From
Living Theology in the Metropolitan Chicago Synod
Evangelical Lutheran Church In America
Volume 1, Number 4
September 1996
The Church and Salvation
Word, Sacrament, and Mission
in the Metro Chicago Synod
The development of a new mission congregation is a
challenging, yet exciting enterprise. It is challenging because mission
developers must overcome great obstacles on a daily basis, operating without
the familiar infrastructure of an existing congregation. On the other hand,
mission development is exciting because one gets to create a new community of
faith with its own identity and mission. Nothing can describe the joy of seeing
new people come to a deeper understanding of God's grace, giving of themselves
freely to build a new church. It is wonderful to see lives transformed by the
Gospel. Total strangers, touched by the Spirit, become new friends, new members
of the household of faith. Soon these new people become the founders and
leaders of a new congregation.
For a
new ministry to develop successfully several factors need to be in place. Among
these are: location in an area with great potential, models and methodologies
adequate to the context, leaders who are passionate about outreach with the
Gospel and systems to ensure support, supervision and partnerships. But, above
all, a clear vision is needed—one that includes a strong sense of call to
witness and reach out, a desire to see lives transformed with the Gospel, and a
goal to build viable, vibrant, mission-oriented congregations.
This
vision comes from God's Word and our understanding of that Word. The driving
force undergirding mission development emanates from our theological understanding
of God's character and missionary activity in the world. Theology always leads
to mission. The more we are able to understand who God is, the more compelled
we are to participate in God's action plan for the world.
Our
particular theological understanding of
God as active in our lives in Word and Sacrament fuels the mission
development activity in the Metropolitan Chicago Synod. “In the beginning was
the Word,” we read in the Gospel of John; “and that Word became flesh and dwelt
among us.” Lutherans understand the Word of God as spoken, active ever since
creation, incarnate in Jesus Christ, written in the Holy Scriptures, and
proclaimed by God's messengers. This Word is “living and active, sharper than a
two‑edged sword” (Heb. 4:12), and useful for equipping Christians for
every good work (2 Tim. 3:16-17). This
Word is powerful, as the prophet Isaiah asserted: “This word will never return
empty, but will always accomplish the purpose for which [God sends] it” (Is.
55:11).
What a
privilege it is to go out and meet people to share the good news. Whether it is
through door to door calling, radio evangelism, printed materials, small
groups, or phone contacts, our aim is that the Word of God may spread rapidly
and new disciples of Christ emerge everywhere. The mission thrust and the
passion to evangelize emanate from this theological understanding of God' s
Word. The Word shapes and motivates our mission work.
The
Sacraments also lead in the same direction. In Holy Baptism we are given a new
identity. We are made children of God and co‑workers in the Kingdom of
God. We hear the words “let your light so shine before others,” sending the
baptized forward as witnesses of God’s saving grace and unconditional
acceptance.
I
believe that Baptism also has an equalizer effect on the lives of people. The
waters of Baptism wash away any division, prejudice or categorizing created by
human standards. All the baptized stand before God on equal footing. Therefore,
our commitment to break the bonds of racism, sexism and other ills of society
is an integral part of our witnessing to the good news of the Gospel. Baptism
shapes our mission work.
There is
a saying in Puerto Rico that goes: “Donde comen dos, comen tres”, that is,
where two can eat, three can eat. When it comes to eating, there is always room
for more. So it is at the Lord’s table. Christ gives of himself freely to
forgive, to reconcile, to empower us for mission in the world. Holy Communion
is food for the journey as we go and serve the Lord.
od’s
Word and the Sacraments generate, shape, and sustain mission work in our midst.
Theology and missiology are close partners which need and complement each other
in fulfilling God’s agenda in the world.
One clear
example of the close connection between theology and missiology is the life and
ministry of the apostle Paul. Amidst fluctuating philosophical currents and the
religious pluralism of his time, Paul maintained a solid and unwavering
theological focus, complemented by an aggressive mission‑oriented thrust.
His writings always include the components of theology and practice—theology
and mission. His journeys reflect his passion for outreach with the Gospel. I
would say that Paul couldn't help it.
His encounter with Jesus Christ on the road to Damascus transformed his
life. He turned from being a religious gatekeeper and persecutor of the church,
to being a witness and a cross‑cultural mission developer, taking the
good news to the people all over Greece, Rome and even Spain. He couldn't help
it. His new life in Christ generated a passionate impulse to go and make
disciples of all people.
Paul was
a movement ready to happen, and it did. His thrust was simple, yet effective.
He first proclaimed the Word. People would gather for further instruction in
the Christian faith, to worship and receive the means of grace. Leaders were
trained and congregations organized. Then each congregation assumed
responsibility for assisting another. Paul's role expanded to being also a
mentor of maturing congregations. In other words Paul made sure that the core
of the Christian faith took root in
every place and then he trusted that the Gospel would find its corporate
expression according to the context. The Word and Sacrament ministry was to be done in the language of the people.
I also
see the Metropolitan Chicago Synod as a movement ready to happen. In a sense it
is happening already, yet there is much more that can be done. A growing number
of existing congregations are making plans toward revitalization, pastors are
asking for training in evangelism and outreach, the ministry of Word and
Sacrament is taking place in at least 11 languages throughout the Synod. There
are 13 congregations under development related to the Division for Outreach,
ELCA. Last month, New Day Lutheran Mission began its ministry in the West
Dundee area thanks to the partnership of the churches in the Elgin area and Our
Saviour’s Lutheran in Arlington Heights. This month San Pedro y San Pablo Lutheran
Mission began its ministry in Eastside Chicago thanks to the gift of Bethesda
Lutheran Church. After many years of faithful ministry Bethesda concluded its
ministry for the purpose of enabling the birth of a new Lutheran expression
among Hispanics.
We also
have crises in the making in both cities and suburbs.There are no quick fixes
and no short‑cuts. Despite the complexities of every situation, there is
something we can do as leaders in the Church. Like Paul, let us make sure that
our members live out the strong connection between theology and missiology. Of
course, this means that you and I, the leaders in the Church, would do well to
first take a trip down our own Damascus road. In fact I would venture to say
that our future as a Church depends on what happens on that road, and whether
people like you and me are willing to head in that direction. Let me tell you,
there are no theological bookstores on that road, only a person waiting for you
and me.
The
world is like a field ready for harvest. We are a movement ready to happen.
Ruben Duran
Bishop’s Associate,
Metropolitan Chicago Synod