from Bishop Bill Rindy
Greetings in the name of our revealed Savior, Jesus the Christ, this Epiphany season!
Epiphany is a word for things revealed. God is always in the process of revealing many things to us. I give thanks to God for your faithful support of all of our shared ministries, even when times can be challenging. Continue reading…
As I was contemplating this article, I thought the letter I recently wrote to the people of Our Savior’s Lutheran in Park River for their mission festival applies to most of our congregations. With you in mind this Advent/Christmas season, I share that letter with you…
Grace and peace to you in this Advent season!
I wish I could be with you on this special day. The longer I serve as your Bishop, the more I understand the reason the Apostle Paul always gave thanks for those with whom he was in mission. There are many ways in which people can respond to challenges. Many will choose to focus inwards, only taking care of themselves first. I am so glad to hear of your focus outward in/on mission. It has been said that the church is the only organization on earth that exists for the sole purpose of its non-members. While Jesus is preparing a place for all who belong to Him, he has so much more for us to do while we are on this Advent journey. Continue reading…
We live in a time of anticipation. We have taken time to give God thanks for abundance we have received, while at the same time we prepare to meet Jesus. In this Advent season, we live between Jesus’ first coming and his final appearing as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. We are people of the “mean time” or in between times. We live our day-to-day lives with the realization, “…what can be seen is temporary; what cannot be seen is eternal,” Continue reading…
This is the season in which gratitude is most often expressed: for harvest, for a beautiful fall, for life. I want to add my thanks to you for your support during what is for many of you challenging times. The good work we’ve done together for many years continues through your support, in both prayer and finances. Thanks.
The Today Show recently ran a series of stories on the death of civility (external link). It lifted up email, blogs, and the lack of accountability for what one says as commonplace in our society… and for the worse. In theological terms, it could be framed as the death of the eighth commandment: You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. Martin Luther encouraged us to speak well of our neighbor and explain their actions in the kindest possible way, rather than cutting, ripping, and tearing our neighbors to pieces.
Over six years ago, a congregation seeking moral guidance asked a synod assembly if our church, the ELCA, could create a document to help us think through the moral implications of our new abilities in the area of genetics: human, animal, and plant. We have powers never available to previous generations. We all know that with power come both opportunity and responsibility. A churchwide assembly agreed that such guidance could be helpful to the church, especially to those who live and work in areas surrounded by genetics. Continue reading…
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 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…
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…
A Word from Bishop Rindy
Over the centuries, the Church has undergone many challenges and changes. If we were all able to back out a few notches, we would have a God’s eye perspective on the transitions our world, our nation, and our church are experiencing. That perspective presents both challenge and opportunity for us. As I reflected on our synod mission plan/budget, a question came to mind: What does our mission plan say about our perspective of ministry? Continue reading…
EaND Synod Office
1703 32nd Ave S
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Phone: 701-232-3381
Toll Free: 877-895-4598
Fax: 701-232-3180
We are a synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America with 223 congregations and a variety of ministries.
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