Dear sisters and brothers,
We just wrapped up our college of preachers the last 3 Sundays. If you had to miss or didn’t hear I encourage you to give a listen:
- January 15th Josie Fasoldt preached We are Not Abandoned.
- January 22nd Laura Hepker preached Join the Revolution.
- January 29th Alissa Birkel preached Forerunners and Firstfruits.
We’ve done the college of preachers several times over the last few years, each time equipping lay people within our church to preach during our Eucharist service. We do this for several reasons:
- Part of our calling as followers of Jesus is to proclaim good news to each other. We do this on a micro level in DNA and Table Groups, and on a macro level during our worship service.
- We are committed to the full empowerment of women in ministry alongside men, no exceptions. The pulpit has traditionally been a place of discrimination and exclusion for women in churches. Not at The Table.
- We are committed to lay people (i.e. non-ordained parishioners) doing the work of ministry in our midst. The Holy Spirit gives the gifts of prophecy and teaching and we recognize it together. Preaching is the privilege of all God’s children, not just the clergy.
- As your priests, Spence, Ben and I are committed to equipping the saints for the work of ministry. That includes sharing the pulpit with as many people in our midst who discern and are called to preach.
I benefited greatly from the courage and faithfulness embodied by Alissa, Laura, and Josie. Each of them preached a timely word of good news that only they could preach. Our church is different because of their proclamation; they preached good news that I couldn’t have.
What a gift it is to receive Christ’s authority and presence working in their proclamation among us!
Grateful to be your priest, sisters and brothers. And excited for what God has in store for us in 2023.
Your servant in Christ,
Fr. Matt
Leave a Reply