Servant Leadership

Dear Fellow Children of God,

 

At the National Youth Gathering I went to the “Kindle” booth and talked to founder, Bill Karpenko.  Bill was a long time Director of Christian Education who served as the leader of the Church Relations office of Valparaiso University for many years.  “Kindle” is an organization Bill founded promoting and encouraging Christian Servant Leadership.  Bill helped to mentor my children Josh and Mary, so he gave me an armband and some literature to give to Josh and Mary as Christian servant leaders.

 

But, Bill and I got to talking about what Kathy was doing at the Gathering.  He was amazed and he gave me an armband and told me to commend Kathy for her servant leadership.

 

You see, Kathy ended up with an unexpected job at the Gathering.  She was assigned to help in the Gathering office, of which we were thankful.  Walking long distances quickly can be tough for Kathy’s hip and back.  So, as she greeted people coming to the Gathering Office there seemed to be a consistent problem.  The backpacks received by the 25,000 people who registered for the Gathering were coming apart at the seams, especially where the straps attached.

 

Kathy just happened to have her sewing machine.  I had actually questioned Kathy about bringing her sewing machine to the Gathering.  “When do you think you’ll find time to sew?” I asked. “We usually work as Community Life Builders from 6:30 a.m. till after midnight each day?  When will you sew?”  But, she had it with her, just in case.

 

“Just in case” meant that Kathy ended up bringing her sewing machine to the Gathering office on Sunday and sewed backpacks from 8:00 a.m. till about 5:30 p.m.  Then, on Monday she kept count.  Kathy repaired 230 backpacks in 8 hours.  If you figure that out, it means Kathy repaired about one backpack every two minutes!  No wonder her hands were cramping when she quit on Sunday evening!  In my mind, and I know I am biased on this matter, if anyone deserved, or deserves, commendation as a servant leader, Kathy does.  She especially did for the Gathering.

 

Jesus calls all Christians to lives of humble service, following His example.  You can read Matthew 20:25-28, but, please consider these words of God through Paul found in Philippians 2.  Philippians was the theme book for this year’s National Youth Gathering.  “5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7 but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death-- even death on a cross!”  (Philippians 2:5-8)

 

Do you hear all the ways that Jesus humbled himself in order that He might serve us and save us?  Jesus is God with the Father, but He left heaven – for us.  Jesus is God with the Father, but he became human – for us.  Jesus is God who gave the law, but Jesus humbled Himself to obey the law He created – for us.  Jesus is the Creator and author of life, but Jesus died a torturous, shameful death – for us!

 

So, we are told, “Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:” God calls us to servanthood as followers of Jesus.  But, one of the morning Bible studies talked about “the Me Monster” and pointed out how easy it is for us to indulge ourselves instead of serving God and others.  Servanthood and humility do not always come easily.

 

Yet, when a leader serves, others tend to follow.  I’ve talked to my wife.  (Imagine that!)  I know she believes in Jesus as her loving Savior and follows Jesus because of what He did for her.  So, as she follows Jesus, Kathy serves and leads others.  She witnesses to them about Jesus through her attitude and her actions of service, even when she doesn’t realize she is doing so.

 

When Kathy started sewing backpacks on Sunday morning she didn’t realize that in the next two days she would repair 400-500 backpacks.  But, she not only has the knowledge and skills to sew, she loves helping others, even if she doesn’t always realize at the moment she is doing so.  That’s how she also serves in our home, in our congregation, at work.  Kathy leads by serving, because Jesus loves and served her.

 

You know, I think Kathy does deserve a Kindle award!

 

A Child of God, In Awe of the Servant Leadership of my wife,

Pastor Jonathan

 

P.S.  Here are some pictures of Kathy sewing backpacks at the National Youth Gathering.  https://picasaweb.google.com/114993745799525883148/6309608721791966609

 

P.P.S.  Here are some more pictures from the National Youth Gathering.  https://picasaweb.google.com/114993745799525883148/6309607896529591873

 

P.P.P.S.  Next week I may tell an “interesting” story from the golf course . . . or maybe not.  We’ll see.

