01/22/2014
January 2014 Note from Bishop Dillahunt
Blessed Epiphany to you all and I hope you had a good Christmas.
Have you had these questions posed to you lately? Have you had these questions yourself?
- What does ‘God’ mean anyway?
- What happens after this life?
- Does God care that I am in pain?
- How can I forgive and why should I?
If so, you are not alone.
After spending a cold six days in Savannah, Georgia at the annual Bishop’s Academy, I wanted to share some materials with you which might help you answer the questions above, in your ministry in general and with those who have identified themselves as ‘religiously unaffiliated,’ a rapidly growing part of our society.
At the Academy, our presenters were Andy Root, Associate Professor of Youth and Family Ministry at Luther Seminary; Shauna Hannan, Assistant Professor of Homiletics at Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary; and Anna Madsen, Systematic Theologian and Director of the OMG Center for Theological Conversation. Life in the Church has changed and so has society. That’s pretty clear. Below are some articles and books for you to read and a website to check out as we enter into the season of Light, Epiphany. These may be used as discussion and ‘food for thought.’
Pew Research, Religion & Public Life Project (the research report that sparked interest in the ‘Nones’ in October of 2012. “Nones” on the Rise available at http://www.pewforum.org/2012/10/09/nones-on-the-rise/
Andrew Root, Who Am I? Adolescent Identity in a Digital Age available online at http://www.youthworker.com/youth-ministry-resources-ideas/youth-culture-news/11610600/
Andrew Root, Relational Ministry, the Pastor, and Inception available online at http://onlinepulpit.ivpress.com/2013/05/relation_ministry_the_pastor_a.php
Anthony Giddens, Runaway World: How Globalization is Reshaping Our Lives. Available at http://www.amazon.com
Chris Hedges, Empire of Illusion: The End of Literacy and the Triumph of Spectacle. Available at http://www.amazon.com
Jeremy Rivkin, The Third Industrial Revolution. Available at http://www.amazon.com
Andrew Root, The Relational Pastor (if your time is limited, focus on chapters 1-4). Available at http://www.amazon.com
If nothing else, check out Anna Madsen’s website and blog at http://omgcenter.com.
Now for some other matters:
- It’s Portico Health Assessment time again. $150 is yours for the taking. Don’t miss out. The money will be credited to your SelectAccount Visa debit card sent to you by Portico.
- It’s time to submit Parochial Reports and Bishop Confidential Reports. Both are online on the ELCA website. If you haven’t checked out the new ELCA website, now is the time. Most of the ‘bugs’ have been worked out.
- Remember to send in the Statement of Intent for Mission Support.
- Remember to register for the 2nd Annual Congregational Hunger Leaders Day on February 22 and the Rostered Leaders Theological Education Day with The Rev. Cheryl Peterson, on February 11.
- The new Synod Visioning Team has been assembled, met and has begun work on the vision that will guide our ministry over the next several years. A list of the lay and rostered leaders on the team are on the synod website in the news section. These folks will be contacting congregations asking for your insight to help with the discernment process needed to create an effective vision. Please take a few moments to read the article in case you missed it in Wednesday's e-bulletin. www.southernohiosynod.org Please keep the team in your prayers as they seek God's guidance in discerning the future ministry path of our synod.
Have a good month!
Blessings,
Bishop Suzanne D. Dillahunt