“…Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds…” (Rom. 12:2)
I have been reminded recently about the ways that God is transforming the world, the church and the next generation of leaders. Commencement of 112 Luther Seminary graduates was a wonderful time to pray for God’s blessing on the next generation of leaders. Some of these new leaders already have a call in hand to pastoral or deacon ministry, others await further discernment, some will continue on to graduate study, still others begin a new chapter of lay leadership. It is a privilege for us to celebrate this part of God’s transforming work in the world. Thank you for your part in identifying persons with strong leadership potential and commending them to join us for study, formation and service. You will read a bit about one aspect of their formation in the article on Clinical Pastoral Education.
The global impact of our graduates was evident at the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) General Assembly where one of our Ph.D. graduates, The Rev. Dr. Musa Filibus, was elected as the president of the LWF. A more recent graduate, The Rev. Lydia Posselt, preached a powerful sermon at the closing worship service on what it means for the global communion to be liberated by God’s grace. Several other Luther graduates are serving at the LWF. The Rev. Dr. Fidon Mwombeki leads the Department for Mission and Development and The Rev. Dr. Elieshi Ayo Mungure serves as secretary to the Africa Region. Thank you for supporting our mission so that these leaders can serve the global church.
The Season after Pentecost, mostly the months of June, July and August, marks changes in the calendar for many congregations. Christian education offerings are often in recess, worship times change with fewer services, the season of synod assemblies has concluded. Graduations, ordinations, summer jobs and vacations that mark endings, new beginnings and renewal abound.
This season marks a change of rhythm for our campus community as well, though not in the ways you might expect. Summer on campus is filled with intense periods of activity. Our Doctor of Ministry students come for their three week intensive periods of engagement with coursework and some are designing their final projects which engage their ministry context as they explore what God is doing in their corner of God’s vineyard. Our Distributed Learning students, who have been working together in their online and contextual learning experiences, arrive for their face-to-face courses and a time of rich relationship building and reconnecting with each other and with staff and faculty. At the end of July, lay leaders, pastors and deacons from across the country will gather for three days at Rethinking Church. They will think deeply about how God is at work across the church in new ways. This summer season on campus is a time of heightened activity, renewal and reconnection.
If you are looking for a bit of summer light reading, Andy Root’s new book, “The Grace of Dogs,” is a delightful story of God’s transforming work which enriches life through the gift of dogs. I don’t have a dog but after reading this little gem, I am tempted.
May your summer be a time of renewal, restoration and reconnection.