FROM THE BOARD OF ELDERS
“Walk by faith, and not by sight” from 2 Corinthians 5:7, needs to be our theme as we have now begun to navigate a vacancy and call process that Trinity has not experienced in over 37 years. Together we must trust in God’s unseen promises rather than relying on immediate physical senses or circumstances, focusing on the eternal rather than the temporary, and trusting God’s guidance even when the path isn’t clear, which involves action and obedience despite uncertainty.
February 11th is Transfiguration Sunday. a moment that bridges the season of Epiphany and the journey into Lent. The Epiphany season highlights the reality of Jesus as the Light of the world. It began with the Magi following the star from the Father in heaven, guiding them to Bethlehem. It culminates with the disciples hearing the voice from the Father in heaven, speaking to them on the high mountain. The darkness is driven out by the bright Light of our Lord Jesus Christ.
February 18th is Ash Wednesday. The Lenten season highlights the reality that Jesus has defeated the temptations of the devil on our behalf. It will begin with Jesus in the wilderness battling Satan and resisting his three (3) dangerous temptations. The temptations with which you struggle are overcome by the might of Jesus Christ, and the power of his divine Word. We do indeed live in the Word every day!
In our Lord Jesus Christ,
Kurt Schweiger, Chairman – Board of Elders
VACANCY UPDATE FROM THE ELDERS
As Trinity navigates the first month after Pastor Nehrenz’s retirement, the congregation is receiving Word, Sacrament, Bible Study and visitation from a pool of LCMS-ordained pastors. Vicar Horn is providing assistance with Divine Worship, Bible study, confirmation study, LCMSU, and many other ministry tasks in conjunction with the elders.
As you are reading this, the elders are compiling the congregational survey responses received and applying those responses – along with other information about Trinity – to the congregational self-study that we will send to District. This self-study will provide a profile of Trinity that will guide District as they seek additional candidates to add to our call list. On Sunday, February 15th, Pastor Mark Muenchow will lead our Divine Worship services and from 9:15 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. lead a congregation meeting that will share the compiled results of the survey with the congregation. Please try to attend that meeting.
A cornerstone of Lutheran understanding of the divine call process is having faith that God will provide what is best for us. Let’s keep that in mind as we look to God to provide us with the Pastor that He wants for His ministry at Trinity. Please keep Trinity and our future pastor in your daily prayers.
Vicar Seth Horn
FROM THE VICAR
The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. 2 Therefore an overseer… 4 must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, 5 for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church?- 1 Timothy 3:1-2,4-5
Hello and God’s blessings to you once again! Last month, we continued to talk about the qualifications of overseer or pastor in the Christ’s Church. This month, we continue to look at these qualifications and ponder what it means for a pastor to manage his household well.
This has always struck me as interesting. Not only are eyes on the pastor regarding his own behavior, but many are watching his family as well. This is the natural response of any parishioner who has a pastor. What is his family like? How does his wife act? Do his kids listen to him? Some may argue that “it’s not anyone’s business” how a pastor’s family behaves. St. Paul disagrees and says this is something to take notice of. Why is that?
Because it reflects on the pastor the leadership, love, and care that the pastor demonstrates towards his family. The way he manages his household directly translates to how he will care for the church. A loving and understanding husband whose wife trust him to care for her will be able to love those in his church with understanding and trust from his sheep. A father who can give the Law to his children when they are being disrespectful to him or his wife and can give them the Gospel when they need forgiveness and encouragement will be able to discern for his sheep when is the Law required and when is the Gospel required.
Moving from how a pastor who manages his household well impacts his ministry, we need to look at the household as it impacts the church. We all can think of both good and bad examples of how a family interacts with the church. Something I’ve noticed about Lutheran pastor’s wives that is radically different from the Evangelical world I came from is how “low-key” they are. Many pastor’s wives attempt to have prominent roles in their husband’s ministry, sometimes even destroying it. Not so in the Lutheran churches I’ve been to. Perhaps they do choir or lead the handbell choir, but other than that, they support their husband by taking care of the kids and keeping him alive and supported from behind the scenes. Their kids usually behave (young children are going to act out sometimes, that’s what kids do). A household that is like this is usually managed by a man who also happens to be a great and loving pastor. Coincidence? I think not.
May the Lord grant unto us a pastor who, if he is married, leads his household well and loves his family as Christ loves the Church. Amen.
In Christ,
- Vicar Horn
