The Good News and the Bad News About Reformation

At the end of the month, we will celebrate the biggest day of the year on the Lutheran Calendar.  Each year, on the last Sunday of October we remember the Reformation-a movement in history that began when Martin Luther nailed a list of 95 critiques of the Catholic church to the door of the Castle Church in Wittenburg, Germany.  All over North America, Lutherans will flock to church dressed in red to commemorate the day.  Many will sing songs that were written by Luther himself.  That’s the good news, that our Lutheran tradition is connected with an important historical movement-one that changed the world forever.

The bad news is that “reformation” is a word that is synonymous with change.  Look up its root in the dictionary and you will find these words:

reform: transitive verb.  To put or change into an improved form or condition.

So, you and I are members of a tradition whose existence was founded when a radical monk mounted a protest by nailing a manifesto to the church doors.  This is the stock from which we come.  This is the heritage we claim.  Wouldn’t it be great if we came from historically moderate, conservative, predictable, boring people?  But, alas, we come from a fiery, passionate, exciting, and world-changing lineage!  It’s bad news for us because as we all know, change is hard.  Add to this that Lutherans are better known these days for things like coffee hour and “A Prairie Home Companion.”   And yet, Reformation Sunday will be here before you know it-and with it a reminder of where we come from.

What if this Reformation were different?  What if you reclaimed your Lutheran identity by doing more than wearing red?  What would you nail to the door this year?  What would you change about the world that you live in?  What would you shout to the world around you?  Martin Luther made a list and shared it with his community.  If he hadn’t, we wouldn’t be here.  I wonder what “reformations” need to be voiced this year to lay the foundations for the church of tomorrow?  I wonder how many of them live within the people of St. James?  I wonder what God might be up to if we gave voice to them and followed where they led? 

Truthfully, we are a people of change-of reformation-at St. James.  The Mobile Loaves and Fishes and Soup Kitchen ministries reform and reshape what it means to meet the hungry and offer them nourishment from God’s hand.  Kid’s Club, Conrfirmation, and TFC are agents of reformation, shaping and teaching young people about God’s love.  Our worship changes us each week, reforming saints out of sinners, and feeding us with the presence of Jesus.  Look around, and you will see that the Lutheran church is full of radical reformations-they’re happening every day.  This is great news!  What will you bring to the conversation this year?  What will you nail to the door?

God’s peace,
Pastor Andrew