Connecting Globally . . . "for such a time as this."
At a moment fraught with tension; at a time when real human lives are in danger because of the policies of the powers that be, how are people of faith to react? This question - as seen through the lens of the book of Esther - played a central role in the Fall Theological Conference of the Central States Synod. And while the focus there was (quite understandably) the local context, for the better part of three weeks in September and October, my colleagues and I had the opportunity to consider this same question through a global lens, thanks to the kind invitation of the CSS leadership and companion synod committee.
Bishop Alexander Scheiermann, Rev. Waldemar Rausch, and I travelled from Europe to the United States to help build up relations between the CSS and their partners in the Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Urals, Siberia, and Far East (ELCUSFE). This long-term partnership started in the early 1990s, when both church structures were in their early years of their current form. Throughout the last three decades, the interaction has been mutually beneficial. Congregations and individuals from Kansas and Missouri have done much to contribute to the rebirth of the church in Russia in the post-Communist era, while interacting with Russian Lutherans has helped Americans gain a wider perspective on the resilience needed to witness to Christ in a vastly different part of the world. As someone who straddles the two worlds, I am convinced that the partnership has strengthened Christians in both countries for ministry in their local contexts.
However, the last few years have been particularly challenging. The Russia-Ukraine war has destroyed so much of great consequence. Knowing that, and in light of all the positives our partnership has brought, there was a high degree of motivation to ensure that our relationship did not become yet another loss from the war. At the same time, it has become nearly impossible to continue the normal and positive trajectory of development between the two churches as it had been before. That is why engaged folks from the CSS decided that for “such a time as this” it would be useful to invite the Bishop of ELCUSFE and me to visit. Joining us was my colleague at my place of employment (the Evangelical Lutheran Mission in Lower Saxony), Waldemar Rausch. Waldemar and I accompanied Alexander as translators, and the three of us together could each speak about our own experience as ministers in the church in Siberia and could contribute our own experiences and insights for our time of mutual learning while traveling throughout the synod.
Before we got there, though, we had a short visit to the ELCA headquarters. That part of the trip started with a few logistical hiccups, but the ELCA Service and Justice staff kindly reshuffled their plans and CSS Bishop Donna Simon (who did so much for us throughout the trip!) did everything she could to make the stop in Chicago worthwhile. In the end, there were a series of good discussions - including with ELCA Presiding Bishop Curry - about the global church and about the ELCA’s particular understanding of its call to service.
While in Kansas and Missouri, we as guests were given the opportunity to be exposed to congregational life in a wide variety of contexts. The diversity of life within the ELCA CSS was on display in a variety of worship styles, congregational make-up, and social settings. Congregations demonstrated a sober (though not necessarily somber!), practical, responsible approach to meeting the challenges of discipleship to Jesus Christ today. We were inspired by the way ordinary Christians do what they can to alleviate acute problems, such as the fraught political climate and addressing the vulnerabilities of those without US citizenship. At the same time, there was a clear commitment to tackle chronic issues for ministry in the United States - e.g., addressing environmental justice and wealth inequality through advocacy and through direct action ( including important feeding programs). And during the fall theological conference, we were able to become more deeply acquainted with community organizing and its tools. Seeing these examples helped us consider: what are the most pressing issues in our societies? What can we actually influence? What tools work where we are?
It was clear that God is actively lifting up leaders for ministry in the CSS, and it was a joy to be able to make connections with the synod staff, with active and retired pastors, and with synod authorized lay ministers. In specialized ministry settings - such as Bethany Homes in Lindsborg and the campus ministries in Lawrence - we were shown examples of Christian living outside of / next to/ together with Sunday worship; there and in many other places, we could have frank discussions about our common hopes and plans to reflect Kingdom values in our action.
Particularly touching for us was to see the way congregations turned out to welcome us. A big thank you to those who opened up their fellowship halls and their meetings, shared their tables and their pulpits with us. As we spoke and as we listened, we recalled the reason we do what we do in the church - out of common gratitude to Jesus as our crucified Savior and friend; through him, we became family to one another. And it was a joy to see where you, our “cousins,” live! Folks from local congregations showed us their towns and their cities, shared with us their lodging, their food, and their time. The hospitality was really impressive, and we would like to give a special acknowledgement to those who hosted us for multiple days in Salina, Wichita, St. Louis, and Topeka.
In the current environment, “for such a time as this…,” we realize that it wasn’t easy to organize our trip. We want to say “Спасибо!” to the partner synod committee, particularly Gary Teske, Jon Brudvig, and Andrew Beer, for all the time they invested in making it happen. It is my conviction that our experience together gave us strength for such a time as this…and gave us direction for whatever God has in store for us next.
Comments