I THink WE Can Help

By the time I retire (or the Buffalo Bills win a Super Bowl, whichever comes first), we in the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod will have a serious problem. At that point, an estimated 45% of LCMS congregations will be without a pastor.

We already have several hundred sister congregations trying to carry out their ministry without a called shepherd. But the anticipated retirements and other exits from the Pastoral Office will not even come close to replacement numbers. Not enough young men entering, too many old men leaving. (Aside: God’s Word speaks against ordination of women, so that’s a non-starter in the LCMS. Don’t shoot the messenger.)

Plenty of wise, intelligent, faithful people are discussing all sorts of options to address the impending crisis. Pastor Zach Zehnder (RedLetterLiving on YouTube) has produced some outstanding podcasts that lend a peaceful, conciliatory tone to a difficult topic. Certainly some large-scale decisions will need to be made on the synodical level.

But what about us back here in Greenville? What can we do to help? I’m glad you asked.

We are already seeing the impact of the pastor shortage right in our own backyard. Alleluia Lutheran Church near Wrightstown has been without a pastor for a year, and the decline in attendance they’ve experienced has left them without the ability to afford a full-time pastor on their own.

The leaders at Alleluia reached out to us at SHLC to discuss the possibilities of sharing ministry. At this point, these are only discussions. Such an endeavor has several different possible formats to it, and each raises a boatload of questions. Any partnership in ministry would take the approval of each congregation, with a clear understanding of the relationship and a solid written agreement. We’re not there yet.

I am intrigued by these conversations largely because the Holy Spirit is leading us where we’ve always said we would go: into the mission field, wherever that mission field is. When we called a third pastor to SHLC, we did so with the understanding that some smaller churches around us may be trying to do without even one, and so it is incumbent upon us to be willing to help our neighbors, however God equips us to do so. A couple leaders from another nearby congregation had also reached out to us, but their church family has decided to proceed with the Call process on their own.

I think we can help these congregations. I also think we can help future congregations.

We have an abundance of faithful and joyful boys and girls in our Church Family who I believe have the gifts needed to serve the Lord in ministry. The shortage in our LCMS extends well beyond the pastor numbers: we’re hurting for Directors of Christian Education (like Jessica Tibben), Directors of Church Music (like Nathan Johnson) and pretty much every other churchwork field as well.

I believe it’s time for us to open a new mission field: The Future. Specifically, the Church’s Future.

I am asking our congregation, in addition to committing ourselves to our shared Discipleship Pathway and to establish a new Capital Campaign to fuel our next phase of expansion at SHLC, to adopt a mission emphasis on Church Worker Recruitment and Support. This involves identifying and encouraging young people (all the way down to Sunday School) to consider and pray about dedicating their lives to serving and sharing Jesus. The LCMS is producing a wide range of materials to help congregations do just that.

This also means building up our Church Worker Scholarship Fund (an extension of our Endowment). The educational requirements for church work fields are extensive and expensive, and too many current church work rookies are coming out of school with massive debt. Let’s not let money dissuade a child of God from embarking on this journey.

I keep referencing kids. We should also be aware that the majority of current seminary students in the LCMS are second-career, so this is not just child’s play.

Not everyone can do this. Scripture describes a wide variety of gifts that God gives to His Called servants. We will affirm those Biblical lists, and then align them with the potential people gifts we have right here in front of us. We will encourage and support and cheer them on.

And pray. Oh yes, pray. Did I mention we will pray?

I would like to see us identify and support 10 new church work students, including three new potential pastors, over the next 10 years. Or until the Bills win the Super Bowl, whichever comes first.
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Our Church needs help. I really think we can help.