On this day some 44 years ago, I was set apart as Pastor and conferred the authority of the office. It took place on what seemed like the hottest day of that year before a wilting congregation in the building where I was baptized, confirmed, and my faith nurtured by the Word and Table of the Lord. It was not a fancy occasion with a few pastors, a District President, and God's people in prayer. But it was an auspicious occasion because of the work given to the Pastor to do. I have thought out loud about that day before on these pages and will not duplicate it all here. Suffice it to say it was a long time ago and just yesterday at the same time. I suspect many will understand what I mean. Yet it has been my joy and privilege to serve the people of God these many years and now to welcome one more to the fellowship.
Now, on this day, in Normal, Illinois, another man will be ordained as Pastor of the Church and upon him will be conferred the authority of the office which he will exercise when he is installed as the Associate Pastor of Grace Lutheran Church. He will serve with me (for a time at least) and it will be my privilege both to welcome and to support his learning and growing into the duties, responsibilities, and identity of the office of Pastor. Though 44 years will separate us in time, the authority of the office remains the same. Whether old or young or somewhere in between, Pastors have the same authority conferred upon them by the Church. They may be as green as they come (I certainly was) or have a wealth of life experience preceding their ordination but it does not matter. Pastors are called and set apart to preach the Word of God in all its truth and purity and to administer the Holy Sacraments according to Christ's own institution. They pledge fealty to the Lutheran symbols and promise faithfulness before God and the congregation. They are surrounded by others who share the Pastoral Office and who stand in solidarity with them. They exercise the duties and responsibilities of the office not as dictators but neither are they hirelings. They serve in partnership with the people of God, each doing their own part in the overall work God has given us to do and in the places where God has appointed.
So today I welcome an associate and coworker as well as another who shares the office who becomes part of the band of brothers we call Pastors. God bless you, Jim!
1 comment:
"Now, on this day, in Normal, Illinois, another man will be ordained as Pastor of the Church and upon him will be conferred the authority of the office which he will exercise when he is installed as the Associate Pastor of Grace Lutheran Church."
\i{Treatise}, 70: And this also a most common custom of the Church testifies. For formerly the people elected pastors and bishops. Then came a bishop, either of that church or a neighboring one, who confirmed the one elected by the laying on of hands; and ordination was nothing else than such a ratification.
K&A, Thesis VI, on the ministry: The ministerial office is conferred by God through the congregation, the possessor of all church power, or the keys, by the divinely prescribed call of such congregation. The Ordination of the persons called, with laying on of hands, is not of divine institution, but an apostolicoecclesiastical ordinance, and only a public and solemn confirmation of that call.
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