MNO Synod - Bishop's Message


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Bishop's Message	Follow the Bishop
The MNO Opus In the movie, Mr. Holland’s Opus, we hear of a teacher who regrets his one dream, to write a great symphony. He takes a job teaching music, a job he hates. Somewhere along the way he realizes the students are important to him. Unexpectedly, the music program is cut and he loses his job. On his final day, while walking through the quiet halls of the school, he hears voices. Opening the gym door he sees hundreds of former students, alumni who have come to say thanks to him. One former student says Mr. Holland’s symphony was his students and the melodies and lyrics were ways he enriched their lives or he was enriched by them. Mr. Holland’s story is about one man’s enlightenment about his life and his role in the lives of others. He recognizes that people have been important to him and that those same people have enriched his life and been his symphony. He also recognizes that life moves forward even in the middle of loss. Lately, I have been identifying with Mr. Holland. In addition to the joys, I also have regrets and sometimes I even hate my “job”. There is also the probability I will lose my “job” if the restructuring goes ahead. On a number of occasions, people in the church wanted me to take a stand on the issues of sexuality in the church. They wanted to know which “way the wind blew” or felt that a leader in the church ought to publicly proclaim where they stand, that this would be true leadership. I chose not to do so. Do I regret my decision? Sometimes I do. Maybe I would better know the “lay of the land” in my synod and have been more prepared for the decisions made by some of our congregations and rostered leaders who are considering leaving the ELCIC. As I reflect on these short years in office I recognize the melodies and lyrics of those who have struggled with what God is saying to the church and what we believe God is saying to the church. Some of the melodies have been hard to listen to and rather screechy and loud, while others have been harmonious and spirited. The symphony has been created and now we live with its sounds- both joyous and sad. Whatever the consequences of the decisions made at national convention this summer, my role as bishop is to continue to listen and to hear what God is saying to the church and to its people. It is not about “taking sides” in the different theologies of our church but to work at providing unity for both to co-exist so that the gospel is proclaimed and heard; so that mission and ministry is fulfilled, to walk with the sad and rejoice with the joyous. It may also be about reconciliation. One of the things I heard from those contemplating severance from the ELCIC is dissatisfaction with the ELCIC over a long period of time and that their dissatisfaction is not just about decisions made this year but for many years. So much so that mission and ministry has been diminished and in some cases unfulfilled. Perhaps, rather than this being a time for separation, it can be an opportunity for people to focus on God’s mission of hope and reconciliation. I pray that this will be the case. As we move forward, both in the leaving and staying, may we provide reconciliation with one another so that God’s ministry of reconciliation through Jesus Christ provides a way to enrich the body of Christ and assist each in their new context. May we dwell in God’s Word regularly so that we see hope and possibility for ministry and mission to our world. May we grow in Christian maturity as we name the rubs and grinds and seek reconciliation wherever God is leading us. May we hear each other’s symphonies as God’s gifts of grace and love.