Signs of the Spirit

I wish each of you could accompany me for a month. The panoramic view of the richly diverse, clearly Christ-centered, Spirit-filled ministries that I regularly witness is cause for thanksgiving. The following vignettes are verbal snapshots.

Bismarck, N.D.: A January ice storm was not enough to deter participants in the Western North Dakota Synod's GIFTS program (Growing In Faith To Serve). The program equips lay people for mission. They joined with clergy to share their commitment to sustaining gospel-centered ministries in changing rural communities. Hope was far more prevalent than despair.

Las Vegas: Pastors who start mission congregations met with ELCA churchwide staff and students from six ELCA seminaries to mentor one another. This group has a passion for inviting people to new life in Christ.