February 2017
The Pastor’s Ponderings Pastor David’s cell phone—348-330-4170 and email address—fleeneda@gmail.com For a moment, we were connected as siblings in Christ, appealing to the same heavenly Father.
The other day, while out making visits, I was asked by someone I didn’t know to pray for them. I was waiting at the front desk of the nursing home to get the exit code to the front door. A woman ahead of me in line saw my collar and asked if I was a priest. (It’s a common question to get when I’m out in public with the collar on. That, or people will just call me, “Father”.) I told her that I was a Lutheran pastor. That didn’t stop her from asking for prayer. I asked her name, and what was going on in her life. After she told me, I put my hand on her shoulder and prayed for her.
This sort of thing used to happen a lot when I lived in Chicago. Since I moved to Indiana, it’s rare. But what a connection it can create, if only for a few seconds. It makes me think that outreach need not be complicated. It need not be expensive. Profound witness to the gospel can be done with simply a listening ear and an open heart. In his letter to the Galatians, Paul writes, “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Gal. 6:2). Can you imagine it? A congregation filled with people who know how to pray for oth-
Zion’s 2017 Council Members Elder & President .......................................................................... Larry Hile Elder & Vice-President ............................................................. Fred Walker Secretary ............................................................................. Cathy Willmann Deacons .................................................................................... Drew Walker Allen Stallsmith Mike Clamme Trustees ................................................................................Tom Armstrong Mark Prout Neil Stroble Treasurer ............................................................................... Dennis Walker Financial Secretaries ............................................................ Sandy Langdon Anita Reid
ers, especially for others they don’t know (yet)? It makes me think I might want to try the old listening post idea again – where I put out a sign and ask people if they want to talk. Only, I might add, “Do you have a prayer request?” Of course, you don’t need to be ordained to do this. Even though I am the “professional Christian” in our congregation, I don’t have a monopoly on communication with God. I have no special prophetic powers. As one of my mentors told me, “The only magic words I believe in are, ‘I love you’.” And those are words any of us can communicate. Love to you all, Pr. David
God is Love