 

 

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ABOUT ‘THOUGHTS FROM THE PASTOR’ -   I am sending these e-mail messages, hopefully weekly, to all St. John members and friends whose e-mails I have.  (I am regularly adding new names of friends and members – in case you are just receiving this e-mail for the first time.)  However, if you don’t want to receive this e-mail, please let me know, and I’ll gladly leave your name off my list for this message.

 

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Thankful for Chrisitan Friends

Dear Fellow Children of God,

 

The National Youth Gathering in New Orleans is over and our youth and adults have made it home.  It was a great trip!  The St. John group spent a week before the Gathering in Mississippi and Alabama at a servant event to help others in need, and then spent five days in Bible Studies, Mass Event worship services, and in other faith activities.  Following the Gathering our group took advantage of being outside of AK and visited Café Du Monde on Wednesday night.  We enjoyed more tourist activities on Thursday and Friday as we went on a “swamp tour”, ate at a local Cajun restaurant, visited the WWII Museum and did some shopping.  Most of the St. John group flew back on Friday night to share with others the love of Jesus they had experienced.

 

One of the side benefits of all these activities for me, and hopefully the others in our group, was the renewal and the strengthening of Christian friendships.  I saw pastors and fellow church members I have known for almost 40 years.  I saw church members from other places where I have pastored.  I renewed relationships with fellow Christians with whom I have worked in various tasks for the Lord.

 

I have to confess that I was somewhat surprised, again, at how easy it is to renew Christian relationships.  Even though in many cases it has been years since I have seen some of my friends, nevertheless it was easy to catch up on life happenings and then to pick up with our friendships and let the love of Christ grow.

 

That is also true for the adults and youth in our St. John group.  I believe I have confirmed all the youth, and baptized most of them.  But, I also got to spend time with DCE Jamie Walters, Dave and Marcy Sutton, Sara Guhl, Amber Ewart and Dorothy Jacobson.  Let me tell you we have some wonderful Christian servants in our congregation.  I also know and have worked with each of these adults in the past as well.  But, when you spend time together in work and worship, and when you see these adults willingly and lovingly serving our youth, it is easy for the love and friendship to grow.

 

But, with all these friendships, Jesus is still our greatest friend.  “Friend” is not the word we might expect to use to describe the Lord of the universe and the sacrificial Savior of the world.  Nevertheless, Jesus tells us He is our friend, and we are His friends.  Listen to John 15.  “13 Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command.15 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.  16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit-- fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. 17 This is my command: Love each other.”

 

Jesus is our friend because he loves us and saved us.  Jesus calls us to love one another.  So, when we work and worship together, serving the Lord who gave His life for us, friendships naturally grow.

 

In a way it is a little sad and somewhat disappointing to say “good-bye” again to old friends.  But, one of the hopes and joys I have as I consider heaven is that we will be with our Christian friends and loved one eternally.  In heaven we can spend all the time we want, and still have eternity to grow in godly love. 

 

Thank you, Lord, for our Friend, Jesus.  Thank you for good Christian friends in this life and eternally.

 

A Child of God, Thankful for Christian Friends,

Pastor Jonathan

 

P.S.  Here are some pictures of friends from the National Youth Gathering.  https://picasaweb.google.com/114993745799525883148/6310260268430678689#

 

P.P.S.  Here are some of my Gathering pictures.  https://picasaweb.google.com/114993745799525883148/6310260268430678689

 

P.P.S.  If you go to the St. John Facebook page, Jamie is posting pictures.  Here is the link to our Facebook page.  https://www.facebook.com/stjohnpalmer/ 

 

P.P.P.S.  Next week I plan to share a story from this trip about servant leadership.  The following week a I will tell an “interesting” story from the golf course.

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ABOUT ‘THOUGHTS FROM THE PASTOR’ -   I am sending these e-mail messages, hopefully weekly, to all St. John members and friends whose e-mails I have.  (I am regularly adding new names of friends and members – in case you are just receiving this e-mail for the first time.)  However, if you don’t want to receive this e-mail, please let me know, and I’ll gladly leave your name off my list for this message.

 

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Encouraged and Encouraging

Dear Fellow Children of God,

 

Kathy and Mary and I are in New Orleans for the National Youth Gathering of our denomination, the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod.  We are working for the gathering to assist the 25,000 youth and adults who are gathered under the theme, “In Christ Alone . . . We Stand.” 

