The Lutheran, July 2008
A monthly column by Presiding Bishop Mark S. Hanson
Growing together
Listen and learn from one another
When our children were young, dinner was a special time. We are a big family involved in many different activities. We looked forward to eating together to listen to each other’s stories about the day’s events. We laughed together, marveled at new learnings and shared tears of support.
Many have heard me refer to this church as “an ecology of interdependent ecosystems.” Yes, it is a mouthful. But it basically means that this church is blessed by an interdependent network of congregations, synods, institutions and agencies, and the churchwide organization. Together we carry out God’s mission in the world in Jesus’ name as an interdependent network whose members are involved in a variety of ministries in numerous locations and settings.
What does this ecology look like? The eight ELCA seminaries are an ecosystem of theological education and formation. The 28 colleges and universities are an ecosystem of faith seeking understanding. The vast ecosystem of social ministry organizations gives witness to faith active in love and service. ELCA congregations are one ecosystem, as are the 65 synods and the churchwide organization. Add to these outdoor ministries, camp ministries, youth and young adult ministries, Women of the ELCA, and Lutheran Men in Mission. Of course, the ecology of the ELCA belongs to the larger ecology of the one holy catholic and apostolic church.
This language of interdependence may sound empty, however, for those who feel distrustful of a church’s leaders, who disagree with decisions made by a synod or churchwide assembly, who are unaware of the work we do together throughout the world, or whose leaders are frequently critical of this church or rarely speak of the ELCA as inclusive of their congregation and its members. (See "Connections up and down the church.") Without a commitment to tend to our interdependent relationships, we risk becoming a fractured church with a diminished capacity to carry out God’s mission in the world in Jesus’ name.
What are those dinner table opportunities for us as a church?
• As my churchwide colleagues and I travel throughout this church, we value opportunities to listen to faith stories and share the mission and ministries of the wider church with those gathered at synod assemblies, rostered leader gatherings, mission festivals and youth events.
• Members increase awareness and deepen commitment to our interdependence by participating in the development of social statements, serving as voting members to synod or churchwide assemblies, or becoming part of a synodical or churchwide council, committee and task force.
• Congregations build ministry partnerships to strengthen mission. They join together to plan new congregations, engage in outreach and respond to a neighborhood’s human needs.
• Synods that differ in size, geographical location and ministry challenges have been paired for listening, learning and sharing.
• Synod bishops, in response to the Blue Ribbon Committee on Mission Funding’s recommendations, spend time in conversation with their synod’s rostered leaders, discussing leadership in stewardship and listening to the joys and challenges of their respective ministries. Pastors and rostered lay leaders are encouraged to invite members of their congregations into times of listening and conversation.
Think about what you can do to encourage tables where all might be heard and grow in faith. Together let us hear and—by the Spirit’s power—heed Paul’s words to the Ephesians (4:15-16): “But speaking the truth in love, we must grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by every ligament with which it is equipped, as each part is working properly, promotes the body’s growth in building itself up in love.”