Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
I was honored to be asked by Bob and Deb to write a newsletter article for you and specifically for you! Glad you are sharing news, information and care through your newsletter! It is a good thing! It is a sign of life and connection.
I served as a Parish Pastor in two congregations both in Northern Illinois District. St Peter, Gilberts, Illinois from 1990-2000 which was my first Call out of the Seminary. Our 4 children were born there and I grew up with the congregation, although when I arrived, they were 103 years old. I was in fact, there first full-time Pastor. What a privilege!
My second Call was as Senior Pastor at Immanuel in Belvidere. (2000-2018) We enjoyed the blessing of a Lutheran School and our children attended that school. Again, I learned much at Immanuel and often was “in over my head.” But God was gracious and have some special memories. Ministry happened and people were connected to Christ…one by one. God uses the Pastor and the people and we are intended to work together.
Each day I still miss being a Parish Pastor! That is the front line and you, St Paul, are on the front line of Ministry and Mission. God and the Church asked me to do something different…serve as a District President. It is like a “Bishop” but without all the power a Bishop has. It is leadership and service!
When I was a Parish Pastor, people would ask, “I know what you do for a few hours on Sunday, but what do you do the rest of the time?” Is it a full-time job? People still ask, what does a District President do? I’ll share with you a few things I do to serve you and the almost 200 other NID congregations.
1) Visitation of congregations, schools and with workers. That is how I have been able to get to know you. It can be Sundays or during the week and it can be happy occasions, sad occasions and sometimes in the midst of conflict or trouble. Yes, I put on quite a few miles on my vehicle. I am at a different congregation in the NID almost every Weekend. This past Saturday I did a funeral for one of our Pastors. This summer I get to do a couple of Weddings, including our son, Josiah and fiancée Connie.
2) I represent the Northern Illinois District to the whole of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. All the District Presidents (35) meet 4 times a year to discuss Theology, Practices of congregations, issues that face us and hear reports. We also hear what the LCMS is up to Internationally for the sake of the mission. There are many challenges with declining congregations and schools in most places. The shortage of Pastors is growing.
3) We talk a lot in NID about Word (the use of God’s Word among ourselves) Wellness (wellbeing of our Professional Workers, Lay leaders and congregations like St Paul) and Witness (following the Lord’s command that we share the Gospel to each other and to our communities.)
4) Ecclesiastical Supervision which is making sure we watch our life and doctrine closely (I Timothy 4:16) We desire to bring God’s best to each other and to the world in the work of congregations and schools. I spend time with our workers encouraging faithful teaching, preaching and practice. Sometimes, the encouragement moves to discipline so that we honor the vows we make. Much of this work happens behind the scenes.
5) Who is thinking about the people who have left the church or have never been in the church? It is on the Lord’s mind for Jesus came to seek and save the lost. (Luke 19:10) We all know them and have them as family and friends. Others are in the church, but really are not connected to Christ, or confess Him as Savior as Lord. That is why the NID spends time encouraging involvement in the community for the sake of sharing the Word of God. “I don’t care what you know until I know that you care.” Evangelism almost always flows from a relationship where there is trust. This is part of my role as District President. Healthy congregations and schools think beyond themselves. They have time, energy and money focused on those outside the congregation.
6) As a District President, I get to show up and thank congregations like St Paul for the financial support of the NID! Thank you! I appreciate to see the work of the lay leaders I have come to know over the past 5 years! You have been kind, caring and compassionate to my family and myself! Because Christ has risen, your labor is not in vain! It is bearing fruit in ways you do not even see or know! Your card and memorial at my mother’s passing meant so much to me and I thank you!!
Finally, my family and I just prayed for you around our dinner table. We pray over all who send us Christmas cards over the year and I picked your card! I am honored to know you and spend some special time with you. By the way, this is the first congregational newsletter article I have written since 2018. I am glad it is for you!
See you on Easter at 7 am! Invite a friend, neighbor or family member. Pray about the invitation first! With you, My Eyes are on Jesus, (Hebrews 12:2,3)
Pastor Allan Buss