Our Bishop

For everything there is a season, and
a time for every matter under heaven:

a time to be born, and a time to die;

a time to plant, and a time to pluck
up what is planted;

a time to kill, and a time to heal;

a time to break down, and a time
to build up;

a time to weep, and a time to laugh;

a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

a time to throw away stones, and a
time to gather stones together;

a time to embrace, and a time to
refrain from embracing;

a time to seek, and a time to lose;

a time to keep, and a time to throw away;

a time to tear, and a time to sew;

a time to keep silence, and a time
to speak;

a time to love, and a time to hate;

a time for war, and a time for peace.

—Ecclesiastes 3:1–8

For everything there is a season, and for our church right now we are in a season of change. This is the spring and early summer of Synod Conventions; a time where there are always changes—elections for new council members, resolutions on matters old and new, and so on. But this season is unusual in that three of our synod bishops have announced that they are not seeking re-election. Bishops Pryse and Haugen are looking at retirement, and Bishop Kochendorfer is seeking a new form of ministry.

After many years of service, these are big changes for three of our synods and yet they also affect our whole church. The make up of the conference of bishops will dramatically change. National Church Council will be affected by a change of three new advisors.

But there are many other changes taking place in this season of the church. In some places congregations are growing and new ministries are beginning. In other places, congregations are facing difficult choices about closures and ends to that form of ministry.

In some places, congregations are looking at amalgamations, parish realignments, ecumenical shared ministries. Other congregations find it hard to find partners. Yet others do not want to work in partnership.

This is changing the way that some ordained clergy are working. Some are having to move to a parish arrangement instead of single congregation ministry. Some worry that there will not be full-time calls. At the same time, we see a shortage of clergy.

This season of change will continue. Next year, I am retiring and at the National Convention we will elect a new national bishop.

None of these changes are to be feared. As we read in Ecclesiastes, God has promised to be with us in all of these times. Together, we pray for all of the Synod Conventions that will take place this year. We pray for wisdom and discernment for delegates. We pray for those who will let their names stand for election. We pray for right and good decisions to be made on the convention floors. We pray that all that is accomplished will be pleasing in God’s sight. We pray for the bishops who are retiring, and we pray for the bishops who will be elected. We pray that together we can embrace this season of change, trusting that God is leading us and will continue to bless us on the road ahead.

Rev. Susan Johnson
ELCIC National Bishop