Choosing leaders

We'll be using the readings for the Ascension of Our Lord this Sunday, but were we to use the readings for the Seventh Sunday of Easter, we'd hear a selection from the beginning of Acts where a twelfth disciple is chosen to replace Judas (who died by suicide, see Acts 1:18). Peter speaks to the believers gathered in Jerusalem, saying, "So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us - one of these must become a witness with us to his resurrection" (Acts 1:21-22). 

The eleven disciples proposed two different men for the job, then prayed and discerned together. Should it be Joseph called Barsabbas, or Matthias? They cast lots, likely by throwing or drawing marked stones or twigs, as a way of placing the decision in God's hands. As we read in Acts 1:26, "...the lot fell on Matthias; and he was added to the eleven apostles." 

Photo by Element5 Digital on Unsplash

Choosing leaders is important work. As the early church grew by leaps and bounds following Pentecost, leaders were especially needed to offer guidance and be direct witnesses of Jesus' ministry and resurrection to the new believers. We, too, need leaders for this same work! In ELCA congregations, a group of lay leaders called the Congregation Council is elected to make decisions on behalf of the whole congregation. 

According to Trinity's Constitution (chapter 12), the duties of the Congregation Council include the following: 

• To lead this congregation in stating its mission, to do long-range planning, to set goals and priorities, and to evaluate its activities in light of its mission and goals.
• To seek to involve all members of this congregation in worship, learning, witness, service, and support.
• To oversee and provide for the administration of this congregation to enable it to fulfill its functions and perform its mission.
• To be examples individually and corporately of the style of life and ministry expected of all baptized persons.
• To promote a congregational climate of peace and goodwill and, as differences and conflicts arise, to endeavor to foster mutual understanding.
• To seek out and encourage qualified persons to prepare for the ministry of the Gospel.

The work of the Council requires discernment, thoughtful listening and communication, and active engagement in the life of the congregation. We elect new Council members each year on a rotating basis to serve a three year term, and will hold elections at our annual congregational meeting on June 6. If you feel called to serve the congregation in this way, please reach out to Pastor Kerri or Council President Alan Sandusky. If you do not feel called to serve on Council at this time, your prayers, feedback, and support are welcome for Trinity's leaders and the important work they do. Each of us has a role to play as members of the congregation and of the Body of Christ!

Bonus resources: 

• Here are the answers to last week's scavenger hunt on the ELCA website:
• the name of the ELCA secretary is Deacon Sue Rothmeyer.
• there are 26 ELCA colleges & universities,
• the next Churchwide Assembly will be August 8-12, 2022 in Columbus, Ohio,
• there are 103 congregations in Pennsylvania with "Trinity" in their name,
• there are 13 "social statements" (adopted by a two-thirds vote of an ELCA churchwide assembly) about topics like the death penalty, creation care, and sexism, as well as 15 "social messages" (reviewed by the Conference of Bishops and adopted by the ELCA Church Council) about topics that include government, mental illness, and gender-based violence. These documents are thoughtful, scripture-based resources which give care-filled, nuanced attention to complicated issues.