God’s Goodness and the Faithful Service of Church Workers

by Rev. Robert Mohns

I have heard it said in our day, “what the world needs most today are more heroes.” And if you track the message of media in our world, it would have us focus our attention on heroes and put our hope in such heroes and their works. They would have us aspire to be a hero.

The Scriptures point us in an opposite direction. They point us to servanthood. In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus called people to Himself, saying: “You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:42-45).

I want to raise up before you those who have followed Jesus’ bidding and whom He has called into service in the Office of Holy Ministry, and also those whom He has called to serve as deacons and deaconesses in the church. Theirs is a noble task, the Scriptures say (1 Timothy 3:1). Such service is rendered under the cross under constant attack by sin, death, and devil, both from outside and from within. In our days, pastors and church workers have physically suffered horrific torture and the pangs of death for the sake of faithful service to their Lord, and much of the time their faithful toiling, suffering, and death remain unknown to us.

The season of last things begins with the great festival of All Saints, the remembering of all those who have gone before us in the faith and have been gathered up into the awaiting of that awesome day of His return. Among that great crowd, including cherubim and seraphim, stand the prophets and apostles and the noble army of martyrs, as we sing in the order of Matins.

I find it interesting that the festival days of Christmas are interspersed with so many remembrances of apostles, theologians, pastors, and deacons of the church who have faithfully pointed us to Christ. It is good for the members of Lutheran Church–Canada to continue to remember her servants and to set aside time to reflect upon their faithful work providing God’s people with His saving gifts and to give thanks to God for them. I entreat you to join me in remembering them not as heroes, but as faithful servants who received from the Lord what they also passed on to us.

A profitable earthly image to help us might be that of a bucket brigade, where water to put out a fire is passed along a line of firefighters. So, the Lord’s saving Gospel was poured into our pastor, to be poured into us and into the next generation of church workers.

In the past year, the following Lutheran Church–Canada workers have been called to glory: Rev. Paul DeBlock, Rev. Paul Eifert, Dcn. Katherine Enders, Rev. Lowell Guebert, Rev. Richard Klein, Rev. Dr. Edwin Lehman, Rev. Michael Montague, Rev. Louis Natzke, Rev. Dr. Harold Ruf, Rev. Sanford Schelp, and Rev. Dr. John Wilch.

Our pastors and church workers did not come down from heaven, but were born and raised by parents. Many married and bore children. As we give thanks to God for our workers, so we also give thanks to God for the families who supported their ministry. We remember especially the widowed spouses of our workers, lifting them up in our prayers. I encourage all of us to look in on these beloved spouses and provide for their care.

In the West Region, one out of every three congregations is experiencing a vacancy in the Office of Holy Ministry. The Lord’s prayer for more workers for the harvest continues to be raised up among us all.

Consider those who have gone before us, their example of selfless service and faithfulness by which our lives have been enriched. Consider the noble task of servanthood and sacrificial service to the Lord of the Church, which has eternal significance for the people in our communities and around the world. Consider their example, their faithful preparation and study of God’s Word and service in the church, and their continual prayers for God’s guidance and encouragement. Be open to God’s calling for service in the Office of Holy Ministry and as rostered deacons and trained church workers.

LCC’s Strategic Priorities have set this as one of its highest priorities for the church. As we enter this new year, we do so under the grace and mercy of God, giving thanks to Him for His faithful provision of workers, and praying earnestly for His continued provision of workers. God is good always. In His goodness, He hears and answers the prayers of His people, including for faithful workers for His Church.

Rev. Robert Mohns is Regional Pastor for Lutheran Church–Canada’s West Region.

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