This truly is a Pentecost season, a season of growth, for the church:
- We rejoice as we see the results of silent growth as crops do what they were created to do. We trust God to provide daily bread, all that is needed for life, that we might glorify the one who created us for the glory of God.
- We rejoice (and sometimes cry) as our young people grow into the people they are created to become… some graduate, some get married, others leave to begin their careers or time of military service. We trust that God will watch over them (as God always does) as they live their lives, making decisions which hopefully put a smile on God’s face.
- We grieve as some of life’s unwelcomed changes come our way. The unexpected death of a loved one, of a marriage, or of a friendship can take years of God’s gentle care to bring the healing that once again leads us back into a season of healthy growth.
- We wrestle (as people of God) with how we can truly love God and our neighbor with the love of Jesus Christ. During this Pentecost season, we look to Jesus to see how to love the sometimes difficult-to-love neighbor.
- We rejoice as new seminary graduates begin their service as pastors in our synod. You all have a wonderful reputation for shaping excellent pastors for service in the Church.
- We rejoice for Valley City high school as they welcome a new principal, Kristi Brandt. (which means we welcome back on a full-time basis Pastor Terry Brandt to serve as Associate with the Bishop). We rejoice to have the whole Brandt family as a part of our synod.
We do a lot of things together during a season of growth. Believing and trusting in the communion of saints and the forgiveness of sins is easy when life is moving smoothly. It can be more trying at other times. I want to thank you for the faith and trust you have placed in me and in all those who serve you through your synod office. I understand that for many reasons, congregations can face challenging times, especially during the summer months. I want to thank you for your support, even when it isn’t always easy to do with tight finances. It allows us to provide much needed support to those congregations/pastors who happen to find themselves in need. If you haven’t needed intensive support from the synod office lately, I’m happy to know things are going well. If you have needed the support of this office, I’m happy you have reached out to us for support.
Thank you also for your efforts to go the “Extra Mile” for mission. You are already making a difference. Whether it is a youth group from Clifford-Galesburg tithing of their fundraising efforts or an individual moved to put a roof on a church in the Central African Republic, every effort of faithfulness inspires and encourages not only me, but every other traveler on the journey.
Thanks for allowing me to grow with you. The Apostle Paul put it this way, “I thank my God every time I remember you, constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you, because of your sharing in the gospel from the first day until now. I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ.” Philippians 1:3-5 NRSV
Pr. Bill Rindy
Serving as your Bishop
» Download: A Word from Bishop Rindy (June 2010) (download .pdf file)
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