Some random pastoral ponderings…
According to the church calendar, we are in the season of Pentecost. Pentecost is known as the “time of the church”. It’s that time after Christ’s ascension when we, as the church, guided and accompanied by the Holy Spirit, are to go out into the world to spread the message of the Gospel to all people. It’s a time for us to grow in our faith and our relationship with God. It’s also a time of the church year when our lessons on Sunday morning challenge us to reflect upon what it is to be the church in the world, to reflect on our identity in light of the Great Commission to “go 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 all I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:16).
This strikes me as being particularly important to us at St. Paul’s. During my interview prior to receiving the call to serve here, I discovered that you had not engaged in the self-study process that usually is a part of the call process. It also hadn’t been done when Pastor Jorgensen was called. I have encouraged the council to lead the congregation through this process in the coming year. It is a wonderful opportunity for St. Paul’s to ponder what it is to be God’s church on German Lake. What is unique about us and our ministry? What is St. Paul’s known for in the community or in the synod? In what ways do we want to reach out with God’s love and care to people in our community? In what ways is the Spirit calling us?
Perhaps in your summer travels…as you visit and worship in other churches, you will hear of interesting ways others are ministering to the needs of people…ways that you feel would fit into the mission and ministry of St. Paul’s. The St. Paul’s council would love to hear them.
These are challenging times to be in the church. They are also exciting times! The opportunities for ministry are endless. As we engage in this self-study, I invite you to ponder how we at St. Paul’s can be the church here on German Lake, carrying out the Great Commission that has been entrusted to us.Blessings,
Pastor Karl
