I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect (Romans 12:1–2).
As disciples of Jesus, we are meant to always be seeking to do the will of God.
During these past four years as we have been “Living our Faith”, we have been practicing elements of how we discern God’s will—through praying, reading scripture, our devotional and worship life, and by the way we live out our faith in love.
Sometimes our discernment is an individual process but what happens when the whole community needs to make a big decision?
When do we as a community of believers need to discern the will of God? How do we go about doing spiritual discernment as a group?
I’m sure you have all heard a story along the lines of how a congregation split over what colour to paint the kitchen. Of course, when you look into it further it wasn’t about the paint colour but other factors that led to that congregational split.
I think there are a lot of places throughout the church were we in or are about to enter into a period of discernment that are much more important than the colour of paint.
Can we afford a second pastor or a youth minister? Should we do a renovation to the church building? Do we need a church building? Should we begin to sponsor refugees? Can we continue to carry on as a congregation?
These are all big questions. And sometimes in congregational life big questions can turn into big controversies.
Sometimes, we try to use analytical ways to make decisions. Can we afford it? Do we have the people resources?
Sometimes this ends up becoming a mathematical answer to a discernment question!
What if instead we really took time to try to discern God’s will in a given situation?
What if we spent time together in prayer?
What if we studied scripture to learn ways other children of God have come to know God’s will?
What if we spent as much time in silence (listening and reflecting) as we did in speaking?
At the 2023 ELCIC Special Convention I shared that at our next National Convention in 2025, we will be calling a new National Bishop. This will be big discernment for our entire church.
I think it’s important we spend the time we need in prayer, reflection and silence as we discern what is the will of God.
Later this fall I will be sending out a small resource booklet to help us do just that! I hope you look for it and I hope you try it.
As a whole church I encourage you to start praying about who God might be calling to be the next National Bishop.
I’ll be praying for you as you discern this and many other important matters before you individually and as a community!
Rev. Susan Johnson
ELCIC National Bishop
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