Good Shepherd Lutheran Church

While we are not an ELCA Congregation, I am posting this so that we can know what our brothers and sisters in Christ are dealing with in their own congregations. We can and should pray for those who do not uphold Scripture's authority. We should also pray for those who are standing firm - that they would be encouraged in their conviction of the truth.

I am posting the text from an article, as reported by CBN. The link can be found below.

A new Lutheran denomination is being formed for congregations who are opposed to the gay-friendly policy of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

Last August, the ELCA National Assembly voted to allow gays and lesbians to be ordained as clergy.

However, Lutherans who oppose the action say the new policy contradicts scripture. So far at least seven Evangelical Lutheran congregations have voted to leave the church. According to church insiders, an additional 28 congregations may also vote to leave.

As an alternative, a group of Lutherans who left the denomination have formed the North American Lutheran Church.

Rev. Mark Chavez of Landisville, Pa. is director of the group Lutheran CORE, which is overseeing the breakaway. He said organizers are "united in a common confession of the Christian faith and commitment to submit to the authority of God's Word over all matters of faith."

Although, the size of the new denomination remains unclear. So far, several hundred congregations appear to be moving toward a permanent split with the ELCA.

http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/us/2010/March/Dissident-Lutherans-Forming-New-Denomination/

I just wanted to take a minute to thank the Praise Team for their hard work and dedication.  How lucky are we at Good Shepherd to have such a great group of young adults to lead our worship service!  Way to go Praise Team - you ROCK!

Kelly Hayes

Just wanted to share a story tonight...for the past couple of years, I've been kind of upset about something. It wasn't affecting my day-to-day thoughts or activities, but it was nagging me. Well, this week, I can put that in the past.

I thought a friend of mine had turned a blind eye to the way another friend of hers was treating me...and, she just blew it off...not realizing that I was hurt by it all.

I tried to explain it, but it didn't really work. Finally...earlier this evening...there was a breakthrough. I talked with the person who had said some mean things...and, I also talked with the friend of mine. I guess all this is to say that some things aren't resolved right away...even for those of us (pastors, maybe) who are supposed to know all the "right" aways to work out problems.

God takes these opportunities, which might also be considered our stubborn moments, to teach...discipline...instill...or change people. And, right this moment...I am glad to have my friend back without reservation. And, I'm glad that our joking back-and-forth is part of our friendship...but, there is a serious side that allows us to talk about real life, too.

Anyway...just a short reconciliation story for y'all...

Yes. We had services as scheduled for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. No cancellations. No rescheduling. What we DID have was a dedicated custodian in Wes Olson to clean off the sidewalk and parts of the lot. We also had a dedicated and efficient Bob Mathews (or one of his peeps) take care of the parking lot.

We also had the good Lord keeping people safe...even giving some members an opportunity to help push/pull others out of a ditch on the way. Way to go, Acts of Service!!!

We had Deacons who showed up...early, as usual...and, took care of business. Choir members, and director Jack Noennig...organist Cindy Longhenry and pianist Gretchen Haukos ALL found their way to church these past two days.

What's interesting is that we knew the snow was gonna fly. I felt very comfortable having service for 10 people if that's who showed up...and singing the hymns/carols a cappella, if necessary. Instead, we had a FULL house on Thursday for the candlelight, and a good turnout on Christmas morning. Seriously, this was a fun, energetic couple of days to worship the Newborn King Jesus!

I might sound a bit bold here...but, if you ever are wondering about services at Good Shepherd being cancelled...stop wondering. They're on. I can walk to church if I have to...and so can 40-50 others who live within 3 blocks of the church. We're worshiping...that's what we do. Praise God in His sanctuary!

Oh, this is SUCH a "Bleating Sheep" blog post! READ THIS boyz and girlz! If you are married...or, even dating...take this "test" - http://www.afo.net/hftw-lovetest.asp

Now, in addition...please pick up your copy of the Advent Devotional Booklet for 2009. It will help us see how God Himself has interacted with us in these 5 ways - speaking to us in the languages of love we understand. With that in your back-pocket, it will also help you to see how your SPOUSE or FRIEND responds to what you do and say!

I took the test, and I'm apparently a high-maintenance individual, who is kinda tri-lingual. Words of Affirmation are important, along with Physical Touch (yes, this is SPOUSE-only) and Quality Time. What this means is that when my wife "speaks" to me in these ways, I know she loves me. She can give me gifts until the cows come home, but they aren't nearly as important as the words she says to me, for example.

