What I’m about to share with you is not rocket science. It is something we know so deeply that we often forget it is there.
- Hope is an amazing gift of God. It is not something we can generate from within.
- There is a path to hope. We arrive at hope through suffering, perseverance, and finally character.
- Hope comes from a promise made to us.
- The quality of hope is only as good as the ability of the promising one’s ability to fulfill that promise.
- Hope is a sign of God’s presence through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
There are many twists and turns along life’s path that can seek to destroy our hope. You know them all too well: disease, damaging weather, tough economic times, and divisions within our families or our congregations. The list could go on and on. Continue reading…
A Word from Bishop Rindy
During the Pentecost season, the color of our altar paraments and pastors’ stoles is green. It is a season of growth, not only for nature, but for us as children of God. Many of our scripture lessons during the Pentecost season are teaching lessons or parables. Jesus used every day, common examples to help us understand and be more aware of the Kingdom of God that is at hand. For those who have eyes to see and ears to hear, we are being taught lessons every day. Continue reading…
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. Continue reading…
2010 Synod Assembly Address from EaND Bishop Bill Rindy
Bishop Rindy outlines the current state of our synod and the need for significant changes in our mission. He also passionately outlines the “Extra Mile for Mission” challenge, a charge to each of us to be active witnesses in our congregations, synod, and world. Video and PowerPoint resources attached. Continue reading…
Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
Last year, we made a bold commitment as a synod to increase our financial support of ministries we do together, about which we care deeply. Multiple events of the past year have contributed to our falling short of that goal. As your synod council once again was charged with the task of reducing expenditures/cutting ministries, it proved to be a painful event once more.
I began reflecting on the expectations of this synod when I was elected two years ago to serve you in this capacity. Over the past 20 years, our synod has seen a reduction of over 60% support when adjusted for inflation. Reflecting on the resolution passed last year caused me to wonder, “What would our synod mission plan (budget) look like if we achieved the 10% goal?” So I started dreaming with our mission partners in mind. Continue reading…
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