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A word from the President
My dear friends in Christ,
The theme for the Synod Assembly that is coming to Las Vegas in June is: Becoming a Missional Church: Living the Great Commandment and the Great Commission.
The Great Commandment reads: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your mind…you shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22:36-39; Mark 12: 30-31; Luke 10: 27) Or in John’s gospel we hear Jesus say “love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” It is obviously about being a community where God’s Love is known and shared. The Great Commission says: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20)
Loving each other might seem obvious, but it is also more challenging than we might think. This past year brought some struggles, disagreements, and disappointments. Some relationships suffered as a result. We hope and pray for healing. There have also been new and good relationships formed, and the congregation has celebrated and shared in lots of ministry. And for that we give thanks and commit to future ministry to share in that kind of love.
It seems there has been discussion around the topic of the business of the church. The business of the church, as I see it, is to worship God, reach out to those who are less fortunate, and spiritually support all who are members of the church family. The business of the church is not to be a business. For sure we need to support the church to pay the bills of normal earthly operation and the missions we agree to take on. But the business of the church is noticeably different then being “in business”. Business takes care of itself and doesn’t reach out to anyone who can’t help it achieve its goals. The church does the opposite. Without a care towards people’s abilities to help the church, the church reaches out to lift them out of their troubles and show them God‘s love and God’s way! I hope we can talk about the church’s business and mean our mission.
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And here’s a thought that could be part of living and loving God’s way within our church family. When people have disagreements and concerns, we all need to make certain we have all the information. We need to engage in open conversation to get educated, and to make sure power struggles and pride aren’t blinding us. We probably all love our church and want to do what is helpful for it.
Now is a new day, a new year, a new Council. We are excited to be thinking about the ministry for 2008. We know that we need to come together and be together as a congregation for ministry and mission to happen. I think of the apostles after the crucifixion. They were confused, fearful, and without a leader. We are not without a leader. In fact we have two competent, and diligent pastors to help direct our church. But some confusion and rumors have also occurred. They have caused hurt. We’ve had some fear about the survival of our church. But we need to put such fears behind us and engage in our ministry and mission, our little piece of the Great Commission, trusting that God will help us. Let’s move forward from 2007 to 2008!
We have a new and competent Council who will be able to lead us. But it is not just up to the Council! It is the job of every member of The Lakes Lutheran Church to pitch in where they can to further God’s Mission through His church here on earth. I am pleased to be acquainted with all the members of the new Council and I’m writing to tell you they will be calling on you to help in various projects/missions! Please don’t make excuses why you can’t help. Answer with a resounding “yes, I can help!!” Stewardship is not just the finances. Stewardship is pitching in to help with your time and the gifts God has given to all of us.
So let the healing begin where some relationships have been hurt, and let us ALL go forward together to fulfill God’s Great Commandment and Great Commission through OUR Church!
Yours in Christ, Gary Koon
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