What you'll find, is that you'll usually try to show love in the way that YOU feel loved. However, knowing how your spouse feels loved is vitally important! If Michelle feels loved when I do stuff around the house, I had better get on it...because...well, that's exactly what I want to do - LOVE HER!

I'm a firm believer that our families can't work too hard at becoming stronger. This is one way - by understanding each other, and striving to show love in a way that others will relate and respond.

This is our theme for all of our Sunday Advent services. What a powerful way to get into Christmas - by glimpsing God as He has made US in His image. We're LIKE Him in some ways...notably in this season in our capacity to love.

I love garage sales! Not shopping at them...working at them. Over the past few days we've had a heaping helping of Glenconians, as well as non-residents, to our home for perusal of our wares. While we had some "big-ticket" items that we were trying to sell...we also had some meek crabapples for people to try...and to buy.

I enjoyed explaining that they were manzanitas...muy acido...to some of our Hispanic customers. I also enjoyed the facial contortions of the brave souls who dared to sample.

I met a Mr. Miller among the shoppers. New to town, along with his wife of 55 years. He prefers the church without walls - that we often call the "invisible church." He has provided ministry to those who struggle with alcohol and drugs for many years. God bless Mr. Miller!

We met people who gave US advice...people who bought garage sale items to give to others...people who were bubbly and happy...and people who carried a sadness with them wherever they went.

Still, this was an opportunity to talk with all these varied personalities of our town/area. We played Christian praise songs on the radio, and we gave out Women's Bible Study invitation flyers. We made church-chat a part of our regular conversation, and shared the love of Jesus in our actions and words.

This was an opportunity! I relished it...and jumped at the chances we were given. Thank you, Jesus, for bringing people to us!

Garage sales might not be your thing...but, if you check your attitude at the driveway...you might find people who are ready for something better than good deals.

This is a post that nobody knows anything about, but I'm putting it here anyway.

Rock the River is a music tour that began in New Orleans, headed up the Mississippi, and ended up in St. Paul on Harriet Island last Sunday (August 16). I signed up to volunteer. An uber-busy weekend where I really felt like just taking a nap instead of driving to the Twin Cities. Bleh.

Kirk Franklin, Flyleaf, Superchick and DecembeRadio all played, with some others...but, mostly the idea was to share a Gospel message and tug at people's hearts if they weren't already saved. How would I not want to be a part of that?! So, I ended up directing traffic all day, met some really cool guys, and got sore legs.

I had a chance to sneak a peek inside, where close to 40,000 people had gathered. It was mighty impressive! I just hope that events like these are produtive for the Kingdom of God. Rob, a guy I was working with, said that he wondered if these were more "social events for Christians" or if they actually proclaimed the love of Jesus in a way that led to true conversions.

I'll follow up on this as info comes through. The plan of the RTR committee was to follow up with all the people who wanted to know more about being a Christian...for the next year!

Like I said, who wouldn't want to be a part of something that brings about the conversion of a hardened heart?! Directing traffic didn't seem all that important at times...until we step back and realize everyone was kept safe after a beautiful day of music and a very important message.

Peace.

PJG

Yeah...so, Kim Busse is leaving her post at Good Shepherd after a full 3 years of service. Almost made me physically ill when she told me last week. Bleh.

I told her that I knew it was coming sooner or later, because Jake (husband) was ready to roll with a new business, which will be a full-time gig and should be something that provides for their family. So, that, combined with me always pushing for moms and dads in general to be home with the young ones...well...it was gonna happen.

She'll be with us for another 3 weeks or so. Then, she'll no longer be employed at Good Shepherd, but will remain a member...since this is her home. We'll be glad to have the Busse Family stay among us.

Our church has changed quite a bit over these 3 years. Programs developed. Relationships and some routines established. Kim wouldn't claim that she was the one responsible for it...because she'd direct it all back to the work of the Lord in our midst.

That's where this began anyway. I remember back to 2006, when God led Kim to need a new direction in her employment...and, led Good Shepherd to receive the concept of an Education Coordinator. I remember weird little details of the process that remind me of God's hand in it all. It was weird to "hire" for the position...but, it just fit so nicely.

After these years have passed, it looks like we should be preparing ourselves for the possibility of calling a DCE. On the spiritual side alone...God has led an increase in numbers in every way. More members, more worshipers, more tithing. As our small Bible Study Group on Sunday morning has learned...(Exodus 23:29-30) God prepared the land (by scattering the inhabitants, and growing the numbers of His Own)before allowing His people to go into it - so that they might be able to care for it.

