For a study guide see page 22.
welcoming new members is a diffi cult conversation for many church council leaders who are wary of legalism and works righteousness. Lutherans don’t like hoop- jumping, even for a good cause. As a much younger pastor, I visited the still-famous
Church of the Savior in Washington, D.C., a couple of times. I’ll always cherish those days in the city, observ- ing how the congregation was structured and marveling over the various ministries that comprised a full block. Part of the immersion expe-
rience included a visit to the church’s retreat center in nearby Maryland where participants spent time with founding pas- tor Gordon Cosby, now deceased. Cosby was an amazing servant of Christ. We young pastors asked him many questions, several a version of this one: “How in the world did this church happen?” Cosby always referenced the
power of the Spirit. But he also was adamant about giving the Spirit room to work in our lives to shape and change
and convert. All members of the church were expected to sign an
annual membership covenant that read, in part: “I com- mit my life and destiny to Jesus Christ, regardless of the expenditure of time or money.” I recall Cosby saying something like: “With-
out a covenant with the Holy Spirit, it is highly doubtful that we’ll give the Spirit room to work and room to
18
Some people come to faith in Christ through imi t a - tion, not unlike my cat Raney. Christ r e a c h e d t h em when they were half-dead and brought them into community with his people, the church. They were fed, loved and cared for. They were brought into the fold.
August 2014 17
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