What will I think when a new president is elected and begins his leadership at Concordia Seminary? What does a pastor think about the congregation he served when he moves on to a new call or retirement? Read what St. Paul wrote from Rome to the congregations he had served in Ephesus, Ephesians 1:15-23, and ask yourself, isn’t this also what we want our congregation to be for years to come?
“Because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, I do not cease to give thanks for you….” Faith and love. How effusive our thanks will be when we hear the two great commandments, to love God wholly and love others in service (Matthew 22:34-40), are being put into practice in our congregation and instilled in our future pastors at the Seminary.
We pray congregational ministry and Seminary education will be personal and centered. “...that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints…” Thankful for faith and love, Paul prays for hope. If you think the recent past has been challenging, be assured the future will not be easy. Dear God, give Spirit to make our congregations and Seminary places of hope, inspiring places where people yearn for the glorious future You have for us!
Hope brings a power the world cannot understand, but a power you and I know from experience. “…the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places…and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.”
Concordia Seminary’s new president will be selected Saturday, either Dr. Joel Lehenbauer or Dr. Thomas Egger. I know both candidates very well and have absolutely no doubt that whoever is elected will lead the Seminary forward with faith, hope, and love in Christ Jesus. Be it Seminary or your congregation, it’s a great time to be the Church!
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