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MISSION AND MINISTRY: MUCH WORK TO DO

I admire church workers. Particularly in this part of the state!

Area A is the most sparsely populated area in a state that is exploding with population growth.  The Lone Star State is projected to continue to grow at astonishing rates.  But not in Area A. 

During my first years in the ministry while serving on the Navajo Reservation in New Mexico and in Del Rio, Texas, I learned about isolation and self initiative.  I became acquainted with what I now call "Patient Intensity." 

Patient Intensity describes what the pastor needs in order to work in remote and distant locations.   On the one hand, the pastor (and his family) have to nurture relationships with members and non-members alike.  The common reality is that in many towns, were you to live there for ten years, you would still be considered an outsider.  This can be a frustrating reality and requires heroic patience with the congregation and with the community at large.  In addition to this, pastors often stay for only a few years and the congregation has learned over time not to listen too hard.  That's where patience comes in to play.  Such patience will build trust.

On the other hand, the pastor is called to lead and to take initiative.   This calls for creativity and accessing resources appropriate for the community.  This also calls for action that may be unconventional in ministry as you nurture the greatest asset in your congregation -- your members.

In many ways, working in Area A calls for the highest levels of creativity and requires the most stable and consistent theology.   Patient Intensity says, "I'm going to get things done, but I'm going to build genuine relationships at the same time."  These two agenda items often conflict with one another as a new idea takes years to receive acceptance.  The pastor in Area A needs to be able to do both at the same time.  This requires a remarkable personality and patience, along with clarity of vision and mission.  This is not for everyone.

Within the Texas District, Area A has the least number of congregations and the least number of total members associated with those congregations.  Still, there are many people in every one of our communities, notwithstanding the size of a community, who don't know Jesus or who are a "broken reed or smoldering wick" in their faith.  

The temptation with such distance and diversity of ministry in Area A, is to ignore each other and decide simply to go your own way.  Please resist that temptation.  The truth is, we need each other's support even though there are many different contexts for ministry across the Area.  I encourage each pastor to attend their circuit winkle when they are scheduled.  I also encourage each one to pray for the other in ministry and to build one another up in mutual conversation. 

Finally, the mission to which we have been called is not validated by context or modified by location.   Jesus said to His disciples, "Even as the Father has sent Me, so send I you."  Be certain of this: You have been sent (called) to the place you now serve.  I rejoice in that with you.  

Grace and mercy,

Rev. Steven Misch

Area A MMF, Texas District, LCMS