November 2006

From the Pastor

Dear Co-laborers with Christ,

This year, our Consecration Campaign at Grace Church takes shape over the space of three weekends in November. During this time, members of Grace will receive the proposed operating budget for 2007 and will have time to prayerfully reflect on their financial support for that ministry. As our ministry and witness to Christ grows in this neighborhood and in the world, so must our giving grow in support of it.  Take time to study the budget, to attend the budget forum and discuss the needs of our ministry, and plan to worship and give in response to all that God has done for you in Christ.

Our stewardship of money is just one aspect of our stewardship of the gospel of Christ in our lives, but in a material world, it is one of the most revealing. In a market economy, the content of our characters and the strength of our faith is revealed in our check stubs as much as or more as in our good deeds.

Over the past months, there have been articles included in the monthly newsletter that have addressed the issue of tithing as the first reasonable step in Christian giving. The tithe is not a responsible choice for everyone – some need to give less, others can give more – but it can be a goal for everyone. To give one-tenth of what we have received is but a small return to God who gives everything for us.

Whatever decision we choose to make, it is but one small part of the large picture of Christian stewardship that is God’s care for us. God’s grace covers the earth as the waters cover the sea. He offers power and hope in Christ for those who trust enough to do his commandments, to sing his song in an alien land. God’s stewardship can be done in our self-indulgent society, but we have the choice to make now. We can put on the armor of God’s righteousness and serve Christ in the devastatingly difficult choices that the world sets before us or we can live out our lives seeking only our own survival while taking refuge in the bunkers of pride, piety, and sanctity.  That, as Kierkegaard observed more than a century ago, is what makes human freedom “dreadful.”

Are we willing to put God first in every aspect of our lives? Are we willing to pay the cost of Christian discipleship? The question is not whether we will subscribe to the budget but whether we will be faithful to Christ. The basic test of any congregation’s stewardship is not the size of its harvest but its fidelity to the Word of God. On that test, congregations, like individuals, live or die daily. God pleads: “Choose life…” (Deuteronomy 30:15); and in Christ, each of us and all of can do so!

See you in church!

Faithfully, your pastor,

B. Penrose Hoover

From the Associate Pastor

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

Please put all your books under your desk, take out a number 2 pencil, and keep your eyes on your own paper.  We are going to have a pop quiz for parents of youth and for all adult members of our church.  Please answer the following questions.

1)     Please explain Luther’s concept of “justification by grace through faith.”

2)     Please explain the difference between “decision theology” and the Lutheran teaching of “grace”.

3)     Please define “works righteousness.”

How would you do on such a test?  Maybe you have a general understanding of these questions.  Maybe they are “cake.”  To make it more challenging, you might be asked to explain your answers so that a young person, your own child, could understand.  Could you do that?

Martin Luther reminds us that one of the greatest vocations of adults is to raise up our children in the faith.  And yet, it is becoming more and more evident that parents need help teaching their children about important faith issues.  Believe it or not, not all teaching about Christianity is the same and some of it can be rather frightening.

When I was in high school and in college, I was exposed to Christians that really challenged my faith, and it really scared me.  Some Christians teach that individuals must accept Jesus as their personal savior, and that they must make a decision for Christ.  These Christians will even ask the date when an individual accepted Christ.  From this, questions arise about whether one is certain that they are saved and not “condemned”.  I know they did for me, and as I said, it really scared me.  As I see it, this is one of the major faith issues facing our young people today.  In addition, there are many other questions surrounding our faith about which we, as parents, youth workers, and members in the church need to be able to talk openly with our youth. 

Our Lutheran traditions teach that we are made right with God through the gift of Christ’s life, death, and resurrection.  Christ is God’s grace (or gift) for us.  We receive that gift through faith, which is also a gift.  So, there is never a question about whether we are believing in the right way, believing enough, and so on.  Faith is a gift for us, too.  Christ has done it all for us.  Decision theology says that we must do something, that is, make a decision to accept Christ into our lives.  But, whenever it is said that we must do something, it says that Christ’s work of dying and rising for us is not enough.  And, we begin to doubt our salvation and God’s love.  “Works righteousness” is the belief that we can do something (some work) to make ourselves okay in God’s eyes.  It is not the Lutheran teaching of God’s grace.  By God’s grace, we are already okay in God’s eyes.  And, if we had to name a date as to when we were saved, or when a decision was made, we can boldly say, “God decided to save me at the time of his Son’s death on the cross.”   

Do I think kids need to be able to argue their faith or persuade another to believe as a Lutheran?  Not necessarily.  Witnessing to one’s faith is done in a variety of ways.  But, teaching our youth how to understand their faith from the Lutheran perspective is really important.  In those moments when they are approached by another Christian whose theology is different from ours, it may be enough for our youth to hear another’s perspective and leave it at that.  They don’t need to argue with others over faith issues.  It may not be helpful.  Maybe they can gently share their opinion.  But, first and foremost we need to be comfortable with our faith to talk to our children about it.  And, we need to foster good, open communication with our children whereby they are comfortable coming to us to talk.

Our youth committee has already begun some discussion on how we can minister to our families as they minister to their children.  We will continue to work at this issue.  Please know that ministering to our young people is a cooperative effort.  And, if there is anyway that I can help your family with any question along the faith journey, please come and see me, and we can talk.

                                                                                                            In Christ,

                                                                                                            Pastor Joel

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