St. John Amelith Church

Dear Family of St. John,

Do you know the most wonderful thing about being a pastor? It isn’t that we pastors have lots of friends. Pastors do. But, it is something even more excellent than that.

It isn’t the courtesies pastors receive. I remember going to a hospital late one night years ago and a custodial worker there wouldn’t even let me push my own elevator buttons. Mop in hand, he rode the elevator to my floor to spare me the “ordeal“ of finding the right button. That was courtesy.

God’s people do respect the pastoral office, and that is gratifying. But there’s something far above everything else which gives a pastor his greatest joy.

It is the privilege to announce to each of you God’s forgiveness: In the stead and by the command of the Lord Jesus Christ to forgive you all your sins in the Name of the Father, and of the + Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

God uses a man’s voice as a direct communication of His Gift to you. It certainly requires no skill from me. As your pastor I furnish nothing extra. God alone does it.

My hope is that you also regard this as the greatest blessing of soon receiving, as God may will it, a new resident pastor. Never because he’s friendly, although we pastors should be. Never because a pastor has learned to receive civilities with aplomb. But because through his office, when we confess our sins, we receive divine absolution

– “that is, forgiveness, from the pastor, as from God himself, not doubting, but firmly believing that by it our sins are forgiven before God in heaven.” (Small Catechism)

God did not give pastors to the church for ceremonial purposes. He did it because He wants you to be given your pardon. From the cross of Christ unrestricted amnesty! To see that it is done God established an office for that one purpose. How good He is!

When the time comes that you receive word that the pastor whom God has called to serve here at St. John will have accepted that Call to serve as Christ’s undershepherd here, the greatest courtesy you can do him is not in deference paid to “a man of the cloth.” It is to believe the Word of Christ he has the highest privilege to announce. It is to regard your pastor simply as God’s envoy delivering God’s Word just as if Jesus himself were standing there.

Every Sunday, when you hear your pastor speak those words, rejoice with him in our wonderful forgiveness. Our daily life is renewed in the strength and joy of being told – as from Jesus Himself – our sins are forgiven.

Pastor Reed