February 8, 2007

Pastor Bradley Schmeling's letter to the congregation of St John's Lutheran Church

Dearest Friends,

The Discipline Hearing Committee reached a decision, but before you read the summary, I want to remind you of the Prayer of the Day for this past Sunday, a prayer that stands as prayer for the week.

Most Holy God, the earth is filled with your glory,
and before you angels and saints stand in awe.
Enlarge our vision to see your power at work in the world,
and by your grace make us heralds
of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Light.
Amen

Pray this prayer as you read the summary of the committee's decision. I think it speaks powerfully to the intent of the committee's decision.

In some ways, I hoped to be finished with the process, but I now believe that the committee has given us an amazing opportunity to continue a conversation that will help our church more faithfully preach the gospel. There will be conversations to be had and projects to plan, but I am so thankful that we will get to do this work together. In many ways, nothing has changed. We can continue to do all the things that St John's does really well: care of the poor, welcome the stranger, and gather around the grace of God in Word and Sacrament.

There are already legislative teams working on synodical memorials to be presented at all 65 synod assemblies. If you would like to participate in that work, please contact secretary@lcna.org. The legal team will begin its work shortly to engage the judicial process in the church.

I couldn't conclude without giving thanks for the hundreds of people who have prayed with us and have journey with us in the last many months. As the process continues, the saints at St John's stand in awe of the witness that is being spoken all around this church.

And I want to thank all of you for the kind words, the calls of support, the little presents, the hard work, the imagination, the creativity, and the spiritual power that you have given to me since we started this work. You are "heralds of Christ" in the deepest meaning of that phrase. Thank you!

Peace,
Bradley