 

You might ask, “Really?  A Christian youth event in New Orleans?”  Believe it or not, there is a practical reason for this location.  Most people don’t choose to vacation in the heat of the deep south in July.  Vacationers often go north in the summer to escape the heat of summer.  So, hotel rooms can be booked in July in New Orleans for a group of 25,000 for lower than peak rates.  When churches send large groups of young people on a trip, finances are a consideration.

 

But, this Gathering has also been held in New Orleans 3 previous times because there are many opportunities for service and growth.  At this Gathering youth and adults will not only spend time in Bible Study, in classes, and in Mass Events of growth and worship.  There will also be servant events in the community to help in homeless centers, and to clean and do other community service.  Two Habitat for Humanity homes will be framed in the 5 days of the Gathering.  New Orleans provides many opportunities for service that can help grow faith in Jesus.

 

Yet, even though these are Christian youth gathered for growing in Jesus, when 25,000 people gather there are always issues.  Think about what happens in a town of 25,000 in a normal day.  In any normal town there are illnesses and accidents, and even deaths.  The same trials and losses that occur in our everyday lives also take place during the National Youth Gathering. So, those attending the gathering experience joys, but they also experience trials and challenges.

 

Our training to help at the gathering has therefore focused on Philippians and has called us to roles of encouragement.  In other words, Christians are called to be there for one another with words and actions of faith and love.  Consider the words of Philippians 1.  Do you hear Paul speaking words of encouragement at the beginning of the letter?  “2 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”  What can be more encouraging than a wish and prayer for God’s grace and peace for our lives?  Paul encourages the people of Philippi with this grace and peace which come from Jesus.  What a great example for Christians today.

 

Paul continues his encouragement of love and faith for the Philippians.  3 I thank my God every time I remember you.  4 In all my prayers for all of you,” I don’t know about you, but knowing that people pray for me through the joys and trials of life encourages me.  Paul is praying for the people of this church he helped start.  Think how encouraged the Philippians were when they read this.  Think of the blessings today when we pray for others.

 

But, this works both ways.  Paul mentions the Philippians encouragement for him, “I always pray with joy 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now,” The Philippians have partnered in ministry with Paul after he left them.  They sent a message and gift to Paul while he was in prison.  You see, there is a relationship between Christians that helps God’s people through life’s trials.  The Philippians faced persecution.  Paul was imprisoned because of his ministry.  Life had trials that would cause difficulties for anyone.  So, Paul encouraged the Philippians and they responded with messages and gifts of encouragement for Paul.

 

Ultimately this encouragement was not just because the Philippians and Paul were gifted people.  Encouragement comes from God’s love in Jesus.  Paul and the Philippians encourage each other . . .  6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.  The real source of encouragement is found in God’s love for us in Jesus. 

 

It can be difficult to live lives of faith and love in today’s world.  Philippians 1 tells us that Jesus is the one who begins faith in our lives.  Jesus is ultimately the one who brings us through life and death into eternity by His death and resurrection.  Jesus is the ultimate encourager! 

 

So, it is God’s plan that we have other Christians who listen to us, who laugh and cry with us.  It is God’s plan that we have other Christians who walk beside us, who encourage us.  Yet, I have often heard people tell me they can follow Jesus while not being part of a church.  I wonder how any Christian can thrive in faith through the trials of life without the encouragement of others.  We need one another for the difficult times of life.  

 

So, who loves and encourages you with the love of Jesus?  Who do you love and encourage?  We need one another through the joys and challenges of life.  We need God’s Church!  Encourage one another in the grace and peace and love of Jesus.

 

A Child of God, Encouraged by my Fellow Believers in Jesus,

Pastor Jonathan

 

P.S.  I will post some pictures next week from the National Youth Gathering.  But, if you go to the St. John Facebook page, Jamie is posting pictures.  Here is the link to our Facebook page.  https://www.facebook.com/stjohnpalmer/ 

 

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ABOUT ‘THOUGHTS FROM THE PASTOR’ -   I am sending these e-mail messages, hopefully weekly, to all St. John members and friends whose e-mails I have.  (I am regularly adding new names of friends and members – in case you are just receiving this e-mail for the first time.)  However, if you don’t want to receive this e-mail, please let me know, and I’ll gladly leave your name off my list for this message.

