2017 - it's finally here.
What? Something special this year? Well, if you're Lutheran (and pretty sure if you are reading this that you indeed might be) you've heard some segments of the church talking about 2017 for about five years now in preparation to celebrate the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation.
Goals have been set related to 2017. Back about 10 years even, the NID set a goal of 125 "new starts" by the 2017 anniversary of the Reformation. Well, we've blown past that for sure if you count "new starts" -- as we do -- as any new, sustained initiative to be the hands and feet and voice of Jesus with people in the community whom the Lord longs to welcome into his kingdom. If you saw our 2016 update last spring on a decade of New Starts...New Believers you'd have counted at least 233 new starts -- that's more than a goal and a half. Great to see.
Plus there have been some other goals across Synod, and celebrations are planned. The district itself is partnering with Concordia University Chicago to join in a big event on campus next October 28 -- save the date, OK?
500 for Christ
But here's one of the more exciting things I've heard. Since it's the 500th anniversary in 2017, San Pablo Lutheran Church in Aurora is doing a "500 for Christ" emphasis this year. Pastor Alex Merlo is in the process of recruiting 100 people from San Pablo and asking them to each disciple FIVE unchurched people throughout the year. He will train the volunteers and work with them to accomplish this "500 for Christ."
And, my Brother Alex is not just asking his members to do this. He's doing it himself. After deciding on this emphasis, he was led to three people in his own life whom he is currently working with, hoping to disciple them throughout this year. This is a huge effort at San Pablo, and I am told people are very excited about this -- that they see the potential among unchurched people right in their own neighborhoods and in the blocks around San Pablo.
Notice, the new start at San Pablo uses the word disciple. New starts are not just moments on a street corner telling someone Jesus loves them, and even that he died and rose to give them new life in him. Discipleship is a long-term relationship helping people hear and see Jesus knocking at the door to their life, learning from each other, and Scripture, and the Sacraments as administered in the local church.
Your Discipleship as Part of the NID
Many of you have become new-start disciples in your ongoing support for district missions and what we are called to do as God's people together here in the Northern Illinois District. Thank you for that. Prayer is part of your discipleship. Giving is part of your discipleship. Advocacy for involving your own congregation in local missions is part of your discipleship.
And if you're moved to start a new initiative like San Pablo is doing with its "500 for Christ," sharing what God is doing among you is part of your discipleship, too. So drop me an email and let me know.
We will not hide them from their children, but tell to the coming generation
the glorious deeds of the Lord, and his might, and the wonders that he has done. Psalm 78:4
Happy new year, happy 500th, and may joy in the Lord be with you all your days.