June 2018 - Pastor Dan

"The saying is sure: whoever aspires to the office of bishop desires a noble task. 2 Now a bishop must be above reproach, married only once, temperate, sensible, respectable, hospitable, an apt teacher, 3 not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, and not a lover of money." (1 Timothy 3:1-3)

 "The election of the bishop is a spiritual process in which both the nominees and voting members seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit to understand the needs of the synod and discern who God is calling to leadership. Please pray for our synod as we prepare to take this important action." (Grand Canyon Synod Bishop Information Page)

 This month, the Grand Canyon Synod of the ELCA will elect a bishop to lead the synod for the next six years. This synod has 89 congregations within a geography of 153,781 square miles. It has just under 45,000 baptized members with over 50% of its congregations are in decline. Sixty percent of its pastors are over 55 years old and 7% are under 40. My question has always been, "Who in their right mind would want to take on such an office and call?" It is an overwhelming, daunting and seemingly impossible position to maintain. It's no wonder that at the beginning of the Installation service of a bishop, the first portion of scripture reads: "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you. " "Receive the Holy Spirit." (John 20:21-22) The office of bishop requires the activity of the Holy Spirit as this truth holds true with any disciple and follower of Christ Jesus our Lord.

 The synod, its pastors, delegates, visitors and speakers will gather at Resurrection Lutheran church in Tucson beginning Thursday June 14 and will continue until June 16. I do ask you to pray for this process. Please begin at the beginning of the week and continue through Saturday. And then, on Sunday, offer prayers of thanks and praise. But more importantly, please pray for the newly elect bishop. The newly elect bishop is a person and child of God and will need prayer throughout their journey as bishop. But please, please at least form a foundation of prayer for this one to be carried.

"Come, Holy Spirit! Guide our hearts and minds that we may receive a faithful servant who will care for God's people and equip us for our ministry, in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord." Amen.

Paul Gryniewicz, - Vice President
Grand Canyon Synod Council

In Christ's love and service, Pastor Dan