RSVP 05 > Letter from President Mayan

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

“Whom shall I send and who will go for us?” This question was addressed to Isaiah as the Lord God called him to serve as His messenger. Isaiah’s task would not be easy as he was set apart to call an unbelieving world to repentance and announce God’s grace and mercy in the Messiah to come.

“Whom shall I send and who will go for us?” This question is still asked as God continues calling labourers into the harvest through His church: their task is no different than Isaiah. They are to be the mouthpiece of the Lord; messengers proclaiming His Word of life that comes only in Jesus Christ.

“Whom shall I send and who will go for us?” Next Sunday your congregation will join others across Lutheran Church–Canada in celebrating Synod’s recruitment initiative–RSVP. As you gather in worship, your pastor will ask you to consider this question asked by our Lord as you ponder whether there is someone in your congregation whom God might be calling to serve either in the Office of the Public Ministry or as a deacon in support of this divinely instituted office. This year your pastor will also be asking you to identify members whom you believe God could use to serve in your own congregation as Sunday school teachers, youth workers or on various boards.

We encourage you to consider the question during the week and next Sunday share that name or names with your pastor. He in turn will visit with the individuals nominated and with their permission send their names on to me in order that together as congregation, pastor and Synod we can nurture and God willing, prepare these individuals for service in the church.

As God’s people we have much to celebrate. We have this Christmas season been privileged to celebrate the gift of God’s grace and love in the Child of Bethlehem. Now in this Season of Epiphany we are reminded anew that His grace and love in Jesus Christ are for the whole world and we as Christ’s Church have the privilege of proclaiming His faithfulness with great boldness.

To assist the church in carrying this mission, our Lord instituted the office of the Public Ministry and gives to the church gifts of pastors and deacons and other church workers. He gives them birth in a local congregation like yours and gives all of us the privilege of identifying and preparing them for service. He also calls upon each of us to be stewards of the time, talents and treasure He so generously gives that enable us to serve each other.

So next Sunday join us in seeking to identify some of those gifts in your congregation and pray that God would continue to send workers into the harvest.

In Christ,
Rev. Ralph Mayan, president
Lutheran Church–Canada