From our Senior Pastor

“Hanging Chads” and Disqualified Ballots.

The selection of a Bishop is always a moving experience.  One wonders about the move of the Spirit in such instances.  I always wondered, too, about the many ways one could void an ecclesiastical ballot in the process of prayerfully discerning what to do.  Well, on Saturday, May 14, I may have invented another.  On the fifth and final, decisive ballot, I felt the overwhelming urge to write a prayer for the candidate underneath the name I recorded on the ballot.  As soon as my ballot was whisked away along with many others, I had an unsettling feeling that mine would be disqualified.  Sure enough, when the tallies were announced, one ballot was disqualified!  Could that have been mine?  Or was I just experiencing a nagging sense of debacle? 

When I later reviewed within my heart the decision to write a prayer for the candidate, I felt a renewed sense that I had done the right thing.  In the mystery of prayer, our petitions rise before the LORD as incense, a sweet savor.  In my life I have been a procrastinator about some things, but in praying, I seldom if ever put off the offering of a prayer petition when one is needful.  Somehow in the mystery of that moment last Saturday, I felt a written prayer for the candidate on the ballot was necessary.  I don’t know why, nor will I probably ever know what led to this action on my part.  But if voiding a ballot was the outcome, so be it!  That written prayer may yet accomplish something in my life.  As I remember this instance, may I never fail to pray for those who lead.  And I was also somehow comforted to know that my ballot, if indeed the disqualified “hanging chad,” had not influenced the outcome in any way.  Except to say that for me, the whole process was a bathing of prayer in a tangible way.

By the way, may we remember to pray for Bishop-elect Don Kreiss during this time of transition, as we thank Interim Bishop Ken Olsen for his faithful service during times of sorrow and joy.

This summer offers us many opportunities for service to our Risen LORD Jesus.  Please read this “Communicator” and upcoming issues of the “Herald” to discover ways in which you can be involved in extending the Touch of the Master into many more hearts and lives. 
                                     
Prayerfully,
+ Pr. Drex