What a gift to be with the saints of Grace Lutheran in Mountain Home this morning. Father Larry preached and presided so I was able to simply worship. And then I joined the council for a lovely meeting following a potluck, Grace Lutheran and St. James Episcopal are deepening their relationship by worshiping together once a month starting in November. Grace continues to explore local partnerships and discern what to do with its property footprint.

Here’s what I shared with the congregation, more poetic here than what I said this morning as I’ve had time to edit:

Here, at Grace Lutheran, as you have lived into a deep conversation about stewarding or caring for your church property, I assume you have asked, “who’s property, is it?” Legally it belongs to your congregation and in ELCA Church governance, if you can follow your congregation constitution and have congregational meetings, you make the decisions about the property. Historically, this property has belonged to the many saints who have been members of Grace Lutheran. And theologically, everything, the fields and our church buildings, belongs to God and we are stewards of it all.

The Bible provides one witness after another that God’s mission to heal the world will not be derailed by human wickedness, doubt or failure. God’s reign is not built on human institutions or promises. It is built and planted in God’s grace-filled will to make it happen. The wicked tenants, by contrast, are tending the vines, but as they work, they are plotting how to turn stewardship into ownership.  

If you hear nothing else from me this morning, hear me say thank you, Grace Lutheran, for what I know has been hard and faithful discernment about property. I hope you come to a decision that continues the transformative and life-giving Word and Sacrament ministry, shows love of neighbor, and displays faithful stewardship. Yes, the end result is important. But in our get things done culture, we sometimes forget that the process or journey is equally important; the process in which you engage scripture, neighbors, Lutheran teaching, deep listening and prayer. 

The truth is that faithful and good stewardship as a collective body takes time and energy. It might include lament and grief for what is no longer. It might be filled with moments of uncertainty as you wait for the Holy Spirit to reveal what the vineyard will look like next. Meanwhile, we celebrate the harvest and that God forgives us and nurtures us for this work. I’m delighted to be with you as we feast at the Lord’s Supper!