Pastor

Catholic or catholic

Roughly a year ago I had someone come up to me and ask why we supported the Catholic Church in our Creed. They were curious because we had separated from the Roman Catholic Church back in 1517 with Martin Luther. Within this question there are several important tidbits that we have to remember when looking back at the history of Lutherans and Catholics. The importance of titles, the importance of theology, and the importance of change.

First let’s look at what is written in our Creed. In the Apostles Creed we say, “I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the forgiveness of sins…” So, what does ‘catholic’ mean? The word catholic is defined as being “a wide variety of things, all encompassing”. When the Roman Catholic Church was formed, around 30 A.D. with Peter’s charge to be the cornerstone or around A.D. 312 when Emperor Constantine legalized Christianity, Christians felt that they would remain united. That they could have one faith that encompassed all perspectives on Jesus, and that all people would turn to Christ. However, many people didn’t turn to Christ, and still don’t, and by 1054 the Great Schism separated the Roman Catholics from the Eastern Orthodox. When we say that we believe in One Holy catholic Church, we are referring to the original dream, that all Christians will be united one day in Christ and not separated out by denominations and
disagreements about how we understand scripture.

It is also good for us to remember that Martin Luther never wanted to leave the Catholic Church and that he never wanted a denomination named after him. Martin Luther believed that if a new church was to be named it should be the Evangelical church because Evangelical means “according to the teachings of the Bible.” Martin Luther wanted to address theological changes he could see within the Roman Catholic Church and since 1517 Lutherans and Catholics have been reconciling our differences and changing our theology. We now have more similarities with Catholics than many other Protestant Denominations. We are still not in full communion with them, however, every year we all push closer towards the Christian dream of a Holy catholic (All Encompassing) Church.

Pax et Bonum,
Pastor Tucker

Titles Part 4: Becoming a Pastor

Titles: Part 4

Becoming a Pastor

In the ELCA we have a four year long system of listening, searching, following, teaching, leading, and guiding an individual through the call process. When we first start on this path we get a psychological examination, background checks, have an interview with a pastor of the area, and we have to have the sponsorship of a congregation. The next four years are filled will constant discernment. With graduate studies of learning Koine Greek, in some cases Hebrew, and in my school it is mandatory for us to learn Spanish. We go through studies of the Old Testament, New Testament, Church History, Person in Ministry, Family Origins, Intro to Worship, and those are just the basic beginning courses of the first year. I took courses like Islam, Eco-Spirituality, Racial Awareness, Boundaries Training, Alternative Religions, History of Religion in the United States, and many more. I was blessed to go on trips to Mexico and Pine Ridge Reservation to listen and learn about history and faith practices.

But even this is just the tip of the iceberg of studies that we have to go through. On top of all the class work students have to participate in Leadership In Context (LIC) which is an internship site while you are in your first two years of seminary. In the first summer students usually take Clinical Pastoral Experience (CPE) and work at a level one or level two trauma institute. I spent a summer working at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston on the drop down surgery and oncology floors. At Trinity, there is a two year internship
model that allows for us to do class work online while we are working in a congregation as a Vicar or intern Pastor. At my context I observed a capital campaign, hiring and firing of staff, my supervisor going on sabbatical, my supervisor going on paternity leave, the flooding of the basement of the church, community project of helping out at a local elementary school, spiritual growth project of learning from other religious communities, book studies, bible studies, a pandemic, and the usual happenings of a congregation. During all of these different aspects of education we check in with our home synods and reflect on our call to be a pastor. How are we being called by the spirit and at any point we could be pulled out of the candidacy process or put on hold to do spiritual discernment and reflection on how God is really calling us. It is not an easy process nor is it a short process. It has to be a difficult process that takes a while to make sure that those who are stepping into this position are doing it for good and just reasons. Taking the step to be a pastor is not just hearing the call for ourselves. It is the culmination of internal call, external affirmation, and years of study and guidance. It is a most wonderful and humbling position to have the privilege to do in this world. I am personally grateful for all that I have gone through to be able to serve our wonderful congregation as Pastor.

Pax et Bonum,
Brother Tucker

Stewardship 101 3-24

How I Began

In my former life — that is when I lived life on the other side of the collar — I got a phone call from my Pastor. He informed me that he wanted to stop by my house that night for a stewardship visit. Stewardship, to me, was synonymous with money. My money. The money I earned and my church wanted to get hold of. My immediate reflex was to reach for my back pants pocket to make
sure my wallet was safe.

