tell, serve, worship, give, we have an opportunity to do just that.