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Weekly Devotional

May 12, 2008
 

1 Timothy 3:1-7  The saying is sure: whoever aspires to the office of bishop desires a noble task.  ² Now a bishop must be above reproach, married only once, temperate, sensible, respectable, hospitable, an apt teacher,  ³ not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, and not a lover of money.  ⁴ He must manage his own household well, keeping his children submissive and respectful in every way--  ⁵ for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how can he take care of God's church?  ⁶ He must not be a recent convert, or he may be puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil.  ⁷ Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace and the snare of the devil.

            This week I will get to do something that not many people get to do.  I will get to take part in the election of the Bishop for the SC Synod.  Ron, Liz, and Sydni will be joining me in Columbia for this historic event.  Boyd and Maggie will also be present (retired clergy are allowed to vote as well).  I find it fitting that as small as Springs of Grace is, we will have a good showing for this event in the life of the church.

            As this weekend approaches, I ask a simple favor from each of you.  That favor is that you pray for those of us who are there.  Pray that we follow the call of the Spirit, and that we elect the right person to be Bishop for the next six years.  This process is not one that should be taken lightly, but instead should be taken seriously with the utmost reverence. 

            For the majority of the people in the Synod, the bishop is the leader.  He (or she) is the one who handles things on a higher level, giving instruction to the other leaders in the synod.  But for those of us that are rostered leaders, the bishop is someone else.  The bishop is our pastor, just like I am your pastor.  And so in that sense, we look for someone who can fulfill the administrative duties that come with the job as well as be a pastoral presence to those of us that are in leadership positions.  You may all recall that Carrie and I asked Bishop Donges to baptize Addison.  That is because he is my pastor (and will be until a new bishop is elected). 

            Next week I will bring news in my weekly devotional of who our new bishop is.  At that time, I hope that we can begin praying for that person, because they will have big shoes to fill.  In the mean time, please pray for each of us that are going to be at the assembly, and pray that it is God’s will that be done.

In our prayers this week:  Linwood, Gail and her mom, Alma, Doris and her mom, and Deborah Steed.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Judson