He arrived right on time, and I invited him in. Before he had the chance to talk first, I said, “So how much more do you want me to give than what I’m already doing?” Pastor Don just smiled. Then he said, “You know, Bill, there’s a lot more to stewardship than money.” He then went on to ask if I could start assisting him at worship, since I was already up front, singing in choir, and therefore wore the same type of robe as the other assisting ministers. (What I didn’t know was that our Associate Pastor was about to take another call.) We both had a good chuckle about my misunderstanding, but just as he was leaving – true to form – he said, “But if you could come up with an extra $2.00 per week, I see no harm.”

A year or so after that visit, and many Sundays serving in my new ‘stewardship’ role, it was decided that we would adopt the new “Lutheran Book of Worship” due to be published before the end of the year. Once again, I was asked to study, learn, and help introduce this new hymnal. It was in the Offertory Prayer of that new liturgy where I found a richer meaning to what my Pastor had meant during that first ‘stewardship’ appointment. You probably know the words as well:

Merciful Father, we offer with joy and thanksgiving what you have first given us — our selves, our time, and our possessions — signs of your gracious love. Receive them for the sake of him who offered himself for us, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

You see, all too often we equate stewardship with dollars and cents. All too little do we move beyond our wallets and bank accounts for the fullness of what stewardship can bring. Walk with me through the prayer above. “With joy and thanksgiving” is the obvious place to start. Before anything else we need to turn our attention to the idea of joy and thanksgiving.

– Pastor Bill Schultz

Titles Part 3: Friars vs. Brothers

Titles: Part 3

Friar vs. Brother

Two names that are often used by and for the Franciscans are Friar and Brother. A Friar is an individual who is a part of a Mendicant order. Now a mendicant is defined as a beggar or an individual who combines monastic life with outside religious activity. It just so happens that Franciscans were both, they often begged for food and the basic needs that they required. Our vow of poverty focuses around how Christ chose for himself a poor and humble life, even though he valued all of God’s creation (OLF General Rule ch2, poverty). We remind ourselves in this vow that just as God provides for the lilies of the field, so too will God provide for us (Matthew 6:28-33). Francis was also adamant that the siblings in the order shouldn’t be cloistered away in a monastery, but should be out in the community “caring for the least of these”. However, one interesting fact is that the term “Friar” or “Frater” in Latin, means brother.

Within the OLF it is very common that we use the familial terms of Sister, Brother, and Sibling. However, this term is only used for those who are Novices or Life Professed and not for Friends of the Order or Postulants. This is to help us know who has taken vows to follow the path of Saint Francis and who is just curious and wishes to learn more. Those who are intentionally walking this path are brought into a family where all are equal. From the minister general to the sibling minor, all are valued, seen, and listened to. This title holds onto us just like a doctoral degree or a master’s degree, but it also is rooted deeper into our very spirit. Many pastors in the OLF, when they take their novice vows or their life profession, will choose to have their congregations switch from calling them Pastor to having them call them Brother. This choice is different for everyone, but it is rooted in the importance of the name and what it takes for us to become a Franciscan. This choice isn’t a light one that we take. It is a long spiritual process that takes longer than getting a Masters or some Doctorates. It is also a spiritual process that has no end to it and one we journey with until the day we are reunited with our dear brother Jesus.

Pax et Bonum (Peace and all Good)

Brother Tucker

Stewardship 101 2-24

Stewardship

Pr. Chris asked me to write a paragraph or two on stewardship for this newsletter. Oh, my! Have you ever known me to confine myself to a paragraph or two in print or conversation? The theme, I’m told, is sacrifice, a word that strikes nearly as much terror into the hearts of modern Christians as its synonym, “give,” a four-letter word that is never spoken in polite company.

We understand the concept of “no pain no gain,” but our desire always is to reduce the first while maximizing the latter, thus pew cushions, convenient parking, casual dress, familiar hymns, and 7 minute sermons (I prefer all of these, so there you have it!), and “I’m sorry I didn’t come to church last Sunday, but I’m so busy/tired/upset I knew I wouldn’t get anything out of it.”

Another synonym for sacrifice is “surrender.” When I think back on our faith formation as a couple, nothing has brought Pam and me closer to God than pledging. It’s one thing to say you trust God but quite another to promise a substantial part of your income to God’s work in the world. We surrender a portion of the gifts we’re to be given, trusting that God will provide for our needs in the upcoming year. God’s faithfulness has grown our faith every year for the 25 years we’ve been married.

This year, let’s keep on giving the gift that keeps on giving: faithful and faithful-filled stewardship. I miss you all, even here among God’s green hills and forests. For 15 years, as your pastor, I found myself immersed in love, kindness, humor, joy, and a profound appreciation for your deep, abiding, spirit-filled generosity.

