AtomSometimes it’s good to be part of a bigger church
Over Coffee…
“You will be enriched in every way for your great generosity, which will produce thanksgiving to God through us; for the rendering of this ministry not only supplies the needs of the saints but also overflows with many thanksgivings to God.” 2 Corinthians 9:11-12
Sometimes it is good to be a part of a bigger Church…
The past two years have raised questions among ELCA Lutherans about our relationship to the “National” Church. Some ask, “Why is it necessary to be a part of a larger church body when it makes decisions we don’t agree with?” Well, I suppose it is kind of like being part of a state or nation with which we don’t always agree. Sometimes we can do more together than we can on our own. Sometimes we can do more in large groups than in small groups. For the sake of a greater good, it is good to be a part of a bigger Church.
Case in point…the earthquake in Japan and the ensuing Tsunami. When Christians hear of such disasters and of the great suffering and human need that results, we want to help; we want to be the healing hands of Christ even for these far away sisters and brothers. But how? We can’t just pick up and go to Japan or Haiti…at least not many of us. But there are ministries of a larger church that can…ministries that are an extension of all the local churches linking arms to be the body of Christ wrapped around God’s world…ministries that take 100% of our donations and make a difference. As members of a larger church body, we are already “doing something” in Japan:
DATELINE CHICAGO—The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) today committed $240,000 in response to the massive earthquake and tsunami that struck northern Japan March 11.
“It is with our strong, expansive network of global companions that we as the ELCA are responding to Japan’s devastating earthquake and tsunami,” said the Rev. Mark S. Hanson, ELCA presiding bishop. “Our church’s long-established relationships—both Lutheran and ecumenical—are enabling us to engage effectively with communities as they recover from this massive disaster.”
“I urge all of our members and congregations to give generously and to pray for the people of Japan and for our companion church there, as they face both dangers relating to the damaged nuclear facilities and the massive humanitarian crisis resulting from the earthquake and tsunami,” he added.
Specifically, the ELCA is sending $40,000 to The Lutheran World Federation, Geneva, to support a disaster response expert from India who will assist the Japan Evangelical Lutheran Church and two other Lutheran churches. The ELCA is sending $100,000 to the Japan Evangelical Lutheran Church, the ELCA’s companion church, for its disaster response efforts. The ELCA commitment includes another $100,000 for Church World Service, New York, to support an ecumenical disaster response in Japan through the Japan Platform, a consortium of 32 Japanese nonprofit organizations, and the National Council of Churches Japan.
Through March 18, ELCA members have given approximately $250,000 to support the ELCA response in Japan. Hanson said he is pleased with the gifts given by ELCA members, and said 100 percent of the funds will be given for the local response though the Japan Evangelical Lutheran Church and ecumenical partners.
“Given the historical relationship with the ELCA, the Japan Evangelical Lutheran Church is suggesting to other organizations that assistance from U.S. Lutherans be channeled through the ELCA,” the presiding bishop said in a March 18 message to the ELCA Conference of Bishops.
Japan’s National Police Agency reported March 18 that nearly 7,000 people have been confirmed dead and more than 10,000 people are missing as a result of the earthquake and tsunami. Church World Service reports more than 460,000 people are being sheltered at evacuation sites.
There is more in this newsletter about our historical Lutheran relationship with Japanese Christians. The good news we can celebrate…even as we grieve for are neighbors in Japan…is that we are there…in Japan…making a difference for Christ…giving witness to the whole gospel of God’s love for the world. Thanks be to God!
Serving with you…and many others,
Pastor Wade
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