Pastor Dan - July 2018
The Grand Canyon Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America elected Deborah Hutterer as the sixth bishop of the synod. Before being elected, Deborah was the Chief Development Officer of the Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest. Since taking this leadership position with LSS-SW in 2013, the development budget has grown by 260% and flourished into a community of thousands consisting of congregational partners, volunteers, donors and staff working as a body to create healthy communities through God’s vision for Arizona and all people. Deborah has a passion for Jesus, in creating healthy faith communities and discerning the moving of the Holy Spirit. She has been in just about every congregation in our synod, knows the pastors and the leaders and still had the sense of God’s calling to serve this synod as its bishop.
As the nominees for bishop continued to dwindle with each new ballot, we got to hear more from those who remained open to the call. As Deborah continued to make the cut, there were several times I heard her conviction that ministry is a team activity, a team effort, a team together. The common goal was not brining in more revenues, or getting more people into our congregations or even social justice. The vision to which the “Team Christ” works toward is sharing the gospel and sharing the presence of the Christ. Sharing the promises of God with all people in a way in which our congregations find health in mission, vision and values of discipleship in our risen Lord. A team which is invitational welcoming others to come and join in serving all people as Christ continues to provide.
To hear the final three nominees for bishop was a pleasure as was to hear from our National Bishop Elizabeth Eaton. All spoke from a mindset of mission and passion for Christ’s ongoing activity in our congregations. The language was non-divisive, filled with hospitality which naturally flowed from their hearts. Their words came forth in a manner reflecting of a genuine desire to make Christ known. I am not saying that this is new or foreign to the election process, but it was noticeable that the language of sharing Christ has become a natural way to speak not just among the leadership within the ELCA, but also among the people of the ELCA.
We are people of the “Word”. Words a very important and carry weight. “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me” may be true in some realms, but does not hold truth in regard to words which flow from the hearts of God’s people. Why this consideration is shared is because in a world in which words can be quoted, taken out of context or just flat out be used in abusive ways, it is good to know that there is leadership who don’t necessarily have to spend a lot of time seeking to find the right words, but trust that God is providing words to speak reflective of truth and righteousness. There are leaders and disciples of Christ whose faith is so well grounded in their being that words of God’s grace, of Christian hospitality and welcome-ness dominate the mindset so much that it is from this God given well their words gush forth and give hope and refreshment.
Will you please keep Bishop Deborah in your prayers and may your words come from the faith and grace God has put into the center of your heart.
In Christ’s love and service,
Pastor Dan