– Pastor Bob Cochran

Titles Part 2: Reverend vs Pastor

Titles: Part 2

Reverend vs Pastor

To many these titles are synonymous. They can be used interchangeably along with Father or Priest. However, to some there is a slight difference between these two titles. My pastoral supervisor when I was on internship instilled the difference within me and I appreciate his perspective. He had drawn my attention to the fact that the title of Reverend is bestowed to those who have a masters degree of divinity, or is used for those who lead a congregation. I have a masters degree of divinity and I currently lead a congregation, so Reverend is a title that fits me. What sets a pastor apart is that they are called to be the pastor (administer of Word and Sacrament) of a congregation.

The difference is that one is called into the work. In our denomination it means that there was a lot of spiritual discernment that was done. It means that we pray and listen to how the Holy Spirit is calling a congregation and a pastoral candidate. A pastor encompasses more than just being the leader of a congregation. The title often holds a more closeness to our hearts, a sense of comfort and safety. When we have a visiting minister to our congregation you will notice it says “Rev.” next to their name in the bulletin. It isn’t because they are not equipped to be a pastor, it just means that this congregation did not call them to be their pastor. We just called them to give guidance on a Sunday that Pastor Tucker and Pastor Chris are not able to be there. Pastor Christ and I have been called, Pastor Chris not as formally as I, to preach the Word and administer the Sacraments to this community, while also caring for its members’ spiritual needs. We are here for all pastoral concerns not reverend concerns.

I am very thankful for the title that I have here and I am overjoyed that this community has the personal relationship to call me Pastor.

Pax et Bonum (Peace and all Good)

Brother Tucker

Stewardship 101

A Cheerful Giver

I’ve heard it said so many times, “All that church does is ask for money!” I saw a cartoon once with two men stranded on a tiny little island, with sharks swimming around it. One said, “Nobody will ever find us.” To which the other replies, “Don’t worry. I pledged $100,000 to my church; my pastor will find us.” Many are turned off by the mere suggestion of stewardship, as a sour and depressing subject. Yet the Bible sees it differently. For Paul the thought of giving money for ministry is a cheerful subject which gives rise to gratitude, inspiration and, well, joy! Yes! Stewardship! When I think of how far my money goes when I give my offering, I get sorta giddy. My money goes to support our local ministry but much farther. My offering goes around the world. We support Young Adults in Global Mission, sending 24 young adults (18-35) to nine countries as “missionaries” around the world. What a happy thought! We also have 131 missionary families serving in 45 countries! Oh joy!

At home your gifts have given scholarships to 1000+ students in their seminary training to become ELCA pastors through the Fund for Leaders program. You are helping support the development of 340 ELCA new-start ministries in the United States and the Caribbean, as well as numerous ethnic-specific ministries, such as indigenous, Hispanic, and African American ministries.

We all support hundreds of social ministry agencies (such as Lutheran Social Services and others in our area). One person in 50 throughout the United States are being served by Lutheran agencies. I see what Paul is saying: This all makes me glad and happy and very proud. And it makes me very cheerful when I give to this world-wide ministry of love in Christ.

Pastor Chris

Titles Part 1: Mother, Father, Sister, Friar

Titles: Part 1

Mother, Father, Sister, Friar

As we journey through life we will all encounter pivotal moments that change and define our lives. In many of these life changes we encounter a new way of identifying ourselves. Son or Daughter when we are born, Husband or Wife when we get married, Doctor, Pastor, or Captain for jobs, Father or Mother when we become parents. These titles shift and grow with us as our lives change, becoming grandparents and great-grandparents at times. This is normal and usually doesn’t bring about many questions, however, every now and then there is a change in title that seems odd or different to us. As I transitioned into becoming a novice I acquired the title, Friar or Brother. These two titles are synonymously used in religious communities for people to know who I am and how I live my life. More specifically it tells people that I have devoted my life to emulate the teachings and guidance of Saints Francis and Clare of Assisi.

A title is merely a recognition of what someone has done in their life. The acknowledgement of time passed, commitments made, or education completed. In these titles we recognize the time, gifts, resources, and personal struggles of another that were sacrificed to take the next step in their lives. Some titles are more comfortable because we know them well, Doctor, Parent, and Pastor all evoke an emotional and intellectual response of understanding and connection. However, how does Brother or Friar connect with us? In the following months I will be writing little sections to help understand more what it means for me to be a Friar/Brother. My hope is that our community will learn more about this order and me and come to find comfort in those titles just as we all have comfort in my title as Pastor. However, it is always good to remember that whether you call me Friar, Brother, or Tucker, I will always be your Pastor and will be here with you through the thick and thin of this beautiful life God has given us to journey together.

Pax et Bonum (Peace and all Good)

Brother Tucker