I had the honor and privilege to meet with Bishop Jim Gonia for an hour on May 15, 2018. The first time I actually met and had a short conversation with Bishop Gonia was on the day I went to Highlands Lutheran Church in Denver for my entrance interview. Over the past five or so years, my our paths have crossed often. I have always felt comfortable reaching out to Bishop Gonia whenever I had an issue or question. It was at the Theological Conference in CO Springs this past year when Bishop Gonia made time to speak to me about an offer to do an interview for the Christian Broadcasting Network. His pastoral presence is incredible and he helped me come to the conclusion I knew in my heart, but he allowed me to process my thoughts and verbalize my true feelings.
Bishop Gonia greeted me in his office on May 15th with is usual enthusiasm for ministry. According to the Alternate Residency Formation Plan (ARFP), I was to learn from Bishop Gonia: "mission statement, strategic planning, integration of Congregation / synod / churchwide ministries." The bishop was ready for the meeting with a plethora of materials spread across the conference table. I have attached three documents to this reflection as these were the only documents I could scan and attach as Bishop Gonia provided me copies of the Rocky Mountain Synod Mission and Ministry 2018 brochure and the multi-page RMS Strategic Planning 2016-2018 brochure. Each of the brochures contain a significant amount of information and explanation of the direction the RMS is taking now and into the future. A reflection upon our visit: Bishop Gonia is passionate about his ministry--being the pastor of all people in the synod. Each of the documents and programs I saw and heard about has a solid foundation in Lutheran theology. The Lutheran concept of "a priesthood of all believers" is not just a catch-phrase, but the underlying reason for our reason for being followers of Christ. As an aspiring pastor, I was supported in my belief my calling is to equip each member of my congregation to be evangelists. I must have a solid foundation in scripture and theology in order to help others understand who they are as Lutherans so they are ready and willing to share their faith with the world. Each of the handouts I attached and each of the brochures I obtained from the bishop are teaching tools to be used to illustrate how our faith, as Lutherans, is interconnected. I really liked the "Christ's Church, Better Together" graphic. Each part of the ELCA--congregations, synods, and churchwide, have areas there they are independent entities, but each individual part of the church connects with each other so we all become the ELCA. The phrase, "Each of our ELCA expressions is fully Church" really speaks to me for no one part of the church can stand completely on its own as each part is necessary for the whole. The "Claiming our Gifts" handouts will be extremely helpful when I will be called upon to explain the concept of church to congregation members or others who want to explore what it means to be church. Each one of the four expressions of church--Theology, Ecclesiology, Practice, and Legacy are integral parts of who we are as the ELCA. The graphic illustrations are fantastic reminders of the various parts of our beliefs and practices as members of the ELCA. The Strategic Plan pulls all the various parts together in one document. It is imperative to know who we are as member of the ELCA and RMS in order to decide which direction we need to go into the future. The world is changing and the church has to evolve as well. The definition of who we are as the Rocky Mountain Synod is stated clearly and colorfully in the graphics and brochures presented to me by Bishop Gonia. It was readily apparent Bishop Gonia had direct involvement with the drafting of each page as his enthusiasm and love for the work of the synod was inspiring. I left the meeting encouraged by Bishop Gonia's commitment to the synod and churchwide expression of the church.
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