Rich was elected to The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod's Board of Pastoral Ministry. In this position he served with others to advise and oversee the seminaries of the church.
As a member of this board he was responsible for periodically presenting a devotional thought for the beginning of the meeting.
This is one of the devotional thought she wrote.
As a member of this board he was responsible for periodically presenting a devotional thought for the beginning of the meeting.
This is one of the devotional thought she wrote.
Why? Devotions – BPE – January 21, 2010
He asked the LORD, "Why have you brought this trouble on your servant? What have I done to displease you that you put the burden of all these people on me? – Numbers 11:11
I would guess that every pastor has felt Moses’ anguish, frustration and question at some time during his career. I would further speculate that most “why” questions came at either budget meetings or voter’s assembly meetings.
OK – I exaggerate. However, I believe that the parish pastor has more in common with Moses than not – at least in areas of leading, instructing and caring for his congregation. I believe I am on solid ground when I say that every parish pastor has at one time or another called to God – asking for wisdom, strength, courage, and some direction on how he can and should lead the members of his congregation. Pastors tend to become very personal in their ministry – weeping for those who reject teachings, celebrating with those who grow in their knowledge and all the time looking for opportunities to share the words of eternal life.
The phone call came on the way home from work – “Dad’s going into surgery for a blocked bowel – now.”
Immediately the day’s work was forgotten – the dinner plans – the “to do” lists – everything other than travel to Dad’s bedside was marked, “unimportant.”
The next day the nurse prepared us – Dad tolerated the surgery – 60 centimeters of bowel resection alleviated his immediate issue but, he has pneumonia, Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC), and a heart valve concern. His numbers are not good – oh, by the way, it’s time to call all the family together.
Dad lay amidst a tangle of tubes, bags and machines – every vital function constantly monitored. A machine pumped, once to force oxygen into his lungs and once to remove the carbon dioxide. Blood dripped into his veins. Jagged monitor lines indicated a heart fighting to pump.
He opened one eye and struggled to recognize his surroundings – this was not the bed that he last remembered. The pain medication eliminating any memory he had of the ambulance ride and the emergency surgery. His eye betrayed the shock he felt as he realized where he was as his body prevented him from moving, talking - nothing but feeble communication efforts.
The children paraded past, each one announcing his or her name and providing a clue as to his condition. A tear fell from his eye. He wanted so desperately to reach out and hug, only his mouth silently forming the words, “I love you,” as greeting. Each daughter held on to a wounded hand and agreed, “Yes, Dad, we know, “I love you, too.””
The ICU waiting room was empty and for the first time in many years the entire family was gathered around one table. The doctor arrived and stoically announced, “Your Dad is very sick.” The room fell silent as the unspoken implication of Dad’s condition was contemplated.
One by one questions were asked and answered: Where is the Will? Who is the executor? What church would be approached to hold the ceremony? Who would be preacher? Would the grandkids want to be pallbearers? The final plans were made and finalized.
Then it was time to celebrate – celebrate with family stories, family memories, family traditions, even family recipes. Since it was over 20 years since Mom passed, most stories revolved around how Dad witnessed to his children. Brothers teased sisters over long passed incidents. Sisters held each other as only sisters can. Brothers struggled with emotions considered non-manly by some.
Night gave way to early morning and one by one siblings settled in for the watch that would end at graveside, each in his or own unique way.
Why?
That would seem a natural question to ask at a time like this. Why Dad? Why now?
Why?
That was a question that was never asked. Dad and his family know that this earth is but a short interlude compared to the glory of an eternity in heaven.
This faith brings comfort. This faith brings strength; this faith gives the peace that the world will never understand.
Dad taught his family about Christ – not just with his leading them to church, but with his life – a life of dependency on God, a life of giving to his God, his church, his neighbor, his family. Dad had his faith nurtured by thousands of sermons, tens of thousands of hours spent in service, and uncounted times on his knees – at the communion rail, at his bedside, and at every time he needed to talk to God.
As we gather together today to discuss the needs for pastoral education, I will put a picture of Dad in his ICU bed and know that whatever it takes, we need pastors to lead their congregation members – to instruct, to share Bible stories, to offer hope, comfort and strength. When all is said and done – I know without pastors eighty years ago, Dad and his family would not have the hope they have – today.
I thank God for the dedicated pastors who saw Dad as member of his congregation. I know that each pastor in his turn challenged and was challenged by Dad, encouraged and was encouraged by Dad, taught and was taught by this man of faith.
As we begin our deliberations today, let us each remember and celebrate those pastors in our life that have nurtured us. Let us each thank God that these special men hung in there, even when they were tempted to call out, “What have I done to displease you that you put the burden of these people on me?”
We pray:
May He bless us all.
I would guess that every pastor has felt Moses’ anguish, frustration and question at some time during his career. I would further speculate that most “why” questions came at either budget meetings or voter’s assembly meetings.