So also has God been "little by little" preparing us for this time. Whenever we can look at someone and say that she is truly God's instrument...we can rejoice and be glad in His handiwork. Thank you, Kim. Thank you, Jesus...help us to continue following Your lead into our next stage of ministry at Good Shepherd.

I've been having discussion with many people lately...from Dylan (youth) to Marjorie (office manager), and other random people in-between, about something that has happened in our town. It weighs heavy on me...and on the community...when a leader in the community (a pastor in this case, but it could be a councilman or business owner) needs to step down (read: resign) in a case of moral failure.

His family hurts. His friends hurt. His church (or business) hurts. His community...all are affected.

We have had pastors in recent situations we wish they would never be in. We wish that our leaders would be able to demonstrate for us what right living is all about. We wish we had an example to follow...but, it turns out that every pastor or leader...is human.

So, we mourn. We grieve the loss of a loved one when they die, and we grieve the loss of a leader to giving in when temptations come. But, this is where the analogy ends, because our loved ones don't choose to die. Our leaders, however, sometimes make choices unbecoming of their position.

There is no satisfaction in acknowledging humanity here. There IS a different level of righeousness expected, and there IS further to fall when these things happen! It's not acceptable to say, "I guess he's only human." Why? Because we, as Christians, are called to live DIFFERENTLY! Christians are SET-APART. Church Council members are SET-APART. Pastors are...that's right...SET-APART. All for doing something special in that time and place.

We aren't special on our own. We're special...holy...because God has called us to be such. And, Biblically speaking, Pastors have more expected of them. That's it.

I won't parade around in my robes. I won't talk snooty from the pulpit. I will not pretend I am infallible. But, I will call sin what it is. In my own life, I want to identify it, and have it snuffed out by God's Grace. In yours, I pray for conviction when you hear the Word read...preached...and taught. And, as we recognize our human-ness in need of God's forgiveness, we can walk together...work together...and grow together...to fend off temptation when it comes.

Please pray for our community leaders of all shapes and sizes. Major Wilson, Chief Cummins, Dan Ehrke, your local Pastors...Councilmen...School Board...all have need for your prayerful support.

Lord, by Your hand...protect and deliver Your saints whom you have called to a life of holiness. Amen.

Well, again I'm not sure how "spiritual" this issue is...but, I'd love to have the opportunity to rant a bit on this topic. I intend to post links here, as they are appropriate.

For now...this is from my friend Brent Hellickson:

When our country was founded, what made it different than every other country on the planet? It was the idea of individual rights. I'm having a hard time understanding why our country now thinks that it should abandon (and has started doing so in the last 50 years of the welfare state) this idea of individual liberties and move towards collectivism.

This is not an economic issue. It's a moral issue. Should one person die to help save 5, 10, or 100? Well of course, it's for the common good! Well, sure, unless you're the one who has to die. If I have a bushel of wheat and 100 other people don't, should I be forced to share it with others because it's the right thing to do?

From an abstract perspective, it can be argued that slavery was the ultimate form of taxation.... collectivism. Work all day and have nothing to show for it. It's fascinating to me that we continue to think it's not fair that the rich are rich and they shouldn't be allowed to be so rich, so let's tax the bejesus out of them so that life is more fair for everyone else.

It's very realistic that in some states, when you add the local and state taxes to the Federal, wealthy individuals will be taxed at nearly 50% if all of this legislation gets passed...Does this not seem like robbery? If this continues, the rich are going to stop working so hard and live off what they've already made. What incentive do they have to keep working so hard just to have half of it taken from them? It should be noted that the majority of wealthy individuals in America are first generation rich. They were not handed their wealth by their daddy or grandaddy.

Are we going to let our country and our freedoms be taken away from us? Of course, this is a philosophical debate on where your politics lie. If you think that it is fair to steal from the rich so that the non-rich can have better lives, why aren't you the first one in line to say you'd like to be taxed higher? Why aren't you writing checks to the government every month to help subsidize other people? Ohhh, well when I'm the one who has to be stolen from, I don't want to do it. Oh really? Why? Is that not fair?

The people that are for having the village raise the child and want to abandon their individual freedoms to do what they want, should be the first ones giving their time and money away to those who need it. As for me, I want to be able to give my time and money when I choose to and what amount I choose to give. Not to be told I have to because it's not fair that other people are less fortunate than me.