November 19, 2006

Each one must give as he has made up his mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. (II Corinthians 9:7)

Dear Friends and Members of Grace,

Joy and I have not driven to Columbia for dinner in some time. It is somewhat surprising that we haven't done so considering the passage of Columbia's law banning smoking in restaurants. Neither of us cares to walk through a haze to get to our table nor do we care to sit in the "non-smoking" section only to have the smoke migrate across the border to our supposedly smoke-free land. Completely smoke-free restaurants are quite attractive to me. But admitting that requires me to swallow a great deal of guilt because I'm admitting that I would rather force someone else to change to meet my demands rather than taking responsibility for the matter myself. It's not just the smoker who is being bullied by my desires, but also the private owner of the restaurant whom I am effectively telling: "I want to eat at your restaurant, but I'm too weak-willed to stay away if you allow smoking so I'm going to force you to change your practice." In other words, I've turned the Golden Rule into: "Make others do as you would have them do unto you."

Making otherwise legal practices illegal in privately-owned restaurants not only brings me a certain level of guilt, but also a great deal of worry. Logical consistency will lead us to places that will make nearly all of us uncomfortable. Such as, since the ground reason for making smoking illegal in restaurants is a concern for public health, shouldn't we also control portion sizes and ingredients? Health experts have declared obesity to be the number health problem in America so it's a public health issue. New York City may soon be going this route as they are holding hearings to consider banning the use of trans-fats in restaurants. And since every nutritionist will tell you that eliminating trans-fats will not create a healthy meal by itself, wouldn't the next logical step be to limit each meal by its caloric content. After all, it's a public health issue. And if we're willing to do this in a privately-owned restaurant, the next logical step would be to take these rules into privately-owned residences. If we're truly zealous for public health then we should sets limits on the number of calories on the Thanksgiving table!

I'm not trying to create mass panic about Big Brother's control over our lives. But I do believe we should be logically consistent in our decisions. That is why, while I will enjoy restaurants being smoke-free by legislative force, I am concerned about where it logically leads. To move from smoking to serving sizes and from privately-owned restaurants to privately-owned residences is only a matter of degree, not kind. If I accept legislative control over whether a private individual can allow smoking in his restaurant then I cannot turn around and be upset when legislative control is brought upon a private individual (like me) and whether I can serve unhealthy portions in my home on Thanksgiving. It's simply a matter of logical consistency.

The big question is: Do the ends justify the means? You may conclude that in the above scenario, the ends do justify the means. You are certainly free to believe that as a Christian. But as a theologian and as your pastor, there are most certainly matters in your Christian life where the ends do not justify the means. A key area in which that is true is the matter of Christian stewardship - an issue that comes before many congregations at the close of the year as new budgets are drawn up and end-of-year financial concerns are addressed. Of course, it is the desire of our congregation to see every member making use of their time, talents and treasures in support of the work of our congregation. That is a fine desire, but one that is not easily accomplished. To meet that goal, I could suggest a policy of requiring every member to be in attendance for at least 50% of our services every year. I could suggest that we proclaim that every member is to be donating at least 100 hours a year in volunteer service at Grace. I could suggest that Grace adopt the policy that in order to be a member in good standing, the Old Testament standard of a tithe (10% of gross income) be necessary. And the list could go on. But I won't be making any such suggestions because this is most certainly an area where the ends do not justify the means. This is not an area in which to pervert the Golden Rule into being: "Make others do as you would have them do unto the Church." Logical consistency with such reasoning would lead to the conclusion that the Christian life is about a checklist of requirements rather than it be about a loving relationship with God by the merit of Christ which overflows into loving relationships with our neighbors.

The Christian, biblical approach to stewardship is not one of backing people into a corner by legislation. Christian stewardship is about love in action. Christ has loved us freely so we are free to love one another. Our love for others is most distinct in our proclamation of the Gospel in word and deed. Such love is not bound to this life, but carries others into everlasting life. And so giving of our time, talents, and treasures to the Church is nothing other than a means to ensure that the Gospel is proclaimed not only to those who already know Christ, but to those outside the faith as well.

Christian stewardship is about asking: "What are my priorities?" I would pray that we could all answer: "God's love for the world found in the crucified and resurrected Christ is my number one priority. It has brought me forgiveness, life and salvation. With the joy of knowing Christ's love, I gladly give of my time, talents, and treasures, not with reservation, but freely, because His love needs to be communicated to all."

The Peace of the Lord be with you,

Pastor Golden

Children Needed: We need plenty of children to be part of Grace's Christmas float on Saturday, December 9. We'll meet at Grace at 1 p.m. Any children planning on participating should inform Pastor or Ron Erxleben.

Inspire Books & Gifts: Wondering what to buy for Christmas gifts? Beginning on Sunday, October 15, you will have the chance to purchase Christian books and other items from Concordia Publishing House right at Grace. Proceeds from the sale will go to Grace's Building Expansion Fund.

LifeLight: Our study of "Law & Gospel" just concluded. We'll resume on Monday, January 8, 2007, 7 p.m. for a study of Miracles - Biblical and Contemporary. Anyone interested in participating should contact Pastor Golden by December 17 so sufficient materials may be ordered.

Christmas Caroling: Summit Villa has requested that we share the Christmas joy by caroling for their residents sometime in December. Anyone interested in participating should contact Pastor Golden by Sunday, November 26.

Christmas Decorating: Join us on Saturday, December 2, 3 p.m. as we decorate Grace for Advent and Christmas. A potluck will follow.

Boundary Water Trip: Join us on the Minnesota-Canada Boundary Waters for a 5 day/50 mile fun, inexpensive getaway (less than $200/person) July 1-6, 2007. Interested persons should contact Lisa Wehmeyer at 896-4470 by Nov. 15. Need commitment by January 1.

Christmas Poinsettias: Grace will be adorned with beautiful poinsettias for Advent and Christmas. Reserve your poinsettia to take home after Christmas by signing up in the narthex. Cost is $11.

Advent Meals: Wednesday evening Advent services are scheduled for Dec. 6, 13, & 20 at 7 p.m. Individuals or groups wishing to sponsor the 6 p.m. meal on one of those evenings may sign up in the narthex.

2007 Officers: Congregational officers for 2007 will be elected at the Voter's Meeting on Sunday, December 10, 11:15 a.m. You may volunteer yourself or nominate another member to serve in one of those offices on the nomination roster in the narthex.