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FROM THE BOARD OF ELDERS

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

I am in a privileged position as chairman of the Board of Elders, which allows me to see more comprehensively than I ever have before the dedicated thought and labor that is poured into the life of our congregation by so many of her members. With Pastor Nehrenz’s retirement we underwent a momentous change that naturally caused us to have to learn to work together in ways we had not previously needed to contemplate. There have been difficulties to overcome as we have undertaken that learning process. However, when challenges arise, my vantage point leads me to appreciate what I see in response to them as indications of zeal by all of us, who desire to see the congregation grow and bear fruit as a branch abiding in the True Vine. Above all we can be sure our Vinedresser, our Heavenly Father, knows what He is doing. May we earnestly desire to learn from Him what we should do as we diligently seek His will.

Regarding the ongoing call process, the elders currently still intend to recommend a call to the second candidate from our original slate. A health concern for a relative of his has required his focus, meaning he has been unable to consider a call in the short term. We hope and pray the issue is resolved quickly, that God’s healing hand and guiding wisdom would be with those affected.

Considering that God may be guiding our congregation into issuing a call to another minister, the elders are working again on our call list. Along with another candidate we have spoken to already, we are looking to identify more pastors with whom to connect and discuss Trinity’s ministry, in the interest of presenting a new slate of names as soon as possible. We are working with Oklahoma District Second Vice President Muenchow and relying on the feedback provided by the congregational survey from early this year to expand our search. It is always difficult to condense many factors into a concise and digestible package, but the elders are glad to speak with anyone who has questions about the call process.

As we encounter those challenges that arise from learning to work together outside of Pastor Nehrenz’s long tenure, we must balance Christian duties properly. We seek to “walk in wisdom” and to “make the best use of the time,” to “think with sober judgement,” and to use our gifts well.

Those who have been given authority must ensure that we do not use it as a license for self-importance or getting our own way. At the same time, we must not abdicate that authority or the accompanying responsibility, even when we know our decisions will result in criticism – sometimes deserved and sometimes not. Faithful leadership often means listening, accommodating, or looking for consensus. At other times it means deciding, correcting, or acting when it would be more comfortable not to. It is no question that when held properly a position of authority is sometimes a burden, and developing the wisdom to bear that burden well is a fraught, humbling, and even painful process. But authority is given by God to be self-giving for the benefit of those under that authority – which means we bear the humiliation of deserved criticism, and the injustice of undeserved criticism, patiently. We know that we too are under authority.

But Jesus called them to him and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Matthew 20:25-28

At the same time those who are under authority must ensure we are willing to cooperate with those in authority, without insisting that every detail be justified to us before we will contribute to the effort. We must avoid being busybodies on the one hand, or apathetic on the other. This balance too can be difficult, fraught, even painful. To follow without having input, or access to details that could resolve lingering doubt, requires humility and can be incredibly frustrating especially for those who have the greatest zeal. To follow without seeing the full scope of the fruit yielded by our efforts can feel hollow or futile. But whether in the church or outside of it, we can know that God sees all our labor done in faith, and that the outcomes are in His hands.

We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone.

1 Thessalonians 5:12-15

Forever, O Lord, your word is firmly fixed in the heavens. Your faithfulness endures to all generations; you have established the earth, and it stands fast. By your appointment they stand this day, for all things are your servants.

Psalm 119: 89-91

In Christ our Lord,

Seth Lemke, Chairman, Board of Elders