I left you hanging last month as I talked about the kind of pastor I believe CtL needs. I addressed the dynamics of both personal study of scripture and the need to listen to other interpretations of scripture than what a pastor comes up with on his or her own. I can think of no more important attribute in a pastor that will suggest success or failure in this congregation than just such a dynamic.

Without a strong sense of God’s Word as speaking now, I expect that this congregation will be disappointed in the new pastor. However, without the ability to listen to what this congregation is hearing God saying, I expect this congregation to be just as disappointed. I have spoken of the higher-than-average level of education among CtL members in a previous newsletter piece. You might recall that I said that when I talk about the education level of this congregation I mean not only formal or classroom education but also experiential learning. CtL is made up of members who have much to share with any pastor, no matter how well educated they are.

Still, what happens when a pastor and his/her people disagree about what they hear God saying? Ah, precisely! It is at just such a time that the ability to agree without being disagreeable demonstrates God’s presence or lack of it. People of good faith are able to interpret God’s intentions differently. CtL members who have had staying power understand that. Those who have not understood that principle have left or are leaving. I fully expect it to be the same in relationship to the new pastor.

One of the important pieces of Lutheran theology, which is a living piece of CtL’s understanding of how we live out our relationship with God, is that we are the Body of Christ. Baptism has joined us to Christ’s Body. The Lord’s Supper has sustained that Body. Though different parts of the Body function differently, we need all of the parts to be a complete Body.

And the Body of Christ is bigger than CtL. Next month, we will take a look at that truth.