Mission Thoughts . . .

I was recently involved in some conversations with some pastors serving congregations.  This was a gathering of professional leaders who wanted to talk about mission and their future.  While this was not in the Sierra Pacific Synod, my sense is that the conversations would be similar in this synod.

The leader asked the attendees to think how they might engage the neighborhoods in which the churches they served were located.  Some, feeling the stress of just "keeping the shop open," couldn't imagine taking time to do that.  Others confessed they had "no clue" on how to connect with the unchurched.  And even others confessed that they could not engage the unchurched because current members demanded all their time.  Hmmmmm . . .

While the question the leader offered was fair, I wonder if it went far enough. Typically, when we look at mission, I wonder if our first thought is how we might attract more people to our church. That is, if our church program is bright, slick, active, welcoming, vibrant, (you can add more), then people will come to be part of who we are.  Perhaps that is true.

As much as I respect the leader of the group I attended, I would have asked the question in another way.  His question was "What do you think our community needs from a church?"  That is a question for people who are already a part of the church.  Church members would understand that question but those who are not connected would not, and may not even care.  Instead of focusing on how the church could attract more to the ministry, I would instead ask the question in another way.  I would ask something like this:  "In our faith tradition, we believe that God is at work in the world to bring healing, transformation and reconciliation to and for the whole creation and all people.  We see that you (or your organization) are doing this kind of healing and transformational work in the world.  We want to learn from you and learn how we might participate with you in that work."

That type of question moves the center from our own agendas to the concerns of others.

Ultimately, we need to affirm that God is already involved in the world.  God is working in public schools, local govern-ments, social service agencies, and other places where transformation is occurring.

I dream that more people will come to realize that being the church means more than going into a certain building on Sunday morning.  I dream that being "church" is about a group of people crazy and coura-geous enough to join in an adventure with God, that relationships will be built and that the Kingdom of God will flourish.

God's Peace,

Harvey Blomberg

Director for Evangelical Mission

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The Offices of the Bishop will be closed Wednesday afternoon, August 3

In our discussion of this event, we were aware of the reports that the perpetrator of this violence in Norway was influenced by similar expressions of racial polarization and violence in the United States.  The tragic reality is that "copycats" of hate wreak havoc and destruction in our local communities and throughout the world.  We can see in this event a demonstration of how much the sin of racism is infecting the whole world.

The three teams of our racial ethnic working group (Anti-Racism Team, Mission Strategy Team, and Cultural Competence/ Multicultural Diversity Team) are committed to the task of overcoming racial divisions.  Together we are working to change the atmosphere of our own church and our own communities so that instead of "copycats" of racial violence, we will be promoting "copycats" of mutual respect, mutual dialogue, and mutual understanding.  We are hoping that our work in the synod will carry over into our communities and into the nation to help us to react to people who are different from us with God's love and justice, and to "to sow seeds of freedom from the ashes of the hate."

Respectfully submitted,

Our Redeemer/Nuestro Redentor

Livingston, CA 95334

For the Coordinating Committee,

Racial/Ethnic Ministries Working Group

of the Sierra Pacific Synod

Diane DeLange, wife of Pastor Jim DeLange, in hospice care at home

Rev. Dr. Moses Penumaka (PLTS), daughters Hannah and Evangel, other family and friends, on the sudden death of their spouse and mother, Dr. Elizabeth Pearl Penumaka

Mrs. Elsie Selbo and Pastor Dan Selbo (St. Timothy's, San Jose) and family on the death of their husband and father, Pastor Gordon Selbo (Retired)

All who were affected by violent acts in Norway, and for the victims of violence everywhere

We invite you to lift up these ministry partners in prayer:

Mission Coalition Grants Available for SPS Congregations

The Mission Coalition Grant is for a program or ministry of a congregation in the Sierra Pacific Synod that is intended to create numerical growth.  The recipient of the grant would need to show a plan for this numeric growth, and offer a standard for measurement and evaluation.  This grant is a one-time, non-renewable resource, and the sponsoring congregation must show a financial commitment to this project of not less than twenty-five percent of the total request.  Please click here for a copy of the grant guidelines. 

Forum on the Proposed Genetics

ELCA Social Statement

A special forum on the proposed ELCA social statement Genetics, Faith and Responsibility will be held on Sun., July 31st, 2:00-3:30 p.m. at Lutheran Church of the Resurrection, 6365 Douglas Blvd., Granite Bay.  LOPP Dir. Mark Carlson will be the presenter.  For more information about the proposed statement, click here.