 

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Praying for the Leaders of the World, And for Our Country

Dear Fellow Children of God,

 

In my devotions for Friday, July 8, the assigned Gospel lesson included the reading from Matthew 22, relating Jesus’ disputations when He was in the temple the week before his crucifixion.  When tested by a group of religious leaders about paying taxes Jesus spoke words about taxes and government that continue to bring wisdom and truth for our day.  Asked if Jews should pay taxes to the Romans, Jesus responds, "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's." (Matthew 22:21 b)

 

Before continuing on this train of thought about government and taxes, however, I need to say that God’s truth is not simply the passing thinking of one day or time.  God’s truth is true for all times.  We find this truth from God in Scripture (John 17:17).  Unfortunately, we do not always totally understand what God says or reveals.  But the truth of God is guidance for our lives and is therefore worth studying, worth discerning, and worth taking into the way that we live. 

 

With this in mind, that the truth of God gives guidance for all time no matter what popular thinking says, these words from Jesus about Caesar are especially relevant.  First, this past week our nation celebrated the occasion our country’s birthday.  God rules the nations (Psalm 2) and establishes government (Romans 13).  Therefore, because, in His wisdom, God has a hand in government, we in turn have responsibilities.  Our responsibility is to, "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's."

 

Yet, my devotion not only quoted Matthew 22, but it also told the story of what Lutheran pastor, Peter Muhlenberg, did in January of 1776.  Muhlenberg walked into church in his robes on a Sunday morning, and then during the service he tore his robes off to reveal the uniform of a colonel in the army of the American Revolution.  The state of Virginia chose to have two people commemorated with statues in the U.S. Capitol building.  Muhlenberg is one of those two people.  His statue shows him pulling apart his robes to reveal his military uniform.

 

The poem about Muhlenberg in my devotion then quotes Ecclesiastes 3.  “1 There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: . . . 8 a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.” (Ecclesiastes 3:1,8). 

 

Now, these verses can seem contradictory.  How can we believe the words about paying taxes to Caesar the same time that we consider that there is a time for peace, but also a time for war?  God’s truth is not always simple.  Because God’s wisdom and ways are higher than our ways, it may seem at times that God’s words include contradictions.  Instead, God’s word includes paradox, where two truths that seem contradictory to us are true at the same time in God’s order.  You see, God’s words are truth, not easily understood, and therefore are worthy of study. 

 

Both these verses reveal truth.  God has established governments to curb the evil and violence of mankind.  Governments are supposed to provide peace (1 Timothy 2:2) by rewarding good behavior and punishing evil behavior (Romans 13: 3-4).  Therefore, we should "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's,”  

 

In addition, there is a time for war and a time for peace.  Since the government of his day was not rewarding good, Muhlenberg acted to uphold justice, which he believed the government of his time was refusing to do.  So the people of his state honored him with a statue.

 

All of these thoughts lead us to consider another event that just happened in our nation, in Dallas, where many policemen were killed by a sniper from ambush.  Again we unfortunately see evil in our world that caused God to send His Son to redeem a sinful world.

 

God has established authority.  This authority is to provide peace and order through justice.  When our authorities are indeed working to provide law and order, God calls government to respond by bringing the wrongdoers to justice.

 

On the surface what is right may seem simple, but not always.  The ways of God provide truth which gives guidance to our lives.  It is not easy to be a leader, a person with the responsibility of authority over others.  So, I am praying that God is the Lord and Ruler of my life.  And, I praying that those who govern and exercise authority in our world follow the wisdom of God as well.    I am praying for my country, and praying for all the nations of the world so that we may, "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's."

 

A Child of God, Praying for the Leaders of the World, and for our Country,

Pastor Jonathan

 

P.S.  Here are some pictures from vacation.  There has been a lot of golf, and some family time.  Fishing comes on Monday.   https://picasaweb.google.com/114993745799525883148/6304994074826654001

 

 

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ABOUT ‘THOUGHTS FROM THE PASTOR’ -   I am sending these e-mail messages, hopefully weekly, to all St. John members and friends whose e-mails I have.  (I am regularly adding new names of friends and members – in case you are just receiving this e-mail for the first time.)  However, if you don’t want to receive this e-mail, please let me know, and I’ll gladly leave your name off my list for this message.

