Inspiring Investment
Leadership change is currently being felt throughout both the Episcopal Church and the Lutheran Church. A year ago, Bishop Sean Rowe was elected to serve the national Episcopal Church. This week, Bishop Yehiel Curry was elected to serve the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). Coincidentally, these changes happened relatively close together. To be clear, these are leaders of the national denomination. For those unfamiliar, we also have two local bishops that shepherd our geographic region of congregations. Lutherans call those regions synods; Episcopalians call them Dioceses.
I could write a book about the differences between the role of the Bishop in the Episcopal Church and the Lutheran Church, much of which I’ve only learned since being called to serve Lamb of God. However, since the Lutheran election took place this week, it may be worth better understanding what the Presiding Bishop does for the entire ELCA.
Bishop Yehiel Curry will oversee the 65 synod bishops throughout the U.S. This is done through an advisory group referred to as the Conference of Bishops. The Presiding Bishop also serves as a global face for our ecumenical and international relationships. Some people think of bishops as being a pastor for the clergy. If that’s true, then the Presiding Bishop would be the pastor for the local bishops. The Presiding Bishop appoints committee leaders and delegates leadership across every facet of the national church. While working collaboratively, they also provide the budget for the Churchwide organization.
I often say, “congregations are to local synods, what local synods are to Churchwide.” For example, in 2024, the Florida-Bahamas Synod had an income of $2.6 million. Our local synod pledged 36% of that to ELCA Churchwide. To put that these numbers into perspective, Lamb of God Church is one of 165 congregations in the Florida-Bahamas Synod, yet our Synod is only financially five times our size. Just so you know, the ELCA has nearly 10,000 congregations, they provide an income for Churchwide of around $40 million.
Bishop Yehiel Curry began as mission developer, stating in his first address after the election, “I'm what a return on your investment looks like. Perhaps I’m out there in one of you. I never saw myself as good enough, so for years, I said no to the call. I finally said yes. When I said yes, your support, this church’s support, of that ministry meant everything. So, if you want to know what your benevolence dollars look like, it looks like me. And I want to say thank you. Thank you for your investment.”
Why does this matter to us? Because it’s important to understand that we are part of something bigger. The impact that the Church has in the world is more felt, the more robust the ministry is. I think it is awesome to know that our dollars are going into things like combating hunger across the globe! We play a role in providing funds to start new congregations and help new pastors afford their Seminary education. In fact, I am a personal recipient of those dollars. I am a ‘Fund for Leaders’ scholar, nearly half of my master’s degree was paid for by congregations throughout the country. Without either one of us knowing it, the people of Lamb of God helped support me long before I even knew that Lamb of God existed. Isn’t that awesome?
This is often how God works! Love and support are given through institutions that exist to serve others. When we give financially, we are placing trust in God. Our trust is that our gifts will be used in a variety of different ways. You give, and then congregations give, and then synods give. God’s impact is amplified through thousands of people doing meaningful work!
What’s more, because we have the benefit of living within both the Lutheran Church and Episcopal Church, I would argue that our impact spreads across an even wider assortment of ministries. God is active and inspiring people all throughout both church bodies. Joint congregations like ours have double the impact! Lamb of God Church plays a vital role in ensuring that life-giving ministry happens throughout the country and world.
May God continue to guide our leaders and grant them the wisdom of discernment. May the Church graciously receive what we offer and use our gifts in ways that serve the best interest of others. I pray that our gracious God will equip the Church with inspiration to build a community most liken to Christ Jesus.
With hope,
Pastor Lucas McSurley
