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Pastor’s Ponderings |
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And he called to him the twelve, and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. He charged them to take nothing for their journey except a staff; no bread, no bag, no money in their belts; but to wear sandals and not put on two tunics. And he said to them, "Where you enter a house, stay there until you leave the place. And if any place will not receive you and they refuse to hear you, when you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet for a testimony against them." So they went out and preached that men should repent. And they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many that were sick and healed them. ( Mark 6:7-13)
THE SENDING of the disciples out into the world to proclaim the coming kingdom of God seems to have several purposes. First, the sending was to publicly announce the advent of the kingdom of God. Second, the followers were to provide a call to repentance in reaction to kingdom’s arrival. In doing so, the disciples found that they would cast out demons and they anointed many with oil so that they were healed. This marvelous account describes the power of the church when it is guided by the Spirit. That power, I must witness, is still with us today. The power to call persons toward repentance and witness was evident at our recent Synod Assembly this year. The Northwestern Pennsylvania Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America met at Thiel College, in Greenville, PA this |
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past month. The assembly brought persons, often two by two, from congregations all across the northwestern warrens and wilds of this state. We met. We prayed. And we voted so to make decisions toward the future of ministry of the church. One of the most important issues facing our denomination, an issue which will have great gravity and import for this year’s national gathering in Minneapolis, is the challenge brought about by our stance on human sexuality, an issue about which a statement has been put forth. Linked in this statement is the question of homosexuality and the place of homosexuals within society and our church. These topics have been the source of conversation for many years. I applaud the efforts and discussions of those in our denomination, both clergy and laity, over an issue that can flair quickly into a heated dance unless the plea of repentance is heard |