God’s blessing…
It is truly an immense honor to be the Pastor of Bethel Lutheran Church. The spirit of mission and outreach here is nothing short of inspiring. Your willingness to embrace an initiative like GodSpeak and hang with it through Leviticus and Numbers shows a maturity and dedication that is commendable. The sense of welcome that each guest receives here shows that God is using us to be a blessing here and to the world around us. I know it’s not the Lutheran thing to pat each other on the back, but just humor me and let me speak for those who have spoken to me about this congregation. Thank you.
A different world…
I was trained to be a pastor in a world that has since gone by. The church does not hold the position it once held in society. A pastor is not assumed to be the civic leader he once was. Our churches and schools struggle for identity, relevancy and fiscal solvency. It seems that everywhere I look the church is seeking desperately to reinvent itself. Changes are made to avoid one crisis after the next, without looking forward to see any long-term consequences. Some churches choose to be “relevant” by denying the authority of the Bible. Others hunker down with their ancient practices, hoping a day will come when they will be “in” again.
Finding a way…
We are living in a historic time where new ways must be explored that do not sacrifice the eternal truths of Scripture. In doing so, we must be wise and Spirit-led, seeking a way that leads to the communication of the Gospel and to God’s new creation spreading into the hearts of many. At Bethel, we are seeking such a way. Sometimes we find it and sometimes we don’t. But we realize that the search is not ours alone. That is why I thank you for the honor of conducting the ministry which God has called me: to find that new way and to make it a reality.
New voices…
New ways often require new voices. Thank you for blessing me with the time to mentor Vicar Lusienie Fofana. It is such a joy to see him develop into the pastor and evangelist God has called him to be. Thank you for the blessing to mentor our field worker, Jordan Ray. His vision for mission is strong and growing stronger by the day. Thank you for blessing me with the chance to minister to the students and teachers of Central Lutheran School and to challenge the school to be a mission outpost for as many churches as possible. Thank you for blessing me with the time to be the President of LINC Twin Cities. Churches are really being planted, leaders raised up and communities touched by the compassion of their neighborhood Lutheran church.
Back home…
It sounds like I’m doing a lot. It’s true… but so is God. Where God is at work, we must be willing to serve. God is at work in this city and is using our little church to do mighty things. And you know what? As far as I can see it, God’s got a lot more in store for this congregation! God can and will use you to bring that saving Gospel into people’s lives, just as I pray He will continue to use me to do the same. Like I said, it’s an honor to be your pastor. Thank you.
Blessings,
Pastor Seabaugh