OK – I exaggerate. However, I believe that the parish pastor has more in common with Moses than not – at least in areas of leading, instructing and caring for his congregation. I believe I am on solid ground when I say that every parish pastor has at one time or another called to God – asking for wisdom, strength, courage, and some direction on how he can and should lead the members of his congregation. Pastors tend to become very personal in their ministry – weeping for those who reject teachings, celebrating with those who grow in their knowledge and all the time looking for opportunities to share the words of eternal life.
The phone call came on the way home from work – “Dad’s going into surgery for a blocked bowel – now.”
Immediately the day’s work was forgotten – the dinner plans – the “to do” lists – everything other than travel to Dad’s bedside was marked, “unimportant.”
The next day the nurse prepared us – Dad tolerated the surgery – 60 centimeters of bowel resection alleviated his immediate issue but, he has pneumonia, Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC), and a heart valve concern. His numbers are not good – oh, by the way, it’s time to call all the family together.
Dad lay amidst a tangle of tubes, bags and machines – every vital function constantly monitored. A machine pumped, once to force oxygen into his lungs and once to remove the carbon dioxide. Blood dripped into his veins. Jagged monitor lines indicated a heart fighting to pump.
He opened one eye and struggled to recognize his surroundings – this was not the bed that he last remembered. The pain medication eliminating any memory he had of the ambulance ride and the emergency surgery. His eye betrayed the shock he felt as he realized where he was as his body prevented him from moving, talking - nothing but feeble communication efforts.
The children paraded past, each one announcing his or her name and providing a clue as to his condition. A tear fell from his eye. He wanted so desperately to reach out and hug, only his mouth silently forming the words, “I love you,” as greeting. Each daughter held on to a wounded hand and agreed, “Yes, Dad, we know, “I love you, too.””
The ICU waiting room was empty and for the first time in many years the entire family was gathered around one table. The doctor arrived and stoically announced, “Your Dad is very sick.” The room fell silent as the unspoken implication of Dad’s condition was contemplated.
One by one questions were asked and answered: Where is the Will? Who is the executor? What church would be approached to hold the ceremony? Who would be preacher? Would the grandkids want to be pallbearers? The final plans were made and finalized.
Then it was time to celebrate – celebrate with family stories, family memories, family traditions, even family recipes. Since it was over 20 years since Mom passed, most stories revolved around how Dad witnessed to his children. Brothers teased sisters over long passed incidents. Sisters held each other as only sisters can. Brothers struggled with emotions considered non-manly by some.
Night gave way to early morning and one by one siblings settled in for the watch that would end at graveside, each in his or own unique way.
Why?
That would seem a natural question to ask at a time like this. Why Dad? Why now?
Why?
That was a question that was never asked. Dad and his family know that this earth is but a short interlude compared to the glory of an eternity in heaven.
This faith brings comfort. This faith brings strength; this faith gives the peace that the world will never understand.
Dad taught his family about Christ – not just with his leading them to church, but with his life – a life of dependency on God, a life of giving to his God, his church, his neighbor, his family. Dad had his faith nurtured by thousands of sermons, tens of thousands of hours spent in service, and uncounted times on his knees – at the communion rail, at his bedside, and at every time he needed to talk to God.
As we gather together today to discuss the needs for pastoral education, I will put a picture of Dad in his ICU bed and know that whatever it takes, we need pastors to lead their congregation members – to instruct, to share Bible stories, to offer hope, comfort and strength. When all is said and done – I know without pastors eighty years ago, Dad and his family would not have the hope they have – today.
I thank God for the dedicated pastors who saw Dad as member of his congregation. I know that each pastor in his turn challenged and was challenged by Dad, encouraged and was encouraged by Dad, taught and was taught by this man of faith.
As we begin our deliberations today, let us each remember and celebrate those pastors in our life that have nurtured us. Let us each thank God that these special men hung in there, even when they were tempted to call out, “What have I done to displease you that you put the burden of these people on me?”
We pray:
- For pastors – that they continue to be the men that You would have them be – on their congregations, in their homes and in their communities
- For us – that we may see You hand in our decisions, that we hear Your words in our discussions and that we may be Your hands and feet today – to impact tomorrow.
- For students – that they may continue to be inspired, challenged and educated to be the leaders of tomorrow – give them that which they will need to lead in a changed and changing world – especially a reliance n You.
- For the professors, administration and all who govern – we ask that they will always seek first Your kingdom – and that You will add to them all the skills that they need to excel at all they do.
- For our congregation members – grant to them a spirit of dependency on You – help them to turn from selfish habits – and turn to selfless acts. Empower the men to be the men You would have them be – strong men – dedicated to leading their families to You.
- For our shortfalls and doubts, for our sins – we ask Your forgiveness –
- For the sick, the hurting, the oppressed, the hopeless, the helpless, the hungry, the victims – we ask that You would send messengers of aid, comfort and proclamation.
- For this and all that we should pray – we pray in the words of Christ – Our Father…
May He bless us all.