Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Yes,
you read that right! Today you will hear me announce that I have declined the
call to Our Savior Lutheran Church in Aberdeen, South Dakota and St. John’s
Lutheran Church in Columbia, South Dakota. I thought about writing 95 Theses
that went into the call process that but that would have been a waste of
everyone’s time. When it came down to it, there was one thing that remained far
more important than anything we saw in South Dakota: Holy Cross needs its
current pastor for more than five years. I happen to be that pastor, so I am
staying here.
That being said, there are few
things I would like to ask of you here at Holy Cross. First, please pray for
our brothers and sisters in Christ from these congregations in South Dakota. We
met absolutely wonderful people on our visit. They care so much about their
congregations and their mission in their communities and have a hunger for
God’s Word. Both churches have overcome some big issues and have great
opportunities to bring more people the Gospel. Pray that God would send them
another faithful pastor and send him soon!
Second,
this has been an incredible chance for us to evaluate what’s happening here at
Holy Cross. I know that for a few months now I’ve felt complacent. This call
has been the swift kick in the pants I need to refocus. I fear the same may be
happening to others as well. Could this be the thing that opens our eyes to
what God wants us to do here?
Our
congregation is in a good place. The financial situation is better than it was
at this time last year. We’ve proven we can work together and support each
other. We have dedicated people of all ages and abilities. We are primed for
great things here! God has been very good to us.
Third,
I have learned a lot about the more recent history of our congregation. A few
weeks ago after I announced the call on October 8, many people said, “Pastor,
you don’t know how much you’ve helped us heal.” This has always been hard for
me to understand. Most of you saw how bad things were here at one time. I
didn’t. I tell people that I just got up, smiled, and talked about Jesus. Had I
been sent somewhere else, I wouldn’t have done anything differently. Someone
hit the nail on the head by responding, “Yes, but we weren’t getting that
before.”
The
good news is this: the Gospel of Jesus Christ continues to be the thing that
carries us through. Our complacency and every other sin is forgiven! The
forgiveness Jesus won for us on the cross and through the empty tomb really
does change lives! I am glad to know that it was not me, but Jesus and His Word
that made the difference here at Holy Cross Emma. We say that God works through
Word and Sacrament and confess this as an article of faith. Why are we so
surprised when we see it happen in our own lives?
Folks, let’s get to work. God isn’t done with us here yet!
Peace in Christ,
Pastor Jacob T. Mueller
