Happy Lutheran

I want to share the verses from Jeremiah that are guiding our work at Wartburg Seminary in our new strategic plan, “Rooted and Renewing.”

Blessed are those who trust in the Lord,
   whose trust is the Lord.
They shall be like a tree planted by water,
   sending out its roots by the stream.
It shall not fear when heat comes,
   and its leaves shall stay green;
in the year of drought it is not anxious,
   and it does not cease to bear fruit. Jeremiah 17:7-8

I have been dwelling with these verses for months now, and my appreciation and affection for them continues to deepen. I love the metaphor of the tree Jeremiah uses to invite us into a posture of trust: a posture that nourishes and strengthens us–not for our own sake, but for the sake of others.

In the same way that a tree gathers water with its roots, and through that same root system shares nourishment with other trees, we, too, are nourished through the grace and love of God, and share that nourishment with others through the compassion and care we show to those around us. In the same way that a tree bears fruit through which animals and humans are fed and strengthened, we, too, are fruitful, sharing the many gifts we have received with others and helping them be fruitful as well. And, these verses make clear that this tree continues to be nourished and fruitful even in times of drought–scarcity, and in times of anxiety. In other words, in times such as these.  

This is the Holy Spirit’s persistent invitation to the church today, too, I think–and to you and me as well: to trust our source of water, to bear fruit abundantly, and to share liberally what we have received with others who desperately need some nourishment–a word of hope, of love, of good courage.

I was thinking about all of this when I was at the Rostered Ministers Gathering in Phoenix two weeks ago. It was a great gathering–in spite of the ridiculous heat: it was fun to connect with others, worship together with great music, and hear inspiring speakers, two of whom have really stayed with me in these subsequent days.

The first one is the Rev. Dr. Carmelo Santos, who serves in the office of the Presiding Bishop as Director for Theological Diversity and Ecumenical & Inter-Religious Engagement. At a time when too many people are talking about the church only in metaphors of death and dying, I loved his presentation on the generative, creative, life-giving work of the Holy Spirit that is taking place around every corner, if we only have eyes to see it.

He encouraged us to look for sightings of the fire of the gospel, and to develop the art of making fire, kindling the sparks the Spirit is igniting all around us. He also invited us into small group conversation about where we see these sparks–where we are experiencing new life and new possibilities, and where we are feeling the movement of the Holy Spirit in our lives and ministry. I came away with a renewed commitment to ask that question more often–both of myself and of others.

Finally, he also talked about the ongoing wrestling with colonization that is needed in our theology and ecclesiology; he talked about looking through a decolonial lens to learn how to transgress. In this context, he said that the light of the gospel disrupts the lies that stand at the heart of injustice. Included in these lies are the following:

We live in a meritocracy where people get what they deserve

Wealth is independent from poverty

We have nothing to do with this

The world can’t be otherwise

The gospel is not about (worldly) justice

What would it look like if the church fully embraced the explicit rejection of these lies in service of the pursuit of life and life abundant for all God’s children [and creation], and the embodiment of a vision of the kin-dom of God that flows from the life Christ came to inaugurate?

Finally, the second speaker whose words continue to resonate with me is Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie, interim president and general secretary of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA. In her fabulous opening sermon, she invited us all to “push pause.” These words were meant to invite us to stop–to rest and reflect, and allow God to restore us. But for me, I also took them as a reminder to stop and pray: to invite God to guide my words and actions in my decision-making and leadership. I move quickly, so the “God-pause” is a step I sometimes forget.

It was a great event, and I look forward to the next one.