Earlier this month I had the joy and privilege of joining nearly 700 other rostered ministers and leaders of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America for the 2023 ELCA Rostered Ministers Gathering in Phoenix, Arizona. The gathering was held under the theme, “Rekindle the Gift Within You.” It was only the second ever rostered ministers gathering, the first having occurred in Atlanta in 2017. (The second having originally been scheduled for 2020, but we all know what happened then…)

What made this so special to me, is that it is the one sort of gathering in ministry where there really is equal footing. Pastors, deacons, those serving in congregations, at synod level, at Churchwide, or in other social ministries and non-profits, all pretty much have equal footing to be present, to share, to learn, to spend time with, and simply to be who they are. The theme certainly helped with this. But if I’m being honest, the most special part of this gathering was being able to enjoy and experience it with Allison. At the risk of sharing too much personal information, my role takes me to many gatherings and experiences across the geography of the church. I’m grateful for it and love it. But I quite often wish that I could share the experience with my spouse. As a deacon and pastor’s spouse, I get to see God at work so often in so many ways through the congregation Allison serves and through her ministry, but what I don’t often get to do, is to experience the larger church happenings together with her in real-time. So, to be able to attend the RMG together was a joy and a blessing. (Not to mention, it was great to be out of state just the two of us for a few days for the first time since the pandemic really.)

Those who attended the RMG surely enjoyed the experience. I know that the group of rostered ministers from the Nebraska Synod who attended, did. We all gathered around the baptismal fount during the week to take a group photo. What a great mix of leaders and experience. My only regret is that we didn’t have more people from the synod there. I hope that the ELCA discerns that this is a great opportunity and continues to explore and offer this gathering in the years ahead, and that many more rostered ministers and colleagues will take advantage of this opportunity. It’s worth it.

It’s worth it because it provides the chance to gather with friends and colleagues. Friends whom you might have gone to seminary or college with and have not seen each other much recently, because of distance and geography, and in the nature of our ministry, because of being called to different synods and regions of the ELCA. It’s life-giving to be able to enjoy and catch-up with good friends, and sometimes even feeling like you can just catch-up without having missed a beat.

Along with that comes the opportunity to learn and grow. Continuing education is a gift and an expectation of good leadership and there were great continuing education opportunities through this gathering- through sabbath time away, through great presentations, and helpful and inspiring workshops. Not to mention to spend time with friends, colleagues, mentors, and professors is always a gift that I do not take for granted. I’m especially grateful for the many conversations I had with colleagues and friends from across the church throughout the week, for the opportunity to connect friends with Allison, and to see some of the mentors who have really helped shape my understanding of self and ministry, but also my partnership in that with my spouse. Seeing our mentors and ordination preachers, the Rev. Dr. Terri Elton and Rev. Dr. Karoline Lewis were highlights as well, of course.

The RMG was full of great speakers and preachers. We heard from Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton and Secretary Deacon Sue Rothmeyer. Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie from the African Methodist Episcopal Church preached powerfully for opening worship to set the stage for the whole gathering, and Bishop Kevin Strickland from the Southeastern Synod of the ELCA preached meaningfully for closing worship. Engaging and inspiring Bible studies that really dug into the themes and focused passages for the gathering were led by Rev. Dr. Karoline Lewis and Deacon Dr. Mindy Makant. We also heard great keynote messages from Rev. Dr. Carmelo Santos and Jeff Chu. The music was top notch too. Thank you to Rev. Jonathan Rundman, Deacon John Weit, Deacon Jennifer Baker-Trinity and the whole band. Check out videos from the RMG of the sermons and most of the major presentations here.

Like any such gathering there is always a question at the end of “What’s next?” A couple reactions:

• For me, there’s first the continued gratitude for opportunities to learn and gather like this. These are life-giving experiences for me, especially when they are such that both my wife and I can attend and enjoy. As long as there are opportunities like this, we will continue to take advantage of them. And further, a deeper sense that should more of these happen in the future, I will advocate more strongly in encouraging others to prioritize this and to come too.
• The time spent in Phoenix and at this gathering, and away from daily life really was a chance to “Rekindle the Gift Within You.” There was time with friends. Good meals. Quiet time to think and be. Time even at the pool and dinner at In-N-Out. It was good.
• Between the messages spoken and things shared, I am taking some of these to heart. They have already influenced my preaching and teaching. No doubt they will help shape some of my discerned experiments, ideas, and priorities for the year-ahead. I’m not sure I can articulate clearly particulars yet, but there are pieces from this experience that I know will show up in my ministry and daily life in Nebraska.

Thank you to everyone who made the RMG happen and made it possible. It was a joy, and I am so grateful that I was able to attend, participate, learn, gather with, and enjoy it! Thank you to all who came and made it happen, and to all those who encouraged leaders and ministers to attend and participate. Here’s hoping there will be another RMG again in the not too distant future.