March 1st 2023-Pastor’s Perspective
After decades of faithful service at St. Luke’s, the Hoppman family graciously returned to celebrate with us the installation of the new pastor in early February. Pastor Carl set the tone by opening worship with a warm welcome and a wise reminder: You are the church.
Pastors come and go, but the victory of Christ and our mission to share it remain constant. Easter is eternal. God’s good news persists and prevails. God’s church always has work to do and witness to give, regardless of who, if anyone, currently occupies the pastor’s office.
St. Luke’s has learned this the hard way, and learned it well. Pause for a moment and reflect upon all that was accomplished between pastors. The congregation navigated a pandemic and solidified its online worshiping presence. Needy children received clothes and backpacks. Weekly Bible study, led not by a pastor, nourished souls online. A local hospital has more hats and blankets than it knows what to do with. Grieving families were wrapped in love when a spree of death raged through the congregation. The call committee did a lot of work preparing to call a new pastor while the property committee continued its reliable stewardship of a very large, aging campus without missing a beat. Community groups were hospitably welcomed and hosted. Leadership kept the rig on the road amid staff changes, health mandates, synod upheaval, and more. Members called on and cared for one another. And many readers are probably thinking of more things I haven’t mentioned yet, which underlines the point. The church has accomplished a lot! You are the church.
The work doesn’t disappear now that the new pastor is in place, though some of it might change and other things are now possible. You are still the church, and our mission remains: to spread the good news, serve those in need, and share the victory of Jesus Christ throughout the world. You did it, you’re doing it, and you are called to commissioned to continue doing it moving forward. Thank you for your part in this great endeavor, and keep up the good work!