 

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Praying for God's Church

Dear Fellow Children of God,

In the devotions I am currently using, the opening prayer for Thursday was written by Lancelot Andrewes.  Andrewes was a bishop of the Church of England in the late 1500’s and early 1600’s under Queen Elizabeth I and James I.  He oversaw the translation of the King James Bible.

 

Andrewes prays,

            “Let us pray for the Churches throughout the world for their truth, unity, and stability; that charity may flourish and truth may abound in them all; and for our own Church, that what is unsound in it may be corrected, and what is lacking may be supplied.  Amen.”

 

As a pastor of Christian congregations for the last 37 + years, and pastor of St. John for the last 25 years, this prayer hit home.  God’s church on earth always needs God’s help for truth, unity, and charity, or love. 

 

This past Wednesday evening our worship focused on the assigned Epistle lesson from Galatians 6.  The first two verses of this reading call God’s people to behavior of love and unity.  “1 Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. 2 Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”

 

God calls his people to faith and love, but this verse points to the sad truth that we can expect our fellow Christians at time to fall in sin.  And, we also need to keep a watch on ourselves because we too are tempted and prone to behavior that is not faith, and is not love. 

 

For example, like many Christian groups and denominations, our church body will have a convention this summer.  There are a number of hotly debated issues that will be discussed and acted upon.  I am sad to say that the behavior I see in these meetings is often self-righteous and selfish, rather than behavior that trusts God in faith, and rather than behavior that reaches out to others in love.  Paul wrote about the struggles of the early Christians in the region of Galatia, what is now south-central Turkey.  The same struggles continue today.

 

But, in spite of the fact that people of God have struggled for thousands of years, there is hope.  In this Galatians reading Paul points the Galatians to our only source of hope.  “May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.”  (Galatians 6:14) The cross of Jesus shows God’s love for His weak and flawed people.  The cross of Jesus brings forgiveness and new life to people who are not always faithful or loving.  We can’t trust in our own righteousness.  But, we can trust the saving, sacrificial love of God for us in Jesus’ dying and His rising.

 

So, there is practical hope for our Lord’s church in this world.  Because God forgives us in the cross, there is restoration for fallen people.  “1 Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. 2 Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”

 

Restoration does not come when I try harder.  Restoration comes when I am honest with myself about my failures and when I trust the forgiveness of God in Jesus.  Then, in humble faith and living in God’s love, I can point to the truth – Jesus!

 

The word “pastor” means, “shepherd.”  A pastor is called to shepherd the flock of our Lord Jesus, who is the Good Shepherd.  (John 10:11)  So, the prayer of Andrewes touches my heart.  Yes Lord,  [We] “pray for the Churches throughout the world for their truth, unity, and stability; that charity may flourish and truth may abound in them all; and for our own Church, that what is unsound in it may be corrected, and what is lacking may be supplied.  Amen.”

 

A Child of God, Praying for God’s Church,

Pastor Jonathan

 

P.S.  I have added some more pictures from this year’s VBS.  https://picasaweb.google.com/114993745799525883148/6298887896733577281

 

P.P.S.  Here is a picture of last week’s baptism of Jocelyn Ruth Bower.  https://picasaweb.google.com/114993745799525883148/Baptisms2016#6301962136351497778

 

P.P.P.S.  Here are pictures of the baptism of Alana Whitehead on Fathers’ Day. https://picasaweb.google.com/114993745799525883148/Baptisms2016#6301961750499191682

 

P. P.P.P.S.  Here are baptism pictures of Taylor Manelick, Elena and Everly Seibel on June 15.  These are children of August Manelick and Autumn Manelick Seibel. https://picasaweb.google.com/114993745799525883148/Baptisms2016#6301960405902961586

 

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ABOUT ‘THOUGHTS FROM THE PASTOR’ -   I am sending these e-mail messages, hopefully weekly, to all St. John members and friends whose e-mails I have.  (I am regularly adding new names of friends and members – in case you are just receiving this e-mail for the first time.)  However, if you don’t want to receive this e-mail, please let me know, and I’ll gladly leave your name off my list for this message.

 

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