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 Dear
Saints:
As
we begin this new year together, and as we anticipate what God may
wish to accomplish through us, I am excited to be serving as your
pastor as, together, we discern what it means to be a congregation of
committed disciples.
As
I mentioned in last month's newsletter, we have coming up two
opportunities to help us in this discernment process.
The
first one is the Catch the Spirit conference in Atlanta.
Those who have made reservations for this event will learn much
about how we can grow together in faith and ministry. And, I
will be asking some of these people to share with you their
experiences and hopes for our congregation. And, too, we
will be prayerfully considering how we might be able to implement
some of what we learn there. Please be praying for all of us
who will attend this important event.
Secondly,
we will be offering the opportunity for you to join with a  partner,
or in a small group of your own choosing, to read and study during
Lent the book The Purpose Driven Life. A companion
journal is also available to be used in conjunction with the book,
but a plain notebook would work also. There is
a
sign-up sheet in the Narthex so that I
can order the study material.
Please put your name down for the book, and the journal, if you plan
to purchase them both, or just the book if you don't want the
journal. Do we really want to know God's purpose for our
congregation? This study will be an excellent way to begin our
quest to discover it.
However,
discovering God's purpose and carrying it out (as exciting as this
may be) can also be a difficult time of transition for individuals
and a congregation since it may involve change—not
always an easy word for us to hear. A couple of things have
occurred over the last several months that would fit into this
category of "change". There appears to be some
concern and/or confusion about them, so I would like to take a moment
now to clarify them.
The
first issue has to do with Holy Communion.
Traditionally at Saint
Matthew First Communion has occurred around fifth grade (or, as early
as third grade by mutual agreement of the parents, child, and
pastor). But, discussion of when First Communion ought to be
allowed has been going on in our denomination for many years.
In
1997 the ELCA adopted The Use of the Means of Grace: A Statement
on the Practice of Word and Sacrament. Based upon
historically accurate information and solid theological principles,
this statement encouraged congregations to consider allowing early
communion for children. The age for this would be determined on
a case-by-case basis by the parents, the children (if they were old
enough to participate in the discussion), and the pastor.
On
September 14, 2003, after much discussion and research, the Council
of Saint
Matthew approved this practice for our congregation. It was
decided that First Communion classes would be held as usual for those
who wish to follow the traditional procedure. But, for those
who desire early communion, when these children reach the third–fifth
grade level they, too, will attend the class as a regular part of
their educational experience.
Before
you extended a call to me to be your pastor, I informed the
congregation that our daughter, Meaghan, had begun to receive
communion shortly after her baptism. She was thirteen months
old at the time. I asked if to continue this practice would
present a problem for the congregation, to which you said it would
not. Liz and I have been grateful for that response.
Since then, one other family has requested early communion which,
based on the Council's decision and my conversations with the family,
has been granted. I have included the Council-approved document
in the newsletter for your information.
The
second issue has to do with baptismal practices. It was
brought to my attention a few months ago after I baptized an infant
who was small enough to fit in the water basin of the baptismal
font. After discussion with the parents, and at my
recommendation, it was decided that this baby would be baptized by
immersion (up to its neck), and without any garments. I
recommended it because I wanted the symbolism of the sacrament to be
enhanced. Through immersion, the reality of the death of the
old self and the subsequent new birth in Christ would be more
dramatically represented for the congregation.
As
far as I know there is no Saint
Matthew policy concerning this matter, nor should there be.
Some denominations are concerned with how one should be
baptized. Lutherans are not, so long as the person gets
baptized in the name of the triune God. Lutherans may sprinkle,
pour, or immerse; and, it may be done at a baptismal font, in a
baptismal pool, or—for
that matter—in
a swimming pool or a river. What is important for Lutherans is
that a person is baptized according to the command of Christ (Matthew 28:19).
Well,
I hope this puts these concerns to rest. I remember answering
many of your questions after that first Celebration Café I and
my family attended before receiving a call from Saint
Matthew. I can remember, also, my discussions with
Council. In both of these settings I recall saying that I am
convinced that God calls us as Christians to be more than passive
believers. He calls us to be his disciples—that
is, people who are eager to listen, learn, and follow our Master—even
if it may carry us beyond our comfort zones.
So,
as we move into this new calendar year I am enthusiastic about the
ways in which we can grow in our faith through prayer, study,
worship, and service. The opportunities abound! But no
one person can make this happen. It takes a village, as the
saying goes. It requires a commitment from all of us to pursue
a deeper spiritual life if we are to take advantage of these
opportunities of discipleship.
Will
you join with me in this endeavor? If we determine to look to
Christ for our leadership, and are willing to be led by his Spirit,
there is just no telling where God can take us! Now, I don't
know about you, but I find that exciting!
Grace
and peace,
Pastor
Larry
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